Single use substance filled insert for disposable beverage lids

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to devices, systems and/or methods for storing a substance in the lid of a disposable container. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a lid for use with disposable cups such as hot beverage cups. The lid may have a recess adapted to receive a sealed substance-filled receptacle. The receptacle may be adapted to be detachably received into the recess such that it may be released from the recess by user before, during or after the consumption of the contents of the cup. The receptacle may reside in the lid in a manner which does not inhibit the use of the cup and/or lid as intended. Moreover, the receptacle may be substantially flush with the surface of the lid such that there is no resulting protrusion. The substance enclosed in the receptacle may be, for example, an oral hygiene product.

1 . A lid adapted to be received onto a beverage container, the lid comprising:
 a circular, beverage container coupling portion adapted to be frictionally engaged with a top rim of the beverage container;   a circular flange extending downwards from the coupling portion, adapted to substantially cover the top rim of a beverage container;   a substantially circular elevated rim extending upwards from the coupling portion, the rim being substantially contiguous, extending circumferentially around the lid;   an aperture disposed along the rim, the aperture adapted for the consumption of a beverage from the beverage container by a user;   a substantially cylindrical recess disposed radially inwards from the rim, the recess being distally located from the aperture, wherein the recess has a contiguous cylindrical side wall and flat bottom; and   a receptacle adapted to be releasably nested into the recess, wherein the receptacle has a substantially cylindrical side wall, a bottom, and a top, further wherein the top is covered by a lid.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the recess extends downwards to substantially the same elevation as a bottom edge of the flange. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the recess extends downwards to substantially the same elevation as a bottom edge of the flange. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has an oral hygiene substance disposed therein. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially cylindrical side wall is tapered inwards as the side wall extends to the bottom. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the oral hygiene substance is liquid mouthwash. 
     
     
         7 . A system, comprising:
 a cup having a horizontally disposed bottom and a continuous side wall which terminates at a top end with an opening, wherein a flat bottom is disposed substantially near a lower extremity of the sidewall to form a hollow region;   a lid formed of a unitary body having a lower flange that corresponds to and mates with the top end of the cup, forming a releasably affixed connection, wherein the lid has an aperture and a cylindrical recess which forms a borehole with a substantially planar bottom and opened top; and   a sealed receptacle having a substance disposed therein, wherein the receptacle is formed of a horizontally disposed bottom and a continuous side wall which terminates at a top end with lid, further wherein the receptacle is adapted to be releasably affixed into the recess such that the receptacle may be released from the recess by a user.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the receptacle is statically embedded in the recess using frictional contact between a flange disposed along a sidewall of the recess and a corresponding flange on an exterior of the side wall of the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the receptacle is statically embedded in the recess using a releasable adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the exterior diameter of the receptacle substantially conforms to the interior diameter of the recess such that the receptacle may be statically pressed into and stored in the recess using friction between the side wall of the receptacle and the interior wall of the recess. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein a diameter of the side wall of receptacle is tapers downward such that the diameter is reduced as the side wall extends towards the bottom; and
 further wherein the diameter of a side wall of the recess tapers downwards such that the diameter is reduced as the side wall extends towards towards the bottom of the recess.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom of the recess extends downwards at least past a lower extremity of the lower flange.