Disposable lid for beverage cups or containers

Abstract

A disposable lid for covering and closing the open end of a beverage cup or other container that may contain a hot or cold beverage or other foodstuff is disclosed. The disposable lid includes a top surface having at least one depressed area formed therein. The at least one depressed area has a depth sufficient for receiving and containing foodstuff such as condiments.

1 . A disposable lid for covering and closing the open end of a beverage cup, comprising: 
 a top surface, a side surface extending downwardly from the top surface, and a lip-engaging portion;    wherein the lip-engaging portion is defined by a top wall and an outer wall, the outer wall joined together with the side surface by the top wall;    wherein the top surface is spaced apart from the lip engaging portion and is joined together with the lip engaging portion by the side surface; and    wherein the top surface comprises at least one depressed area formed therein for receiving and containing foodstuff.    
   
   
       2 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one depressed area has a depth sufficient for receiving and containing the foodstuff.  
   
   
       3 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one depressed area comprises a side wall extending downwardly from the top surface and a bottom wall located sufficiently below the top surface to receive and contain the foodstuff.  
   
   
       4 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lip-engaging portion is formed around the periphery of the disposable lid.  
   
   
       5 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the foodstuff includes condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and barbeque sauce.  
   
   
       6 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface further comprises a straw-receiving opening for receiving a drinking straw.  
   
   
       7 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface further comprises an advertising portion for including information indicative of a business using the disposable lid.  
   
   
       8 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface further comprises at least one beverage-designating marker for indicating a type of beverage included within the beverage cup.  
   
   
       9 . The disposable lid of  claim 1 , wherein the disposable lid is made of a thermoformable plastic.  
   
   
       10 . A disposable lid for covering and closing the open end of a container, comprising: 
 a top surface, a side surface extending downwardly from the top surface, and a lip-engaging portion;    wherein the lip-engaging portion is defined by a top wall and an outer wall, the outer wall joined together with the side surface by the top wall;    wherein the top surface is spaced apart from the lip engaging portion and is joined together with the lip engaging portion by the side surface; and    wherein the top surface comprises at least one depressed area formed therein for receiving and containing foodstuff.    
   
   
       11 . The disposable lid of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one depressed area has a depth sufficient for receiving and containing the foodstuff.  
   
   
       12 . The disposable lid of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one depressed area comprises a side wall extending downwardly from the top surface and a bottom wall located sufficiently below the top surface to receive and contain the foodstuff.  
   
   
       13 . The disposable lid of  claim 10 , wherein the lip-engaging portion is formed around the periphery of the disposable lid.  
   
   
       14 . The disposable lid of  claim 10 , wherein the foodstuff includes condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and barbeque sauce.  
   
   
       15 . The disposable lid of  claim 10 , wherein the top surface further comprises an advertising portion for including information indicative of a business using the disposable lid.  
   
   
       16 . The disposable lid of  claim 10 , wherein the disposable lid is made of a thermoformable plastic.