CONTAINER LID ACCESSORY

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of US patent application serial No. 16/750,763, filed January 23, 2020; and US patent application serial No. 16/750,781, filed January 23, 2020, each of which is expressly hereby incorporated by reference in its enti rety. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a container lid, such as a beverage Iid, and more particularly, relates to a container lid with an integral candle holder for a celebratory event, such as a birthday. In another aspect, the present inventi on relates to a beverage plug for insertion into a drinking opening of a container lid, and more particularly, relates to a beverage plug that include an integral candle holder.

Background

Celebratory food and traditions have been around for thousands of years and the Greeks would make round cakes to honor Artemis, the goddess of the moon. It is generally believed that the tradition of placing a candle on a celebratory cake started in Germany.

More particularly, in 18th century Germany, the history of candles on cakes can be traced back to Kinderfest, a birthday celebration for children. This tradition also makes use of candles and cakes. The candl e was supposedly pi aced on the cake to represent the Iight of life”. Today, many cultures celebrate birthdays with cake, lit candles and a birthday song.

However, many people do not like to eat cake; however, they enjoy the candle celebration and act of making a bi rthday wish and blowlng out the candle and therefore, there is a need for an alternative to the long-standing tradition of placing one or more candles on a cake. The present disdosure provides a solution. Summary

In accordance with one embodiment, a lid for a container that includes a Iid body that is configured to be securely coupled to the container. The lid body has a base portion and a fIange portion that engages the container. The base portion has an i ntegral upstanding candle holder that extends upwardly from the base portion and includes a holIow center section configured to receive and hold a candle in an upright position.

I n another aspect of the present disclosure, a celebratory kit for use with a container includes a lid for a container. The lid includes a lid body that is configured to be securely coupled to the container. The lid body has a base portion and aflange portion that engages the contai ner. The base porti on has an upstandi ng candle holder that extends upwardly from the base portion and indudesa hollow center section. The kit also indudes a candle that is received and held within the candle holder in an upright position.

The lid of the present di sdosure thus provi des an al ternati ve way to celebrate a spedal event, I ike a birthday, for people who prefer not to celebrate with a traditional cake and candl e. I nstead, the cel ebratory event can be marked by presentati on on a lid that is pi aced on a beverage container. Thus, retaiI establishments, such as coffee shops, can stock this product for patrons celebrating an event.

I n accordance with one embodi ment, a beverage plug for inserti on i nto a drinking openi ng of a container lid incl udes an el ongated sti ck havi ng a first end and an opposi te second end with an i ntegral plug porti on bei ng formed between the f i rst end and the second end and bei ng confi gured for plugging the dri nki ng openi ng, wherei n a candl e holder i s integrally formed at the first end and comprises a cup-shaped structure for receiving and holding a candle.

I n another aspect, a cel ebratory kit is provi ded and i nd udes a I i d for a container. The lid incl udes a dri nki ng openi ng. The kit further i ncl udes a candl e; and a beverage plug for i nserti on i nto the dri nki ng openi ng of the container lid. The beverage plug i ncl udes an el ongated sti ck havi ng a f i rst end and an opposi te second end with an i ntegral plug portion bei ng formed between the f i rst end and the second end and bei ng confi gured for pi uggi ng the dri nki ng openi ng. A candl e holder i s i ntegral I y formed at the f i rst end and compri ses a cupshaped structure for receiving and holding the candle.

Brief Description of the Drawing Figures

Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a container lid with integral candle holder accordi ng to a f i rst embodi ment;

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of a container lid with integral candle holder accordi ng to a second embodi ment;

Fig. 3A is a top perspective view of a container lid with integral candle holder accordi ng to a thi rd embodi ment in afirst state; Fig. 3B is a top perspecti ve view of a container lid with i ntegral candl e holder accordi ng to the thi rd embodi merit i n a second state;

Fig. 4A is a top perspective view of a container I id with integral candle holder accordi ng to a fourth embodi ment i n a f i rst state;

Fig. 4B is a top perspecti ve view of a container lid with i ntegral candl e holder accordi ng to the fourth embodi ment i n a second state;

Fig. 5A is a perspective view of a container lid with integral candle holder according to a si xth embodi ment in afirst state;

Fig. 5B is a top perspective view of the container lid with integral candle holder accordi ng to the sixth embodi ment i n a second state;

Fig. 6A isatop perspective view of a decorative cover with integral candle holder according to a seventh embodiment;

Fig. 6B is a bottom and side perspective view of the decorative cover on top of a container and showi ng a candl e i nserted i nto the i ntegral candl e holder;

Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of a container lid with a plug stick that plugs a dri nki ng openi ng formed i n the lid;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the plug stick; and

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the container lid with the plug stick exploded therefrom.

Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments

Fig. 1 illustrate a container lid 100 and more particularly, illustrate a beverage lid 100 that i s confi gured for pi acement on a top of a container (cup) 10 (Fi g. 5A). One of the more common types of container lids 100 is a coffee cup lid that is placed on a disposable coffee cup 10. The intent of any lid, including lid 100, is to reduce or prevent spills

Thelid 100 includes a top wall 120 for covering the container 10 and a rim 130 (circular sealing fIange) for securing the lid 100 to the cup 10 and provi ding a seal around a lip of the cup 10. The rim 130 ind udes a conti nuous peri meter whi ch, when pressed over the lip of the cup 10sealsthecup 10 against spillage of liquid therefrom.

M any types of lids, induding the ill ustrated lid 100, are constructed such that the top wall 120 is elevated (Fig. 4A) or recessed (as shown) relative to the rim 130. As shown in Fig. 4A, when the top wall 120 is elevated, a second flange 140 or shoulder being defined between the rim 130 and the top wal I 120. A spout or dri nki ng openi ng 150 can be provi ded in the lid to enable drinking without removal of the lid 100. As shown in Fig. 4A, the spout or drinking opening 150 can be raised above the top wall 120 of the lid 100. In Fig. 1, the dri nki ng openi ng 150 is formed al ong the outer f I ange defi ni ng the rim 130.

As is known and shown i n the fi gures, some I i ds for beverage containers i ncl ude a pull-back part 170 (flap) (movable or hinged plug) that is designed to temporarily plug the dri nki ng openi ng 150 formed in the I id and therefore temporari I y seal sthe lid and prevent an acci dental spill, the flap 170 ispi voted upward to cause a plug member 180 to be i nserted into the drinking opening 150. This pull-back part (flap 170) is hi ngedly connected to the I id body and is designed to move between a first position in which the pull-back part isin an open position to expose the drinking opening 150 and permit drinking and a closed position to plug the dri nki ng openi ng 150. Typically, one end of the flap is hi ngedl y connected to the lid body and the other end includes the plug member 180. The plug member 180 isa protrusion that protrudes outwardly from afirst face of the pull-back part 170.

I n accordance wi th the present di scl osure, the lid 100 is constructed to i ncl ude one or more integral candle holders 200 for receiving one or more celebratory candles 300 (Fig. 3B). M ore parti cul arl y, the candl e holder 200 can be i n the form of a wel I or hoi I ow protrusi on that extends upwardly from the top wall 120 as shown in Fig. 1. Si nee most candles 300 have ci rcul ar shapes, the one or more candl e holders 200 have compl ementary ci rcul ar shapes to accommodate and hoi d the one or more candl es 300. The candl e holder 200 i s thus spaced from the dri nki ng openi ng 150 when present as part of the lid 100.

As menti oned herei n, whi I e the holder 200 i s descri bed as a candl e holder, that is merel y one embodi ment and appl i cati on of the holder 200. Other appl i cati ons are equal I y possi bl e, i nd udi ng hoi ding other cel ebratory obj ects, such as a sparkl er or any other upstandi ng, verti cal obj ect that can be i nserted and hel d and contai ned within the holder. For example, a small celebratory flag can be held by the holder or even a small electronic message board that includes a post that is held within the holder.

The handl e holder 200 i s preferabl y i ntegral I y formed with the rest of the lid 100 as by a mol ding process (e.g., injection molding process).

The candle 300 is inserted into the candle holder 200 and held thereby afriction fit. The height of thei ntegral candle holder 200 i s thus sel ected so that the candl e 300 i s suffi d entl y supported within the candl e holder 200 in its upright i n-use positi on. In other words, the candl e holder 200 surrounds a bottom portion of the candl e 300 for support thereof. A friction fit allows for easy insertion and removal of the candle 300. Other types of mechani cal attachment techni ques can be used to coupl e the candl e 300 to the candle holder 200 beyond a friction fit. For example, a snap fit can be formed between the candle 300 and the candle holder 200.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative construction in which the candle holder 200 does not protrude upwardly from the top wall 120 but instead is recessed relative to the top wall 120.

I n other words, as shown, the candl e holder 200 extends downwardly from the top wal I 120 and thus, represents a recessed wel I or the like to receive the candl e. The candl e holder 200 thus extends down toward and i nto the hoi I ow i nteri or of the container (cup) to whi ch the I i d is attached.

As shown in Figs. 3A-3B , it will also be appred ated that the candl e holder 200 i s not limited to being a completely continuous circular shaped hollow structure but instead, a candle holder 201 accord! ng to an alternative embodi merit can be formed of several di sconti nuous arcuate shaped wal I sect! ons 203. For exampl e, two arcuate shaped wal I s 203 can be formed with the ends thereof separated from one another by a slit 205 (each arcuate shaped wall 203 is thus I ess than 180 degrees). The di sconti nuous nature of the two arcuate shaped upstandi ng wal I s 203 al I ows for the flexing of the wal I s 203 to accommodate the candl e 300. For example, the i nserti on of the candl e 300 into the candl e holder 200 can cause an outward f I exi ng of the wal I s 203 and establ i shes a secure fri cti on f i t between the candl e 300 and the candle holder 200. The arcuate wal Is 203 are thus internally and inwardly biased such that i nserti on of the candl e 300 i nto the space between the wal I s 203 appl i es an outward force to the wal I s 203 resul ti ng i n outward f I exi ng and accommodati on of the candl e 300 as shown in Fig. 3B.

It will also be appreci ated that the i nsi de of the candl e holder 200, 201 can i ncl ude surface texture to fad I i tate the gri ppi ng and hoi di ng of the candl e 300. For exampl e, the inside of the candl e holder 200, 201 can i nd ude barbs or the I ike that engage the candl e 300. These barbs are formed of the same materi al as the candl e holder 200, 201 and are i ntegral I y formed therewith.

It will also be appred ated that when mul ti pi e candl e holders 200 are present, the candle holders 200 can have different constructions, such as different shapes and sizes.

The candl e 300 can be any number of di fferent types of candl es i nd udi ng but not limited to a burni ng candl e, a battery powered el ectri c candl e, etc. The candl e 300 can come i n any number of di fferent shapes and col ors. For exampl e, the candl e 300 can be a traditional straight shaped candle or it can have a curved, curl y-cue shape or any other shape. The lid 100 can be formed of any number of suitable materials including plastic materials suitable for containing a material i n the cup 10.

I n accordance wi th the present di scl osure, an al ternati ve I i d 195 accordi ng to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4A and 4B includes a pul I -back part (flap) 175 incorporates the candl e holder 200. I n parti cul ar, a second face, opposi te the f i rst face, of the pul I -back part 175 can i nd ude the candl e holder 200 that extends upwardl y therefrom when the pul I -back part 175 is in the closed position as shown in Fig. 4B. The I id 195 has a raised top wall 197 and the dri nki ng opening 150 is formed in the raised second flange 140.

The I i d 195 al so has a recessed porti on 199 that accommodates the candl e holder 200 when thelid 195 is in theopen position (Fig. 4A). The candle holder 200 is thus formed along one face of the flap 175, while the plug member 180 Ison the opposite face.

In this construct! on (Figs. 4A and 4B), the candle is held in the upright position only when the pul I -back part 175 is in the dosed position (Fig. 4B) and thus, the drinking opening 150 i s pi ugged and the user i s not dri nki ng from the cup.

I n Fi gs. 5A and 5B , a di ff erent type of I i d 400 i s shown for attach! ng to container 10 that can be an i nsul ated col d/hot beverage container, or j ui cer, etc. The I i d 400 has a top wal I 410 with drinking opening 150 formed therein and also a candle receiving opening 420 is formed therei n. A movabl e f I ap (hi nged f I ap) 415 i s provi ded and the candl e holder 200 i s integral thereto. The candle receiving opening 420 isconfigured to receive the candle holder 200 when the f I ap 415 i s i n the open posi ti on. Thus, the candl e can be i nserted i nto the candl e holder 200 onl y when the f I ap 415 i s i n the cl osed posi ti on of Fi g. 5B and the dri nki ng opening 150 isclosed. The user thus pivots the flap 415 between the open and cl osed position.

The present disci osure thus provides a product that can be easi ly used with an everyday item and provides an alternative to the traditional placement of a candle in cake to cel ebrate and make a wish.

Figs. 6A and 6B i 11 ustrate yet another embodi ment of the present disci osure. The container 10 is illustrated along with a cover 500 that is meant to cover the open end of the container 10. The cover 500 i s a decorati ve el ement that may or may not seal wi th the open end of the container 10. The cover 500 can thus be si mply pi aced on the open end of the container 10. As i 11 ustrated, the cover 500 has a cover body 510 that can be formed as one or more I ayers. The cover 500 further i ncl udes a decorati ve pi ece 520, such as the i 11 ustrated ani mal , that i s I ocated i n the center of the cover body 510. The decorati ve pi ece 520 can i ncl ude a post or stem that extends through a hoi e formed i n and through the cover body 510. I n other words, the decorati ve pi ece 520 can be I ocated al ong the top face 512 (one si de) of the cover body 510 and the hoi I ow stem can be open and accessi bl e al ong the opposi te bottom face 514 of the cover body 510. The hoi low stem thus can act as a holder, such as a candle holder, for receiving and holding the candle 300 as shown in Fig 6B.

Thus, during normal covering, the decorative pi ece 520 faces upward when the cover 500 i s pi aced on the container 10 and conversel y , when the user wants to cel ebrate, the cover 500 i s f 11 pped over and the hoi I ow stem i s accessi bl e and the candl e 300 can be pi aced i nto the hoi I ow stem and held therei n.

As wi th the other embodi merits, more than one candl e 300 or other decorati ve el ement can be displayed on the cover body 510. In addition, the bottom face of the cover body 510 can ind ude one or more protrusions that extend outwardly from the bottom face and are hoi I ow to recei ve the candl e 300 or decorati ve el ement.

FI gs. 7-9 i 11 ustrate a container I i d 1000 and more parti cularly, ill ustrate a beverage I i d that i s conf i gured for pi acement on a top of a container (cup) . One of the more common typesof container lids 1000 is a coffee cup lid that is placed on a disposable coffee cup. The intent of any lid, induding lid 1000, isto reduce or prevent spills.

Thelid 1000 indudes a top wall 1200 for covering the container lO and a rim 1300 (d rcul ar seal i ng f I ange) for securi ng the I i d 1000 to the cup and provi di ng a seal around a I i p of the cup 10. The ri m 1300 i nd udes a conti nuous peri meter whi ch, when pressed over the lip of thecup lOsealsthecup 10 against spill age of liquid therefrom.

M any types of I i ds, i nd udi ng the i 11 ustrated I i d 1000, are constructed such that the top wal I 1200 i s el evated or recessed (as shown) rel ati ve to the ri m 1300. A spout or dri nki ng opening 1500 can be provided in the I id to enable drinking without removal of thelid 1000. As shown i n Fi g. 1 , the dri nki ng openi ng 1500 can be rai sed above the top wal I 1200 of the I i d 1000. I n Fi g. 1 , the dri nki ng openi ng 1500 i s formed al ong the outer f I ange defi ni ng the rim 1300.

As i s known, some I i ds for beverage containers i ncl ude a pul I -back part (f I ap) (movable or hinged plug) that is designed to temporarily plug the drinking opening 1500 formed in thelid.

Alternatively, a plug stick 2000 can be used to temporarily plug the drinking opening 1500. The plug stick 2000 isan elongated structure that includes three main parts, namely, an el ongated sti ck part 2100, a pi ug porti on 2200 and a candl e holder 3000. The sti ck part 2100 also can serve as a stirrer that is used to stir the liquid. Theplug portion 2200 is shaped and si zed to pi ug the dri nki ng openi ng 1500. Si nee many dri nki ng openi ngs 1500 have oblong shapes, the plug portion 2200 can also have an oblong shape to form africtionfit with the drinking opening 1500.

The candl e holder 3000 i s formed above and i ntegral to the pi ug porti on 2200. The candl e holder 300 i s confi gured to recei ve and hoi d a candl e 4000. The candl e holder 3000 can thus be a cup shaped structure that has a hoi I ow i nteri or 3005 i nto whi ch the candl e 4000 is received and held.

All of the parts of the plug sti ck 2000 can be formed as a single integral structure and can be in the form of a single molded piece of plastic.

The plug sti ck 2000 thus provi des a means for displaying a candl e for a cel ebratory event, such as a bi rthday, in an al ternati ve manner to pi aci ng the candle on the cake.

Si nee the plug stick 2000 plugs the drinking opening 1500, the lit candle 4000 is only displayed when the drinking opening 1500 is plugged.

As menti oned, the plug sti ck 2000 can be used as a sti rrer.

The plug stick 2000 thus offers an alternative way to celebrate with a lit candle as opposed to the traditional cake and candle combination.

It will also be understood and appreci ated that the present di scl osure is not limi ted to candles (electric or natural (wax, soy, etc.) format) but also other decorative and festive el ements can be di spl ayed with the i ntegral holder descri bed herei n but not limited to a candl e holder. For example, a sparkl er or the I i ke or any vertical festi ve or decorati ve extension can be placed and held within the holder to mark the celebration. In addition, as mentioned previously, while one candle is illustrated in the figures, it will be appreciated that more than one candle, sparkler, vertical ©(tension, etc., can be held using multiple holders.

In addition, the present holder can be implemented in many different types of lids i ncl udi ng lids that do not have dri nki ng openi ngs.

One skilled in the art will appreci ate further features and advantages of the i nventi on based on the above-descri bed embodiments Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims All publicati ons and references ci ted herei n are expressly incorporated herei n by reference in thei r enti rety.