Drink lids that visually warn a consumer when the cup's lid is ajar

Abstract

Beverage cups and beverage lids that visibly warn a consumer when the cup's lid is ajar. This invention is especially beneficial for the safe consumption of scalding hot drinks such as coffee, tea and hot chocolate where spillage can cause serious burns to the face and body.

We claim: 
     
         1 . The combination of a beverage cup and corresponding separate lid that have visual means for warning a consumer when said corresponding lid is ajar in order to prevent scalding accidents and messy spills; additionally, providing a small opening in said corresponding lid to drink beverage through, whereby, the consumer is visibly aware prior to taking the first sip of beverage whether or not said corresponding lid is ajar, visual warning means comprising a colored or patterned portion positioned at or near the top of said beverage cup that functions as a warning only when used in combination with said corresponding lid, whereby, said combination visually relays the attachment status of said corresponding lid to the consumer. 
     
     
         2 . The cup and lid of  claim 1 , wherein said visual means for warning a consumer is by providing translucent color-coding in the circular coupling channel on said corresponding lid. 
     
     
         3 . The cup and lid of  claim 2 , wherein said cup contains a colored rim, whereby, when said circular coupling channel is snapped over said colored rim, a circle of uniform color will be visible to the consumer on the top of said corresponding lid, thereby, letting the consumer know it is safe to enjoy their beverage. 
     
     
         4 . The cup and lid of  claim 1 , wherein said visual means for warning a consumer is by providing a colored rim on said cup. 
     
     
         5 . The cup and lid of  claim 4 , wherein said lid is cloudy, yet translucent, and the rim of said cup is colored, whereby, the colored cup rim will be fully visible to the consumer only when the lid's circular coupling channel is securely snapped over said colored cup rim. 
     
     
         6 . The cup and lid of  claim 1 , wherein said visual means for warning a consumer is by providing a narrow area of color under the rim of said cup. 
     
     
         7 . The cup and lid of  claim 1 , wherein said visual means for warning a consumer is by providing a narrow area of pattern under the rim of said cup. 
     
     
         8 . The cup and lid of  claim 1 , wherein said lid is basically light impermeable except for a narrow transparent band on a the crest portion of the circular coupling channel which snaps over the colored rim of said cup. 
     
     
         9 . The process of providing beverage cups and beverage lids that visibly warn the consumer when the cup's lid is ajar; comprising the following steps of:
 a. providing a color-coded rim on a cup,   b. snapping a corresponding beverage lid over the color-coded rim on said cup,   c. providing said cup with a small opening to drink a beverage through;   d. utilizing the above steps, whereby, a consumer will visibly see a full circle of one consistent color on the top of said beverage lid, if said beverage lid is securely attached.   
     
     
         10 . The combination of a beverage container and a separate corresponding lid, wherein said combination has a means to visibly warn an unsuspecting consumer when the lid to said beverage container is ajar, visual warning means comprising providing a circular coupling channel on said lid which forms a circle of uniform color when said lid is firmly attached to the rim of said beverage container and said circular coupling channel forming a circle of non-uniform color and shade when said lid is ajar, whereby, a consumer visually knows whether the cup's lid is secure or ajar.