Container lid and related methods

Abstract

A lid for use with a beverage container, comprising: (a) a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular; (b) a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; (c) a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall; and (d) a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; the top wall including a central planar region which is pre-scored to be pushed downward to hold a reservoir adapted to contain a food condiment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dipping sauce-holding beverage container 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; and a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; the top wall including a central planar region which is pre-scored an adapted for being pushed in and downward to hold a reservoir adapted for holding a food condiment. 
     
     
         2 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the top wall further comprises an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the rib is releasably connectable to the beverage container. 
     
     
         4 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the skirt is adapted to regulate vertical displacement of the lid when stacked with a plurality of other lids. 
     
     
         5 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the pre-scored reservoir is polygonal and includes a plurality of pre-score lines. 
     
     
         6 . The container lid of  claim 5  wherein the reservoir is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         7 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is circular. 
     
     
         8 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the reservoir is oval. 
     
     
         9 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the top wall is pre-scored with an H shape to provide for push down access to hold a condiment tub. 
     
     
         10 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the top wall is pre-scored with a plurality of V shapes that meet in a centrally located aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The container lid of  claim 1  which is adapted to have some beverage removed if filled too high before the pre-scored lines are pushed in and a condiment tub inserted therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . The container lid of  claim 1  wherein the lid comprises a plastic or thermoplastic. 
     
     
         13 . A method for making a lid for use in association with a beverage container, said lid 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; and a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; said top wall including a central planar region which is pre-scored to be pushed downward to hold a reservoir adapted to contain a food condiment, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing the aforementioned lid; and   (b) pre-scoring a plurality of push-in lines into the top wall so as to enable a user to insert the reservoir therein.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , which further includes:
 (c) pre-scoring a plurality of lid fold lines into the top wall.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the push-in lines are H-shaped. 
     
     
         16 . A method for using a condiment tub-holding lid in combination with a container, comprising the steps of:
 (a) 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; and a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; the top wall including a central planar region which is pre-scored to be pushed downward to hold a third party's reservoir adapted to contain a food condiment;   (b) pre-scoring into the lid a plurality of push-in lines for the user to create a reservoir-holding region in the top wall when needed;   (c) providing a container for holding at least some drinking beverage, with or without ice;   (d) securing the lid to the container;   (e) if over-filled, removing a slight amount of beverage from the container through a straw inserted into an aperture in the lid;   (f) pushing in the pre-scored lines in the top wall; and   (g) positioning a condiment container into the recess in the top wall created by pushing in at the pre-scored lines.