Container lid and associated method for using the same

Abstract

A lid for use in association with a beverage container including: a side wall, a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall, and wherein the rib is releasably connectable to the beverage container; a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and a reservoir associated with the top wall, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A lid for use in association with a beverage container, comprising:
 a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular;   a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall;   a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall;   a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and   a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments.   
     
     
         2 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the top wall further comprises an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the side wall and the top wall form a generally frusto-conical region. 
     
     
         4 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the rib is releasably connectable to the beverage container. 
     
     
         5 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the skirt is adapted to regulate vertical displacement of the lid when stacked with one or more other lid(s). 
     
     
         6 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is associated with the top wall. 
     
     
         7 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises four side walls in a spaced-apart relationship. 
     
     
         8 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is positioned proximate to at least one of ice and a flowable liquid to controllably regulate the temperature of a condiment positioned in the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a paper product. 
     
     
         10 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         12 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of an aliphatic polyamide, a semi-aromatic polyamide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of nylon PA 6, nylon PA 66, nylon PA 6/66, nylon PA 66/610, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of a polycarbonate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a nylon, a copolyester, a polystyrene, a high impact polystyrene, a polyphenylene oxide, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . A lid for use in association with a beverage container, consisting of:
 a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular;   a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall, and wherein the top wall includes an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough;   a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall;   a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and   a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is associated with the top wall and adapted to contain one or more condiments.   
     
     
         16 . A process for using a lid in combination with a container, comprising the steps of:
 providing a lid, comprising:
 a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular; 
 a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; 
 a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall; 
 a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and 
 a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments; 
   providing a container;   associating at least one of ice and a liquid with the container;   securing the lid to the container;   associating a condiment with the reservoir region of the lid; and   controlling the temperature of the condiment with the at least one of ice and liquid in the container.