MXPA05005625A

MXPA05005625A - Beverage container lid having baffle arrangement for liquid cooling.

Info

Publication number: MXPA05005625A
Application number: MXPA05005625A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Milan Michael
Original assignee: Milan Michael
Priority date: 2002-11-26
Filing date: 2002-11-26
Publication date: 2005-07-27
Also published as: EP1565093A4; AU2002346580A1; JP2006507194A; CA2506661A1; CN100405958C; WO2004047596A1; AU2002346580B2; CA2506661C; EP1565093A1; CN1697619A

Abstract

A removable beverage container lid (18, 54) wherein the lid has a substantially enclosed space (36, 76) defined between an exterior cover (20, 56) and an interior cover (22, 58). At least one inlet opening (30, 94, 96) is formed in the interior cover directing a hot beverage to flow into the substantially enclosed space. Attached to the interior cover at the forward edge of the inlet opening is a partition (38) or wall assembly (90, 92) having a height extending to be located substantially against the exterior cover and a length at least equal to the length of the inlet opening. Between the partition or wall assembly and the peripheral edge of the exterior cover is located a gap area (40, 98). Connected with the gap area is a dispensing opening (46, 62) formed in the exterior cover. Hot beverage is required to flow around the partition or wall assembly and into the gap area prior to flowing through the dispensing opening exteriorly of a beverage container.

Description

CONTAINER COVER FOR DRINKS THAT HAS DEFLECTOR MOUNTING FOR LIQUID COOLING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION The subject matter of this invention is directed to a removable lid for a beverage container and more particularly to a lid that is designed to reduce the possibility of the user's mouth burning during consumption. a hot beverage and also substantially prevent accidental spillage of the liquid beverage from the beverage container. 2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE It is excessively like in today's society to use beverage containers, which are made of paper and plastic, intended to be used once and then discarded. It is also exceedingly common for individuals to use these disposable beverage containers to contain hot beverages such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate. It is common for an individual to be in motion while consuming the beverage while walking the individual from one place to another, driving in the other or performing some other activity other than simply sitting. It is common to have a lid that substantially circumscribes the open mouth of a beverage container. The primary function of the lid is to prevent leakage of the beverage that can easily occur when the consumer moves from one place to another or nothing travels in a car. Movement of the autogol movement of the consumer can cause the beverage to move within the beverage container and be thrown out through the assortment opening formed within the lid. This pouring of the drink can be poured into the hands of the consumer and into his clothes or onto items contained near the consumer such as at a desk. Another problem associated with the lids of the past, is that the hot liquid is dispensed directly from the beverage container, through the assortment opening to the consumer's mouth. Frequently, the hot liquid is at such a high temperature that it can in fact cause a burn to occur on the consumer's lips and inside the mouth of the consumer. In the past, no effort has been made to build lids that substantially eliminate the possibility of burning the consumer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the beverage container lid has an outer shell and an inner shell, both of which have a discoidal shape. The peripheral edge of the inner cover is to be fastened permanently mounted to the peripheral edge of the outer cover. Located between the inner cover and the outer cover is a substantially circumscribed space. The peripheral edge of the outer cover is to be removably mounted on the mouth of the beverage container, with the liquid in the beverage container being able to move through an inlet opening, formed inside the inner cover for later be contained within the substantially circumscribed space. The civilian entry opening Carlos forms non-centrally within the inner cover with the leading edge of the entry opening which is located substantially closer to the peripheral edge than the trailing edge of the entry opening. A separation is connected to the inner cover and is located within the substantially circumscribed space. The separation has an upper edge that is going to be placed in contact with the inner surface of the outer cover. The length of the separation will be at least equal to the length of the inlet opening which requires that the beverage passing through the inlet opening must pass around the separation, to be located within the separation area defined as part of the substantially circumscribed space. An assortment opening is formed on the outer cover and is line with the separation area. The beverage from the separation area will be dispensed to the outside of the beverage container through this assortment opening by tilting the beverage container. A second modality of the lid for the beverage containers, which also has an outer cover of the inner cover, both of which are discoid. The peripheral edge of the inner cover is permanently attached to the peripheral edge of the outer cover. Located between the inner cover and the outer cover is a substantially circumscribed space. The peripheral edge of the outer cover is removably mounted on the mouth of the beverage container, with the liquid in the beverage container being able to move through a pair of inlet openings formed within the inner cover for then be contained within the substantially circumscribed space. The pair of inlet openings are located centrally within the inner cover with the leading edge of the inlet openings being located substantially closer to the peripheral edge than the trailing edge of the inlet openings. A wall assembly in the form of a pair of vertical members is commented to the inner cover with the vertical members that are located between the pair of entry openings. Each vertical member has an upper edge that is to be placed in contact with the inner surface of the outer cover. The length of the vertical members will be at least equal to the light and you of the entrance openings that require that the vast majority of the beverage passing through the entrance openings must pass around the vertical members to be located within the area of separation defined as part of the substantially circumscribed space. An assortment opening is formed inside the outer cover and is line with the separation area. The beverage from the separation area is to be supplied to the outside of the beverage container through this assortment opening, by tilting the beverage container. Each vertical member abuts butt against a raised surface formed on the inner surface of the outer cover. Each of these raised surfaces includes a groove that allows a small amount of the beverage to be conducted directly from the substantially circumscribed space to be deposited within the separation area. These grooves provide an initial amount of drink to the space of separation, when the user takes his first drink. The inner cover also includes a drainage orifice through which the liquid contained within the substantially circumscribed space can flow back to the beverage container and this way be reheated if a substantial time has occurred since the most recent consumption. A ventilation is also formed inside the inner cover and the outer cover. The primary objective of the present invention is to construct a beverage container lid that substantially eliminates the possibility of spillage of the beverage from the container when the container encounters a sudden movement. Another object of the present invention is to construct a beverage container lid, which substantially eliminates the possibility of a hot beverage burning the lips or mouth of the consumer during consumption of the hot beverage.

Another objective of the present invention is to construct a beverage container lid, which can be built economically and therefore sold to the final consumer at a relatively low price. Another object of the present invention is to construct a beverage container lid that is simple in construction and therefore is not complex to manufacture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangement illustrated in the drawings. Figure 1 is an exterior view of a typical beverage container in which the first beverage container lid embodiment of the present invention is installed; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the first embodiment of the beverage container lid of the present invention, which is taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the beverage container and the first embodiment of the beverage container lid of this invention, taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2 showing the beverage container in a vertical position of normal rest; Figure 4 is a partially cross-sectional view through the first beverage container lid embodiment of the present invention taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the beverage container in the typical utility position for consuming the beverage contained in the beverage container; Figure 6 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the beverage container lid of the present invention; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through the second embodiment of the beverage container lid of the present invention, taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the second embodiment of beverage container lid of the present invention, taken on line 8-8 of Figure 7 which shows in more detail the flow of the beverage to through the assortment opening; and Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the inner surface of the outer cover of the second beverage container lid embodiment of the present invention, which is taken on line 9-9 of Figure 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE With particular reference to the drawing, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a beverage container 10 having an internal face 12. Within the internal chamber 12 an amount of a beverage 14 is to be located. The beverage container 0 has an open mouth 16. A typical drink can be a cold drink a hot drink. However, the structure of the present invention is designed in particular to be used in conjunction with a hot beverage such as tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

The open mouth 16 will be closed by a first embodiment of the lid 18. The lid 18 will be constructed of plastic or another similar type of sheet material such as a paper composition. The lid 18 has an outer cover 20 and an inner cover 22. Both the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 22 are disk-shaped and both are substantially planar. However, it will be within the scope of this invention that the covers 20 and 22 may be different from the discoid shape, such as for example a square shape other polygonal shape such as hexagonal or octagonal. Typically, the thickness of the covers 20 and 22 will generally be approximately .3175 cm (1/8 in). The inner cover 22 has a peripheral edge which is formed within an annular flange 24. The upper edge of the annular flange 24 is glued or otherwise fixedly fixed, such as by thermal seal, to the inner surface of the outer cover 20 Integrally connected to the peripheral edge of the outer cover 20 is an annular dependent flange 26. Between the dependent flange 26 and the annular flange 24 is located an annular groove 28. The upper edge of the beverage container 10 located in the open mouth 16 will be located snugly within the annular groove 28. This will firmly hold the lid 18 over the beverage container 10. However, the lid 18 can be detached manually from the beverage container 10, by simply detaching the lid 18 separating that of the beverage container 10. The inner cover 22 includes an inlet opening 30. The inlet opening 30 in general is not greater than 1.905 to 2.54 cm (3/4 to 1 in) in length and approximately .635 cm (1/4 in) in width. The inlet opening 30 is located in an off-center position within the inner cover 22. The inlet opening 30 has a leading edge 32 and a trailing edge 34. When tilting the beverage container 10 to an inclined melt, as illustrated in FIG. figure five, a small amount of the beverage 14 will flow through the inlet opening 30 into the substantially circumscribed space 36 formed between the outer cover 20 and the inner cover 22. fixedly mounted on the upper surface of the inner cover 22 in the leading edge 32 is a spacing 38. The spacing 38 has an upper edge that will be in contact with the inner surface of the outer cover 20. The spacing 68 comprises a wall of clear shape that is approximately 1.905 to 2.54 cm (3/4 to 1 in) in length, it being important that the separation 38 be at least as long as the length of the entry opening 30. Right, the separation 38 comprises the material to the "punching" of the inner cover 12 that forms the entry opening 30. Between the separation 38 and the annular flange 24 is a separation area 40. It should be noted that the separation area 40 is generally not greater than 635 cm ( 1/4 in) wide. This means that the spacing 38 is located very close to the annular flange 24 with a substantial amount of space from the trailing edge 34 to the annular flange 24. The reason for this is that when the beverage container 10 is tilted is that the beverage 14 will flow through the inlet opening 30, illustrated by dates 42, against the separation 38 and then around the separation 38 is illustrated by the arrows 44 within the separation area 40. Connecting with the separation area 40 is an opening of assortment 46, shown in triangular configuration. The consumer will have to locate his mouth with respect to the supply opening 46 with the upper lip located in the area of the point 48 and the bottom lip located near but spaced from the base 50. Point 48 invites the beverage, if hot, to be contacted. of in greater proportion to the upper lip of the consumer. This is to protect the upper lip against burn. Although the fact that the beverage has to travel a certain distance, this is from the entrance opening 30, around the separation 38, to the interior of the separation area 40, before being supplied through the assortment orifice 46. This distance of travel should be sufficient to substantially cool the beverage and prevent burning of any portion of the consumer's mouth. Also, the vents 52 help cool the beverage by allowing "vapor" to escape into the environment. If the beverage container 10 is accidentally shaken or tilted, the fact that the beverage 14 is to be led through the inlet opening 30 and then through the assortment opening 46, substantially minimizes the possibility of any accidental assortment of the beverage 14. The vent holes 52 are so small that a minimum amount of beverage can flow through these orifices 52 into the environment if the beverage container 10 is tilted. The purpose of this is to avoid contamination of the consumer's workplace as well as the clothes of the consumer and contact the consumer's person. Although the separation 38 is illustrated to be of arcuate configuration, which is considered to aid in directing the beverage 42 in the direction of the dates 42, it is considered to be within the scope of this invention that the separation 38 may be of another configuration, such as as a straight configuration or possibly even a convex instead of a concave configuration shown in Figure 4. With reference particularly to Figures 6-9 of the drawings, the second embodiment 54 of the lid of this invention is illustrated. The second embodiment 54 includes an outer cover 56 and an inner cover 58. Both the outer cover 56 and the inner cover 58 have a discoid shape. However, it is considered within the scope of this invention that covers 56 and 58 may be different to discoid. Again, the thickness of covers 56 and 58 will generally be about .3175 cm (1/8 in). The outer cover 56 has an inner surface defining an inner face 60. Formed within the outer cover 56 is an assortment opening 62. The assortment opening 62 is located directly adjacent to the peripheral edge 64 of the outer cover 56. Formed integral with the outer cover 56 and located inside the internal chamber 60 and arranged fitted on one side of the assortment opening 62, is an elevated surface 66 with a similar raised surface 68 located on the opposite side of the assortment opening 62. The surface raised 66 includes a through groove 70 with a similar through groove 72 formed within the raised surface 68. The purposes of the through grooves 70 and 72 will be explained later in the specification. The outer cover 56 also includes a vent hole 74. The vent holes 74 can directly connect to the substantially circumscribed space 76 of the inner cover 58 or can directly connect to a hole 78 formed within a post 80 that is formed integral with the inner cover 58. The post 80 is for causing vapor ventilation to occur directly from the internal chamber 82 of the beverage container 84. Hot liquids 86, such as coffee or tea, will be contained in the internal chamber 82. The outer cover 56 includes a centrally located implant 88. This indentation 88 is for the purpose of giving strength to the overall construction of the outer cover 56. The inner cover 58 also includes a spacing in the form of a pair of spaced vertical walls 90 and 92. Outside the vertical wall 92 there is an orifice 94 but outside the vertical wall 90 there is a hole 94. Between the walls 90 and 92 a separation area 98 is located. When the inner cover is fastened, ta! as by adhesive or sonic welding to the outer cover 56, the upper surface of the vertical wall 90 will rest against the raised surface 66 and the upper surface of the vertical wall 92 will rest against the raised surface 68. When the beverage container first it is inclined and the first drink of the beverage container is consumed, it should not have a beverage contained within the substantially circumscribed space 76. Also, if it has been some time since the last drink, the beverage 102 that was contained within the space substantially circumscribed 76 will have escaped back through drainage hole 100 to internal chamber 82 to mix with and reheat with hot beverage 86. However, when first drink is consumed, there will normally be no liquid contained in the substantially circumscribed space 76 since it will take some time (a few seconds) for the beverage to pass through the holes 94 and 9 6 to fill the substantially circumscribed space 76 and then flow around the vertical walls 90 and 92 to fill the separation area 98. To avoid these few seconds of filling at the time it is consumed in the first drink, the beverage is allowed to circulate to through the through slots 70 and 72 directly into the separation area 98. This initial direct flow of the beverage will then provide a small immediate amount 104 of the beverage for the user to consume. This direct flow through the through slots 70 and 72 will cause a decrease in the temperature of the beverage in such a way that the beverage will cool to something for later was born hot when it is initially consumed. After the first drink has occurred, a quantity 102 of the beverage will be contained within the substantially circumscribed space 76. When the user takes another drink, the amount 102 will then simply flow around the upright or vertical walls 90 and 92 and the separation area 98 will arrive with a small amount. 104. The time it takes for the beverage to flow into the substantially circumscribed space 76 and then around the vertical walls 90 and 92 to the separation area 98, it will turn out that the amount 104 will be at a temperature less than the amount 102 of the beverage per beverage. 86 so that the amount 104 that is consumed directly, will not cause a burn in the mouth of the consumer. The present invention can be incorporated into other specific forms without departing from its essential attributes. Reference should be made to the appended claims instead of the above specification to indicate the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A cover for beverage container, characterized in that it comprises: an outer cover and an inner cover, to inner cover has a peripheral edge attached to the outer cover forming a substantially circumscribed space between the inner cover and the outer cover, the the lid is adapted to be installed on an open mouth of a beverage container containing a beverage; an inlet opening formed inside the inner cover, the inlet opening is located non-centrally within the inner cover, the inlet opening is adapted to allow flow of the beverage from the beverage container to the substantially circumscribed space; a spacing connected to the inner cover and extending to contact the outer cover, whereby the beverage flowing through the inlet opening flows the substantially circumscribed space and into a separation area that is part of the substantially circumscribed space; and an assortment orifice formed within the outer cover, the assortment opening is adapted to supply the beverage from the beverage container, the assortment opening is aligned with the separation area, whereby when tilting the beverage container, the liquid beverage must flow through the inlet opening and around the separation and then through the assortment opening that will work to cool the beverage, if it is a hot drink. **
2. The lid for beverage container according to claim 1, characterized in that: the inlet opening has a length, the separation is at least as long as said length in such a way that the beverage circulating through the Inlet opening, must circulate around the separation and not directly from the entrance opening to the separation area.
3. The lid for beverage container according to claim 1, characterized in that: the inlet opening is located directly adjacent to the assortment opening. The cover for beverage container according to claim 1, characterized in that: the assortment opening has a triangular shape with a base, the base is located in substantial food with the peripheral edge, whereby an angle of the opening of Triangular shaped assortment will be located in a user's upper lip area to minimize contact of a hot drink with the upper lip area. The cover for beverage container according to claim 1, characterized in that: the separation has an upper edge, which is to be placed in contact with the outer cover, the separation has an arched shape when observed at the upper edge. The lid for beverage container according to claim 1, characterized in that: the outer cover has at least one vent opening for releasing steam from the beverage contained within the circumscribed space. 7. A cap for beverage container, characterized in that it comprises: an outer cover and an inner cover, the inner cover has a peripheral edge that is fastened to the outer cover forming a substantially circumscribed space between the inner cover and the outer cover, the the lid is adapted to be installed on an open mouth of a beverage container containing a beverage; an inlet opening assembly formed within the inner cover, the inlet opening assembly is adapted to allow flow of the beverage from the beverage container to the substantially circumscribed space; a wall assembly located within the substantially circumscribed space extending between the Inner cover and the outer cover, whereby the beverage flowing through the inlet opening assembly flows into the substantially circumscribed space and into the separation area that is part of the substantially circumscribed space; and an assortment opening formed inside the outer cover, the assortment opening is adapted to supply the beverage from the beverage container, the assortment opening is aligned with the separation area, whereby upon tilting the beverage container, the majority of the beverage must circulate through the assembly of the beverage container. entrance opening and around the wall assembly and through the assortment opening that will work to cool the beverage, if this is a hot beverage. The lid for beverage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: the inlet opening assembly comprises a pair of spaced inlet openings, with the separation area located between the inlet opening. 9. The cap for beverage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: the wall assembly integrally connects with the inner cover. The lid for beverage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: the outer cover has an interior surface defining an interior chamber, the interior surface has a pair of spaced, elevated areas, an elevated area directly connects with a portion of a wall mount, each raised area includes a through slot, each through slot being adapted to allow a small amount of the beverage to be driven before the substantially circumscribed space to be confined within the separation area. The lid for beverage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: the wall assembly comprises a pair of spaced-apart vertical members, the vertical members being disposed between the inlet openings. The cover for beverage container according to claim 7, characterized in that: the outer cover includes a ventilation hole, the ventilation hole engages with a hole formed inside the inner cover, the hole is mounted inside a post formed integrally with the inner cover, whereby the ventilation opening functions to release steam from the beverage that is contained in the beverage container.