Cup Lid Having a Bung-Like Stopper

Abstract

A combination of a disposable cup lid having a drink-through opening, and a stopper for the drink-through opening. The opening is formed through a planar top portion of the cup lid, and has predetermined dimensions of width and length. The stopper has a planar base portion and a bung portion depending substantially downwardly therefrom so that, when in position, the bung portion extends downwardly through said drink-through opening to seal the opening. The cup lid additionally comprises a well which is dimensioned so as to receive at least a portion of the bung portion of the stopper and to retain the bung portion by interference fit when in place in the well. A storage area for the stopper is thereby provided.

1 . In combination, a cup lid having a drink-through opening, and a stopper for the drink-through opening; 
 wherein the drink-through opening is formed through a planar top portion of the cup lid, and has predetermined dimensions of width and length;    wherein said stopper comprises a substantially planar base portion and a bung portion depending therefrom so that, when in position, said the bung portion extends downwardly through said drink-through opening;    wherein said bung portion has side and end surfaces and a closed bottom surface, and is dimensioned in its width and length so as to provide a liquid seal between said side and end surfaces and the edges of said drink-through opening when in place therein; and    wherein a well is provided in a planar portion of said cup lid and is dimensioned so as to receive at least a portion of said bung portion of said stopper and to retain said bung portion of said stopper by interference fit when in place therein.    
   
   
       2 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said stopper is completely independent of the cup lid and may be completely removed from it.  
   
   
       3 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said well is closed to liquid.  
   
   
       4 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said well is located on said planar top portion and is essentially opposite to said opening.  
   
   
       5 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said opening has predetermined dimensions of width and length, and said bung portion also has predetermined dimensions of width and length which are such that when said bung portion is in place in said opening, a liquid seal between side and end surfaces of said bung portion and edges of said opening is provided.  
   
   
       6 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said well has predetermined dimensions of width and length which are essentially equal to the width and length of said opening.  
   
   
       7 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said bung portion has upwardly sloping side and end surfaces.  
   
   
       8 . A cup lid and stopper combination, as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cup lid has a central depression forming a second planar portion, below said planar top portion, and said well is located in said central depression.  
   
   
       9 . A cup lid and stopper combination as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said well is centrally located in said cup lid.  
   
   
       10 . A cup lid and stopper combination as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said cup lid and/or said stopper are made by thermoforming an extruding plastic sheet material.  
   
   
       11 . A cup lid and stopper combination as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said cup lid and/or said stopper are manufactured from, or covered with, temperature indicating materials or coatings.  
   
   
       12 . A cup lid and stopper combination as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said temperature indicating material or coating comprises a thermochromatic material.  
   
   
       13 . A cup lid having a drink-through opening formed through a planar top portion of the cup lid, and has predetermined dimensions of width and length, wherein said drink-through opening is adapted to receive a stopper having a substantially planar base portion and a bung portion depending therefrom so that, when in position, said the bung portion extends downwardly through said drink-through opening; and 
 wherein a closed well is provided in a planar portion of said cup lid and is dimensioned so as to receive at least a portion of said bung portion of said stopper and to retain said bung portion of said stopper by interference fit when in place therein.