Disposable beverage lid

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to disposable beverage lids which may be used in conjunction with beverage containers. In one embodiment, a disposable beverage lid is generally circular and configured to removeably couple to a beverage container. The lid may include an elevated rim in-set and about the periphery thereof with a dome within a recess defined by the elevated rim. A plurality of apertures may be located within a channel defined by an inner wall of the elevated rim and an outer periphery of the dome.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for coupling to a beverage container, comprising:
 a beverage lid of a unitary construction having:
 a beverage container coupling portion defining as first reverse bottom-facing surface configured to at least partially mate with a lip of the beverage container; 
 a flange extending downwardly from the coupling portion; 
 an elevated rim extending upwardly from an inner periphery of the coupling portion with the elevated rim defining a recess with a bottom substantially defined by a dome and a channel defined by a first annular boundary segment corresponding to the inner periphery of the elevated rim and a second annular boundary segment corresponding to the outer periphery of the dome, and further defining a second reverse bottom-facing surface open to the beverage container upon fixation of the beverage lid thereto; and 
 a plurality of apertures defined at least partially by the channel. 
   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of apertures is symmetrically spaced about an entirety of the channel. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of apertures is aggregated in at least one group. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first bottom-facing surface at least partially defines a first groove and the second bottom-facing surface at least partially defines a second groove. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the channel is oblique relative to a curvature of the dome and the elevated rim. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the dome and the elevated rim at least partially define the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures is approximately 0.050 inches in width. 
     
     
         28 . A lid, the lid comprising:
 a unitary, circular structure adapted to removably couple to a rim of a cup, the structure including an elevated rim, a dome within an area defined by an inner periphery of the elevated rim, and a channel defined by a first annular boundary segment corresponding to an outer periphery of the dome and a second annular boundary segment corresponding to the inner periphery of the elevated rim, and a reverse of the elevated rim defining a surface open to the cup with the circular structure being coupled to the rim of the cup.   
     
     
         29 . The lid of  claim 28  wherein a plurality of drinking ports is symmetrically spaced about the entirety of the channel. 
     
     
         30 . The lid of  claim 28  wherein the plurality of drinking ports is aggregated in at least one group within the channel. 
     
     
         31 . The lid of  claim 28  wherein at least one of the plurality of drinking ports is approximately 0.050 inches in width. 
     
     
         32 . The lid of  claim 28 , further comprising, a cup coupling portion about the elevated rim on an outer periphery thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The lid of  claim 32 , further comprising, a flange extending downwardly from the cup coupling portion. 
     
     
         34 . The lid of  claim 28 , wherein the channel is oblique relative to a curvature of the dome and a planar segment of the inner periphery of the elevated rim. 
     
     
         35 . The lid of  claim 29 , wherein the surface is part of a groove defined by the reverse of the elevated rim. 
     
     
         36 . A lid with an integral, unitary lid structure having an exterior side and an opposed interior side for interfacing with an opening of a beverage container, the lid comprising:
 a circular outer splash reception channel defined by the interior side of the lid structure;   a central splash deflection surface defined by the interior side of the lid structure and surrounded by the circular outer splash reception channel; and   one or more spaced splash redirection cover elements interconnecting the outer splash reception channel and the central splash deflection surface between a first boundary segment of an outer periphery of the central splash deflection surface and a second boundary segment of an inner periphery of the circular outer splash reception channel.   
     
     
         37 . The lid of  claim 36 , wherein adjacent to the plurality of spaced redirection cover elements there is correspondingly defined a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         38 . The lid of  claim 37 , wherein the splash redirection cover elements are oblique to the central splash deflection surface. 
     
     
         39 . The lid of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of apertures corresponds to a splash escapement segment, with liquid splashed otherwise blocked from escapement by the splash reception channel, the splash deflection surface, and the splash redirection cover elements. 
     
     
         40 . The lid of  claim 36 , wherein a first part of the central splash deflection surface has a semi-spherical shape.