Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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
1
Susanna Carson - Provisionat patent application - Press Fit Compostable
Beverage Lid
i,
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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 ~ .,. ,
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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
.,. ,
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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 , .
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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 -
~ ~ .,.
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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.
6
Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable
Beverage Lid
.,
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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,
7
Sttsanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable
Beverage Lid
r~ .. " , .. . ...,.. ,...
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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
8
Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable
Beverage Lid
t , , ." ,
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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
9
Susanna Carson - Provisional patent application - Press Fit Compostable
Beverage Lid
i ~.. . , ,...
CA 02510407 2005-07-12
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
