Patent · US Expired

Drink through container lid

US5183172A · kind A · utility

90Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 23, 1992
Grant dateFeb 2, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 23, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D2543/00842
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A drink through container lid of the type formed from thin thermoplastic material and which is used as a closure cap on open mouthed beverage cups is disclosed. Conventional lids of the foregoing description include one or more lines of weakness in the main body portion of the lid and which in part define the drink through segment of the lid. Normal breakage of this segment is initiated by hand at a location on the bottom of the skirt, which may or may not also include a lift tab projecting outwardly from the bottom of the skirt. In accordance with this invention, the lift tab is positioned above the bottom of the remainder of the skirt, and proximate to that portion of the outer wall of the groove of the lid which is in frictional engagement with the beverage cup to which it is attached. By locating the lift tab close to the area of frictional engagement of the lid to the cup, less force is required to initiate fracturing of the thermoplastic material in this area, and reduces the likelihood of the entire lid becoming separated from the container to which it is attached when only separation of the removable segment is desired. Means for further promoting the fracturing of the mate…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.