Patent Application
20240081563
The present invention relates generally to the field of beverage lids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a beverage lid device with a straw holding structure, wherein the device provides a beverage lid that allows a straw to removably attach to the lid during use. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
When purchasing beverages at restaurants, coffee shops, and other establishments, it is common for people to receive their drink in a convenient disposable cup with a secure lid and a designated opening for a straw. However, the process of providing the straw separately from the beverage can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. One consequence occurs when an individual straw is handed to a customer, wherein it may be easily dropped, lost, or dirtied during this transfer which leads to the straw ultimately being wasted. This can result in unnecessary waste and contribute to the overall environmental impact associated with disposable items. Furthermore, employees may inadvertently forget to include a straw in the customer's order or neglect to hand it to them, leaving the customer without a straw entirely. This oversight can be inconvenient and frustrating for individuals who rely on straws due to personal preferences or specific needs, such as medical conditions that make drinking without a straw challenging.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a straw delivery device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a beverage lid device with straw holding structure wherein the device eliminates the chance of the straw being dropped during the transfer from employee to customer. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a beverage lid device with straw holding structure wherein the device eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a beverage lid device with straw holding structure. The device is comprised of a beverage lid body with at least one straw that removably attaches to the body, and wherein the body attaches to a cup. The attachment point may be in the form of a clip, a prong, a fastener, an eyelet, etc., that allows the straw to be removably secured to the lid body while the cup, lid, and straw are passed from an employee to a customer. Then, a customer can remove the straw from the lid body and insert the straw into the lid body. In different embodiments, the straw may be secured to the lid body while inside a straw wrapper, or while in no straw wrapper.
In this manner, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a straw delivery device that eliminates the chance of the straw being dropped during the transfer from employee to customer. In addition, the device eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw. This then eliminates the possibility of an employee forgetting to give a customer a straw, as the straw is attached to the beverage lid.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a beverage lid device with straw holding structure. The device is comprised of a beverage lid body with at least one straw that removably attaches to the body, and wherein the body attaches to a cup. In this manner, the straw can be removed from the body after the cup the body is attached to is handed to a customer.
The side surface of the body (or in another embodiment, the top surface) may be comprised of at least one attachment point for at least one straw that stores the straw on the body. The attachment point allows the straw to be removably secured to the lid body until the straw can be removed by a customer before use. The attachment of the straw to the lid body also eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw and prevents said employee from forgetting to hand a customer a straw.
In one embodiment, the attachment point is in the form of at least one, but preferably two, prongs. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) between the two prongs, wherein the prongs provide compressive force onto the straw.
In another embodiment, the attachment point is in the form of at least one clip. The clip is preferably a C-shaped, molded clip. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) within the clip, wherein the clip provides compressive force onto the straw.
In a further embodiment, the attachment point is in the form of at least one fastener. The fastener is preferably an adhesive fastener, but may be any fastener type such as, but not limited to, a perforated fastener. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) on the side surface via the fastener.
In an additional embodiment, the attachment point is in the form of at least one eyelet comprised of at least one opening. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) within the opening, wherein the opening provides a compressive force on the straw.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a lid body comprised of at least one attachment point for at least one straw. Then, the body can be attached to a cup. Next, the straw can be attached to the body via the attachment point. Finally, the straw can be removed from the attachment point and inserted into an opening of the body.
Accordingly, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a straw delivery device that eliminates the chance of the straw being dropped during the transfer from employee to customer. In addition, the device eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw. This then eliminates the possibility of an employee forgetting to give a customer a straw, as the straw is attached to the beverage lid. In this manner, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure overcomes the limitations of existing methods of serving a drink with a straw known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a straw delivery device. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a beverage lid device with straw holding structure wherein the device eliminates the chance of the straw being dropped during the transfer from employee to customer. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a beverage lid device with straw holding structure wherein the device eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a beverage lid device with straw holding structure comprised of a beverage lid body with at least one straw that removably attaches to the body, and wherein the body attaches to a cup. In this manner, the straw can be removed from the body after the cup the body is attached to is handed to a customer.
The side surface of the body (or in another embodiment, the top surface) may be comprised of at least one attachment point for at least one straw that stores the straw on the body. As a result, the attachment point allows the straw to be removably secured to the lid body until the straw can be removed by a customer before use. The attachment of the straw to the lid body also eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw and prevents said employee from forgetting to hand a customer a straw.
In one embodiment, the attachment point is in the form of at least one, but preferably two, prongs. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) between the two prongs, wherein the prongs provide compressive force onto the straw. The attachment point may also be in the form of at least one clip. The clip is preferably a C-shaped, molded clip. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) within the clip, wherein the clip provides compressive force onto the straw. In a further embodiment, the attachment point is in the form of at least one fastener. The fastener is preferably an adhesive fastener, but may be any fastener type such as, but not limited to, a perforated fastener. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) on the side surface via the fastener. The attachment point can also be in the form of at least one eyelet comprised of at least one opening. During use, the straw can be stored vertically (parallel to the cup) within the opening, wherein the opening provides a compressive force on the straw.
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a lid body comprised of at least one attachment point for at least one straw. Then, the body can be attached to a cup. Next, the straw can be attached to the body via the attachment point. Finally, the straw can be removed from the attachment point and inserted into an opening of the body.
Accordingly, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a straw delivery device that eliminates the chance of the straw being dropped during the transfer from employee to customer. In addition, the device eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw. This then eliminates the possibility of an employee forgetting to give a customer a straw, as the straw is attached to the beverage lid. In this manner, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure overcomes the limitations of existing methods of serving a drink with a straw known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The cup 102 may be any size, shape, and style of cup known in the art made of any disposable, recyclable, or reusable material. The body 110 can be placed over the opening 104 of the cup 102 as a lid. The body 110 may be any shape to cover the opening 104 of the cup 102.
The body 110 preferably has at least one lip 140. The lip 140 runs circumferentially around the body 110 wherein the lip 140 sits above and around the lip 106 of the cup opening 104. In this manner, the body 110 can removably fasten to the cup 102 during use.
The body 110 may be made from any cup lid material known in the art and may be transparent or opaque. The body 110 may be comprised of at least one opening 120 for a straw 170. In one embodiment, the opening 120 is comprised of at least one flap 122 that secures the position of the straw 170 within the opening 120. The opening 120 may be any type or style of straw opening known in the art.
The top surface 130 of the lid body 110 may be comprised of at least one raised content indicator 132, as seen in
The side surface 150 of the body 110 (or in another embodiment, the top surface 130) may be comprised of at least one attachment point 160 for at least one straw 170 that stores the straw 170 on the body 110. The attachment point 160 allows the straw 170 to be removably secured to the lid body 110 until the straw 170 can be removed by a customer before use. The attachment of the straw 170 to the lid body 110 also eliminates the need for an employee to manually hand a customer a straw and prevents said employee from forgetting to hand a customer a straw.
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the side surface 150 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one, but preferably two, prongs 162, as seen in
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the side surface 150 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one clip 164, as seen in
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the side surface 150 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one fastener 166, as seen in
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the side surface 150 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one eyelet 168 comprised of at least one opening 168, as seen in
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the top surface 130 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one, but preferably two, prongs 162. During use, the straw 170 can be stored vertically (parallel to the top surface 130) between the two prongs 162, wherein the prongs 162 provide compressive force onto the straw 170.
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the top surface 130 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one clip 164. The clip is preferably a C-shaped, molded clip. During use, the straw 170 can be stored vertically (parallel to the top surface 130) within the clip 164, wherein the clip 164 provides compressive force onto the straw 170.
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the top surface 130 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one fastener 166. The fastener 166 is preferably an adhesive fastener, but may be any fastener type such as, but not limited to, a perforated fastener. During use, the straw 170 can be stored vertically (parallel to the top surface 130) on the side surface 150 via the fastener 166.
In one embodiment wherein the attachment point 160 is located on the top surface 130 of the body 110, the attachment point 160 is in the form of at least one eyelet 168 comprised of at least one opening 168. During use, the straw 170 can be stored vertically (parallel to the top surface 130) within the opening 168, wherein the opening 168 provides a compressive force on the straw 170.
In one embodiment, at least one fastener 166, such as, but not limited to, an adhesive fastener, can be combined with the prong 162, clip 164, or eyelet 168 to further secure the straw 170 within the prong 162, clip 164, or eyelet 168, as seen in
In one embodiment, the straw 170 is stored in at least one wrapper 172 (as seen in
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons, may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “beverage lid device with straw holding structure” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the beverage lid device with straw holding structure 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the beverage lid device with straw holding structure 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the beverage lid device with straw holding structure 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the beverage lid device with straw holding structure 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the beverage lid device with straw holding structure 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/406,300, which was filed on Sep. 14, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63406300 | Sep 2022 | US |
