CA2510407A1

CA2510407A1 - Press fit compostable beverage lid

Info

Publication number: CA2510407A1
Application number: CA002510407A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Susanna Lynn Carson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-12
Filing date: 2005-07-12
Publication date: 2007-01-12

Description

Press-Fit Gompostable Bevrerage Lid Invented by Susanna Carson 210-1234 West 14th Ave Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6H 1P9 C i fi z ~~-p '. ~o-~a~0. .
I, Susanna Carson, have invented a press fit compostable beverage lid to fit disposable hot and cold disposable beverage cups.
Objects:
There is a need in the single-use, disposable packaging industry to produce products less harmful to the environment.
Most disposable beverage lids are made from plastic and are not able to be composted. My invention will provide a compostable and biodegradable, press-fit disposable lid for use with most standard hot and cold beverage cups. This single use lid will be able to be composted following its use, rather than being thrown in the garbage and disposed into a landfill.
The invention will further provide an integrated drinking spout to enhance the drinking experience for users, and will provide finger grips to make the lid easy to manipulate.
Relevant prior art includes:
U.S. Patents U.S. Patent 4,027,776 - Reclosable Container Susanna Carson - Provisionat patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid i, U.S. Patent 5,385,255 - Snap-On Lid Canada Patents CA942708 Press Type Closure -CA1185561 - ResealableContainer Lid CA2098066 - DisposableDrink-Though Cup Lid Advantages:
U.S. patent 5,385,255 (1995) and CA patent 2098066 (1996), both show disposable snap-on lids while U.S. patent 5,385,255 shows a snap on lid that is also biodegradable. The primary method of attachment for all of these lids is through a locking ring, present on the outer edge the lid in contact with the outer lip of a disposable. One advantage of my invention is that it does not use a locking ring as its primary method of closure. Instead, the invention is press fit into place to create a friction fit between the outer vertical/near vertical wall of the compostable lid and the inner vertical/near vertical wall of the cup. Using this type of closure permits the lid to be used with a broad range of disposable cups, including but not limited to cups with a locking ring.
The advantage in my invention is further seen in resealable container lids, as described in U.S. patent 4,027,776 (1977) and CA 942708 (1974). Both of these lids show the use of a press-fit closure, but require the use of specifically designed containers to achieve closure. My invention is designed to work with any vertical or near vertical walled cup of appropriate diameter.

2 Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid ~.y ~ .,. , Furthermore, both o~ the mentioned press-fit Iid designs are designed for manufacturing from plastic: U.S. patent 4,027,776 requiring the use of a flexible plastic to achieve its toggle closing mechanism. Unlike most prior art for disposable cup lids, my invention is intended to be produced from biodegradable and compostable materials. The overall design of my invention allows for simple, single piece, manufacture by compression moulding. Unlike multiple piece assembled construction, compression moulding is an energy efficient and cost effective manufacturing process for compostable, plant fiber based materials including, but is not limited to, bagasse fibers.
Other advantages of my invention over prior art for a biodegradable lid (U. S. patent 5,385,255) is that the prior patent does not include design elements for easier handling of the lid (specifically, finger grips).
Draorings - Figures Figure 1 - A perspective view of the present invention attached on a cup.
Figure lA - Top view of the present invention showing major composite sections.
Figure 2 - A perspective view of the present invention from its side.
Figure 3 - A perspective view of the present invention from its front .
Figure 4 - A top view of the present invention showing cross sectional locations A and B.

3 Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid .,. , Figure 4A - A cross sectional view of the present invention and a partial cross sectional view of a cup, as taken from line A in Fig. 4 Figure 4B - A cross sectional view of the present invention and a partial cross sectional view of a cup as taken from line B in Fig. 4 Figure 5-- Topwiewof the-present invention showing~-preferred and alternative embodiments of mouth piece size and-position.--Figure 6 - Cross sectional view of the present invention showing preferred and~alternative embodiments~of-outer contact surface between the lid and different eup rims:
Figure-7 - C'ross sectional view- of the present-invention and alternative embodiments of the height of the central wplanar sr~rface~ of the lid.
Draxings - Reference N~rals:
8. Central lid section 9. Drinking spout section 10. Cup-engaging surface / aut~r vertical wall 11. Peripheral surface section 11v. ~Alterrrative peripheral surface section 12. Central portion wall / inner vertical wall 12v. Alternative central portion-wall / inner vertical wall 13. Central portion planar surface 13v. Alternative -central portion glaaar surface 14. Vent 15. Finger holds 16. Spout slope 16V. Alternative spout slope

4 Susanna Carson - Provisionat patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid ~ n , .

1'~ . Drink spout opening 18. Drink spout planar surface 19. Front wall of drink spout 20. Channel shaped rib 20a. Extended~channe~. shaped rib 32. Cup 32~T. Alternative cup-33. Cup lip 33v~ Alternative cud lip Description of Preferred Embodiment:
The following description along with reference to the drawings indicated above, further describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment attached to a disposable taper walled cup 32. The illustrated cup 32, is one style of standard disposable cup that the invention can be used with; this one having a circular opening at its upper end and an annular cup lip 33 that extends horizontally from the cup's opening and curves downward.
Referring to, the preferred embodiment, according to the present invention, consist of four main sections. These sections include, a peripheral surface section 11, a cup engaging section 10, a central lid section $(composed of elements 20,12,13,14, & 15), and a drink spout section 9(composed of elements 16-19).
As illustrated in Figures 1A,2,and, it is seen that the depending peripheral surface section 11, extends outward from the- top of the cup-engaging section 20. The cup-engaging section 10, which consists of a depending, vertical/near -~
Susanaa Carson - Provisional patent appiication - Fress Fit Compostable Beverage Lid -~ ~ .,.

vertical wall that is substantial to the inner circumference of the beverage cup 33, extends downwardly a depending distance toward the cup bottom 32. This depending wall is what forms the press-fit closure of the invention. The cup-engaging section 10 then connects to the central portion section 8 through a channel shaped rib 20, which is generally U shaped.
A central portion inner vertical/near vertical wall 12, which extends upwardly from the channel shaped rib 20, flattens to form a central portion planar surface 13, which is preferably at level' with the peripheral surface section 11. This central portion section 8 includes two indents herein after referred to as, finger holds l5, that are positioned preferably diagonally from one another, equidistant from the drink spout section, and located at the outer edge of the central planar section 13. These finger holds 15 allow for easy removal of the invention from the cup 32. At least one vent 14 is positioned on the central portion planar surface 13, equidistant to and behind the finger holds 15. Also adjacent and equidistant, but located in front of the finger holds 15 is the drink spout section 9. Generally elliptical in shape the drink spout protrudes from the central planar surface 13 at a slope 16. The front edge of the drink spout section 9 extends vertically/near vertically 19 the channel shaped rib 20. The drink spout section consists of a drink spout opening I7, which is preferably positioned on the drink spout section's upper planar surface 18.
The preferred embodiment can be seen in detail in the cross section shown in Fig. 4. In this illustration, the depending peripheral surface 11, is shaped to rest on top of the upper surface of the cup lip 33, instead of conforming around the entire lip. This part can serve as a guideline of the distance that the invention should go into the cup 32.

Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid ., Also referring to Figure 1a, the central portion section 8 is smaller than the cup 32 in diameter. As shown in these illustrations, t-he centr&1 portion section 8 is generally circular in shape, but can be created in any convenient shape w and height. When using a different shape, other elements may need to change in position to accommodate for this change.
Referring to Fig 4B, the finger holds 15 are integrated into the central portion section 8. These finger holds 15 are preferable concave in shape when viewed from the top, but can be formed into any convenient shape to bring comfort to the finger when gripping onto the invention. As shown in this illustration, the two finger holds 15, are preferably equal in size formed from a concave indentation of the outer wall of the central portion section 8, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4B. The finger holds 15 Can also be created in any convenient size to allow sufficient room for a thumb or finger. Referring to the cross section in Fig 4B, it is seen that the depth of the finger holds 15, extends to the extended channel shaped rib 20a. This distance can also vary to allow for optimal gripping comfort. Referring again to Fig 4B, the vent 14 on the planar surface of the central planar surface 13, is preferably positioned on the opposite side of the drink spout to allow for ventilation.
The integrated drinl~ spout section 9(elements 16-19) in this invention allows for drink comfort. As illustrated in Fig 3, the drink spout section 9 is preferably positioned adjacent to the finger holds 15. lt, 9 is generally elliptical in shape, emerging from the central planar surface 13 at a slope 16. The front edge of the drink spout section 9 extends vertically/near vertically, 19 to the channel shaped rib 20.
As shown in the illustration, the sloped edge of the drink spout (16) caused the spout to be larger on the bottom, Sttsanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid r~ .. " , .. . ...,.. ,...

protruding gradually from the upper surface of the central portion of the central planar surface 13 to a desired height.
Referring to Fig 4, a spout shape of the planar surface 18 when viewed from the top, is oblong in shape, but can be formed into any shape, such as elliptical or semicircular, to create a comfortable drink spout for the user. A preferred spout slope 16 on the drinking spout, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, allows for greater drinking comfort when using the invention. As shown in the illustrations, the height of the spout slope 16 follows the height of the drink spout section 19 to connect with the spout planar surface 18 and spout opening 17. The drink spout opening 17 shown in Figure 4 is positioned at the top surface of the drink spout section 18.
As shown in this illustration, the drink opening 17 is positioned preferably near the outer vertical/near vertical wall of the drink spout 19. The drink spout opening 17 is preferably elliptical in shape and can vary in size to allow for optimal drinking comfort.
As the invention is intended to be composted followings its use, the preferred manufacturing material is cellulose fibre. This includes, but is not limited to bagasse-based materials. The invention will preferably be manufactured by the compression molding process, as this is a common method used for processing cellulose based, compostable materials. In using this manufacture process, the invention will preferably be manufactured as a single piece construction.
Operation:
To install the lid an the cup 32 the bottom surface of the lid 20 should be positioned inside of the rim of the beverage filled cup 33. The lid outer wall should preferably Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid t , , ." , be positioned inside of and parallel to the wall of the cup 32 and inserted into the cup 32 in a downward position. With the user applying pressure on or near the planar surface 13 and the peripheral surface 11 of the lid, the walls of the cup-engaging section 10 will engage with the inner wall of the cup 32, forming a friction seal. The user should continue to apply pressure on the planar surface 13 and the peripheral surface 11 until the inner wall of the peripheral surface 11 rests on top of the cup lip 33.
To remove the lid from the cup, the user holds the cup 32 in place with one hand and uses preferably their thumb and index finger on their other hand to grasp the fingers holds 15. Slightly squeezing the finger holds 15, the user will slowly and carefully twist and pull the lid in an upward position, to release the outer vertical wall of the lid 10 from the vertical wall of the cup 32.
For disposal, if the cup 32 is also compostable, the entire drinking cup and lid can be placed into a compost bin for composting.
Altor~ative »diawats:
As noted. the invention can be formed into any convenient shape. Alternative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 5-7. These illustrations show some possibilities for the invention based on different standard cups and for drink comfort.
Referring to Fig. 5, the spout shape 18, can be formed into any convenient shape. As shown in the illustration, when an alternative spout shape 18V is used for the invention, an alternative spout slope 16V may also be created. As the degree of slope in the spout slope 16 follows the height of the drink Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid i ~.. . , ,...

spout section and the spout shape I8, the degree of curve in the alternative spout slope 16V is then possibly lesser due to the shape of the alternative spout shape 18V.
Referring to Fig. 6, the invention can be applied to different styles of standard cups. Aside from the invention being used with cup 32, the invention can also be used with an alternative cup 32V. Instead of a rounded rim 33, the alternative cup 33V has a planar surface that extends slightly horizontal to the annular opening of the alternative cup 32V.
When the alternative cup 32V is used with the invention, an alternative peripheral surface section 11V will extend outward from the top of the cup-engaging section 33v. This alternative peripheral surface sectipn 11 has a planar surface that extends beyond the planar surface of the alternative cup 33V
and then extends slightly downwards at a depending distance.
Referring to Fig. 7, the central portion section 13 can be formed into any convenient height. As shown in the illustration, the central portion wall 12, is at level with the peripheral surface section 11. An alternative central portion wall 12V extends beyond the peripheral surface section 11 at a depending distanoe. This additional height to the alternative central portion section creates an alternative central portion planar surface 13V. As shown in the illustration, the overall height of the alternative embodiment is approximately at level: with the height of the preferred embodiment. Therefore, with the extension of the alternative central portion wall 3V, the distance of the alternative drink spout slope 16 has become shorter. Therefore, an alternative spout slope 16V is created.
Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable Beverage Lid