Drink cup lid

Abstract

A drink cup lid is provided for mounting over the open mouth of a beverage container. A rim of the lid preferably includes an outer mounting skirt, a distal end, and a proximal end. The lid also includes a central hub spaced inwardly of the rim and separated therefrom by a lower channel. The channel is generally inclined downwardly from the distal end to the proximal end, except for a drainage wall portion thereof adjacent to the proximal end of the rim. The drainage wall is inclined upwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of the rim. The opposing inclinations of the drainage wall and the remainder of the channel cooperate to create a “funnel” effect that improves drainage of spilled beverage from the channel, through the drink aperture, and back into the container.

1 . A drink cup lid comprising:
 a generally annular rim including an outer mounting skirt, a distal end, and a proximal end;   a central hub spaced inwardly from the rim;   a lower channel separating the rim and the hub, wherein said channel is generally inclined downwardly from the distal end to the proximal end;   a drink aperture through a sidewall of the central hub, in facing relationship with the proximal end of the rim; and   a drainage wall defining a portion of the channel and inclined upwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of the rim.   
   
   
       2 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein said hub is generally cylindrical and said channel is generally annular. 
   
   
       3 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the proximal end of the rim is inclined inwardly toward the channel. 
   
   
       4 . The drink cup lid of  claim 3 , wherein said proximal end of the rim and said drainage wall have different inclination angles. 
   
   
       5 . The drink cup lid of  claim 4 , wherein the inclination angle of the drainage wall is less than the inclination angle of the proximal end of the rim. 
   
   
       6 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein said drainage wall is angularly centered about the drink aperture and is at least coterminous with the drink aperture. 
   
   
       7 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein said drainage wall is angularly centered about the drink aperture and is less than coterminous with the drink aperture. 
   
   
       8 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the rim extends vertically to a greater degree than the distal end to define a drinking spout. 
   
   
       9 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1  further comprising a lip on proximal end of said rim. 
   
   
       10 . The drink cup lid of  claim 1  wherein said lid is a disposable lid. 
   
   
       11 . A drink cup lid comprising:
 a generally annular rim including an outer mounting skirt, a distal end, and a proximal end;   a central hub spaced inwardly from the rim;   an inclined lower channel separating the rim and the hub;   a drink aperture through a sidewall of the central hub, in facing relationship with the proximal end of the rim; and   an inclined drainage wall defining a portion of the channel and extending from the proximal end of the rim to the drink aperture, wherein the drainage wall has a different inclination attitude than the remainder of the channel.   
   
   
       12 . The drink cup lid of  claim 11 , wherein said hub is generally cylindrical and said channel is generally annular. 
   
   
       13 . The drink cup lid of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the proximal end of the rim is inclined inwardly toward the channel. 
   
   
       14 . The drink cup lid of  claim 13 , wherein said proximal end of the rim and said drainage wall have different inclination angles. 
   
   
       15 . The drink cup lid of  claim 14 , wherein the inclination angle of the drainage wall is less the inclination angle of the proximal end of the rim. 
   
   
       16 . The drink cup lid of  claim 11 , wherein said drainage wall is angularly centered about the drink aperture and is at least coterminous with the drink apertures. 
   
   
       17 . The drink cup lid of  claim 11 , wherein said drainage wall is angularly centered about the drink aperture and is less than coterminous with the drink aperture. 
   
   
       18 . The drink cup lid of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal end of the rim extends vertically to a greater degree than the distal end to define a drinking spout. 
   
   
       19 . The drink cup lid of  claim 11 , wherein said lid is a disposable lid. 
   
   
       20 . A drink cup lid comprising:
 a generally annular rim including a distal end, and a proximal end;   a central hub spaced inwardly from the rim;   a lower channel separating the rim and the hub, wherein said channel is generally inclined downwardly from the distal end to the proximal end;   a drink aperture through a sidewall of the central hub, in facing relationship with the proximal end of the rim; and   a drainage wall defining a portion of the channel and inclined upwardly from the drink aperture to the proximal end of the rim.