Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid

Abstract

Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid characterized in that the disposable drinking container lid (D) of the disposable drinking container mouth (A) is held on a holder (E) in combination with a connection (C) or several on the surface of the disposable drinking container belly (B) or the disposable drinking container neck.

Description

[0001] A lid is an integral part of disposable drinking containers, whether made of PET, glass, or single-use beverage packaging. Disposable drinking container lids are usually round, small, and easily lost, thus ending up in nature and becoming a nuisance. As a solution, they are either attached to the disposable drinking container with a thin, short plastic band, as described in patent applications DE2430775A1 and EP1961669A2, or they are folded over by a device attached to the side of the disposable drinking container's mouth when opened. However, because the lid remains close to the mouth, care must always be taken to hold the disposable drinking container at a wide angle to the side of the mouth; otherwise, the lid will touch the skin around the mouth and interfere with drinking, or it could hit the nose, which is unhygienic.For a person with thin lips or a large nose, drinking is almost impossible unless the disposable drinking container lid is turned to the side. The lid, which is attached with a thin plastic band, touches the cheeks even when turned sideways.

[0002] A residue of the liquid always remains in the lid of a disposable drink container; the thicker the liquid, the more residue there is. Even if you always and consistently turn the lid to the side before drinking, you can still get some of the contents on your cheek. With water, you can simply wipe it off, but with drinks containing calories, such as cocoa or drinking yogurt, you can get stains on your face that need to be thoroughly removed, otherwise they will go unnoticed, which is unsightly. Milk-based drinks can even cause an unpleasant odor on the skin, requiring the area to be washed. If you place your fingers on the lid of a disposable drink container to hold it, which is a common practice, they can get some of the liquid on them and, depending on the contents, become sticky or start to smell unpleasant.

[0003] The fact that the lid of a disposable drinking container stays near the mouth of the container is not ideal. While the handle itself is simple – just turn the lid to the side and drink – there is still a possibility that the lid will hit the nose or face. Even a slight, careless twist of the disposable drinking container in the hand is enough for this to happen. In real life, it happens that one is distracted or deep in conversation; if one is not paying attention and the lid hits the nose or face, it is annoying and unpleasant.In addition, the lid of a disposable drink container has thin and hard edges; some disposable drink containers also have sharper plastic parts on the lid designed to tear an aluminum foil when opened. Pressure from the lid can hurt the skin, and this can happen in situations where you are moving, for example in a moving car, or if you or the container is accidentally bumped by someone while drinking, perhaps with their shoulder, or when children are playing and running and pushing.The disposable drinking container mouth, which usually has less sharp edges, has already caused pieces of the incisors to break off while drinking; in such cases, the disposable drinking container lid, which is located near the disposable drinking container mouth and thus on the face, is not harmless, it can cause pain or scratches, especially since facial skin is sensitive, and even more so in children.

[0004] The prior art offers several patent applications as solutions, but these have disadvantages. Either the described holder for the disposable drinking container lid is unsuitable; the disposable drinking container lid is held without a secure connection and can therefore be lost; or the solutions exhibit flaws in their function or design.

[0005] Patent application CN000102826275A describes a holder for the bottle cap that is located on the surface of the container. To clarify the purpose of the patent application, it shows in Fig. 1. A bottle whose lid is connected with an elastic band. The patent application strongly advises against using such an elastic band to connect the lid, as it interferes with pouring. Even if the lid were firmly attached to the bottle, and the elastic connection were entirely absent, the other disadvantages of drinking directly from the disposable container would remain. The proposed solution of simply using a holder for the lid is not ideal; it could cause the lid to fall off and end up in nature.

[0006] EP3873821B1 offers a combination of a cap attached to a retaining band and a recess in the PET container for the cap. This recess is known from other patent applications, such as US005897010A. When opened, the cap remains attached directly to the container opening; according to the patent application, this state is suitable for pouring. To drink directly from the container, the retaining band is released by manually tearing open pre-scored points. This removes the cap from the container opening, and it can then be held in place by hand or inserted into the recess. As mentioned, holding the cap with the fingers or hand is not particularly hygienic, both for the cap, which is intended to reseal the container, and for the fingers or hand if the contents contain calories.The patent application proposes a recess in the container to serve as a holder. Disposable PET containers are generally easily deformed under low pressure; with a recess acting as a holder, the container also loses its symmetrical shape, which provides a certain degree of stability, thus weakening the PET container at that point and making it more susceptible to deformation. Some manufacturers make the PET container material even thinner to conserve resources and keep sales prices low. Such PET containers are mostly used by supermarkets and discount stores for their own-brand beverages. The thin PET material makes the disposable drinking container even softer and more easily deformed, so much so that simply inserting the cap into this recess can deform both the cap and the PET container. If the contours of the recess in this invention are deformed under pressure, it loses its precise shape and thus its function as a recess for the disposable drinking container lid.Since the holder is inside the container, one can try to push the spot out with slight pressure on the depth area, or one can put one's hand or some tool into the container, which is cumbersome, unhygienic, and does not guarantee that the depth will be restored to its original shape in order to use it as a holder.

[0007] Prior art patent applications such as JP002001294259A, JP000003115076U, KR102011017213A, WO002013044906A1, and US000007870968B2 generally criticize the lack of a storage place for disposable drink container lids. If the lid falls, it gets dirty or can be lost. A holder for storing the disposable drink container lid is proposed as a solution, but this means the shortcomings they mentioned would still exist, as the lid could still fall.

[0008] In invention JP002006082875A, the lid is inserted into a slot at the mouth of the disposable drinking container and thus held in place. If the disposable drinking container falls to the ground with its full or half-full contents, the lid can break the slot and render the container unusable. Furthermore, the lid remains very close to the mouth of the container, requiring the container to be turned sideways each time, and there is a high risk of accidentally hitting oneself in the face with it, which is undesirable. The invention does not provide any way to secure the lid to the container, meaning that if it falls, it can be lost.

[0009] The aim of the invention is to ensure that the disposable drinking container lid remains attached to the disposable drinking container, does not pollute the environment, does not interfere with drinking, does not soil the face with liquid contents, and is neither unhygienic nor dangerous. To this end, the device features characteristics that make it more effective and simplify its use.

[0010] The shortcomings of the prior art are remedied by holding the disposable drinking container lid, which is connected to the disposable drinking container, in combination with a holder on the surface of the disposable drinking container's body or neck; thus it remains on the disposable drinking container and is not lost, and at the same time it is away from the disposable drinking container's mouth without causing the described disadvantages. Explanation of the characters: A disposable drinking container mouth. B Disposable drinking container belly. C connection. Disposable drinking container lids. E-bracket. E1 A form of retaining lips. E2 retaining lips with a snap-in profile. E3 Double Lips F Snap-in profile. G a holder onto which the disposable drinking container lid is screwed. Fig. 1: the upper part of a disposable drinking container with a holder (E), a connection (C), and a disposable drinking container lid (D). Fig. 2: Perspective view of the top of a disposable drinking container, where the disposable drinking container lid (D) is held in the holder (E) by a connection (C). Fig. 3: A closer perspective view of a bracket with mounting lips (E1). Fig. 4: A closer perspective view of another type of bracket with mounting lips (E2) and a snap-in profile (F). Fig. 5: A closer perspective view of a bracket with double lips (E3). Fig. 6: the upper part of a disposable drinking container with a holder made of retaining lips (G) onto which the disposable drinking container lid (D) can be screwed. Fig. 7: Perspective view of the top of a disposable drinking container where the disposable drinking container lid (D) is screwed and held on the outside of the holder (G).

[0011] To better understand the subject matter of the invention, the molded parts of the disposable drinking container are illustrated. A disposable drinking container consists of a spout, from which the liquid contents emerge; this includes an opening at the very top of the disposable drinking container and the point where the lid is screwed on, extending to the bottle-mouth ring; after the spout comes the neck, which is usually narrow and can be long, short, or even absent; then comes the body, which largely contains the liquid.

[0012] Claim 1: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid characterized in that the disposable drinking container lid (D) of the disposable drinking container mouth (A) is held on a holder (E) in combination with a connection (C) or several on the surface of the disposable drinking container belly (B) or the disposable drinking container neck.

[0013] By holding the disposable drinking container lid, which is connected to the disposable drinking container by one or more connectors (C), on a holder (E) on the body (B) or neck of the disposable drinking container after opening, it is not lost and does not pollute the environment. At the same time, it is kept far away from the mouth of the disposable drinking container (A), does not interfere with drinking, and there is no possibility of the nose touching the lid. It is not necessary to turn the lid to the side or place fingers on it before drinking. This prevents the liquid remaining in the lid from getting on the face or fingers, and the lid remains far away from the face, which is safer.

[0014] Claim 2: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (E) is physical.

[0015] The retaining element (E) of the disposable drinking container lid consists of physical lips such as (E1) (E2) (E3) (G) with an inner and outer surface; they may have a snap-in profile (F) or be double lips such as (E3); the retaining lips may form an empty space on the surface of the disposable drinking container body or neck ( Fig. 1) which can accommodate the disposable drinking container lid ( Fig. 2) or as a block without an intermediate space. The disposable drinking container lid can be attached by pressing it onto the holders (E1) (E2) (E3) or screwed onto the holder lips (G). The intermediate space at (E1) (E2) is slightly smaller than the disposable drinking container lid, so that the holder lips press against it and hold it in place. The disposable drinking container lid and holder can have a snap-in profile (F) that holds the lid.

[0016] By attaching the holder for the disposable drinking container lid to physical parts on the surface of the disposable drinking container body (B) or disposable drinking container neck ( Fig. 3) ( Fig. 4) ( Fig. 5) Since the holder does not conform to the contours of a depth within the disposable drinking container, it cannot be deformed and lose its function as a holder. When the disposable drinking container lid is inserted into the holder, the holder lips bear the resulting pressure, not the depth within the disposable drinking container, thus preventing deformation. With a holder on the surface of the disposable drinking container, it retains its symmetrical shape and is less susceptible to deformation at that point. If the entire area of ​​the holder is compressed and deformed, this does not affect the protruding holder lips, and they can be used as small handles to push the area out.

[0017] The preferred material for the retaining lips can be the same as that used for disposable drinking containers, so that they can be produced from the same manufacturing process, and no mixed material is created during recycling that needs to be processed.

[0018] There may be several holders on the body or neck of a disposable drinking container, e.g. two or three, so that after opening the disposable drinking container lid you can bring it to the nearest holder without turning it.

[0019] The holder onto which the disposable drinking container lid is screwed ( Fig. 6) ( Fig. 7) does not need to be a block like the disposable drinking container mouth, since the disposable drinking container lid does not need to seal at this point, several retaining lips (G) which form the shape of the disposable drinking container lid are sufficient.

[0020] Claim 3: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of ​​the holder has a minimal elevation or depression on the surface of the disposable drinking container.

[0021] The mounting point may have a minimal raised area of ​​a few millimeters above the surface of the disposable drinking container. This allows the user to feel the raised area with their finger when attaching the lid, indicating where it needs to be pressed in. Alternatively, it may have a minimal indentation beneath the surface of the container. This allows the lid to wedge into the resulting edge and then be more easily inserted into the mounting point. This indentation is minimal, measuring only a few millimeters, and does not itself function as a recessed holder or recess for the lid; it merely facilitates its attachment. Without the mounting lips, this minimal indentation is useless.

[0022] Claim 4: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of ​​the holder is less rounded, partially or completely flat.

[0023] With rounded disposable drinking containers, the small area of ​​the holder can be less rounded, partially flat (for example, only a small section in the center of the holder), or completely flat. This allows the disposable drinking container lid to fit more securely in the holder. The holder lips don't need to be very long to hold the lid securely. Keeping the holder area flat is particularly useful if the disposable drinking container, or parts of it, are very narrow; this is usually the case with the neck of a disposable drinking container.

[0024] Claim 5: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of ​​the holder is shaped according to the profile of the disposable drinking container lid.

[0025] Disposable drink container lids are not always flat, but also slightly curved; the profile of the curve can be gently rounded or have a specific shape. The mounting surface can be shaped to match the profile of the disposable drink container lid so that the lid fits precisely onto the surface of the disposable drink container. The special feature is that the height of the mounting lips can be kept to a minimum; they fulfill their function without being extra high and are barely noticeable.

[0026] Claim 6: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1, characterized in that the disposable drinking container lid is held with adhesive.

[0027] Using non-drying adhesives such as gel-based or double-sided adhesives, the disposable drink container lid can be attached to and removed from the holder as needed. The advantage here is that the shape of the disposable drink container remains virtually unchanged, and holding the lid is even easier, all of which increases the acceptance of the attached disposable drink container lids.

[0028] A preferred feature of this embodiment is that the surface of the holder is shaped according to the profile of the disposable drinking container lid as in claim 4, and slightly recessed according to claim 5, so that the disposable drinking container lid has more surface area to grip, and if the disposable drinking container falls on the ground, the adhesive point on the holder does not get dirt and soil due to its curved and recessed shape, and thus does not lose its property as a holder.

[0029] The self-adhesive area can be protected with a film, for example made of plastic or paper, which is removed when the disposable drinking container is opened. The film can have one or more small self-adhesive areas, for example 2 or 3 of them, so that after it is removed from the holder, it sticks to another part of the disposable drinking container, so that it stays on the disposable drinking container and does not end up as litter on the ground.

[0030] Claim 7: Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 2, characterized in that the holder has a protective feature.

[0031] The physical holder may have a protective covering, such as a thin film or paper, to shield it from dirt, insects, foreign objects, and substances, thus keeping it hygienically clean and preventing the disposable drink container lid from transferring unwanted contaminants to the disposable drink container's mouth (A). The covering may be designed so that it cannot be completely removed; or it may have one or more small self-adhesive strips that, once removed from the holder, adhere to another part of the disposable drink container, thus remaining attached and preventing it from ending up as litter. The hygienic covering may include a visual indication that it must be removed, and it may also feature the brand logo of the beverage or the beverage manufacturer.

[0032] This device eliminates the disadvantages that have previously caused by attached disposable beverage container lids. Water bottles made of PET or glass, as well as disposable beverage containers for various contents such as juices, cocoa, etc., can now be sold using this system. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 2430775A1

[0001] EP 1961669A2

[0001] CN 000102826275A

[0005] EP 3873821B1

[0006] US 005897010A

[0006] JP 002001294259A

[0007] JP 000003115076U

[0007] KR 102011017213A

[0007] WO 002013044906A1

[0007] US 000007870968B2

[0007] JP 002006082875A

[0008]

Claims

[1] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid characterized by , that the disposable drinking container lid (D) of the disposable drinking container mouth (A) is held in combination with one or more connections (C) on the surface of the disposable drinking container body (B) or the disposable drinking container neck on a holder (E). [2] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1 characterized by , that the support (E) is physical. [3] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1 characterized by that the area of ​​the holder has a minimal elevation or depression from the surface of the disposable drinking container. [4] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1 characterized by that the area of ​​the bracket is less rounded, partially or completely flat. [5] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1 characterized bythat the area of ​​the holder is shaped according to the profile of the disposable drinking container lid. [6] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 1 characterized by that the disposable drinking container lid is held in place with adhesive. [7] Device for holding a disposable drinking container lid according to claim 2 characterized by that the bracket has a protective layer.

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