Field of invention

The present invention relates generally to lids for use with takeaway cups.

Background of invention

In recent years, takeaway cups have become a common means of providing beverages to customers who enjoy high quality cafe made beverages. This increased use of takeaway cups can be greatly attributed to the high demand for cafe quality coffee over home-made instant or drip coffee. The demand for cafe made beverages has seen consumers often purchasing numerous takeaway beverages and transporting them in bulk to others, such as colleagues in a workplace.

A common means for transporting numerous takeaway beverages from one location to another is by using a tray. Trays provide a much needed solution to the struggle of attempting to stack takeaway beverages on top of each other in a manner where they are balanced and will not spill. Often, carrying numerous takeaway beverages without a tray is an issue due to the overall design of the lid. Certain lid features which lead to this difficulty include the drinking spout which hinders holding or stacking another takeaway beverage.

Unfortunately, trays themselves present numerous disadvantages, such as being expensive for cafes to purchase as they are provided for free to consumers. Trays present further issues as they are often purchased in bulk, and must be stored by cafes that ordinarily operate in a small space with limited storage room. In order for a large number of trays to be stored, they are often folded into a more compact form that is later constructed into a usable cup tray. The necessary time that must be spent constructing this compacted tray to turn it into a tray that is suitable for a receiving one or more cups creates delays and extends the time consumers must wait for service.

Trays present a further issue to the environment where the excess waste created due to the use of trays damages the environment, especially when non -biodegradable materials are used.

Substitute Sheet

(Rule 26) RO/AU It would be advantageous if there was provided an accessible means for transporting multiple takeaway cups without the need for trays and which may additionally or

alternatively reduce the risk of spillage.

Summary of invention

In accordance with a first aspect there is provided A lid for a first cup comprising: a body having a peripheral rim adapted for receiving the first cup; a first circumferential projection extending upwardly from the body proximate to the peripheral rim for defining a second cup receiving space adapted to receive a base portion of a second cup, the second cup receiving space comprising at least one bearing surface for bearing on the base portion to thereby hold the second cup within the second cup receiving space by way of a friction fit.

In an embodiment the bearing surface is located on an inner wall of the

circumferential projection and wherein a diameter of the second cup receiving space is the same or smaller than an outer diameter of the base portion of the second cup.

In an embodiment a least a portion of an upper surface of the first projection comprises a chamfered edge.

In an embodiment the lid further comprises at least one second projection located within the second cup receiving space adjacent a portion of the inner wall of the first projection and wherein a space defined between a second bearing surface disposed on the second projection(s) and first bearing surface comprises a third cup receiving space, such that in use the first and second bearing surface(s) are adapted to receive and hold, by way of a friction fit, a third cup which is smaller in size than the second cup.

In an embodiment the second projection at least partially follows a curvature of the inner wall of first projection.

In an embodiment at least a portion of an upper surface of the second projection(s) comprises a chamfered edge.

In an embodiment the lid further comprises an opening allowing a beverage to flow from inside the first cup.

In an embodiment the opening is at least partially located on the first projection. In an embodiment the opening is at least partially located on the inner wall of the first projection such that, in use, the opening is obstructed when the second cup is being held by the lid.

In an embodiment a height of the first projection varies across its circumference and wherein the height is greatest adjacent the opening.

In an embodiment the second cup receiving space comprises a generally oval shape.

In an embodiment the bearing surface of the first projection is disposed on a pair of opposing contact portions that extend into the second cup receiving space at or about a point where the radius of the second cup receiving space is shortest, each of the contact portions comprising a bearing surface and wherein a distance between the contact portions is equal to or less than a diameter of the outer wall of the base portion of the second cup.

In accordance with a second aspect there is provided a lid for a first cup, wherein the lid comprises:

a body having a peripheral rim adapted for receiving the first cup;

two or more projections extending upwardly from the body; and

wherein the lid is adapted for receiving a base of a second cup and wherein each of the first projections comprises a bearing surface for bearing on a portion of the base portion for holding the second cup by way of friction.

In accordance with a third aspect there is provided a lid for a first cup, wherein the lid comprises:

a body having a peripheral rim adapted for receiving the first cup;

a first circumferential projection extending upwardly from the body proximate to the peripheral rim for defining a second cup receiving space adapted to receive a second cup therein;

an opening allowing a beverage to flow from inside the first cup;

wherein when the second cup is received in the second cup receiving space the opening is obstructed.

In accordance with a fourth aspect there is provided a lid for a first cup, wherein the lid comprises:

a body having a peripheral rim adapted for receiving the first cup;

two or more projections extending upwardly from the body proximate to the peripheral rim for defining a second cup receiving space there between; and

wherein the lid is adapted for receiving a base portion of a second cup within the second cup receiving space and wherein each of the first projections comprises a bearing surface for bearing on the base portion for holding the second cup within the second cup receiving space by way of friction.

In accordance with a fifth embodiment there is provided a combination of a lid for a first cup and a second cup, wherein the lid for the first cup comprises:

a body having a peripheral rim adapted for receiving the first cup;

two or more projections extending upwardly from the body; and

wherein the lid is adapted for receiving a base of the second cup and wherein each of the first projections comprises a bearing surface for bearing on a portion of the base portion for holding the second cup by way of friction.

Brief description of drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top view of a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the lid of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectioned side view of the lid;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lid assembled with a cup;

Fig. 5a is a sectioned side view of the lid with a smaller and larger cup;

Fig. 5b is a sectioned side view of the lid receiving the smaller sized cup;

Fig. 5c is a sectioned side view of the lid receiving the larger sized cup;

Fig. 6 is an assembly view of the lid receiving the larger sized cup;

Fig. 7 is an assembly view of the lid receiving the smaller sized cup;

Fig. 8 is a top view of a lid in accordance with a further embodiment; and

Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the lid shown in Fig. 8 Detailed description

Embodiments of the invention described herein provide an improved takeaway beverage lid whereby the lid has the additional advantage of being able to receive and securely hold a second beverage cup, thereby reducing the need for trays and creating an easier and less expensive means for transporting two or more beverages. More particularly, the lid provides bearing surfaces on one or more projections which project upwardly from a surface of the lid and which are operable to bear on a base portion of the second cup for securely holding the second cup by way of a friction fit (i.e. between the respective bearing surface(s) and the base portion). The configuration of the one or more projections advantageously allows the lid to receive and hold cups of varying size, as will be described in more detail in subsequent paragraphs.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4 there is shown a lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The lid 1 has a body 2 with a peripheral rim 10 adapted for fitting over a first cup 30a. The lid further has a first circumferential projection 12 that extends upwardly along the circumference of the lid and proximate to the peripheral rim 10. This first projection 12 defines a circular cup receiving space 14a within its circumference. The second cup receiving space 14a is operable for receiving/stacking a second cup 30b on top of the lid. In an embodiment the distance between the first projection 12 and the peripheral rim is roughly l-30mm, however is not limited to this measurement.

In more detail the first projection 12 includes a smooth inner wall 16 which is adapted for bearing on a bottom portion 32b of a second cup 30b. For this embodiment, the bottom portion 32b is a circumferential edge that extends below a base 13 of the cup. The second cup 32b may be the same, or smaller in size than the first cup 30a. For example, the first cup 30a may be an 12oz cup, while the stacked second cup may be an 8oz or 6oz cup.

Hereafter, for ease of reference, the cup adapted to be stacked in the cup receiving space 14a will be referred to as a "large cup" 30b. It will be understood that in alternative embodiments the inner wall 16 can also have a rough surface, or be comprised by a plurality of faces. A chamfered inner edge 18 directed towards the centre of the lid 1 facilitates reception of the large cup 30b.

A second projection 20 is disposed within the second cup receiving space 14a and has an inner wall 22 which, together with a portion of the inner wall of the first projection 12, define an alternative second cup receiving space 14b adapted for receiving and holding a bottom portion 32c of a substantially smaller cup 30c. For example, the substantially smaller cup may be a 4oz cup, as shown in Fig. 5b. Hereafter, the substantially smaller sized cup will be referred to as a "small cup" 30c. According to this embodiment, the second projection 20 is disposed adjacent to the inner wall 16 of the first projection 12. The distance between the second projection 20 and the closest portion of the adjacent first projection first can vary depending on a size of the small cup 30c, but may typically range between lmm-30mm. The inner wall 22 of the second projection 20 has an arc shape which substantially mirrors the shape of the outer circumference of the base of the small cup 30c. According to the illustrated embodiment, the angles subtended by the arc is roughly 180 degrees, though it will be understood that this angle may be smaller or larger, depending on the desired

implementation.

According to the illustrated embodiment the inner wall 22 of the second projection 20 is smooth, however it may alternatively have a rough surface or comprise a plurality of faces. An outer wall 24 of the second projection 20 has a number of inclined faces to facilitate reception of the larger sized cup 30b (see particularly Fig. 1). The number of faces may, for example, range from one to twenty.

Importantly, the internal diameter of the second cup receiving space 14a is equal to, or slightly smaller than, the diameter of the outer circumference of the bottom portion 32b of the large second cup 30b. This ensures a friction fit (or otherwise known as an interference fit) between the first and second cups 30a, 30b. Equally, the distance between the closest opposing inner wall portions of the second projection 20 and first projection 12 (i.e. defining the second cup receiving space 14a for receiving the small cup) is equal to, or slightly smaller than, the diameter of the outer circumference of the bottom portion 32b of the small second cup 30c for ensuring a friction fit.

The lid 1 has an opening 24 defined in an upper wall of the first projection 12 for allowing egress of contents held within the first cup 30a. The opening 24 can be of any shape, such as circular, oval, rectangular, etc. According to the illustrated embodiment, the opening 24 is located on a top portion of the first projection 12, but may instead be located in any suitable position on the lid 1, such as on the inner wall 16 of the first projection 12.

In an embodiment the second projection 20 maintains a substantially constant height relative to the body 2 along its span. The height may be between lmm-30mm depending on the desired implementation. Preferably, the height of the first projection 12 is greater than the height of the second projection 20, to facilitate the secure holding of the stacked second cup 30b, 30c. However the height of the second projection may be more than the height of the first projection and may not be constant.

The height of the first projection 12 above the body 2 may be constant, or may vary along the length of the projection. Preferably, the height of the first projection 12 may vary such that the height is greatest at the location of the opening 24, providing comfort to a user's lips, and lowest at where the first projection is adjacent to the centre of the outer wall of the second projection, providing comfort to the bridge of a user's nose.

With particular reference to the sectional view of Fig. 3 it can be seen that the height of the first projection 12 is greatest at the opening 24, and lowest where the first projection is adjacent to the centre of the outer wall of the second projection 20. In a preferred

embodiment the height of the second projection 20 is equal to the lowest point of first projection 12. This equal height provides space for the bridge of a user's nose so that uncomfortable pressure does not have to be exerted on the bridge while the user is drinking their beverage. The height of the second projection 20 is also less than the distance between the bottom most portion of the circumferential edge 32b and base 13 of the large cup 30b to ensure that the second cup 30b can be wholly seated on the lid 10.

The peripheral rim 10 of the lid comprises a seal 11 which sits over a lip of the cup to prevent leakage.

Fig. 5a shows different configurations for receiving the base portion of a second cup within the second cup receiving space 14a and alternative second cup receiving space 14b, based on the size of the cup. More particularly, the lid shown in Fig. 5b is assembled with a small cup 30c such that a bearing surface on the inner wall of both the first and second projections 12, 20 receive and bear upon an outer wall of the base portion 32c to provide a friction fit. An assembled configuration such as this ensures that the small cup 30c remains stably secured by the lid 1. The lid 1 may secure the base portion 32c of the smaller sized cup 30c via the second cup receiving space whether it has been assembled with a first cup 30a via the peripheral rim or not.

The lid 1 in Fig. 5c is assembled with a large cup 30b. In this configuration only the bearing surface on the inner wall 16 of the first projection 12 bears upon the base portion 32b of the larger cup 30b, with the second projection 20 being housed within an internal space defined by the base portion. 32b The same friction fit action as for Fig. 5b allows the lid to hold the larger cup 30b securely in place. Again, the lid 1 may secure the base portion 32b of the cup whether it has been assembled with a first cup via the peripheral rim or not.

Assembly views for receiving both the smaller and larger second cups are shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Figs. 8 to 10 show a lid 10' according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Again, the lid 10' provides convenience to a user as two or more cups can be carried without the need for a tray.

A first notable difference with respect to the previously described embodiment is that the lid 10' shown in Figs. 8 to 10 comprises an oval shaped second cup receiving space 14b'. Further, a pair of protrusions 21a, 21b extend from an inner wall 16' of the first

projection 12'. As is evident from Fig. 9, the protrusions 21a, 21b are located at either end of the minor axis of the oval shaped receiving space 14b' and include a rounded upper profile. The distance between the bearing projections 21a, 21b is slightly less than the diameter of the outer circumference of the base portion of the second cup 20b' . Thus, the bearing projections 21a, 2b operate to compress the sides of the base portion as it is seated therein, while the oval receiving space 14b' provides space for the bottom portion 32 to deform into. This arrangement may advantageously provide a more secure fit for the second cup 30b.

A further difference is the location of the opening 24', which in this embodiment is located adjacent a bottom edge of the inner wall 16' of the first projection 12. An advantage of this arrangement is that, while carrying a large or small second cup 30b, 30c, the opening 24' may be obstructed by the base of the second cup 30b, 30c, in turn reducing the risk of spillage from the first cup 30a. This may also simulate the experience of drinking from a cup or mug. It will be understood that the opening 24' need only be partially located in the inner wall to achieve this function (e.g. it may extend between the inner wall 16' and the base 14' or between the inner wall 16' and the upper portion of the projection 12'). It will be understood that the opening 24' could be located at any desired position on the inner wall 16' to achieve the afore-mentioned functionality, depending on the desired implementation.

In an alternative embodiment to that shown in Figs. 1 to 10, the second projection 20, 20' may be entirely omitted, such that the lid is adapted solely for receiving the large cup 30b.

In yet another alternative embodiment, a plurality of separated or partially joined outer projections 12 may extend upwardly from the body 2 proximate to the peripheral rim 10 (i.e. such that the plurality of projections define the second cup receiving space 14 therebetween, with the bearing surfaces on the respective inner walls adapted to provide a friction fit for the second cup 30b). It will be understood that such projections 12 could be of any shape, such as circular, rectangular, square, eclipses, etc.

In a still further alternative embodiment, a spacing between an inner wall portion of the first projection 12 and an outer wall portion of the second projection 20 may be the same or slightly smaller than a thickness of the bottom edge portion 32b, 32c of the large or small second cup 30b, 30c to thereby "grip" the second cup 30b, 30c.

In yet another alternative embodiment the projections 12 may be spaced inwardly of the rim 10 such that the edge of the base portion 32b of a large cup 30b seats over the projections 12, with the internal wall thereof bearing on an outer wall of the projections 12.

In addition or as an alternative, the spacing and width of the projections 12 may be set such that their respective inner walls may be configured to receive and bear upon an outer wall of the base portion of a small sized cup 30c. Thus, the one or more projections 12 may have a bearing surface on their outer wall, inner wall, or alternatively on both their outer and inner wall depending on the desired configuration.

As persons skilled in the art will appreciate, the friction fit discussed above utilises friction between two parts that are pushed together to hold those parts in a fixed relationship. The tightness of the fit is dependent on the interference, being the base of a cup. The greater the diameter of the base of the cup, the tighter the fit will be.

The lid described herein is preferably low cost and disposable, fabricated from food grade, biodegradable material through the process of thermoforming to achieve a cheap and disposable lid. However, the lid can be made of numerous materials, including plastic, silicone or metal and can be manufactured via numerous other processes, such as injection moulding or 3D printing.

The lid may be of any size so that it can be assembled with a first cup via the peripheral rim, as well as with the base portion of another cup.

The lid may have one or more small holes that are used as a vent to allow air to flow into the sealed cup and lid located on the first projection opposing the opening. The cups described herein may store liquids such as coffee, tea, milk, chai, water, soda water, soft drink, soups, etc, however any liquids may be housed in the cups. The cups may also be used for the storage of solids that may need to be transported. Examples of solids that can be stored include seeds, yoghurt, oats, cakes, pastries and other foods commonly sold in a cafe.

A person skilled in the art would appreciate while the second cup receiving space may be oval, it may also be circular, square, or any other shape able to accommodate the base of a cup.

The cups may be of any size, for example the larger cup size may be 12oz and the smaller cup size may be 8oz. The smaller cup size may also be 4oz allowing for smaller coffees such as piccolos. These cups are not limited to these sizes as it should be appreciated that cups of all sizes may be received.

It will be understood that the bearing surface(s) of the respective first and second projection(s) may take on any suitable shape that is suitable for bearing on the inner and/or outer wall of the bottom portion of the second cup provided that it achieves a suitable friction fit. For example, the surface may be concave, convex, pointed, flat, etc. Equally, the upper wall of the first and/or second projections may be shaped in any suitable fashion to accommodation reception of the second cup. For example, the edges of the upper wall may be rounded off instead of chamfered.

The cups are further preferably disposable, but may also be reusable. The cups may be made of plastic, metal, or a biodegradable material. The cups may have a single wall or numerous walls for insulation. In the foregoing description of certain embodiments, specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "upper" and "lower", "above" and "below" and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

In this specification, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear. The preceding description is provided in relation to several embodiments which may share common characteristics and features. It is to be understood that one or more features of any one embodiment may be combinable with one or more features of the other

embodiments. In addition, any single feature or combination of features in any of the embodiments may constitute additional embodiments.

In addition, the foregoing describes only some embodiments of the inventions, and alterations, modifications, additions and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

Furthermore, the inventions have been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the inventions. Also, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of one

embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional embodiment.