WO2016174108A1 - Cap apparatus for a beverage container - Google Patents

Cap apparatus for a beverage container Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2016174108A1
WO2016174108A1 PCT/EP2016/059441 EP2016059441W WO2016174108A1 WO 2016174108 A1 WO2016174108 A1 WO 2016174108A1 EP 2016059441 W EP2016059441 W EP 2016059441W WO 2016174108 A1 WO2016174108 A1 WO 2016174108A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
section
cap
straw
spirally wound
cap body
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2016/059441
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Andrew
Original Assignee
Ian Andrew
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ian Andrew filed Critical Ian Andrew
Priority to US15/569,974 priority Critical patent/US20180153323A1/en
Priority to GB1719647.8A priority patent/GB2555295A/en
Publication of WO2016174108A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016174108A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00—Table service
    • A47G19/22—Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
    • A47G19/2205—Drinking glasses or vessels
    • A47G19/2266—Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G21/00—Table-ware
    • A47G21/18—Drinking straws or the like
    • A47G21/185—Mouthpieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
    • B65D77/28—Cards, coupons, or drinking straws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
    • B65D77/28—Cards, coupons, or drinking straws
    • B65D77/283—Cards, coupons, or drinking straws located initially inside the container, whereby the straw is revealed only upon opening the container, e.g. pop-up straws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cap apparatus for a beverage container, and more particularly to such apparatus incorporating a drinking straw.
  • beverage containers used by, for example, restaurants and coffee shops are disposable cups or beakers having disposable caps or lids. These are, in some cases offered with separate disposable drinking straws. More usually hot drinks are provided in such beakers with a disposable cap having an aperture in a top surface near the cap's peripheral edge. The aperture allows the drink within the container to be consumed whilst the cap is still in place, by tilting the container towards the user with their mouth covering the aperture.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container cap apparatus that seeks to alleviate problems with such known arrangements.
  • a cap apparatus for a beverage container comprising :- an integrated straw having an upstanding section, a spirally wound section and a downwardly depending section, wherein the spirally wound section is formed of resilient material whereby in a collapsed state it is provided substantially within a cap body, the spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow the upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body.
  • the cap apparatus provides a cap which when connected to a drinks' container allows a user to consume the container's contents with the container being spaced away from the user.
  • the container can be positioned in a suitable location such as a vehicle cup holder allowing the drink to be consumed "hands-free".
  • release of the straw allows it to retract and collapse naturally into the cap body.
  • At least the spirally wound section is formed of a memory plastics material . This assists in ensuring the spirally wound section adopts the correct configuration for nestling within the cap body.
  • the straw is formed at least in part of a temperature indicative material.
  • a user will readily be able to ascertain if a drink is, for example, too hot to drink and take preventative measures.
  • a distal end of the upstanding section has a valve.
  • a valve may take the form of a bite valve so that once the user has finished their drink, the valve will close to prevent spillage of liquid on the user.
  • the upstanding section includes a non-resilient section. Providing a non-resilient section ensures the straw is readily available to the user above the general level of the cap body.
  • the cap body comprises a lower plate on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge for holding the spirally wound section in place when collapsed.
  • the cap apparatus afford a reliable compact operation.
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cap of the present invention in place on a container
  • Figure 2 shows a side view in cross-section of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a plane view from above of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;
  • Figure 4 shows a side view of the cap in place on a container.
  • Figure 1 shows a beaker 1 having a cap 2.
  • the beaker 1 is of a conventional disposable type, made from paper, resin or plastics materials. It has a generally circular opening over which the cap 2 is placed.
  • the beaker has a rib 4 at its upper periphery over which a hinged flange 5 of the cap can engage to retain the cap firmly in place.
  • the cap 2 includes an integrated straw arrangement 6 comprising a spirally wound section 7 from which a central substantially upstanding section 8 extends, the straw arrangement further comprising a downwardly depending section 9, extending from the wound section 7. In use, the downwardly depending section 9 extends into the interior of the beaker towards its bottom 1 0.
  • the spiral configuration of the wound section 7 allows the upstanding section 8 to be pulled upwardly way from the top of the beaker as shown in Figure 1 , to thereby provide a significant extension of the straw from the beaker. As such the beaker can be separated from the user to a significant extent whilst still allowing the user to consume the beaker's contents .
  • the user can for example place the beaker in a vehicle cup holder and still consume its contents without having to tilt the beaker in the proximity of their mouth.
  • This avoids the possibility of spillage from the beaker over the user, and allows the user to consume the beaker's contents in a hands free fashion.
  • the straw incorporates a valve 1 4, for example a bite valve at the distal end of the upstanding section . This can prevent spillage when the straw is removed from the user's mouth .
  • the cap preferably includes a vent in the form of a small flap 1 2 to allow air to enter the container as its contents are consumed, to thereby prevent a vacuum being formed which would hinder fluid removal .
  • At least the spirally wound section 7 of the straw is preferably formed of a resilient material whereby it will return to its shape once the deforming force of lifting it out of the cap body is removed .
  • the straw is preferably formed of memory plastics material, whereby it will gently return to its flat spiral configuration within the body of the cap once released by the user.
  • the cap body comprises a lower plate 1 5 on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge 1 6 for holding the spirally wound section in place when collapsed .
  • the straw may moreover be formed of a thermoplastics material allowing it to change colour in response to changing temperatures of the fluid passing therethrough. In this way, if the drink is dangerously hot, the straw can be made to exhibit this by turning, for example, a red colour. Given the extended length of the spiral straw this affords the user time to prevent further passage of liquid up the straw towards their mouth .
  • the cap apparatus enables a user to drink fluid either hot or cold through a concertinaed straw that retracts back onto the container when removed from the user's mouth.
  • the drinking container may as a result be kept some distance from the user and does not need to be held allowing the user to more safely carry out another activity such as driving, cycling or reading a map.
  • the cap and straw may be formed of varying dimensions to accommodate different containers and different liquids.
  • a container with a wider aperture and a straw with a wider diameter could be used with milkshakes, yoghurt or even certain soups.
  • spirally wound is intended to cover not only a curved winding in a continuous and gradually widening (or tightening) curve, but also a non-curved continuous winding such as a gradually widening or tightening straight sided polygon shape such as a square or octagon.

Abstract

The present invention concerns apparatus for a beverage container comprising an integrated straw having an upstanding section 8, a spirally wound section 7 and a downwardly depending section 9, wherein the spirally wound section is formed of resilient material whereby in a collapsed state it is provided substantially within a cap body, the spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow the upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body.

Description

Cap Apparatus for a Beverage Container
The present invention relates to cap apparatus for a beverage container, and more particularly to such apparatus incorporating a drinking straw.
In this connection, the great majority of beverage containers used by, for example, restaurants and coffee shops, are disposable cups or beakers having disposable caps or lids. These are, in some cases offered with separate disposable drinking straws. More usually hot drinks are provided in such beakers with a disposable cap having an aperture in a top surface near the cap's peripheral edge. The aperture allows the drink within the container to be consumed whilst the cap is still in place, by tilting the container towards the user with their mouth covering the aperture.
However, if the drink is hot then the user will often scald their mouth and/or spill the drink as a result. This can be particularly dangerous if the user is, for example, consuming the drink whilst driving a vehicle.
An object of the present invention is to provide a beverage container cap apparatus that seeks to alleviate problems with such known arrangements.
According to the present invention there is provided a cap apparatus for a beverage container comprising :- an integrated straw having an upstanding section, a spirally wound section and a downwardly depending section, wherein the spirally wound section is formed of resilient material whereby in a collapsed state it is provided substantially within a cap body, the spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow the upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body. In this way, the cap apparatus provides a cap which when connected to a drinks' container allows a user to consume the container's contents with the container being spaced away from the user. The container can be positioned in a suitable location such as a vehicle cup holder allowing the drink to be consumed "hands-free". Furthermore, once the user has finished, release of the straw allows it to retract and collapse naturally into the cap body.
Preferably, at least the spirally wound section is formed of a memory plastics material . This assists in ensuring the spirally wound section adopts the correct configuration for nestling within the cap body.
Conveniently, the straw is formed at least in part of a temperature indicative material. In this way, a user will readily be able to ascertain if a drink is, for example, too hot to drink and take preventative measures.
Preferably, a distal end of the upstanding section has a valve. Such a valve may take the form of a bite valve so that once the user has finished their drink, the valve will close to prevent spillage of liquid on the user. Conveniently, the upstanding section includes a non-resilient section. Providing a non-resilient section ensures the straw is readily available to the user above the general level of the cap body.
Preferably, the cap body comprises a lower plate on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge for holding the spirally wound section in place when collapsed. In this manner, the cap apparatus afford a reliable compact operation.
An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:-
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cap of the present invention in place on a container;
Figure 2 shows a side view in cross-section of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows a plane view from above of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; and
Figure 4 shows a side view of the cap in place on a container.
Figure 1 shows a beaker 1 having a cap 2. The beaker 1 is of a conventional disposable type, made from paper, resin or plastics materials. It has a generally circular opening over which the cap 2 is placed. As shown in Figure 2, the beaker has a rib 4 at its upper periphery over which a hinged flange 5 of the cap can engage to retain the cap firmly in place.
The cap 2 includes an integrated straw arrangement 6 comprising a spirally wound section 7 from which a central substantially upstanding section 8 extends, the straw arrangement further comprising a downwardly depending section 9, extending from the wound section 7. In use, the downwardly depending section 9 extends into the interior of the beaker towards its bottom 1 0.
The spiral configuration of the wound section 7 allows the upstanding section 8 to be pulled upwardly way from the top of the beaker as shown in Figure 1 , to thereby provide a significant extension of the straw from the beaker. As such the beaker can be separated from the user to a significant extent whilst still allowing the user to consume the beaker's contents .
In this way the user can for example place the beaker in a vehicle cup holder and still consume its contents without having to tilt the beaker in the proximity of their mouth. This avoids the possibility of spillage from the beaker over the user, and allows the user to consume the beaker's contents in a hands free fashion. In the preferred embodiments the straw incorporates a valve 1 4, for example a bite valve at the distal end of the upstanding section . This can prevent spillage when the straw is removed from the user's mouth .
The cap preferably includes a vent in the form of a small flap 1 2 to allow air to enter the container as its contents are consumed, to thereby prevent a vacuum being formed which would hinder fluid removal .
At least the spirally wound section 7 of the straw is preferably formed of a resilient material whereby it will return to its shape once the deforming force of lifting it out of the cap body is removed . More specifically the straw is preferably formed of memory plastics material, whereby it will gently return to its flat spiral configuration within the body of the cap once released by the user. In this connection, the cap body comprises a lower plate 1 5 on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge 1 6 for holding the spirally wound section in place when collapsed .
The straw may moreover be formed of a thermoplastics material allowing it to change colour in response to changing temperatures of the fluid passing therethrough. In this way, if the drink is dangerously hot, the straw can be made to exhibit this by turning, for example, a red colour. Given the extended length of the spiral straw this affords the user time to prevent further passage of liquid up the straw towards their mouth . The cap apparatus enables a user to drink fluid either hot or cold through a concertinaed straw that retracts back onto the container when removed from the user's mouth. The drinking container may as a result be kept some distance from the user and does not need to be held allowing the user to more safely carry out another activity such as driving, cycling or reading a map.
It will be appreciated that the above relates to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and that variants are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed.
For example, the cap and straw may be formed of varying dimensions to accommodate different containers and different liquids. For example, whilst most containers of this type are used with coffee, a container with a wider aperture and a straw with a wider diameter could be used with milkshakes, yoghurt or even certain soups.
Further, it will be appreciated that the term "spirally wound" is intended to cover not only a curved winding in a continuous and gradually widening (or tightening) curve, but also a non-curved continuous winding such as a gradually widening or tightening straight sided polygon shape such as a square or octagon.

Claims

Claims :
1 . Cap apparatus for a beverage container comprising :- an integrated straw having an upstanding section, a spirally wound section and a downwardly depending section, wherein the spirally wound section is formed of resilient material whereby in a collapsed state it is provided substantially within a cap body, the spirally wound section being deployable from the cap body to allow the upstanding section of the straw to move away from the cap body.
2. Cap apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least the spirally wound section is formed of a memory plastics material.
3. Cap apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the straw is formed at least in part of a temperature indicative material.
4. Cap apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a distal end of the upstanding section has a valve.
5. Cap apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the upstanding section includes a non-resilient section.
6. Cap apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap body comprises a lower plate on which the spirally wound section of the straw is seated when in a collapsed state, the lower plate having a circumferential edge for holding the spirally wound section in place when collapsed.
7. Cap apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
PCT/EP2016/059441 2015-04-27 2016-04-27 Cap apparatus for a beverage container WO2016174108A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/569,974 US20180153323A1 (en) 2015-04-27 2016-04-27 Cap apparatus for a beverage container
GB1719647.8A GB2555295A (en) 2015-04-27 2016-04-27 Cap apparatus for a beverage container

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1507121.0 2015-04-27
GBGB1507121.0A GB201507121D0 (en) 2015-04-27 2015-04-27 Cap Apparatus For A Beverage Container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016174108A1 true WO2016174108A1 (en) 2016-11-03

Family

ID=53488703

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2016/059441 WO2016174108A1 (en) 2015-04-27 2016-04-27 Cap apparatus for a beverage container

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20180153323A1 (en)
GB (2) GB201507121D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2016174108A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018089913A1 (en) * 2016-11-14 2018-05-17 Ramzan Chaudhary M Cooling straw and beverage container lid accommodating a cooling straw
US10271671B2 (en) 2014-11-25 2019-04-30 Chaudhary M. Ramzan Beverage container lid

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11672366B2 (en) 2019-04-26 2023-06-13 Michael K. Colby Disposable beverage cup with non-removable straw

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3326695A (en) * 1963-12-12 1967-06-20 Roy L Neuhauser Self-elevating extensible drinking straw
US4226356A (en) * 1977-09-02 1980-10-07 Lemelson Jerome H Container and dispenser straw
US4247016A (en) * 1979-12-06 1981-01-27 Shaw Jack B Lid-straw combination for soft drink cups
US6360912B1 (en) * 2000-07-27 2002-03-26 Kyou Sang Lee Straw having valve function
US20120152781A1 (en) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Kevin Alan Tussy Container with thermochromic indicator

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3326695A (en) * 1963-12-12 1967-06-20 Roy L Neuhauser Self-elevating extensible drinking straw
US4226356A (en) * 1977-09-02 1980-10-07 Lemelson Jerome H Container and dispenser straw
US4247016A (en) * 1979-12-06 1981-01-27 Shaw Jack B Lid-straw combination for soft drink cups
US6360912B1 (en) * 2000-07-27 2002-03-26 Kyou Sang Lee Straw having valve function
US20120152781A1 (en) * 2010-12-16 2012-06-21 Kevin Alan Tussy Container with thermochromic indicator

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10271671B2 (en) 2014-11-25 2019-04-30 Chaudhary M. Ramzan Beverage container lid
WO2018089913A1 (en) * 2016-11-14 2018-05-17 Ramzan Chaudhary M Cooling straw and beverage container lid accommodating a cooling straw
US10716420B2 (en) 2016-11-14 2020-07-21 Chaudhary M. Ramzan Cooling straw and beverage container lid accommodating a cooling straw

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20180153323A1 (en) 2018-06-07
GB201719647D0 (en) 2018-01-10
GB201507121D0 (en) 2015-06-10
GB2555295A (en) 2018-04-25

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