Single-use leak/spill prevention container lid and disposable container

Abstract

There is described a disposable or single-use container lid which has an annular rim for frictionally engaging a rolled rim of a container, such as a paper cup, a central region and an annular shock-absorbing structure disposed between the annular rim and the central region. The annular shock-absorbing structure comprises an outside channel having a non-flat configuration and being formed around the central region, with the outside channel providing a predetermined amount of extension and contraction at the location of the channel to absorb forces or stress applied to the lid and/or container and facilitate retention of the lid on the container when forces from dropping, tipping, falling or squeezing are applied thereto. In a further example, there is also described a disposable anti-spill drinking lid for a disposable paper container. The lid comprises an annular engagement rim for frictionally engaging the rolled rim of the container, and an integral drinking spout extending from the top surface of the lid and positioned to allow drinking therethrough by tipping of the container toward a user. The lid may be formed of a plastic material having tensile strength and ductility characteristics such that the integral spout can deflect from its extended position and thereafter substantially returns to its original position. Further structures, such as an annular rim which facilitates frictionally engaging the rolled rim of the container may be provided.

1 . An anti-spill lid for a container having a closed end, a peripherally extending sidewall terminating in a rolled rim, and an open end, the lid comprising:
 an annular rim for frictionally engaging the rolled rim of the container;   a central region; and   an annular shock-absorbing structure disposed between the annular rim and the central region;   wherein the annular shock-absorbing structure is at least one channel formed around the central region, the at least one channel providing a predetermined amount of extension and compression at the location of the at least one channel to absorb forces applied to the lid and/or container and facilitate retention of the lid on the container when forces from dropping, tipping, failing or squeezing are applied thereto.   
   
   
       2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the channel is formed to have at least one radiused section to allow deflection at the location of the channel upon being subjected to a force to absorb the force and reduce transmission of the force to the annular rim. 
   
   
       3 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel is formed to have a non-flat configuration. 
   
   
       4 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel is formed to have a depth in the range of between 0.10 to 0.30 inches. 
   
   
       5 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel has a width with a dimension in the range of between 0.25 to 0.60 inches. 
   
   
       6 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel has a radiused bottom wall in the range between 0.125 to 0.35 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is formed of a material having tensile strength and ductility characteristics to allow the extension and compression of the channel and thereafter returning to the original position. 
   
   
       8 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one channel includes at least one intermediate wall section formed therein. 
   
   
       9 . The lid of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one intermediate wall section includes a plurality of folds or bends formed in the bottom wall section. 
   
   
       10 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a domed configuration formed in the central region, wherein the domed configuration in the central region has an upper edge which is positioned at or below the outer level of the of the engagement rim. 
   
   
       11 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a domed configuration is formed in the central region, wherein the domed configuration in the central region has an arc which provides stiffness and dimensional stability upon a force being applied thereto. 
   
   
       12 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a drinking spout extending from the central region. 
   
   
       13 . The lid of  claim 12 , further comprising a dome structure in the central region wherein the drinking spout extends from the central region, and wherein the at least one channel and dome structure facilitates buckling of the spout from an extended position with a distal end above the level of the annular rim, to a retracted position with the distal end at or below the level of the annular rim upon a force being applied thereto. 
   
   
       14 . The lid of  claim 12 , wherein the spout has an axis, and dependent on the direction of an applied force, the spout buckles downwardly in the direction of the axis upon a force being applied directly to the distal end along the axis, and/or to the side upon a force being applied in an angular direction to the axis. 
   
   
       15 . The lid of  claim 12 , wherein the lid is constructed of a plastic material having predetermined tensile strength and ductility characteristics, wherein the spout upon being deflected from the extended position returns to the extended position. 
   
   
       16 . The lid of  claim 12 , wherein spout has a leakage prevention system associated therewith. 
   
   
       17 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the annular rim includes an interior sealing wall, an exterior sealing wall, a connecting sealing portion between the interior and exterior sealing walls, a locking edge formed in the exterior wall and a flared skirt portion, and wherein the interior sealing wall has a length which extends to a point at or below the level of the rolled rim of the container when the lid is positioned therewith, and the locking ledge extends inwardly toward the container to a position which is over twenty five percent of the thickness of the rolled edge of the container and engages the lower surface of the rolled edge of the container. 
   
   
       18 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes a straw system for acceptance of a drinking straw, wherein the straw system includes an aperture having side walls which sealingly engage a straw inserted therein to substantially prevent leakage around the inserted straw. 
   
   
       19 . An anti-spill lid for a container having a closed end, a peripherally extending sidewall terminating in a rolled rim, and an open end, the lid comprising:
 an annular rim for frictionally engaging the rolled rim of the container;   
     a central region; and
 wherein the annular rim includes an interior sealing wall, an exterior sealing wall, a connecting sealing portion between the interior and exterior sealing walls, a locking ledge formed in the exterior wall and a flared skirt portion, and wherein the interior sealing wall has a length which extends to a point at or below the level of the rolled rim of the container when the lid is positioned therewith, and the locking ledge extends inwardly toward the container to a position which is over twenty five percent of the thickness of the rolled edge of the container and engages the lower surface of the rolled edge of the container. 
 
   
   
       20 . The lid of  claim 19 , wherein the rolled edge of the container is elongated, and the space between the interior and exterior sealing surfaces is elongated to substantially match the shape of the rolled rim of the container. 
   
   
       21 . The lid of  claim 19 , wherein the locking ledge formed in the exterior wall is formed as a continuous annular surface. 
   
   
       22 . The lid of  claim 19 , wherein the flared skirt portion has a length to allow grasping between fingers of a user. 
   
   
       23 . The lid of  claim 19 , wherein the connecting portion has an extending portion adapted to engage the top of the rolled rim of the container when the lid is positioned thereon. 
   
   
       24 . A disposable anti-spill drinking lid for a disposable paper container having a closed end, a peripherally extending sidewall terminating in a rolled rim, and an open end, the lid comprising:
 an annular engagement rim for frictionally engaging the rolled rim of the container;   an integral drinking spout extending from the top surface of the lid and positioned to allow drinking therethrough by tipping of the container toward a user;   wherein the lid is formed of a plastic material having tensile strength and ductility characteristics such that the integral spout can deflect from its extended position and thereafter substantially returns to its original position.   
   
   
       25 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the spout has a leakage prevention system associated therewith. 
   
   
       26 . The lid of  claim 25 , wherein the leakage prevention system is formed as leakage prevention openings formed in a platform recessed in the spout. 
   
   
       27 . The lid of  claim 26 , wherein the leakage prevention openings are normally closed slits which are selectively opened to allow a liquid to pass therethrough. 
   
   
       28 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the spout has an oval type of shape, with two opposing sides having substantially larger dimensions than the other opposing sides, with depressions formed in the larger opposing sides of the spout. 
   
   
       29 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the lid is formed of a plastic material having a gauge in the range of 0.005 to 0.060 inches. 
   
   
       30 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the lid is formed of a plastic material having properties to allow thermoforming thereof. 
   
   
       31 . The lid of  claim 24 , further comprising a central domed region. 
   
   
       32 . The lid of  claim 24 , further comprising a central depression region. 
   
   
       33 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the lid has a central region from which the integral spout extends, and an annular shock absorbing structure disposed around the central region. 
   
   
       34 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the integral spout is dimensioned to accept a drinking straw. 
   
   
       35 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the lid is a single-use lid. 
   
   
       36 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the lid is formed of a recyclable material. 
   
   
       37 . The lid of  claim 35 , wherein the lid is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephtalate glycol, polyethylene terephtalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, styrene or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       38 . The lid of  claim 24 , wherein the integral spout is formed to have compression resistance to inhibit collapsing of the spout from a biting or chewing action of a user, and wherein the spout upon being deformed from its original shape returns to the original shape. 
   
   
       39 . An anti-spill single-use lid for a disposable paper container having a closed end, a peripherally extending sidewall terminating in a rolled rim, and an open end, the lid comprising:
 an annular rim for frictionally engaging the rolled rim of the container;   a central region having a domed configuration;   an integral drinking spout extending from the top surface of the lid and positioned to allow drinking therethrough by tipping of the container toward a user, with the integral spout having a leakage prevention system associated therewith; and   an annular shock-absorbing structure disposed between the annular rim and the central region;   wherein the annular shock-absorbing structure is at least one channel formed around the central region, the at least one channel having first and second side walls and a connecting bottom wall, with the first and second side walls and bottom wall providing a predetermined amount of extension and contraction at the location of the at least one channel to absorb forces applied to the lid, integral spout and/or container and facilitate retention of the lid on the container when forces from dropping, tipping, falling or squeezing are applied thereto.   
   
   
       40 . A container lid having a straw receiving system for acceptance of a drinking straw, wherein the straw receiving system comprises an aperture having a shape and size and a side wall with a length, wherein the shape and size substantially matches the shape and size of a straw to be inserted, and the side wall sealingly engages an exterior wall of a straw inserted therein to substantially prevent leakage around the inserted straw. 
   
   
       41 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the side wall forms a sleeve which sealingly engages the exterior of the inserted straw. 
   
   
       42 . The straw system of  claim 41  wherein the sleeve has a portion which extends downwardly from the lid into the container. 
   
   
       43 . The straw system of  claim 41  wherein the sleeve extends upward from the lid. 
   
   
       44 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the sleeve is flexible to permit the user directional control of the straw when the straw is inserted into the container. 
   
   
       45 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the sleeve has a frangible platform to seal the container contents prior to insertion of the straw through the sleeve wherein the frangible platform will remain attached after the straw is inserted in the sleeve. 
   
   
       46 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the radial dimensions of the sleeve can be manufactured to sealingly engage with the radial dimensions of commercially-available straws. 
   
   
       47 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the shape of the sleeve can be manufactured to sealingly engage with the varying shapes of commercially-available straws. 
   
   
       48 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the sleeve includes at least one bead to sealingly engage the straw and prevent leakage of contents of container between the straw and lid at the straw insertion hole. 
   
   
       49 . The straw system of  claim 40  wherein the straw sleeve is located anywhere on the lid surface. 
   
   
       50 . A disposable cup for single-use types of applications, comprising 
     a side wall form made of a paper material which is selectively shaped to form the side wall of a cup, and a bottom wall form selectively combined with the side wall form to produce a cup having an open top for receiving and retaining a liquid, the side wall form making a frustoconical side wall with an internal lining of a liquid-impervious material, and a top portion thereof being formed into a rolled rim at a mouth of the cup at a top thereof, and a portion of the side wall form being overlapped at the edges to form an overlap region in the frustoconical shaped side wall of the cup, with at least a portion of the overlap region adjacent the top thereof having a tapered portion such that upon formation of the rolled rim, any disconformity in the overlap region of the rolled rim is minimized.