A lid for a drinking cup

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a lid for a drinking cup, in particular a lid of the disposable type, which lid enables a person having at least limited control over his or her motor system to drink from the cup when the lid is present on the cup.

Such lids for drinking cups exist in all kinds of embodiments thereof. There are lids provided with a fixed, rigid drinking spout, but those are lids of the permanent type, a drawback of which is the fact that for hygienic reasons they must remain separated from unused lids after use and must be washed before they can be reused. Moreover, cups fitted with a lid of such a type leak when a user puts the cup to his or her mouth with the rigid spout facing downwards. There are also lids, for example lids of the disposable type, which are provided with an outflow opening through which a straw can be passed, but they have the drawback that liquid can leak from the cup between the straw and the outflow opening. Moreover, a cup fitted with such a lid, even if it would not leak, cannot be completely drained when the cup is oriented "upside down", because the end of the straw may extend above the level of the liquid present in the cup in case of such an orientation. This is difficult for attending staff, who must monitor the patients' moisture intake. Furthermore, straws can easily become detached from the cup when used with existing lids for drinking cups designed for use with a straw. In fact, currently no lids exist which are suitable for use by bedridden patients and/or by patients who have problems controlling their motor system and/or patients not having a sucking reflex. Consequently it is an object of the present invention to provide a lid for a drinking cup by which the above problems are at least partially solved and which enables patients having motor dysfunctions and/or bedridden patients and/or patients not having a sucking reflex to drain the cup whilst minimising the risk of liquid leaking from the cup. In order to accomplish that object, the invention provides a lid for a drinking cup comprising an outflow opening and a first upright edge which extends around the outflow opening, over which a straw can be placed, and further comprising a second upright edge which extends around the first upright edge, spaced therefrom by some distance, for enclosing a straw placed over the first upright edge, and a collar, which is to be fitted over the second upright edge for

pressing the second upright edge inwards for the purpose of clamping the straw between the first and the second upright edge. The force that is transmitted from the second upright edge to the straw and to the first upright edge by the collar ensures a leak-proof connection, at least during normal use of the cup and the lid. The possibility to drink free from leakage is further enhanced when a bendable straw is used on the lid, so that the straw can be bent before it is put to a user's mouth. Moreover, this prevents the straw from coming off the lid during normal use. In this way the object of the present invention is accomplished. The term "during normal use" as used herein is understood to mean use by different types of patients, for example patients who need to drink from a reclined position, but also persons having a motor dysfunction and/or mentally handicapped persons, persons who are becoming demented etc. The present invention thus provides a drinking cup which can be universally used in health care, irrespective of the type of patient being attended to. Preferably, the second upright edge extends beyond the first upright edge. This makes it possible to bend the second edge slightly over the first upright edge, as it were, to provide an even better clamping effect and press the straw slightly inwards around the first upright edge.

To obtain an improved leak-proof connection between the first upright edge and a straw to be placed over the first upright edge, it is preferable if the outer circumference of the first upright edge decreases from the lid towards the end. It is preferable if this decrease takes place continuously and/or gradually, but this is not absolutely necessary for obtaining the desired result.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second upright edge is provided with vertically extending cuts. As a result, the parts of the second upright edge that are separated from each other by said cuts, for example in the form of lips, can be simply pressed inwards against a straw without creases being formed in the second upright edge as a result of the circumference of the second edge being reduced when said edge is driven in the direction of the first upright edge. The vertical cuts preferably, but not necessarily, extend the full height of the upright edge.

A straw clamped between the first and the second upright edge is furthermore prevented from becoming detached if the second upright edge comprises a stop for retaining the collar in position. The stop preferably exerts a

downward force on the collar and prevents the collar from moving off the second upright edge or at least impedes such movement.

It is furthermore preferable in that regard if the second upright edge comprises a thickening at or near the upper end, which functions as a stop edge for a collar to be fitted over a straw. This is a simple solution for achieving the result described in the preceding paragraph.

If it is desirable, or even required, that the lid and/or a straw to be placed in the lid be used only once, it is advantageous if the collar and the second upright edge mate in such a manner that a connection between the lid and the collar, once it has been effected, cannot simply be broken. The phrase "simply" is understood to mean that it is not possible to remove the collar from the second upright edge without consciously exerting sufficient force for removing the collar or without using tools. It is possible in that regard to design the lid and the collar so that the collar can only be removed from the second upright edge by damaging the lid and/or a straw provided between the first and the second upright edge. In this way unintentional repeated use of the lid or the straw is prevented.

In order to further prevent (unintentional) removal of the collar from the second upright edge, the lid may comprise a recessed ring, in which the outer edge of the collar is accommodated when fitted over the second upright edge. This makes it more difficult to reach the collar for exerting force for removing the second collar from its position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid is provided with a third upright edge which extends around the second upright edge and which functions as a guide means for guiding the collar to its correct position. In this way an improved positioning of the collar around the second upright edge can be achieved. The third upright edge may also contribute towards strengthening the grip of the collar on the lid, for example by exerting a force on the collar, which force is transmitted to the second upright edge by the collar, or by deforming the collar slightly, so that an additional exchange of forces can be generated between the collar and the second upright edge.

To make it easier for users, for example patients in a reclined position, to drain the cup completely, the lid may taper off in the direction of the outflow opening so as to provide a collecting reservoir for liquid at the outflow opening when the cup is oriented upside down. Since the straw is attached to the

outer side of the lid when used, all the liquid flowing in the direction of the outflow opening can thus be drunk from the cup by means of the straw.

To prevent a situation in which drinking is made more difficult as a result of a vacuum being created, the lid may be provided with a vent hole. In a preferred embodiment, orientation means are provided to enable a user to easily locate the vent hole with a finger.

The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a lid according to the first aspect of the present invention. Various techniques for producing lids exists, for example injection-moulding. To facilitate the use of the lid, the collar is formed simultaneously with the lid when using the method according to the invention. Preferably, the collar is formed as part of the lid. As such, the collar and the ring form a fixed combination until they are used, and the collar can readily be removed from the lid after, or just before, a straw is placed between the first and second upright edge and be fitted over the straw and the second upright edge. The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which show an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a cup provided with a lid according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of figure 1 , in this case without a straw, however; and

Figure 3 is a large-scale cross-sectional view of the upper side of the lid of figure 1 , onto which a straw is clamped.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cup 1 having an upper edge 2 around which lid 3 is clamped, to which lid a bendable straw 9 is attached. The details of the lid shown in figure 1 will be explained in more detail with reference to figures 2 and 3, in which like elements are indicated by the same numerals.

The lid 3 of figure 1 is shown in larger-scale view (without a straw) in figure 2. The lid 3 has a circumferential edge 10, within which the contours of the lid 3 extend substantially upwards in the direction of the drinking opening 6, which is surrounded by a first upright edge 7. Around said first upright edge 7 a second upright edge 8 extends in the form of (evenly spaced) lips 8a, 8b, which are in turn surrounded by a third upright edge 11. An annular recess 12 is provided around said upright edge 11. Located on the right-hand side of the lid in figure 2 is a curved

surface 13, in the centre of which a vent hole 4 is provided. On the right-hand side of the circumferential edge 10 in figure 2, a tear-off connection 14 with a collar 15 is provided, which collar can be fitted over the upright edges when the lid is to be used.

In figure 3 the upper part of the lid 3 of figure 2 is shown in larger- scale view, with a straw 9 in place and the collar 15 fitted over the straw. The drinking opening 6 is still surrounded by the first upright edge 7, of course, over which a straw 9 has been placed, which straw makes contact with the lid wall 16 at its bottom end 9a. Disposed around the straw 9 are lips 8a, 8b of the second upright edge 8 and the third upright edge 11. The collar 15 is provided with a flange 17 at its bottom side, which flange is accommodated in the annular recess 12 of the cup.

Now referring to figures 1 , 2 and 3, a lid 3 can be placed on a cup 1 by arranging the circumferential edge 10 of the lid 3 over the circumferential edge 2 of the cup 1. The circumferential edge 10 of the lid 3 is provided with a stop 18, which prevents the lid 3 moving off the cup 1 on its own accord. Subsequently, a straw 9 can be moved between the first upright edge 7 and the second upright edge 8. This situation is shown in figure 1. Figure 2 is meant to show the details of the lid of figure 1 in more detail. For reasons of clarity, the cup has been left out in this figure, while furthermore the straw 9 of figure 1 is not shown. The wall 16 of the lid extends inwards from the circumferential edge 10 of the lid and subsequently upwards towards the drinking opening 6. On the right-hand side of figure 2, the lid has an and inwardly curved surface 13, in the centre of which a vent hole 4 is provided. Said vent hole 4 is optional, it may be used to enable a user to drink from a straw (not shown in figure 2) connected to the lid 3 without generating a vacuum in the cup, which would make it difficult to drink from the cup. The inwardly curved surface 13 is provided so that a user can easily locate the vent hole 4 present in the centre of the inwardly curved surface 13 with a finger and close it, so that a vacuum is nevertheless created when liquid is drained via the drinking opening 6, thereby blocking the drinking opening 6. This prevents excess leakage and enables a patient to drink in a metered manner when the cup is oriented "upside down", i.e. with the lid facing downwards. Furthermore, the wall 16 of the lid tapers off in the direction of the circumferential edge at the upper side of the lid 3. The wall 16 of the lid 3 successively forms an annular recess 12 (between the circumferential edge 19 and the third upright edge 11 ), the third upright edge 11 , a second upright edge 8 in the form of lips 8a, 8b ((together with lips 8c and 8d (not shown), said lips form the

interrupted second upright edge 8)) and a first upright edge 7. As is shown on the right-hand side of figure 2, a collar 15 is formed on the lid 3 via a tear-off connection 14.

In figure 3, a straw 9 and the collar 15 are in place on the lid 3. The diameter at the bottom end 9a of the straw 9 corresponds to the original diameter of the straw in unloaded condition. Since the first upright edge 7 has a constant internal diameter and a wall which narrows in upward direction, the straw 9 can be readily placed over the upper side of the first upright edge 7 because the outer circumference of the first upright edge 7 is smaller at that location than the original internal diameter of the straw 9. Once the straw 9 is in place, the collar 15 is removed from the lid (this may also have been done in advance, of course) and fitted over the straw 9 and the first, second and third upright edges 7, 8 and 11 , respectively. The internal diameter of the collar 15 is such that the collar 15 presses the lips 8a, 8b of the second upright edge 8 inwards, so that the straw 9 is clamped between the lips 8a, 8b and the first upright edge 7. This clamping engagement is maintained as a result of the shape of the upper side of the lips 8a, 8b and the inner circumferential edge at the upper side of the collar 15, which prevent the collar 15 from simply moving upwards. As a result of the force exerted by the collar 15, the first upright edge 7, the straw 9 and the lips 8a, 8b form a substantially liquid-tight connection. The grip of the collar 15 on the second upright edge 8 is further enhanced in that the collar 15 is driven upwards at the bottom side by the third upright edge 11 , as a result of which the upper side of the collar 15 is driven inwards for exerting pressure on the clamped connection of the collar 15 on the second upright edge 8. A flange 17 at the bottom side of the collar 15 is accommodated in the annular recess 12, so that a user will not be able to take hold of the outer edge of the collar 15 at the end of the flange 17, or only with great difficulty. As a result of the mating of the lid 3 and the collar 15, and the forces thus being exerted, the straw 9 can only be separated from the lid 3 by exerting a substantial force, in which case it is highly probable that either the straw or the lid, or both, will be damaged and cannot be reused. Another advantage of such a configuration is that a cup which is filled with liquid can be lifted by the straw 9 without the risk of the cup, or rather the lid 3, sliding off the straw 9. The invention thus provides a lid, in combination with a cup and a straw, which is very user-friendly for attending staff in healthcare institutions, for example, because a patient or other user will be able to drink without

spilling liquid in all positions, in particular if a bendable straw is used.

Only one exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the figures. It will be understood, however, that several modifications thereto are possible within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the attended claims. The figures and the description are to be regarded as mere examples, therefore, and must not be construed in any way as limiting the aforesaid scope. Although the invention has in particular been described herein for use with certain types of patients, it stands to reason that the cup and the lid may also be used by persons who do not have any physical limitations. Thus it is conceivable that the invention will be used by drivers who want to be able to drink without spilling liquid while driving, or in means of transport, such as aircraft or boats, in order to prevent unexpected movements of the means of transport resulting in beverage "sloshing" over the edge of a cup while a user is drinking or even when a cup is placed on a "solid" surface.