Background

Technological Field

The Invention regards lids generally and specifically lids for drinking cups

Technological Background

There is a need to avoid spillage during transport and use of drinking cups and for such purposes lids with a hole and a surface are used. It is a preference to use this surface for other purposes such as information, advertisement and more. From the known art one knows such lids can be provided with printed information; however this solution implies large scale productions resulting in large issues provided with the same print. This means this is not suitable for temporally short campaigns or regionally adapted campaigns, be it for information, advertisement or other services.

From the known art one refers to US 6 196 411 regarding an insertable lid with a hole in the centre for penetration of a straw for attachment on a container. Furthermore one should refer to US 4 389 802. There is therefore a need for a product that overcomes the above problems. Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a system and method for positioning and attachment, possibly removably attachment, of an insertable lid for a lid.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a system and method for positioning and attachment, possibly removably attachment, of an insertable lid for a lid wherein means for attachment is provided on an inner wall wherein the insertable lid fits in under the means for the attachment and is held in position by the means for attachment.

Beneficial and preferred embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention an attachable lid for a lid is positioned on a lid provided with means for attachment and then the insertable lid is pushed down and underneath the means for attachment so that it is held in place. Said means for attachment can be hemispherical protrusions positioned along an inner wall of the lid but also other possibilities can be envisaged such as a lengthwise extended edge. It is important that the means for attachment are provided sufficiently far above the upper surface of the lid in order to accommodate the thickness of the insertable lid.

Means required for overcoming the Problem

The present invention overcomes achieves the objective stated above by a lid provided with means for attachment as stated in claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows a typical embodiment of the invention in perspective where an insertable lid is to be inserted into a lid.

Fig. 2 shows a typical embodiment of the invention in perspective where an insertable lid is inserted into a lid. Fig. 3 shows fig. 2 from above. Fig. 4 shows in a cross section how means for attachment holds an insertable lid in position in a lid.

The following reference numbers and symbols refer to the drawings:

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be described in details with reference to the drawings showing a plurality of embodiments and where fig. 1 shows schematically a typical embodiment in perspective of the invention 10, where an insertable lid 11 is to be placed in a lid 20. The lid 20 is a separate part attached to a cup (not shown) with an attachment 25 for the cup. The lid 20 comprises an upper edge 23 provided with a drinking hole 27. Said upper edge 23 is raised with an outer wall above the attachment

25 and an inner wall 22 above an upper surface 21 having the purpose to prevent spillage.

Said lid 20 is typically manufactured in large volumes with corresponding limited flexibility for rapid changes in printed contents.

The inner wall 22 is provided with means of attachment 26 enabling the insertable lid

11 to be brought in underneath said means for attachment 26 so that the insertable lid 11 is kept in position.

It is important that the means for attachment 26 is positioned so that the insertable lid 11 fits in underneath said means for attachment without parts of said insertable lid ends up above said means for attachment. Said insertable lid is in the mounted position kept tensioned between said means for attachment and a lower part, here in the form of the upper surface 21. One can, however, also envisage further projections from the inner wall can replace this function for the upper surface. Best Embodiment

The inventors have found that the best embodiment is means of attachment 26 in the form of at least one semi spherical projecting out from the inner wall 22. This makes it possible to press the insertable lid 11 down in under the means of attachment 26 while making it possible to remove the attachable lid. This makes it possible to employ a top surface of the insertable lid 11 and additionally upper surface 21. Also the bottom surface of the insertable lid can be made attractive for the users by using an embodiment of it as a tissue, optionally also with print, in such a way the users will be motivated to remove the insertable lid. One can also use a space between the upper surface 21 and the bottom surface of the insertable lid for storage of further items, said items can be squeezed or glued together. Fig. 2 shows the insertable lid 11 inserted into position in under the means for attachment 26 of the lid 20.

Fig. 3 shows the same as fig. 2 from above. The means for attachment is here shown in the form of 4 projections symmetrically placed along the inner wall 22, however one can imagine more or fewer projections, and these do not need to be symmetric. It is however beneficial that these do not extend so far out that they make positioning difficult while at the same time they should be long enough to prevent the insertable lid from falling out. Experience is that the extent of the projections should be of te same order as a non destructive deformation limit for the insertable lid. Fig. 4 shows in a cross section how a projection of a means for attachment 26 holds the insertable lid 11 in position in a pressure between the projection and the upper surface 21.

Alternative Embodiments

One can also imagine means for attachment 26 in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring, projections in the form of a ridge or other geometrical embodiments. Also use of only one projection is possible if the insertable lid is removably glued to the lid 20 wherein the glued part of the insertable lid is in an area that does not coincide with the area where the projection is provided.

It should be noted that semi spherical does not necessarily mean a semi sphere in a strict mathematical meaning but also similar shapes such as spherical sections, ellipsoids and more.

Industrial Applicability

The invention can be used in sale of dinking cups where the insertable lid 11 can be provided with print on demand with text or other print provided shortly before purchase. By providing the insertable lid with a function such as a tissue, a ticket, coupon or otherwise, it becomes attractive for the customers to remove the attachable lid and thus expose further surfaces that also can be suited for print.