Cup lid system with an expanded lid tab that covers the drinking surface area of the cup lid

Abstract

This invention can comprise a cup lid that is secured to the top of the cup to cover the cup opening to prevent spilling of the cup contents. A lid tab is secured to the top of the cup lid. This lid tab covers the top surface of the cup lid and especially the area of the cup lid that a user will engage in the drinking process. This lid tab serves as a barrier to prevent beverage spilling but more importantly to prevent dust, germs and bacteria from settling on the top surface of the cup lid. The lid tab can also have an extended edge or a tab to enable a user to grasp the extended edge in order to raise the lid shield up from the cup lid and drinking surface of the lid in order to drink.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An improved cup lid for securing on a cup to prevent spilling of liquid contained in the cup and for protecting a drinking area of the cup lid from harmful substances prior to a user drinking from the cup lid, the improved cup lid comprising:
 a cup lid having a generally circular base section with a continuous edge and a front edge section and a rear edge section, an inside edge wall having top and bottom ends with the bottom end connected to and extending slightly upward from the continuous edge of said base section, a top rim with an inner edge and an outer edge and a front section and a rear section, with said inner edge being connected to the top end of said inside edge wall, the outer edge of the top rim being connected to a top edge of an outer side wall, the outer side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, said top rim having a rise positioned at the out edge of the top rim at a location at the rear of section of the base section that is aligned with an aperture in the front section of the top rim; and   a cover tab having a front edge and a rear edge, the rear end being attached to said base section of said cup lid such that the front end of said cover tab extends over a drinking section of the front section of the top rim to cover the drinking section and prevent germs and other contaminants from coming into contact with the drinking section of the top rim, a front cover section of said cover tab extending back from the front edge section of the cover tab has an aperture and downward rise that aligns with the aperture in the front section of the top rim, said cover tab capable of being moved up and down to cover and uncover the aperture in the front section of the top rim.   
     
     
         2 . The improved cup lid as described in  claim 1  wherein the outer wall of said cup lid increases in height from the rear section of said base to the front section of the base such that the height at the front section of the outer wall is higher than rear section. 
     
     
         3 . The improved cup lid as described in  claim 2  wherein the front section of the outer wall of said cup lid and the front section of the top rim form a drinking area of the cup lid. 
     
     
         4 . The improved cup lid as described in  claim 1  wherein said cover tab comprises a hinge section at the rear edge to facilitate covering and uncovering the drinking section of the top rim. 
     
     
         5 . The improved cup lid as described in  claim 1  wherein the rear edge of the cover tab connects to said base section of the said cup lid. 
     
     
         6 . The improved cup lid as described in  claim 1  wherein said cup lid and said cover tab are comprised of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         7 . The improved cup lid as described in  claim 1  wherein said cup lid comprises a shape that conforms to a shape formed by the inside edge, top rim and outer wall at the front edge of the base of the cup lid.