Priority Claim

[0001] This application claims priority to US provisional application ser. no. 62/850312 filed May 20, 2019, EPO1907921.9 filed June 4, 2019, and U.S. Utility application, ser. no.

16/694795, filed November 25, 2019, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention is lids for drinking cups.

Background

[0003] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] It is well known to imbibe coffee, tea, and other beverages from a disposable paper cup. Such cups are typically constructed from paper having a thin inner plastic coating. One example is shown in US6926197 B2. The US6926197 patent, and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0005] Paper-based cups have several disadvantages. For example, paper tends to absorb liquid, resulting in deformation of the cup. Wax-coated paper cups are advantageous in that they tend to resist deformation, however, they can be problematic because wax can melt with hot liquids, and wax coatings tend to be too thick.

[0006] It is well known to make paper coffee cups with very thin plastic coatings. For example, US20070170236A1 teaches a cup made of a plastic-coated paper. Such cups provide several advantages, including that the protects paper-based cups from liquid exposure without melting. [0007] It is known in some instances to use a paper lid for a paper container. For example,

US 1952401 teaches a paper lid for an ice cream container. Such lids have at most only a thin layers of plastic, and typically have no indentations or other catches. They are satisfactory for their intended purposes only where the ice cream or other contained material is generally solid while in its container, and the container is not normally tilted while the lid is positioned on the container.

[0008] Such lids, however, would not work well for a paper coffee cup because they would provide an inadequate seal. Tipping over a coffee cup during normal drinking would cause the contained coffee to weaken the seal between cup and lid, and for the coffee to spill out through the seal.

[0009] US4589569 teaches a lid made entirely of plastic. Such lids are favored because the strength of the plastic provides a strong seal, and that strength is not dimished when it comes in contact with any liquid contained in the cup.

[0010] Unfortunately, plastic lids are unsatisfactory with respect to environmental effects. Plastic pollution is currently one of the greatest environmental concerns, harming all manner of plants, oceans, animals, and humans. It can take hundreds or even thousands of years for plastic to break down, so the damage to the environment is long-lasting. It has been reported that about 16 billion plastic lids are used on disposable coffee cups each year. The European Union is moving forward on banning single-use plastic stirrers and plates by 2021.

[0011] Recognizing that paper or mostly paper lids provide inadequate seals, Japanese patent application JPH09301394A and Korean patent application, KR20070025299A each teach lids for drinking cups that have paper or mostly paper tops, and entirely plastic sides. Although adequate to reduce the amount of plastic in the lids, those designs introduce significant additional costs and complexity to mate the paper tops with the plastic sides, and even so fail to adequately reduce the amount of plastic utilized.

[0012] What is still needed is a lid made mostly of paper or other fiber-based material, both in its body and side portions, while still providing an adequate seal for a drinking cup. Summary of The Invention

[0013] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods in which a lid is made mostly of paper or other fiber-based material, both in the body and side portions, both potentially having a polymer coating, but with an extra coating or layer of polymer about the side portion to provide an improved seal.

[0014] As used herein, the side portion of the lid refers to that part of the lid which descends from the body of the lid, and which is sized and dimensioned to mate with an upper rim bead of a cup. The side portion preferably has an annular indentation or bump, with a depth or protrusion of at least 0.5mm, more preferably at least 1.0 mm, and most preferably at least 1.5 mm. The side portion is preferably flared to assist a user in positioning the lid onto the top upper rim bead of a cup.

[0015] Preferred lids contain no more than 10 wt% of polymer material, more preferably no more than 5 wt% polymer, and still more preferably no more than 1 wt% polymer.

[0016] As technical improvements, the extra coating or layer of polymer about the mating portion provides additional stiffness, and in some cases additional fluid resistance, to the lid, all while reducing the toal polymer percentage used in the lid. The extra coating or layer of polymer is at least 0.1 mm thick, more preferably at least 0.2 mm thick, and most preferably at least 0.3 mm thick. The extra coating or layer of polymer can be positioned medially, laterally, in a sandwich manner, or in any combination thereof, relative to the paper or other fibrous material contained in the mating portion.

[0017] Contemplated polymer materials include polyethylene, polydiketoenamine,

polypropylene, polyetylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, low- density polyethylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and any combination thereof.

[0018] Preferred lids have a drinking hole disposed in a raised portion of the body, towards its radial edge, and in some cases a separate air hole. A polymer coating is preferably disposed on an upper surface of the body, either about its entire upper surface, or at least about least 5 mm about the drinking hole. Preferred lids also have a polymer coating disposed about the entire underside of the body. [0019] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.

[0020] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,”“an,” and“the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of“in” includes“in” and“on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0021] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.“such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0022] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of The Drawings

[0023] Fig. l is a perspective view of a lid.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lid of Figure 1, and also showing a cup with which the lid is configured to mate.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a lid.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a lid.

[0027] Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of a lid. Detailed Description

[0028] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0029] The present invention relates to apparatus, methods, and systems for a lid having paper or other fiber-containing material in both (a) its body and (b) its descending side, and where the side is polymer reinforced with a higher weight percentage of a polymer than the body, thereby providing increased rigidity to the side. The principles and operations for such methods and systems, according to the present invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying description and drawings.

[0030] Fig. 1 generally depicts a fiber-containing lid 100 generally comprising a body 110 and a side 122 that depends from the body 110. Side 122 flares outwardly at 123. The lid 100 comprises at least two materials, a fibrous material and a polymer coating.

[0031] All suitable fibrous materials are contemplated, including wood and vegetable fibers (as for example utilized in papers and cardboards). Biodegradable paper is especially preferred to reduce negative environmental impact when the lids are disposed.

[0032] All suitable polymer materials are contemplated, especially including polymers typically used to coat inside surfaces of paper coffee cups. This includes polyethylene, polypropylene, polyetylene terephthalate, high-density polyetylene, polyvinyl chloride, low-density polyetylene, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and any combination thereof.

[0033] To reduce the environmental impact, preferred embodiments of the entirely of the lid 100 have no more than 10 wt% the total polymer material(s), more preferably no more than 10 wt% or even 5 wt% polymer, and most preferrably no more than 1 wt% polymer. [0034] The body 110 has a drinking hole 130. It is contemplated that a polymer coating can be disposed on an upper surface of the lid, about at least a region 140 adjacent the drinking hole 130. A coating in that region is thought to provide an improved mouth feel relative to

embodiments where the region is not coated. In some embodiments, the polymer coating of the body extends at least 5 mm around the drinking hole 130.

[0035] In Fig. 2, lid 200 generally has a body 201 and a side 220. The lid 200 is configured to be removably coupled with a cup 250, allowing repeated closing and opening the lid.

[0036] Lid 200 includes one or more fibrous materials 221a, 221b extending along both the body 210 and the mating portion, respectively. Fibrous materials 221a and 221b could be the same or different from each other.

[0037] In this embodiment, the body 210 has a raised portion 211 that surrounds a depressed portion 212. The raised portion 211 can be of constant height, or of varying heights. Typically, a drinking hole 230 is positioned in the raised portion 211.

[0038] Body 210 has a polymer coating 213 on its entire underside, although it is contemplated that there might be embodiments in which there is no overall underside coating. Polymer coating 213 might or might not extend to the medial surface of the side 220. Instead of, or in addition to any polymer coating 213 on its medial surface, side 220 has a thickened coating or layer of polymer 214. Polymers 213, 214 might or might not comprise the same chemical compositions.

[0039] Side 220 extends circumferentially and downwardly from the body 210. A mating region 222 is sized and dimensioned to securely mate with the upper rim bead 251 of the cup 250. For a typical paper coffee cup, the mating portion would preferably have an indentation with a depth of at least 1.5 mm. Having a secure seal is desirable because it protects the user from spilling of hot liquid such as coffee, tea, and soup over himself or herself.

[0040] Side 220 has a flared region 223, sized and dimensioned to assist a user in positioning the lid onto the top upper rim bead of a cup, thereby helping to prevent significant deformation of the lid 200. [0041] In Fig. 3, an alternative lid 300 has a body 310 and a side 320, with mating region 322. Lid 300 includes one or more fibrous materials 321 continuously extending along the body 310 and the side 320.

[0042] There is a polymer coating 313 that extends along the entirety of the underside of the body 310 and the medial surface of side 320. The mating portion 520 includes an indented region 522 and a flared region 523. There is an extra coating of polymer 314, 315 on the medial and lateral surfaces, respectively, of the mating region 322.

[0043] Side 320 has a flared region 323, sized and dimensioned to assist a user in positioning the lid onto the top upper rim bead of a cup, thereby helping to prevent significant deformation of the lid 300.

[0044] In Fig. 4, an alternative lid 400 has a body 410 and a side 420, with mating region 422. Lid 400 includes one or more fibrous materials 421 continuously extending along the body 410 and the side 420. There is a polymer coating 413 that extends along the entirety of the underside of the body 410 and the medial surface of side 420. There is an additional layer of polymer 414 positioned within the fibrous material(s) 421 about the mating region 422.

[0045] Side 420 has a flared region 423, sized and dimensioned to assist a user in positioning the lid onto the top upper rim bead of a cup, thereby helping to prevent significant deformation of the lid 400.

[0046] In Fig. 5, an alternative lid 500 has a body 510 and a side 520. A mating bump 522 of polymer cooperates with 551 the upper rim bead 521 of cup 250. Lid 500 includes one or more fibrous materials 521 continuously extending along the body 510 and the side 520. There is a polymer coating 513 that extends along the entirety of the underside of the body 510, and a thickened coating 514 of the same or different polymer on the medial surface of side 520.

[0047] Side 520 has a flared region 523, sized and dimensioned to assist a user in positioning the lid onto the top upper rim bead of a cup, thereby helping to prevent significant deformation of the lid 500. [0048] It is also contemplated that one could use a magnetic coupling so that the cup and lid would "click" together, magnetically, and thereby remain "mated” without the need for any mechanical coupling as in Figures 2 - 5.

[0049] In should be understood all of the various embodiments show in the figures herein should be interpreted such that the additional coating or layer of polymer at the mating portion is preferably at least 0.1 mm, more preferably at least 0.2 mm, and most preferably at least 0.3 mm in thickness, and the polymer on the bottom surface of the body covers the entirety of that surface. Also, all of the embodiments depicted herein should be interpreted such that the one or more fibrous materials in the body of the lid can be the same as, or different from, the one or more fibrous materials in the side. Also, all of the embodiments depicted herein should be interpreted as having a drinking hole similar to hole 130 in Figure 1. Still further, all of the embodiments depicted herein should be interpreted as having at least 20wt% of fibrous material in their respective sides, more preferably at least 40wt% of fibrous material in their respective sides, and even more preferably at least 60wt% of fibrous material in their respective sides.

[0050] Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

[0051] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the

specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0052] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.