Disposable Lid with Integrated Straw-type Mouthpiece, Finger Indentations and Pressure Equalization Valve to Fit Standard Sized Disposable Drinking Cups

Abstract

A lid for a drinking cup that combines a straw and a lid (hereafter referred to as a straw-lid) and which comprises an integrated straw-type mouthpiece portion as a primary feature for the purpose of eliminating the traditional drinking straw. The lid also comprises finger indentations to promote stability while tipping the cup forward to drink from the integrated straw-type mouthpiece, and a pressure equalization valve to encourage ease of flow and prevent a vacuum. The lid is fitted to the top of a variety of standard sized disposable or reusable cups and is constructed of disposable or reusable materials, particularly polymeric by method of thermoforming or injection molding.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drinking cup lid as a single piece combination drinking straw and cup lid (hereafter referred to as a straw-lid) comprising
 an integrated straw mouthpiece consisting of a tall hollow tubular portion rising from the surface of the lid platform with a top opening at the pinnacle of the tube and bottom opening from the under side of the lid   an integrated straw mouthpiece with no descending portion beneath the lid   a straw-lid with the purpose of drinking a beverage from a cup by method of tipping and sipping   a straw-lid made in the method of thermoforming or injection molding with polymer for disposable or reusable purposes   a straw-lid comprised of polymeric material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, acrylic and the like   a straw-lid that is made to be stackable, saving shelf or counter space while eliminating the need and extra space for straws   a straw-lid that is fashioned to accommodate a variety of drinks and beverages of various temperatures, consistencies, thicknesses and additives, such as candy pieces   a straw-lid that is safe and easily used by individuals of all ages and abilities   a straw-lid that reduces the amount of plastic needed for separate straw and lid by eliminating the need for a straw   
     
     
         2 . A straw-lid comprising a set of finger indentations formed into the top of the lid platform for the purpose of lid security
 the finger indentations presenting a suggestive mean for a method of drinking from the straw-lid   the suggestive mean of the finger indentations to encourage the user to crook a finger up over the outer edge of the straw lid to hold it in place while tipping the cup bottom upward to perform the tip and sip function of the straw-lid   
     
     
         3 . A straw-lid of  claim 1  comprising an inward formed pressure equalization valve to prevent a vacuum forming while drinking from the straw portion 
     
     
         4 . A straw-lid of  claim 3  comprising a pressure equalization valve formed as an inward hole punch on a slightly raised surrounding platform on the surface of the lid platform to funnel air in and out of the cup while drinking 
     
     
         5 . A straw-lid of  claim 1  with a rolled upper rim to accommodate a variety of drinking cup openings such as the rolled edges of paper or plastic or thickened straight edges of Styrofoam or glass fitted to a cup rim with a leak-proof feature comprising a contour crease and band seal located below the rolled edge of the straw-lid rim
 a rolled upper rim that curves around the upper cup rim and tightly cinches in with a contour crease beneath the upper cup rim 
 a band seal descends downward from the contour crease to create a continuous leak proof seal around the circumference of the outer top edge of the cup 
 a bottom edge of the straw-lid extends outward to form a ledge or a skirt with which to leverage the removal of the lid for refilling or freshening purposes or to discard or recycle after use 
 
     
     
         6 . A straw-lid of  claim 1  may include helpful design options such as flavor indicator bubbles, logos, labels or warnings 
     
     
         7 . The method of thermoforming of comprising a process wherein the mold made in the image of the straw-lid is positioned for thermoforming as “male” 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the holes formed at the pinnacle opening of the straw mouthpiece and the pressure equalization valve are cut using a multi-level double full hole punch from a “female” mold perspective 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the punched holes are removed by full vacuum assist