Drink-through lid seal

Abstract

A seal for use with a drink-through beverage lid, comprising a generally flat plate and a projection. When attached to a lid, the projection mates with an opening in the drink-through lid, commonly at the top of a drinking spout. The projection seals the opening, preventing spillage during transport. The seal is easily removable by grasping the plate and pulling it away from the lid.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A seal for a drink-through cup lid, the seal comprising: 
 a plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; and    a projection attached to and extending away from the lower surface of the plate.    
     
     
         2 . The seal of  claim 1 , wherein the lower surface of the plate is substantially flat and further wherein the projection includes a central axis extending generally orthogonal to the lower surface of the plate.  
     
     
         3 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the seal is attached to the lid.  
     
     
         4 . The seal of  claim 3 , further comprising an arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the seal is attached to the first end of the arm and the lid is attached to the second end of the arm.  
     
     
         5 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the upper surface of the plate is substantially flat.  
     
     
         6 . The seal of  claim 5 , wherein the upper surface of the lid includes an indicia.  
     
     
         7 . The seal of  claim 6 , wherein the indicia is a logo.  
     
     
         8 . The seal of  claim 6 , further comprising a cover removably attached to the upper surface of the plate, and wherein the indicia is related to a prize, logo, coupon, discount, or other promotional matter.  
     
     
         9 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the projection further comprises an outer surface that is parallel to the central axis.  
     
     
         10 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the projection further comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being adjacent the lower surface of the plate, wherein the cross-sectional area of the first end is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second end.  
     
     
         11 . The seal of  claim 2 , wherein the seal further comprises an annular lid-engaging section.  
     
     
         12 . The seal of  claim 2 , further comprising markings on at least a portion of the seal, and wherein the markings are associated with a particular beverage.  
     
     
         13 . The seal of  claim 12 , wherein the markings comprise forming the seal in a particular color.  
     
     
         14 . A method for sealing a cup lid having an opening to allow a beverage to be consumed through the lid, the method comprising: 
 providing a seal having a plate with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a projection attached to and extending away from the lower surface of the plate; and    inserting the projection into the lid opening.    
     
     
         15 . A seal for a cup lid having an opening to allow a beverage to be consumed through the lid, the seal comprising: 
 a means for substantially sealing the opening; and    a means for grasping the seal for removal.    
     
     
         16 . The seal of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing means is capable of extending into the opening.  
     
     
         17 . The seal of  claim 16 , wherein the grasping means comprises a plate substantially orthogonal to the sealing means.