Multi-user Lid for Beverage Containers

Abstract

A drinking cup lid has at least two drinking regions, including a first drinking region defining a first opening and a second drinking region defining a second opening. The lid can form part of a beverage container that also has a cup defining a volume that can hold a single liquid, the cup having an opening defined by a rim. The lid can include a lip that mates with the cup rim. The multiple openings can be used for accommodating multiple drinking straws or for drinking directly from the beverage container. At least one drinking region or opening can include a distinguishing marker.

1 . A drinking cup lid for use with a non-divided cup, the lid comprising:
 at least two drinking regions, including a first drinking region defining a first opening and a second drinking region defining a second opening.   
     
     
         2 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second openings includes a cutout portion configured to accommodate insertion of a drinking straw. 
     
     
         3 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second drinking regions are abut each other. 
     
     
         4 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second drinking regions are spaced apart. 
     
     
         5 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first drinking region, second drinking region, first opening, and second opening includes a marker distinguishing the at least one of the first drinking region, second drinking region, first opening, and second opening from the others of the first drinking region, second drinking region, first opening, and second opening. 
     
     
         6 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 5 , wherein the marker includes a protrusion or indentation. 
     
     
         7 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 5 , wherein the marker includes a unique shape. 
     
     
         8 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , further comprising more than two drinking regions defining more than two respective openings. 
     
     
         9 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , wherein the drinking cup lid is a disposable drinking cup lid. 
     
     
         10 . The drinking cup lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a threaded portion configured to mate with a threaded portion of a cup. 
     
     
         11 . A beverage container comprising:
 a cup defining a volume that holds a single liquid, the cup having an opening defined by a rim; and   a drinking cup lid that mates with the cup rim, the lid comprising at least two drinking regions providing access to the single liquid, including a first drinking region defining a first opening and a second drinking region defining a second opening.   
     
     
         12 . The beverage container of  claim 11 , wherein each of the first and second openings includes a cutout portion configured to accommodate insertion of a drinking straw. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage container of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first drinking region, second drinking region, first opening, and second opening includes a unique marker distinguishing the at least one of the first drinking region, second drinking region, first opening, and second opening from the others of the first drinking region, second drinking region, first opening, and second opening. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage container of  claim 13 , wherein the marker includes a protrusion or indentation. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage container of  claim 13 , wherein the marker includes a unique shape. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage container of  claim 11 , wherein the lid further comprises more than two drinking regions defining more than two respective openings. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage container of  claim 11 , wherein the drinking cup lid is a disposable drinking cup lid. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage container of  claim 11 , wherein the lid further comprises a threaded portion configured to mate with a threaded portion of the cup. 
     
     
         19 . A disposable drinking cup lid comprising:
 at least two drinking regions, including a first drinking region defining a first opening and a second drinking region defining a second opening,   wherein the first drinking region includes a marker distinguishing the first drinking region from the second drinking region.   
     
     
         20 . The disposable drinking cup lid of  claim 19 , wherein each of the first and second openings includes a cutout portion configured to accommodate insertion of a drinking straw.