Lid for sealing a cup for holding a hot beverage

Abstract

Described is a lid (1) for sealing a cup for holding a hot beverage, which lid includes: means (2) that cooperate with the cup rim in a clamping and sealing fashion; a lid surface (3) that extends substantially parallel to the cup rim when the lid cooperates with the cup rim; at least one support surface (4), extending distanced from and essentially parallel to the lid surface, configured to support a disc-shaped baked product (5) above and distanced from the lid surface; one or more heat transfer apertures (6) arranged in the lid surface; a drinking opening (7); and a closure element (9); wherein the lid comprises at least one edge element (8), formed around and distanced from the centre (M) of the lid surface and extending upwards from the lid surface to beyond the at least one support surface, with an inner side (8a) directed towards the centre of the lid surface, an outer side (8b) directed away from the centre of the lid surface and an upper side (8c), for holding the disc-shaped baked product against the inner side thereof in an optionally clamping manner; and the closure element cooperates in a sliding manner over or under the lid surface between a closed position where the one or more heat transfer apertures are closed and an open position where the one or more heat transfer apertures are open.

Description

[0001] Lid for sealing a cup for holding a hot beverage

[0002] The invention relates to a lid for sealing a cup for holding a hot beverage, which lid includes: means that cooperate with the cup rim in a clamping and sealing fashion; a lid surface that extends substantially parallel to the cup rim when the lid cooperates with the cup rim; at least one support surface, extending distanced from and essentially parallel to the lid surface, configured to support a disc-shaped baked product above and distanced from the lid surface; one or more heat transfer apertures arranged in the lid surface; a drinking opening; and a closure element; De invention also relates to an assembly comprising a cup for holding a hot beverage and such a lid, and to such an assembly comprising a disc-shaped baked product.

[0003] Cups for holding a hot beverage are widely known in the art. In particular, single-use cups, also known as disposable cups, are often sealed by a lid that keeps the beverage hot longer and reduces the risk of spillage. Such a lid clamps around the cup rim, which in disposable cups are often designed as a thickened rim, around which a lid made of plastic or a paper product is clamped via a snap connection. Coffee is commonly offered in such packaging in takeaway outlets and at beverage outlets located at major transport links such as petrol stations, often in combination with a refreshment, such as a baked product, like a syrup waffle, filled biscuit, slice of cake and the like. Syrup waffles are typically made of two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel or syrup filling in between. When unheated, due to crystallisation of the caramel or syrup, the syrup wafer is usually quite firm and difficult to bite through. When heated, the syrup waffle is much softer, the flavour is more intense and can be enjoyed much more easily.

[0004] US5,531 ,347 describes a lid of the above-mentioned type, wherein a baked product such as a doughnut can be placed loosely on the lid. The lid can be closed with a closure element that is hinged to the circumference of the lid. The lid is provided with a number of heat transfer apertures or may be provided with preformed pinch tabs that can be removed by manually squeezing them, creating such a heat transfer aperture in the lid. When the cup contains a hot beverage, hot vapour can flow through such a heat transfer opening, therewith heating the doughnut. Before the doughnut is placed on the lid, one or more pinch tabs can be opened as desired. Once the doughnut is placed on the lid, heat transfer can no longer be controlled. In addition, the cup must then be held upright and moved carefully to prevent the doughnut from sliding off the lid.

[0005] WO2018 / 065752 describes a lid for sealing a cup with multiple radially positioned drinking openings that can be closed with a removable disc-shaped sealing element. This lid is not suitable for holding a disc-shaped baked product. US8,684,221 describes a lid on which a baked product such as a syrup waffle can be placed, whereby the baked product is heated by the warm air or vapour rising from the hot drink. However, this lid has a number of disadvantages. For example, the lid must be removed in order to consume the beverage. Removing the lid can be problematic when the lid is clamped to the rim of the cup. Because the baked product is placed loosely on the lid, it must first be removed from the lid and set aside in order to remove the lid. After taking one or more sips of the beverage, the lid must be replaced, after which the baked product can be placed back thereon. This is very cumbersome and carries the risk of spillage and, especially when the beverage is hot, injury. Furthermore, hygiene is compromised when the baked product is set aside. Furthermore, it is not possible to control the degree of heating of the baked product. In the case of syrup waffles, for example, it is important to be able to control the degree of heating. If heated excessively, syrup waffles become limp and there is a risk that the caramel or syrup will become so thin that it drips out of the waffle. The texture of an excessively heated syrup waffles is also less pleasant, and it is more difficult to handle.

[0006] WO2019 / 229481 describes a lid with a high, raised rim that forms a chamber in which a baked product such as a croissant can be held. A sealing element then closes off the top of the chamber. This lid has no openings to allow hot vapour to pass from the cup into the chamber.

[0007] WO2017 / 034544 describes a lid with perforations through which water vapour can escape from the cup into a closed chamber wherein a snack can be held. The chamber is sealed at the top with a foil and equipped with a push-out element so that when the foil is opened, the snack pops up and can be picked up by hand. In this lid, the snack lies directly on the perforated lid surface. The snack must be pre-packaged in the chamber at the factory and is heated as soon as the lid is placed on the cup. The supply of vapour cannot be regulated.

[0008] The invention aims to at least partially solve the above-mentioned problems and provides a lid of the above-mentioned kind by means of which it is possible, on the one hand, to effectively seal the beverage, while at the same time providing for the possibility of controlling the heating of a baked product by the hot vapour of the hot beverage, where, moreover, the baked product not only lies on the lid, but can be held by the lid. To this end, the invention provides a lid of the above-mentioned kind, and is thereto characterised in that: the lid comprises at least one edge element, formed around and distanced from the centre of the lid surface and extending upwards from the lid surface to beyond the at least one support surface, with an inner side directed towards the centre of the lid surface, an outer side directed away from the centre of the lid surface and an upper side, for holding the disc-shaped baked product against the inner side thereof in an optionally clamping manner; and the closure element cooperates in a sliding manner over or under the lid surface between a closed position where the one or more heat transfer apertures are closed and an open position where the one or more heat transfer apertures are open.

[0009] Because the lid includes a drinking opening, the lid does not need to be removed from the cup to drink from it.

[0010] The baked product is supported on one or more support surfaces, wherein these are configured to support the disc-shaped baked product above and at a distance from the lid surface. This forms a space between the lid surface and the baked product, which space can accommodate the closure element.

[0011] The baked product is held in place by an edge element formed at a distance from the centre of the support surface. To this end, the edge element extends above the carrier surface and thus forms an edge that prevents shifting of the baked product held on the carrier surface. The edge element may be, for example, a circular continuous or interrupted upwardly extending edge.

[0012] The lid surface includes one or more apertures through which hot vapour can rise towards the baked product placed in the lid, causing the baked product to heat up and also absorb the aroma of the hot beverage. The lid includes a closure element that cooperates with the lid surface sliding over the lid surface between a closed and an open position, the one or more heat transfer apertures being closed and open respectively. Thus, the heat transfer apertures can be opened and closed as required, or partially opened by sliding the closure element partially over the one or more heat transfer openings. If coffee is ordered without a baked product, the lid can be placed on the cup in the closed position. The user can also control the size of the openings and thus the throughput of hot vapour, for example to prevent the baked product from becoming too hot or losing the desired texture.

[0013] The lid can be made of a common material, such as plastic or a paper or cardboard product.

[0014] The lid may include a carrier surface centred on the lid surface, on which carrier surface the baked product may be carried. Since the ridge elements extend upwards, i.e. away from the lid surface, beyond the one or more carrier surfaces, lateral shifting of the baked product placed on a carrier surface will be prevented. In an attractive embodiment, the carrier surface is formed on the inside of the edge element and extends substantially parallel to and substantially equidistant from the lid surface. Thus, the inner side of a circular continuous or interrupted edge element is formed an inwardly directed shoulder, which shoulder supports the baked product at its outer perimeter and forms the support surface. Such an annular or interrupted annular shoulder may also be used in combination with a carrier surface in the centre of the lid surface. In an attractive embodiment, the lid comprises a number of edge elements formed at substantially equal distances from the centre of the lid surface and configured to hold the discshaped baked product. In this embodiment, individual ridge elements are equally spaced around the centre of the lid surface, thus optimally holding a round disc-shaped baked product such as, for example, a syrup waffle or filled cake. Three or four individual elements are sufficient for this purpose. Of course, it is also possible to form the ridge elements adapted to a specific baking shape on the lid, e.g. for a multi-sided, e.g. rectangular baking shape such as for a biscuit, or a more specific baking shape, e.g. for mill speculoos. The disc-shaped baked product is preferably round.

[0015] The individual edge elements are preferably spaced from the centre of the lid surface such that the baked product is held without the baked product to be able to shift, preferably held in place by clamping. Such a support surface may also include radially extending ribs to provide additional support for the baked product. In an attractive embodiment, carrier surfaces are formed on the inside of the edge elements, for example as a shoulder, and extend substantially parallel to and substantially equidistant from the lid surface. In this embodiment, the ridge elements provide both an upwardly extending edge that prevents lateral shifting of the baked product as well as the desired support surfaces, whether or not in combination with a support surface centred around the centre.

[0016] Preferably, the one or more edge elements are located on the outer circumference of the lid. Thus, a baked product with a diameter of near the diameter of the cup can be carried and held in the lid. However, it is also possible to position the edge elements more inwards, especially when supporting and holding of a smaller baked product is envisaged.

[0017] Advantageously, the heat transfer apertures are located between the centre of the lid and the edge elements. The apertures are thus completely below the baked product, allowing all hot vapour to heat the baked product. The openings can also extend beyond the inner walls of the ridge elements, but then hot vapour will be able to escape past the baked product. However, this may also be desirable to allow the user to come into more direct contact with the vapour.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure element is placed on the lid surface and extends upwards maximally to a distance between the lid surface and the carrier surface. The closure element can be equipped with a support surface on the top, which keeps the baked product at the desired distance from the lid surface. However, if the lid is already provided with other support surfaces, the closure element can also be designed less high, as it then does not need to fulfil a support function. However, it is also possible to provide the lid with support surfaces at the edge elements as described above, in order to be able to support and hold a baked product with a large diameter, where the closure element provides a less high support surface, i.e. at a less distance to the lid surface, in order to enable the support of a smaller format baked product. Such a smaller baked product can then be held by the inner side of the shoulders of the edge elements, which shoulders are below the higher support surfaces. The lid is thus suitable for carrying and holding baked products of different formats.

[0019] For supporting and holding smaller baked products, it is also possible to provide the closure element with the support surfaces instead of the circumference of the lid. To this end, the closure element may comprise upwardly extending notches, the upper side of which forms a support surface.

[0020] Attractively, the closure element is rotatably arranged around the centre of the lid surface. The heat transfer apertures can then, optionally partially, be opened and closed with a simple twist.

[0021] To facilitate control of the heat transfer apertures, the cover element advantageously includes an operation element that extends radially between two neighbouring edge elements beyond the inner walls thereof. Such an element can then be manually operated from the side of the lid.

[0022] In a next attractive embodiment, the drinking opening is formed by a drinking spout located at the outer circumference of the lid, wherein the distance between the drinking spout and the centre of the lid surface essentially corresponds to the distance between the inner side of the one or more edge elements and the centre of the lid surface. The drinking spout then also contributes to holding the baked product. Very attractive is to make the drinking spout part of an edge element, where the opening of the drinking spout is fitted in the upper side of the ridge element. Such a design saves material by combining one of the edge elements with the drinking spout.

[0023] The invention also relates to an assembly of a cup for holding a hot beverage and a lid as described above. Advantageously, the cup is a single-use cup, also called a disposable cup.

[0024] The invention also relates to an assembly as described above comprising a disc-shaped baked product supported by the one or more support elements and held against the inner sides of the edge elements. The baked product is preferably a wafer filled with caramel, syrup or molasses, such as a syrup waffle.

[0025] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following figures, wherein

[0026] Fig. 1 A is a perspective view of a baked product; B is a perspective view of a closure element and C is a perspective view of a lid; D is a cross-sectional view through a lid with closure element and a large-diameter baked product; and E is a cross-sectional view through a lid with closure element and a small-diameter baked product; F is a top view of the lid with the closure element in open position; and G is a top view of the lid with the closure element in closed position; Fig. 2 A is a perspective view of a closure element; B is a top view of the lid with the closure element in open position; and C is a top view of the lid with the closure element in closed position;

[0027] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a lid where the drinking opening is part of an edge element;

[0028] Fig. 4 A is a perspective view of a lid, wherein two shoulders with distinct carrier surfaces are formed at the edge elements; B is a cross-sectional view through a lid with closure element and a large-diameter baked product; and C is a cross-sectional view through a lid with closure element and a small-diameter baked product; and

[0029] Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of the lid where the support surface is formed by the closure element.

[0030] Fig. 6 A is a perspective view of a closure element; B is a perspective view of a lid; C is a top view of the lid with the closure element in the open position; and D is a top view of the lid with the closure element in the closed position.

[0031] Figure 1A shows a syrup waffle 5. In figurelC the lid 1 is shown, provided with a drinking spout 11 placed at the circumference of the lid with drinking opening 7. The lid is surrounded by a clamping rim 2 that can clamp and seal together with a cup rim not shown. The lid 1 has a lid surface 3 and ridge elements 8 having an inner side 8a, an upper side 8b and an outer side 8c. On the inner side of ridge element 8, a shoulder 81 is formed with an upper surface 81b that forms support surface 4a located below the upper surface 8b of edge element 8. Above the support surface 4a, inner side 8a of the edge element 8 extends. The inner side of shoulder 81 below the support surface 4a is shown by 81a. The lid surface 3 has three heat transfer apertures 10. At the location of centre M of the lid surface 3, a bulge 9a is formed which fits with the inner side of bulge 9b of closure element 9, shown in Figure 1 B. Closure element 9 can thereby be clicked onto lid 1 and is then rotatably connected to lid 1 . The closure element 9 has openings 9c and radially extending stop flanges 9d, with which the rotational movement relative to the lid 1 is limited between an open and a closed position, shown in figures 1 F and 1G. In the shown case, the stop flanges 9d extend radially beyond the inner side of the peripheral elements, making them accessible to the user. The closure element can be manually rotated by turning the stop flanges 9d or protrusion 9b, which is then designed as a rotary knob.

[0032] The top view of Figure 1 F shows the closed position of the lid, while Figure 1G shows the open position. In the closed condition, the user can drink from the cup without any beverage leaking out the cup. To this end, preferably no heat transfer opening is located near the drinking spout 11 , as shown in Figure 1C. When open, the openings 9c of the closure element 9 coincide with the heat transfer apertures 10 of the lid 1 through which hot vapour of the hot beverage can escape. The user can set the closure element at any position between the fully open and fully closed state, thus adjusting the size of the apertures and the amount of hot vapour to flow through.

[0033] The cross-sectional view in Figure 1 D shows that the baked product 5 is held in place all around between the inner sides 8a of the edge elements 8, and supported by the support surface 4, formed by the upper sides 81 b of shoulders 81 . In the case shown, the bulge 9b of the closure element 9 does not extend beyond the upper sides 81b of shoulder 81. In Figure 1 E, a smaller sized baked product is suitably placed between the inner wall 81a of shoulders 81 , where the baked product is supported by bulge 9b of the closure element, which thereby performs the function of an alternative support surface 4b, and such smaller baked product is held by the inner sides 81a of the edge elements 8, located below the upper sides 81b of shoulders 81.

[0034] Figure 2A shows an alternative closure element, where the stop flanges 9b are extended and extend radially to the outside of the edge elements, to form operation elements 12 that allow the user to easily rotate the closure element relative to the cover 1 . The open and closed positions are shown in Figures 2B and 2C, respectively.

[0035] In lid 1 of figure 3, the drinking spout 11 is integrally included in one of the edge elements

[0036] 8.

[0037] In the lid of figure 4A, the edge elements are provided with an additional shoulder 82 with an upper side 82b which is lower than the upper side 81 b of shoulder 81 . The upper sides 82b of shoulders 82 thus provide an additional support surface 4b for a smaller-sized baked product, as shown in Figure 4C. A baked product with a larger diameter is supported by the upper side 81 b of shoulder 81 and held by the inner sides 8a of edge elements 8. In contrast, a baked product of smaller size is held by and between the inner sides 82a of shoulders 82 and is supported by the top side 82b of shoulders 82, as well as by bulge 9b of closure element

[0038] 9, both of which in the case shown are part of the support surface 4b.

[0039] In Figure 5, the edge element 5 has no shoulder on the inner side 8a, and the support surface 4 is formed by the upper side of bulge 9b of closure element 9.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a lid as shown in Figures 1 - 3, now with four apertures instead of three. Figure 6A shows a closure element 9 with four openings 9c, and figure 6B shows a lid with four heat transfer apertures 10. The open and closed positions are shown in Figures 6C and 6D, respectively. In the open position, the openings 9c of the closure element 9 coincide with the heat transfer apertures 10 of the lid, allowing hot water vapour to escape from the cup to heat the baked product. In the closed position, the four heat transfer openings 10 are closed off by the closure element 9.

[0041] As discussed, instead of having a number of ridge elements, the lid may have a single circular ridge element with or without one or more shoulders formed on the inside thereof. Reference numbers list

[0042] 1 lid

[0043] 2 clamping means

[0044] 3 lid surface

[0045] 4 a, b support surface

[0046] 5 baked product

[0047] 6 heat transfer aperture

[0048] 7 drinking opening

[0049] 8 edge element

[0050] 8a inside

[0051] 8b upper

[0052] 8c outer side

[0053] 8d inner side under support surface

[0054] 9 closure element

[0055] 9a protrusion lid

[0056] 9b protrusion closure element

[0057] 9c opening

[0058] 9d stop flange

[0059] 10 heat transfer aperture

[0060] 11 drinking spout

[0061] 12 operation element

[0062] 81 shoulder

[0063] 81a inside

[0064] 81b top

[0065] 82 shoulder

[0066] 82a inside

[0067] 82b top

[0068] M centre lid

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Lid (1) for sealing a cup for holding a hot beverage, which lid includes- means (2) that cooperate with the cup rim in a clamping and sealing fashion;- a lid surface (3) that extends substantially parallel to the cup rim when the lid cooperates with the cup rim;- at least one support surface (4), extending distanced from and essentially parallel to the lid surface, configured to support a disc-shaped baked product (5) above and distanced from the lid surface;- one or more heat transfer apertures (6) arranged in the lid surface;- a drinking opening (7); and- a closure element (9); characterized in that- the lid comprises at least one edge element (8), formed around and distanced from the centre (M) of the lid surface and extending upwards from the lid surface to beyond the at least one support surface, with an inner side (8a) directed towards the centre of the lid surface, an outer side (8b) directed away from the centre of the lid surface and an upper side (8c), for holding the disc-shaped baked product against the inner side thereof in an optionally clamping manner; and- the closure element cooperates in a sliding manner over or under the lid surface between a closed position where the one or more heat transfer apertures are closed and an open position where the one or more heat transfer apertures are open.

2. Lid according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one support surface is formed on the inner side of the at least one edge element and extends substantially parallel to and substantially equidistant from the lid surface.

3. Lid according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a number of edge elements formed at substantially equal distances from the centre of the lid surface and configured to hold the disc-shaped baked product.

4. Lid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more edge elements are located on the outer perimeter of the lid.

5. Lid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the heat transfer apertures are located between the centre of the lid and the edge elements.

6. Lid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element is positioned on the lid surface and extends upwardly to maximally the distance between the lid surface and the support surfaces.

7. Lid according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element is rotatably arranged around the centre of the lid surface.

8. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure element comprises an operation element (12) extending radially beyond the inner side of the one or more edge elements.

9. Lid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drinking opening is formed by a drinking spout located on the outer circumference of the lid (11), wherein the distance between the drinking spout and the centre of the lid surface essentially corresponds to the distance between the inside of the one or more ridge elements and the centre of the lid surface.

10. Lid according to claim 9, wherein the drinking spout is part of the at least one ridge element, wherein the opening of the drinking spout is provided in the upper side of the ridge element.11 . Assembly , comprising a cup for holding a hot beverage and a lid according to any of the preceding claims.

12. Assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the cup is a disposable cup.

13. Assembly according to claim 11 or 12, comprising a disc-shaped baked product supported by the one or more support surfaces and held against the inner sides of the one or more edge elements.

14. Assembly according to claim 13, wherein the disc-shaped baked product is a syrup waffle.

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