[0001] The present invention relates to lids for beverage containers, and more particularly, to decorative effects applied to lids of disposable take-away drink cups.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Disposable drink cup lids are purely functional items with little to attract the interest, particularly of child consumers but also adult consumers of takeaway coffee and takeaway carbonated beverages. Since the primary function of such lids is to secure the beverage contained in the cups between purchase and consumption, they must be leak-proof and do not easily lend themselves to the incorporation of any promotional give-away items. To date the only option of including a branded message, promotional mechanism or advertising material has been by the application of a sticker which has inherent issues of cost associated with post production application.

[0003] Disposable beverage containers are produced in huge numbers. Typically disposable beverage containers are provided with a lid which clips over the container to avoid spillage prior to consumption of the beverage.

[0004] The generally circular, flat central surface of such lids, potentially provides space for indicia and imagery, either for the purpose of promoting a brand name or providing useful information to a consumer. Typically, imagery to make the purchase of the beverage more attractive is restricted to embossing of the cap surface or by applying a self adhesive label. A disadvantage of the rnanufacturing process of known plastic lids is mat this embossed imagery is restricted to the colour of the plastic material in which the lid is moulded or vacuum formed. Further the process of vacuum forming a lid or injection moulding a lid typically tends to distort any graphics that were able to printed onto the lid material prior to vacuum forming.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to address or at least ameliorate some of the above disadvantages. Notes

[0006] The term "comprising" (and grammatical variations thereof) is used in this specification in the inclusive sense of "having" or "including", and not in the exclusive sense of "consisting only of.

[0007] The above discussion of the prior art in the Background of the invention, is not an admission that any information discussed therein is citable prior art or part of the common general knowledge of persons skilled in the art in any country.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0008] In a broad form of the invention there is provided, a lid for releasable attachment to a take-away beverage container, the lid characterized in that at least one surface of the lid is provided with an image, the image being printed on a substrate prior to forming into the lid.

[0009] Preferably the lid is formed in a thermoformiag process.

[00010] Preferably the thermoforming process is a positive thermoforming process.

[00011] Preferably the thermofonning process is a negative mermoforming process.

[00012] Preferably the image is pre-distorted prior to printing.

[00013 ] - Preferably the substrate comprises a polymer material.

[00014] Preferably the polymer material comprises high impact polystyrene,

[00015] Preferably the polymer material comprises polypropylene.

[00016] Preferably the polymer material comprises polyethylene teiephthalate. [00018] Preferably the substrate is placed in registration with the forming elements such that the images are aligned with the lid forming elements.

[00019] Preferably the ltd is a disposal lid.

[00020] In another broad form of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a lid for releasable attachment to a disposable beverage container, the method comprising, printing an image on a substrate, thermoforming the substrate to form the lid.

[00021] Preferably the thermoforming is a positive thermoforming process,

[00022] Preferably the thermoforming is a negative thermoforming process.

[00023] Preferably the method further comprises pre-distorting the image prior to on the printing the image on the substrate.

[00024] Preferably the substrate comprises a polymer material.

[00025] Preferably the polymer material comprises high impact polystyrene,

[00026] Preferably the polymer material comprises polypropylene.

[00027] Preferably the polymer material comprises polyethylene terephthalate,

[00028] Preferably a plurality of the images is printed on the substrate; spacing of the images confonning to the spacing and number of lid forming elements.

[00029] Preferably the substrate is placed in registration with the forming elements such that the images are aligned with the lid forming elements, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[00030] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[00031] Figure 1 is a plan view of a typical disposable beverage container lid provided with an image according to a preferred embodiment of the current invention;

[00032] Figure 2 is a side sectioned view of the beverage container lid of Figure 1 ;

[00033] Figure 3 illustrates several beverage container lids provided with various images according to an embodiment of the current invention;

[00034] Figure 4 is an illustration of a template used in accordance with a further embodiment of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00035] The invention provides for the application of an image to a generally circular, flat central surface of a beverage container lid.

[00036] With reference to Figure 1, a pre-distorted image 14 is applied 21 to a surface of a substrate 11. The substrate is then subjected to a heating and thermoforming process 22 resulting, in this instance, in a shaped product 10 having on a top surface thereof a final image 24. As elsewhere described in the specification the pre-distorted image 14 is distorted in. such a way as to allow for the distortions that occur in the mermoforming process thereby to result in a true final image 54.

[00037] Now referring to Figures 1 and 2, the lids 10 are typically provided with a raised rim 12 around the central surface 14, with a drinking orifice 16 provided in the rim. A peripheral skirt 18 is adapted to releasably attach the lid to a disposable beverage cup 20.

Γ00038] Preferably, the image to be applied is printed on a substrate, In a further form, the [00039] Preferably, the substrate comprises polymer material.

[00040] Preferably, the polymer material may vary and different thickness can be used. Examples of suitable polymer materials include, but are not limited to, high impact polystyrene, oriented polystyrene, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene trephthalate and olefins.

[00041] Preferably, the inks used to print the indicia to be applied have properties to allow them to resist cracking and image distortion,

[00042] In one form, the image to be applied to the beverage container lid may comprise a single or multi-colour image.

[00043] In a further form, the image may be printed in lenticular form so as to present the illusion of a three-dimensional image. Examples of suitable lenticular technologies that may be used include, but are not limited to "two phase lenticular", Ultra 3D Lenticular, multiphase lenticular, morph lenticular and zoom lenticular. The image printed on the substrate may further include holographic images,

[00044] In another form, image to be applied to the beverage container lid may comprise information such as a promotional alphanumeric code or a "smart phone" readable bar or QR code for example.

[00045] In yet a further form, image to be applied to the beverage container lid may comprise a polymeric film having a removable scratch off layer.

[00046] Preferably, the substrate is purchased is sheet form.

[00047] Preferably, the substrate is purchased is roll form.

[00048] In a second step of the process, the beverage container lid is then produced in a [00049] In one form, a positive thermoforming process is used.

[00050] In another form, a negative thermoforming process is used.

[00051] Preferably, the substrate with the printed image is heated to a softened plastified thermoformable state. Preferably, the substrate is placed over lid foraiing element A vacuum and/or physical pressure is then applied to generate the shape of the beverage container lid.

[00052] Preferably, the image is printed generally on a circular flat central portion of the lid.

[00053] With reference to Figure 3, there is illustrated various beverage container lids 20, 30, 40, 50 formed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the current invention, The image printed on the lid may be centred and formed 30, 40. In an alternate form, the image may substantially cover the lid 20, 50.

[00054] Preferably during the printing process, a special mark added to the substrate. In one form, the special mark is used by the thermforming process to match the lid forming elements of the thermoforming. This ensures that the printed surface is lined up exactly so that when the printed roll is thermoformed, it is accurately placed.

[00055] Referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated a template 60, Preferably, the template comprises individual beverage container Hd sub-templates 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66. Preferably, template 60 enables an artist to allow for distortion in the image and appropriately lay up the image prior to thermoforming.

[00056] The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departmg from the scope of the present invention.