GB2593423A

GB2593423A - Beverage lid

Info

Publication number: GB2593423A
Application number: GB1915885.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Guerrera Antonio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-11-01
Filing date: 2019-11-01
Publication date: 2021-09-29
Also published as: GB201915885D0

Abstract

A lid 2 for a beverage container comprising a means of releasable attachment to the container, a cover section 6 extending between opposed portions of the attachment portion 4, an outlet extending between the upper surface (fig 1 8) and lower surface 10 of the cover section (fig 1 12) and at least one container portion 14 a-g located adjacent to the lower surface of the cover section. The lid may comprise a plurality of container portions. The container portions may comprise one or more side portions. The container portions may also have a lid that seals and extends the corresponding porion. This lid may be formed of a polymer, a foil or both. The container portion may be detachable from the lid. The containers may be suitable for the storage of a beverage additive component, this may comprise one or more of milk, cream, milk-substitute, sugar, sweetener or any combination therof. Also disclosed is a method for the production of the item described.

Description

BEVERAGE LID

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a beverage container lid, and in particular a hot beverage container lid, such as for example a coffee cup lid. The present invention relates to a self-contained beverage container lid comprising at least one beverage additive component.

Background

Conventionally, take away beverages, such as for example coffee, tea or hot chocolate are served in a cup together with a lid (typically a plastic lid) to ensure that the beverage can be easily carried with reduced risk of spillage.

The consumer may wish to add one or more additional beverage additive component such as for example one or more of: sugar, sweetener, milk, or milk alternative depending on their personal taste. The consumer must therefore carry and use multiple items for one single beverage.

There is a need for a beverage container which is capable of being used to transport a beverage together with one or more beverage additive components with improved ease and with reduced associated packaging waste.

Prior Art

US20150173537 discloses a condiment container whose form factor is selected to enable the condiment container to be carried and held in place by a standard drink holder.

GB200519670 discloses a receptacle comprising comprises at least one compartment containing a substance for introduction to the receptacle. The compartment is breakable open so as to allow the contents of the compartment to be introduced into the receptacle. The receptacle may be for a beverage. Each compartment may be in a wall of the receptacle and may be of blister pack form. Alternatively, such a compartment may be provided in a lid for a receptacle.

US20040050847 discloses a lid for a beverage container, comprising: a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in a snug liquid-tight relation, an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from the container attachment portion, an opening in the annular cover panel portion to permit insertion of straw while the container attachment portion is attached to an associated container, and a sauce compartment in the annular cover panel portion to provide an vacant area for sauce, said sauce compartment is sunken-in from the annular cover panel portion.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a lid for a beverage container comprising: a beverage container attachment portion for releasable engagement with a rim of a beverage container; a cover portion extending between opposed portions of the beverage 20 container attachment portion, the cover portion having an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface configured to be adjacent a beverage container; an outlet extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the cover portion configured to enable passage of beverage from a container therethrough; and at least one container portion configured to receive and retain at least one 25 beverage additive component, in which the at least one container portion is located adjacent the lower surface of the cover portion.

In one embodiment, the lid comprises a plurality of container portions.

In one embodiment, one or more, for example each, container portion comprises one or more side portions, and a portion of the lower surface of the cover portion to define a cavity extending therebetween. The or each cavity may be shaped and/or dimensioned to receive one or more beverage additive components. Preferably, each container portion is configured to receive a separate beverage additive component within the cavity defined therein.

In one embodiment, one or more, for example each, container portion further comprises a removable lid configured to extend and substantially seal the cavity defined by the corresponding container portion. In one embodiment, the lid may comprise a removable lid configured to extend and substantially seal each cavity defined by the container portions. In one embodiment, each container portion is associated with a separate removable lid, such that each container portion may be individually selected by a consumer and the consumer may individually remove each particular lid, as desired depending on the particular requirements for the beverage.

The or each removable lid may for example be composed of one or more of: a polymeric material, foil, or any combination thereof.

The or each removable lid may be configured for piercing or for peeling away from the associated container portion.

In one embodiment, one or more, preferably each, container portion further comprises a beverage additive component. The at least one beverage additive component may be selected, for example, from one or more of milk, cream, milk-substitute, sugar, sweetener, or any combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the lid comprises a front face configured in use to be positioned adjacent the mouth of a user. The lid may further comprise a recess located at or adjacent the front face of the lid, in which the recess is configured to receive a portion of the mouth, for example the lips, of a user. In one embodiment, the outlet is located adjacent the front face of the lid, and preferably within or adjacent the recess.

In one embodiment, the lid comprises a rear face, opposed to the front face, with side faces extending therebetween. The at least one container portion is preferably located adjacent the rear face of the lid, for example between opposed side faces 30 and the rear face of the lid.

Each container portion may have any suitable dimensions. In one embodiment, one or more, for example each container portion may provide a cavity configured to receive about 10 mL, for example about 12 mL of liquid (for example milk, cream or milk-alternative). In one embodiment, one or more, for example each container portion may provide a cavity configured to receive at least 1 tsp, preferably at least 2 tsp, for example about 3 tsp (for example 1 tbsp) of sugar, for example white or brown sugar.

In one embodiment, the lid is composed of thermo forming polypropylene.

In one embodiment, the one or more container portions may be releasably engageable with the lower surface of the lid. For example, the lower surface of the lid and the container portion(s) may each comprises complimentary engagement features for releasable engagement.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a lid as claimed in any preceding claims, in which the method comprises: obtaining a beverage container attachment portion for releasable engagement 15 with a rim of a beverage container; obtaining a cover portion having an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface configured in use to be adjacent a beverage container; securing the cover portion to the beverage container attachment portion such that the cover portion extends between opposed portions of the beverage container 20 attachment portion; providing an outlet in a predetermined location on the cover portion, in which the outlet extends between the upper and lower surfaces of the cover portion; obtaining at least one container portion configured to receive and retain at least one beverage additive component; and securing the at least one container portion adjacent the lower surface of the cover portion.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example 30 only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Fiqures

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view from above of a lid 35 according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a perspective view from below of the lid of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view from above of the lid of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an exploded view from below of the lid of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the beverage container 1 comprises a lid 2 comprising a beverage container attachment portion 4 for releasable engagement with a rim of a beverage container (not shown). The lid 2 further comprises a cover portion 6 extending between opposed portions of the beverage container attachment portion 4. The cover portion 6 has an upper surface 8, and an opposed lower surface 10 configured to be adjacent a beverage container. The lid 2 further comprises an outlet 12 extending between the upper 8 and lower 10 surfaces of the cover portion 6. The outlet 12 is configured to enable passage of beverage from a container (not shown) therethrough. The lid 2 further comprises seven individual one container portions 14a-g, each container portion 14a-g configured to receive and retain at least one beverage additive component. The seven container portions 14a-g are located adjacent the lower surface 10 of the cover portion 6.

Each container portion 14a-g comprises side portions 16 upstanding from an adjacent portion of the lower surface 10 of the cover portion 6 to define a cavity 18 25 extending therebetween.

Each container portion 14a-g further comprises a removable lid portion 20a-g configured to extend and substantially seal each cavity defined by the corresponding container portion 14a-g.

Each container portion 14a-g further comprises a separate, or separate serving of, a beverage additive component selected, for example, from one or more of: milk, cream, milk-substitute, sugar, sweetener, or any combination thereof.

The lid comprises a rear face 22, opposed to the front face 24, with side faces 26, 28 extending therebetween. The container portions 14a-g is located adjacent the rear face 22 of the lid 2.

In use, the user receives a hot beverage, for example a tea or coffee or hot chocolate, within a beverage container. The user selects a lid 2 and releasably engages the lid to the beverage container. After transporting the container, the user may release the lid from the container, and invert the lid to reveal the container portions 14a-g. The user may select which particular beverage additive components are required to be added to the beverage, for example milk or sugar. The user may remove the removable lid portion from the corresponding container portions 14a-g of the lid 2 and introduce the contents to the beverage.

The lid 2 of the present invention therefore speeds up the process of dispensing beverages, as the user is not required to select the beverage additive components at the location of dispensing beverages. Furthermore, the lid reduces the production of excess waste such as sugar and milk packaging. The lid provides a compact solution for providing a plurality of beverage additive components, in measured quantities, which can be added after dispensing of the beverage to suit a user's individual taste.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 25 combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A lid for a beverage container comprising: a beverage container attachment portion for releasable engagement with a rim of a beverage container; a cover portion extending between opposed portions of the beverage container attachment portion, the cover portion having an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface configured to be adjacent a beverage container; an outlet extending between the upper and lower surfaces of the cover portion configured to enable passage of beverage from a container therethrough; and at least one container portion configured to receive and retain at least one beverage additive component, in which the at least one container portion is located adjacent the lower surface of the cover portion.
2. A lid as claimed in claim 1, in which the lid comprises a plurality of container portions.
3. A lid as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, in which the at least one container portion comprises one or more side portions, and a portion of the lower surface of the cover portion to define a cavity extending therebetween.
4. A lid as claimed in claim 3, in which the at least one container portion further comprises a removable lid portion configured to extend and substantially seal the cavity defined by the corresponding container portion.
5. A lid as claimed in claim 4, in which the lid portion comprises a removable lid configured to extend and substantially seal each cavity defined by the container portions.
6. A lid as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, in which the or each removable lid portion is composed of one or more of: a polymeric material, foil, or any combination thereof.
7. A lid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each container portion further comprises a beverage additive component.
8. A lid as claimed in claim 7, in which the at least one beverage additive component is selected, for example, from one or more of: milk, cream, milk-substitute, sugar, sweetener, or any combination thereof.
9. A lid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lid comprises a rear face, opposed to the front face, with side faces extending therebetween, and in which the at least one container portion is located adjacent the rear face of the lid.
10. A lid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least a portion of the lid is composed of thermo forming polypropylene.
11. A lid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the at least one container portion is releasably engageable with the lower surface of the lid.
12. A method for manufacturing a lid as claimed in any preceding claims, in which the method comprises: obtaining a beverage container attachment portion for releasable engagement with a rim of a beverage container; obtaining a cover portion having an upper surface, and an opposed lower surface configured in use to be adjacent a beverage container; securing the cover portion to the beverage container attachment portion such that the cover portion extends between opposed portions of the beverage container attachment portion; providing an outlet in a predetermined location on the cover portion, in which the outlet extends between the upper and lower surfaces of the cover portion; obtaining at least one container portion configured to receive and retain at least one beverage additive component; and securing the at least one container portion adjacent the lower surface of the cover portion.