CA3116376A1

CA3116376A1 - Tamper-proof cup cover and drink cup having the same

Info

Publication number: CA3116376A1
Application number: CA3116376A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Yu Wang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-21
Filing date: 2021-04-26
Publication date: 2022-01-21
Also published as: CN212972596U

Abstract

A novel tamper-proof cup cover is disclosed, which includes a cover body. The cover body defines an annular recess, being suitable for engaging with a cup mouth.
A drinking aperture is defined on the cover body. A lid is movably disposed on the cover body. The lid is movable between open and closed positions. A block portion is provided on the lid.
When the lid is in the closed position, the block portion blocks the drinking aperture, thus preventing the beverage from spilling out and staining as well. The lid is in the open position, the lid exposes the drinking aperture.

Description

TAMPER-PROOF CUP COVER AND DRINK CUP HAVING THE
SAME
BACKGROUND
Technical Field [0001] The instant disclosure relates to a beverage container, in particular, a tamper-proof cup cover and drink cup having the same.
Related Art

[0002] Paper or plastic drink cups are commonly used in daily life. Although it is not required to have a cup cover for general water cup use, a cup cover is needed when people are drinking hot or cold beverages, like coffee, milk tea, soft drink, bubble tea, etc.
Because of the beverage characteristics, certain heat preservation performance is required.
The cup cover is necessary because it is able to provide thermal insulation function for preventing heat dissipation, so that people can enjoy their drinks, and the drinks won't cool down too quickly.

[0003] The conventional cup cover or lid for a disposable cup has a tear-open for drinking which usually can be torn only once. For example, a tear-open is set at a central portion of the cup cover and the opening can be used for straw insertion.
Alternatively, a tear-open may be disposed on the edge of the cup cover for directly drinking with mouth.
But it is understood that, those cup cover designs are unable to re-seal the tear-open after it has been torn or opened. When people don't want to consume the remaining drinks for a while, it will be not convenient to use a non-resealable cup cover for carrying because the drink inside the cup may be spilled out of the cup and it could stain the carry bag. Further, in general, the materials of a drink cup for coffee milk tea, soft drink, bubble tea, etc. are usually thin plastic or paper. Thus, the conventional cup cover is unable to tightly fit to the Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26 drink cup by screwing or sealing, and also has a disadvantage of higher manufacturing cost.

[0004] Since opening of the conventional cup cover, once torn opened, is not resealable, various dust, biological matters, such as bacteria, or even virus may enter through the .. opening. Accordingly, the conventional cup cover is not desirable even for a temporary use and may provide certain health risks.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a long-felt needs for a drinking cup and / or its cup cover /
lid that would address one or more of the aforementioned issues.
SUMMARY

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a resealable cup cover and a drink cup having the same with thermal insulation function for preventing heat / cold dissipation from a content inside the cup.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cup cover and a drink cup having the same with spill-proofing means on the cup cover for preventing or minimizing spillage even after the drinking opening is opened on the cup cover.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cup cover and a drink cup having the same with resealable cup cover for covering the drinking opening to prevent dust(s) and/or pollutant(s) from contaminating around / at the drinking opening, or contaminating the contents inside the cup through the drinking opening on the cup cover.
.. Such dust/pollutant may also include, but not limited to bacteria(s) and/or virus(es).
Accordingly, yet further object of the present invention is to provide means for preventing transmission of certain bacterial and/or viral diseases (for example, flu/influenza, COVID19, etc.).

[0009] From one aspect, in one or some embodiments of the present invention, it provides a tamper-proof cup cover comprising a cover body. An annular recess is Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26 configured at the bottom portion of the cover body and is suitable for engaging with a cup mouth. A drinking aperture is configured at the second side of the top portion of the cover body. A lid is pivotally disposed on the middle portion of the top portion of the cover body.
The lid is capable of being moveable between an open and closed position, wherein a block portion is configured on the bottom surface of the lid. When the lid is in the closed position, the block portion is capable of blocking the drinking aperture.

[0010] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, a protrusion is configured at a first side of the top portion of the cover body, and a recess is configured on the top surface of the lid. The recess is capable of being engaged with the protrusion when the lid is in the open position.

[0011] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, the recess is formed at the rear surface of the block portion.

[0012] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, the cross-section of the protrusion and the cross-section of the recess are drop shaped.

[0013] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, an engaging portion is configured at the second side of the cover body, and an engaging recess is configured on the inner surface of the lid. The engaging recess is capable of being engaged with the engaging portion when the lid is in the closed position.

[0014] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, the engaging portion and the engaging recess are dot shaped.

[0015] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, a tearable strip lock is configured between the second side of the cover body and the second side of the lid.

[0016] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, a rotatory pin is configured on the cover body. The lid is pivotally disposed on the top surface of the cover body through the rotatory pin.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26

[0017] The cup cover of one or some embodiments of the instant disclosure comprises a cover body. The bottom portion of the cover body is provided with an annular recess that is suitable for engaging with a cup mouth. The second side of the top portion of the cover body is provided with a drinking aperture. The middle portion of the top portion of the cover body is provided with a lid that is pivotally disposed and capable of being moved/flipped between an open and closed positions. The bottom surface of the lid is provided with a block portion. When the lid is in the closed position, the block portion is capable of blocking the drinking aperture. Because the lid can be freely/repeatably moved/flipped between open and closed positions, when a person wants to drink beverages, the lid can be in the open position, and the drinking aperture will be exposed.
So, the person is able to directly drink beverages with mouth through the drinking aperture.
When a person wants to stop drinking the beverage, the lid can be in the closed position, and the blocking portion beneath the lid will block the drinking aperture, thus preventing the beverage from spilling out and staining carry bag as well. It is also a convenient design for people to carry.

[0018] From the other aspect, in one or some embodiments of the present invention, it provides a drink cup comprising a cup body and a cup cover. The cup cover is the aforementioned provided tamper-proof cup cover(s).

[0019] As a further improvement, in one or some embodiments, a thermal insulation cup jacket detachably sleeves around the cup body, and the thermal insulation cup jacket is made of corrugated paper.

[0020] According to one or some embodiments of the present invention, it provides a drink cup, which comprises the provided tamper-proof cup cover as described above with the same or corresponding beneficial effects as shown above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26

[0021] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus not limitative of the disclosure, wherein:
Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a drink cup according to an exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure;
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a drink cup of the exemplary embodiment in which the lid is opened;
Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a drink cup of the exemplary embodiment in which the lid is in the open position;
Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a drink cup of the exemplary embodiment in which the tamper-proof cup cover is separated from cup body; and Fig. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a drink cup according to an exemplary embodiment of the instant disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to enable people skilled in the art for better understanding, the following embodiments and drawings are provided for facilitating the descriptions of the instant disclosure. It is noted that, in the case of non-conflict, the features of each embodiment are able to combine with each other.

[0023] As shown in Figs.1 to 5, it is provided a tamper-proof cup cover comprising a cover body 1. The whole construction of the cover body 1 may be round, and be made of plastic and waterproof paper that meets food safety requirements. The bottom portion of the cover body 1 is provided with an annular recess that is suitable for engaging with a cup mouth. The annular recess is able to stabilize the engagement of the cup cover and the cup body. The second side of top portion of the cover body 1 is provided with a drinking aperture 2. The drinking aperture 2 can be at the center or around the center of the cover body 1, for example, for providing drinking access for a straw. A lid 3 is disposed on the Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26 cover body 1, and is movable or pivotable between an open and closed positions. For Example, the lid 3 pivotally disposed on the cover body 1, for example, the middle portion of the top portion of the cover body 1, and is capable of being flipped between a first position (or open position, i.e. uncovering the drinking aperture 2) and a second position (or closed position, i.e. covering the drinking aperture 2). The bottom portion of the lid 3 may be provided with a block portion 4 that is capable of engaging with and blocking the drinking aperture 2 when the lid 3 is in the closed position. Because the lid 3 can be freely and repeatably flipped between the open and closed positions, when a person wants to drink beverages, the lid 3 can be in the open position, and the drinking aperture 2 will be exposed. So, the person is able to directly drink the beverage with mouth through the drinking aperture 2. When the person wants to stop drinking beverages, the lid 3 can be in the closed position, and the blocking portion 4 beneath the lid 3 will block the drinking aperture 2, thereby preventing the drinks spilling out and staining the carry bag or the clothes the person wears. Meanwhile, the provided cup cover has temperature preservation effect for hot or cold drinks and the drink cup having the same is also easy to carry.

[0024] As a further preferred embodiment, the one side of the top portion of the cover body 1 is provided with a protrusion 5. The top surface of the lid 3 is provided with a recess 6. The recess 6 is capable of being engaged with the protrusion 5 when the lid 3 is in the open position. When a person drinks beverages, the lid 3 can be in the open position, and the recess 6 of the lid 3 engages with the protrusion 5, so that the lid 3 can be detachably anchored. Besides, because the lid 3 is anchored and, thus, the lid 3 would be remained in the opened position, the lid 3 when drinking beverages would not move by itself

[0025] As a further preferred embodiment, the recess 6 is formed at the rear surface of Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26 the block portion 4. Thus, a single manufacturing process may be applied to form the blocking portion 4 and the recess 6 of the lid 3 so to simplify the structure of the lid 3 and to reduce the manufacturing cost of the lid 3 as well.

[0026] As a further preferred embodiment, the cross-section of drinking aperture 2, the cross-section of protrusion 5, and the cross-section of recess 6 all are drop shaped. With drop shape, it will not be easy for the protrusion 5 to drop out of the recess 6 after being engaged with the recess 6.

[0027] As a further preferred embodiment, the second side of cover body 1 is provided with an engaging portion 7. The inner surface of the lid 3 is provided with an engaging recess 8 that is capable of being engaged with the engaging portion 7 when the lid 3 is in the closed position. Thus, when the lid 3 is in the closed position, the blocking portion 4 beneath the lid 3 will block the drinking aperture 2, in the meantime, the engaging portion 7 will anchor at the engaging recess 8 so to ensure the stability of the lid 3 after the lid 3 is in the closed position and fastened at the second side of cover body 1.

[0028] As a further preferred embodiment, the engaging portion 7 and the engaging recess 8 are dot shaped. Thus, the position at the outer surface of the lid 3 corresponding to the engaging recess 8 is a round bump, so it will be easy for the person to open the lid 3 with a single finger.

[0029] As a further preferred embodiment, a tearable strip lock 9 is configured between the second side of the cover body 1 and the second side of the lid 3. The tearable strip lock 9 is positioned at the gap between the cover body 1 and the lid 3 when the lid 3 is at the second side of the cover body 1. Before the person opens the drinking open, the tearable strip lock 9 is needed to be torn, so that the lid 3 will be able to be in the open position and the drinking aperture 2 can be exposed. Thus, the provided tamper-proof cup cover can be one-time use and avoid repeated use.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26

[0030] As a further preferred embodiment, the central line of the top portion of the cover body 1 is provided with a rotatory pin 10. The position of the drinking aperture 2 and the position of the protrusion 5 are symmetric related to the center of the rotatory pin 10. The lid 3 is pivotally disposed on the top portion of the cover body 1 through the rotatory pin 10. That is, the lid 3 can flip related to the rotatory pin 10 as the rotation axis.

[0031] From the other aspect, the instant disclosure also provides a drink cup comprising a cup body 11 and a cup cover. The cup body 11 may be made of plastic or paper that meets food safety requirements. Plastic cup is suitable for cold drinks, and paper cup is suitable for hot drinks. The cup cover is the provided tamper-proof cup cover as mentioned in the foregoing embodiment(s).

[0032] As a further preferred embodiment, a thermal insulation cup jacket 12 detachably sleeves around the cup body 11, and the thermal insulation cup jacket 12 is made of corrugated paper. The thermal insulation cup jacket 12 can provide thermal insulation to avoid injuries from hot or cold drinks.

[0033] When using the provided drink cup, the annular recess at the bottom portion of the cover body 1 will engage with the cup mouth of the cup body 11 containing hot or cold drinks. The person can hold the drinks with the thermal insulation cup jacket 12, tear off the tearable strip lock 9, open up the lid 3 by placing fingers at the dot-shaped engaging recess 8 at the edge of lid 3, and then move/flip the lid 3 to the open position, so that the lid 3 can be fastened at the cover body 1 through the engagement of the recess 6 and the protrusion 5. When stopping drinking beverages, the person can move/flip the lid 3 to the closed position, so that the blocking portion 4 beneath the lid 3 will block the drinking aperture 2, and the engaging portion 7 can be engaged with the engaging recess 8. In this way, the drinking aperture 2 can be re-sealed so as to avoid spilling out drinks and staining the carry bag. The provided drink cup can provide temperature preservation for hot or cold Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26 drinks, and is also a convenient design to carry. In addition, it can prevent cross contamination when the said drink cup contains hot or cold drinks.

[0034] As above, the aforesaid descriptions have explained specific details of the instant disclosure for fully understanding. However, the present invention may be .. implemented in other ways which are not disclosed in the above preferred embodiments.
Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments.

[0035] In conclusion, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-26

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tamper-proof cup cover, comprising:
a cover body, defining an annular recess at a bottom portion of the cover body and is suitable for engaging with a cup mouth, wherein the cover body further defines a drinking aperture at a portion of the cover body, a lid, movably disposed on the cover body, and is movable between open and closed positions, wherein the lid comprises a block portion that engages with and blocks the drinking aperture.

2. The tamper-proof cup cover according to claim 1, wherein:
a protrusion is configured at a first side of the top portion, a recess is configured on a top surface of the lid, and the recess is capable of being engaged with the protrusion when the lid is in the open position.

3. The tamper-proof cup cover according to claim 2, wherein:
the recess is formed at a rear surface of the block portion.

4. The tamper-proof cup cover according to claim 3, wherein:
a cross-section of the protrusion and a cross-section of the recess are drop shaped.

5. The tamper-proof cup cover according to claim 1, wherein, an engaging portion is configured at a second side of the cover body, an engaging recess is configured on an inner surface of the lid, and the engaging recess is capable of being engaged with the engaging portion when the lid is in the closed position.

6. The tamper-proof cup cover according to claim 5, wherein, the engaging portion and the engaging recess are dot shaped.

7. The tamper-proof cup cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, a tearable strip lock is configured between the second side of the cover body and a second side of the lid.

8. The tamper-proof cup cover according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, a rotatory pin is configured on the cover body, and the lid is pivotally disposed on the top portion of the cover body through the rotatory pin.

9. A drink cup, comprising a cup body and a cup cover, wherein, the cup cover is one of the tamper-proof cup cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The drink cup according to claim 9, wherein, a thermal insulation cup jacket detachably sleeves around the cup body, and the thermal insulation cup jacket is made of corrugated paper.