Disposable leak-resistant lid

Abstract

A disposable leak-resistant lid and accompanying method for a place of sales for offering such a lid is described. The helically threaded lid is intended as an alternative to the traditional helically-threaded closure that accompanies most beverage containers are originally packaged with. The invention described is intended for children and would allow any container that utilizes the common screw-on caps to be modified into a sippy-cup.

1 . A disposable leak-resistant lid comprising:
 A crown, wherein the crown further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface provides a spout, having a spout opening disposed to communicate the top surface with the bottom surface, and wherein no substantial amount of liquid may pass through said spout opening unless sufficient suction is applied; and   A lid skirt, wherein the lid skirt is associated circumferentially with said crown, and downwardly extends from said crown, and disposed to helically thread onto the externally threaded opening of a container for sealing such a container in a fluid-tight manner, and wherein said container is originally manufactured utilizing a traditional, helically-threaded closure, wherein said traditional closure restricts any fluid stored within said container to be able to pass through the opening of said container, unless said closure is unthreaded and removed.   
     
     
         2 . The disposable leak-resistant lid of  claim 1 , wherein the spout opening is at least one small hole. 
     
     
         3 . The disposable leak-resistant lid of  claim 1 , wherein the spout further includes a valve assembly, wherein said valve assembly is mountable to the bottom surface of said crown, and wherein said valve assembly is designed so that the valve remains closed, restricting fluid communication from said bottom surface to said top surface until sufficient suction is applied. 
     
     
         4 . The disposable leak-resistant lid of  claim 1 , wherein the spout is located near the circumference of said top surface. 
     
     
         5 . The disposable leak-resistant lid of  claim 1 , wherein the crown is generally cone shaped, defined by a circular base that protrudes to a plateau located in the center of the disposable leak-resistant lid, and wherein the spout is located atop said plateau. 
     
     
         6 . The disposable leak-resistant lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is manufactured using a thermoformed process. 
     
     
         7 . A method of providing a disposable leak-resistant lid, comprising the steps of:
 selling a beverage, wherein said beverage is packaged in a container, utilizing a traditional, helically-threaded closure, wherein said traditional closure restricts any fluid stored within said container to be able to pass through the opening of said container, unless said closure is unthreaded and removed; and   offering the consumer the option of utilizing the disposable leak-resistant lid to attach to said container as an alternative to said traditional closure.   
     
     
         8 . A disposable leak-resistant device comprising:
 a disposable container, wherein the container is defined by an interior cavity and top opening, wherein said top opening is associated with said interior cavity, wherein a stored liquid may freely pass from the container's interior cavity through said opening, and wherein said opening is externally, helically threaded, and able to receive a reciprocating helically threaded closure so that the newly formed seal is fluid-tight; and   a disposable lid, comprising a crown and lid skirt, wherein the crown further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface provides a spout, having a spout opening disposed to communicate the top surface with the bottom surface, and wherein no substantial amount of liquid may pass through said spout opening unless suction is applied, and wherein said lid skirt is associated circumferentially with said crown, and downwardly extends from said crown, and disposed to helically thread onto the reciprocating, externally threaded opening of said container for sealing said container in a fluid-tight manner.   
     
     
         9 . The disposable leak-resistant device of  claim 8 , wherein the spout opening is at least one small hole. 
     
     
         10 . The disposable leak-resistant device of  claim 8 , wherein the spout further includes a valve assembly, wherein said valve assembly is mountable to the bottom surface of said crown, and wherein said valve assembly is designed so that the valve remains closed, restricting fluid communication from said bottom surface to said top surface until sufficient suction is applied. 
     
     
         11 . The disposable leak-resistant device of  claim 8  wherein the spout is located near the circumference of said top surface of said crown. 
     
     
         12 . The disposable leak-resistant device of  claim 8 , wherein the crown is generally cone shaped, defined by a circular base that protrudes to a plateau located in the center of the disposable leak-resistant lid, and wherein the spout is located atop said plateau. 
     
     
         13 . The disposable leak-resistant lid of  claim 8 , wherein the lid is manufactured using a thermoformed process. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the place of sales has a plurality of beverages offered in various-sized, helically-threaded containers, with various-sized openings, and offering the consumer various sized disposable leak-resistant lids appropriate to the size of the helically-threaded container of the consumer's choice.