Patent Application
20230391516
The present invention relates to disposable food and beverage containers, particularly to small containers adapted to be received into a lid component of a container used to store and/or consume food and beverages.
Coffee, tea and other hot beverage are consumed by many on daily basis. The on-the-go nature of these beverages makes them a popular purchase for people en route to their jobs, schools, and other daily functions. As such, consumers typically purchase their morning brew after they have left their house and are already en route to wherever they have to be. To cater to these habits, coffee shops, stores, gas stations, and other vendors offer consumers quick and convenient sales of coffee and other beverages in disposable, take away cups.
A well known side effect of coffee drinking is stained teeth and bad breath. The addition of sugar and other sweeteners to a morning beverage can also result in tooth decay and cavities. Because many consumers pick up their hot beverage on their way to work or school, they have already left their house and presumably brushed their teeth and have taken care of any other oral hygiene regiment. The consumption of coffee moments after may negate any oral cleaning or teeth whitening measures.
To address this problem, individuals may keep chewing gum or a toothbrush at their place of employment or education. However, given the ever increasing pace of peoples daily lives, the use of these products after having consumed a beverage could be easily foregone.
Mouthwash is a more convenient and quick way to address poor breath and teeth staining. Presumably, one would be more likely to gargle mouthwash from a bottle kept at that their office or school than to actually go through the motions of brushing their teeth. However, again, mouthwash kept at ones place of employment or education still requires the individual to consciously find their mouthwash bottle and perform the act of gargling.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a disposable, single-use container for storing a relatively small amount of liquid, such as mouthwash, in the disposable lid of a disposable cup.
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to devices, systems and/or methods for storing a substance in the lid component of a disposable beverage system. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a receptacle or insert for use with disposable lids, such as those commonly used atop hot beverage cups. The receptacle may be wholly or partially formed of a small container or shot which is sealed enclosing a substance therein. The receptacle may be adapted to be detachably received into recess formed in the a lid component of a disposable beverage cup or system. In further embodiments, the substance may be enclosed directly into the recess portion of the lid, having a peelable lid for convenient use. The substance enclosed in the insert may be, but is not limited to, a food & beverage consumption related medium and/or an oral hygiene substance.
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a lid is disclosed for use atop a container, such as, for example, a disposable hot beverage cup adapted to be sealed with a lid upon the dispensing of liquid into the cup. The container may be used to store a liquid, solid, and/or any other substance in a specified quantity. The container may be formed of a first material defining a receptacle having a volume. “Volume”, for purposes of this specification, may be defined as the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container. The container may also have a generally planar bottom and a defined top rim. The top rim may be adapted to receive a lid formed of the first material or a second material.
The lid may be formed of a unitary, molded body having an aperture for consumption of a beverage therethrough. The lid may also have a hollow, cylindrical bore which forms a recess. The recess may have a solid planar bottom and a continuous cylindrical side forming an open ended volume into which a receptacle or substance may be help. The receptacle may be a small cup, container or “shot” which is specifically adapted to be received and stored in the recess of the lid. The receptacle may also have a generally planar bottom and a generally planar flange. The flange may surround the receptacle and may be generally parallel to the planar bottom. A sidewall or sidewalk may extend between the bottom and the planar flange. A lid may be employed along the flange to seal the contents of the receptacle.
The lid may be a removable lid formed of a third material having greater flexibility than the first and/or second material. The lid may substantially cover the planar flange. An adhesive layer may be employed between the planar flange and the removable lid such that the removable lid is releasably adhered to the container, enclosing the volume therein.
The receptacle itself may be adapted to be releasably nested into a hollow region defined by the recess such that an underside of the planar flange contacts a top portion of the lid. Furthermore, the interior of the receptacle may store an oral hygiene substance. The oral hygiene substance may be toothpaste, mouthwash, mouthwash strips, gum, dental floss, dental floss wands, mints, Saline, Essential oils, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), Chlorhexidine, Sodium hypochlorite and/or any other oral hygiene material known in the art.
In still further embodiments, the sidewall or sidewalk of the receptacle and/or the recess may be formed of four or more vertically disposed planar regions forming a polygon shaped cross section. That is, the cross section may be square, hexagonal or any other shape. Further the cross section may also be circular or irregular.
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, lid is disclosed for use on a container. The lid may have a circular, beverage container coupling portion adapted to be frictionally engaged with a top rim of a beverage container, a circular flange extending downwards from the coupling portion, adapted to substantially cover the top rim of a beverage container, a substantially circular elevated rim extending upwards from the coupling portion, the rim, an aperture disposed along the rim, the aperture adapted for the consumption of a beverage horn the beverage container by a user, a substantially cylindrical recess disposed radially inwards from the rim, the recess being distally located horn the aperture, wherein the recess has a cylindrical side wall and flat bottom; and a receptacle adapted to be releasably nested into the recess, wherein the receptacle has a substantially cylindrical side wall, a bottom, and a top, further wherein the top is covered by a lid.
In further embodiments, the bottom of the recess may extend downwards to substantially the same elevation as a bottom edge of the flange. Alternatively, the bottom of the recess extends downwards substantially lower than the elevation of the bottom edge of the flange. The receptacle may have an oral hygiene substance disposed therein. Furthermore, the substantially cylindrical side wall may be tapered inwards as the side wall extends to the bottom. Still further. the oral hygiene substance may be liquid mouthwash.
In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a system is provided. The system may have: a) a cup having a horizontally disposed bottom and a continuous side wall which terminates at a top end with an opening, wherein a flat bottom is disposed substantially near a lower extremity of the sidewall to form a hollow region; b) a lid formed of a unitary body having a lower flange that corresponds to and mates with the top end of the cup, forming a releasbly affixed connection, wherein the lid has an aperture and a cylindrical recess which forms a borehole with a substantially planar bottom and opened top; and/or c) a sealed receptacle having a substance disposed therein, wherein the receptacle is formed of a horizontally disposed bottom and a continuous side wall which terminates at a top end with lid, further wherein the receptacle is adapted to be releasably affixed into the recess such that the receptacle may be released from the recess by a user.
In further embodiments, the receptacle may be statically embedded in the recess using frictional contact between a flange disposed along a sidewall of the recess and a corresponding flange on an exterior of the side wall of the receptacle. The receptacle may also be statically embedded in the recess using a releasable adhesive. The exterior diameter of the receptacle may substantially conform to the interior diameter of the recess such that the receptacle may be statically pressed into and stored in the recess using friction between the side wall of the receptacle and the interior wall of the recess.
In still further embodiments of the disclosed system, a diameter of the side wall of receptacle may taper downward such that the diameter is reduced as the side wall extends towards the bottom. Further, the diameter of a side wall of the recess may taper downwards such that the diameter is reduced as the side wall extends towards the bottom of the recess. Still further, the bottom of the recess may extend downwards at least past a lower extremity of the lower flange.
The system may also employ a container formed of a first material defining a receptacle having a volume, a generally planar bottom, a generally planar flange, and a removable lid. The flange may surround the receptacle and may be generally parallel to the planar bottom. A side wall may extend between the bottom and the planar flange. The removable lid may be formed of a second material having greater flexibility than the first material. The lid may substantially cover the planar flange such that any contents within the receptacle are releasably nested into the hollow recess of the lid.
Still further, the disclosed system may include a substance enclosed in the receptacle. The substance may be an oral hygiene substance. The oral hygiene substance may be, for example, toothpaste, mouthwash, mouthwash strips, gum, dental floss, dental floss wands, mints, Saline, Essential oils, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), Chlorhexidine, Sodium hypochlorite and/or any other oral hygiene material known in the art. Alternatively, the substance may be a food beverage consumption related medium such as condiments, seasoning, sauce, powders, tea leaves, vitamins, chewing gum, mints, gels, candies, nuts, sugar, salt, pepper, spices, instant beverage mix and/or any other substance that may be used injunction with the preparation and/or consumption of food and/or beverages.
In a further embodiment of the disclosed system, the receptacle may be statically embedded in the recess using frictional contact between the sidewalk of the receptacle and an interior sidewall of the of the hollow recess. Still further, the system may employ an indentation or small flange circumferentially disposed along the sidewall of the recess. The indentation may conform substantially to a corresponding indentation or flange on the sidewall of the receptacle for detachably receiving the receptacle within the hollow region. For purposes of this specification, “detachably” is defined as the ability of two or more components to be removed or separated with causing damage. In still further embodiments of the disclosed system, the removable lid may have a tab extending therefrom.
In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method is disclosed. The method is carried out, not necessarily in the following order, by: a) providing a liquid filled receptacle and a lid, the lid having a recess defining a volume with a substantially planar bottom, wherein a cover encloses the liquid in the receptacle; b) pressing the liquid filled receptacle into the lid of a disposable beverage cup until the liquid filled receptacle is statically nested in the lid; c) using the disposable beverage cup for an intended purpose; d) detaching the liquid filled receptacle from the disposable beverage cup; and/or e) opening the liquid filled receptacle by at least partially removing the cover therefrom.
In further embodiments of the disclosed method, the step of pressing the liquid filled receptacle into the base is carried out by snapping a side edge portion of the liquid filled receptacle into a receiving indentation in the lid of the cup. The receiving indentation may be disposed on the lid specifically with the disclosed liquid filled container in mind.
In another embodiment of the disclosed method, the step of pressing the liquid fined receptacle into the base is carried out by frictionally engaging the side edge portion of the liquid filled receptacle against an interior side wall of the recess in the lid.
A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following brief description of drawings illustrating exemplary embodiments of the disclosed technology.
A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosed technology, taken in conjunction with the drawings.
References will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.
Referring now to the figures, devices and methods are provided for ergonomically storing and partially concealing a liquid or solid substance in the lid component of a disposable container such as a cup for consuming beverages. Embodiments of the disclosed technology employ one or more insertable receptacles. The receptacles are adapted to enclose a small amount of liquid and/or solids therein. The receptacles are further adapted to be received into a hollow, recess of a disposable lid meant to be affixed atop a disposable cup in a manner that effects neither the form nor the functionality of the overall beverage consumption.
The types of substances that may be stored in embodiments of the disclosed technology may include any substance associated with the consumption of food & beverages and/or oral hygiene. Such items may include powders, tea leaves, vitamins, sauces, chewing gum, mouthwash, mints, mouthwash strips, gels, candies, nuts, sugar, instant beverage mix, etc.
Referring now to
The lid 10 may have an aperture 19 that may be used to dispense and/or consume the contents of an attached cup. Typically the aperture 19 is disposed on a raised portion of the lid 10 in order to facilitate easy drinking by the mouth of a user. An airhole 18 may likewise be disposed on the lid 10 in order to provide a valve for which air can be pulled into the cup to displace the volume of any contents being consumed.
Another prominent feature of the lid 10 of
Referring still to
The lid 10, the receptacle 11, and/or the cover of the lid 11a may be composed of one or more of the following materials: plastic, cardboard, paper, polymer, thermoplastic, polymer, rubber, elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET), metalized polyethylene terephthalate (MET-PET), polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), metalocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), metalocene polyethylene (mPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), metalized oriented polypropylene (mOPP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide, Nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or any other material known in the art of disposable or semi-disposable food, beverage and/or hygiene products. In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the cover 11b and/or receptacle 11 may be composed of a different material than the rest of the lid 10 such that the receptacle or portions thereof have a degree of flexibility, malleability and/or deformability.
In this embodiment, the recess 31 is adapted to enclose a larger amount of a substance in the interior region thereof. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the substance may be another oral hygiene product. In further embodiments, the oral hygiene product may be a liquid such as mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse, mouth bath, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and/or anti-fungal.
In embodiments where the recess 31 stores liquid, the recess 31 may be vacuum sealed or sealed in any other manner which would prevent leaking and/or contamination of the contents. A user may peel off a flexible lid in order to access the liquid stored within the recess 31. The lid 30 may be disposable and recyclable such that it may be discarded once opened and used.
In this embodiment the recess 31 may be circular and the cover 31a may be flush with the top surface of the lid 30. Although a single design may be applied to many different types of a cups and/or bottles, the recess 31 and/or lid 30 may be produced with different diameters in order to conform to cups and/or bottles of differing dimensions.
The lid 30 may be formed of one or more of the following materials: plastic, cardboard, paper, polymer, thermoplastic, polymer, rubber, elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET), metalized polyethylene terephthalate (MET-PET), polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), metalocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), metalocene polyethylene (mPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), metalized oriented polypropylene (mOPP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide, Nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or any other material known in the art of disposable or semi-disposable food, beverage, and/or hygiene products field of food, beverage, medicine, pharmaceuticals and/or dentistry.
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology the cover 31a may be adhered to the lid 30 using a food-grade adhesive. In another embodiment, the cover 31a may snapped onto the lid 30 such that it may be removed and reapplied with ease in further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the cover 31a may have a pull tab for facilitating the removal of the cover 31a from the lid 30.
It is envisioned, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, that a user grabs a disposable cup to fill with their daily hot beverage and also separately grabs a lid with an embedded substance to use at a later time. The embedded substance may be stored directly in the lid or in a removable receptacle stored in the lid. The receptacle may be pre-inserted into the lid such that the entire assembled system is shipped and sold together. Alternatively, the receptacle may be acquired and pressed into the lid.
The receptacle may have an oral hygiene product enclosed therein. The oral hygiene product may be, but is not limited to, mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse, mouth bath, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and/or anti-fungal. Conceivably the lids and/or receptacles would be available at a point of sale or near the beverage cups in a store, cafe or restaurant. The lid and/or receptacle may be an “add-on” purchase to a hot beverage or the like.
In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the receptacle may be snapped or clicked into place. In other embodiments of the disclosed technology, the receptacle may be stuffed into the lid and fixed by force of tension and/or friction.
The cup and lid may be used like any other beverage cup; e.g. it may be filled, refilled, and/or its contents consumed. The receptacle may be detached from the cup upon consumption of the contents of the cup. The receptacle may be pulled out in manner consistent with the description pertaining to
After consumption of the beverage, a user may remove the cover from the receptacle (or directly form the lid). This action may be carried out in accordance with the description and practices described with respect to
In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the gargled mouthwash may be spit into the empty cup for later disposal. Finally, the lid, receptacle, cup and any remaining contents may be discarded. In further embodiments, one or more steps may be performed contemporaneously, in a different order, and/or skipped entirely.
In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, multi-use travel mugs may implement a similar lid with receptacle nested therein. In these embodiments, the receptacle may be either disposable (I. E Single Use) or multi-use in that they are sold to the consumer with the receptacle pre-attached. In the multi use configuration, the receptacle may be filled and refilled by a user with a desired substance. In a travel mug adapted for receiving a single-use receptacle, the pre-filled receptacles may be made available separately from the travel mug. In this embodiment, the receptacles may be nested into the lid by a user every time the user uses the travel mug.
One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual apparatus or method may contain other components as well. While it is obvious that modification or proper change and combination can be made to the present lid according to the present invention by those skilled in the art, however, without departing from the contents, spirit and scope of the invention, any variations that are intended to achieve the techniques disclosed in the present invention should be within the scope of this invention. Specifically, it should be pointed out that all similar substitutions and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art, and they are deemed to be within the scope and content of the present invention.
It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings relate to a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention. However, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific arrangements as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein above. The exemplary materials, constructions and illustrations included in the preferred embodiment and this patent application should therefore not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
While the disclosed invention has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, apparatuses, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.
