# US 11,297,963 B2 · Lid for container > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,297,963 B2 - Document ID: US11297963B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/595,334 - Filed: 2019-10-07 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-08 - Assignees: Harl-Bella Holdings, LLC - Applicants: Harl-Bella Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Samuel Lincoln Brannock - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11297963B2 ## CPC - A47G 19/2272: {from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers} - B65D 43/02: Removable lids or covers (with means for piercing, cutting, or tearing a frangible inner closure B65D51/22) - B65D 43/0212: {only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth (B65D43/0206 takes precedence)} - B65D 43/06: having a peripheral channel embracing the rim of the container - B65D 47/06: with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages (with slidable spouts B65D47/26) - B65D 47/20: comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge (closures with discharge by pumping {B05B11/10}) - B65D 47/36: Closures with frangible parts adapted to be pierced, torn or removed, to provide discharge openings (caps with pierceable membranes B65D41/20, B65D41/50; arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures B65D51/18) - B65D 51/16: with means for venting air or gas - B65D 2203/12: Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means (B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence) - B65D 2205/02: Venting holes - B65D 2543/00046: Drinking-through lids - B65D 2543/00092: circular - B65D 2543/00509: Cup - B65D 2543/00537: on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container - B65D 2543/00731: Groove or hollow bead - B65D 2543/00796: Totality - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A lid for a container is described. The lid has a basin that is designed to enhance the user's olfactory experience when drinking a beverage from the container and lid. As the user tilts the container and lid to take a drink, the beverage pours through an opening on the basin valley and flows across a sipping surface area to the user's mouth, thus allowing the beverage to aerate, evaporate, and cool. The basin is sized and dimensioned to channel and concentrate the vapor rising from the beverage towards the user's nose as the user sips the beverage. The basin and the opening are sized and dimensioned to provide a comfortable and secure feeling when drinking hot beverages. In this manner, the lid enhances the drinker's olfactory experience and provides better controllability of the flow of a hot beverage to prevent burn injuries. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of enlarging an opening on a lid, wherein the lid comprises: a ridge comprising an inward-facing wall and an outward-facing wall that meet at a top surface; wherein the top surface comprises a first width and a second width that are each disposed on different portions of the ridge, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width; wherein the ridge comprises a widened ridge portion where the top surface is the first width; and an opening disposed proximal to the widened ridge portion; the method comprising, (i) pinching together a portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and a portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion or (ii) applying a force on the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion to thereby enlarge the opening; and (i) applying a force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion or (ii) pinching a portion of the top surface in the widened ridge portion and a portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion to further enlarge the opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein (i) applying the force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion or (ii) pinching the portion of the top surface in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion to further enlarge the opening comprises creating a tear on one or more of the inward-facing wall and the top surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein creating the tear on one or more of the inward-facing wall and the top surface comprises tearing onto the top surface to thereby at least partially collapse the top surface in the widened ridge portion and decrease the first width of the top surface to a reduced width. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein applying the force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion creates a tear on one or more of the inward-facing wall and the top surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein pinching together the portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion to enlarge the opening comprises creating a tear on one or more of the inward-facing wall and the top surface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, the portion of the inward-facing wall and the portion of the outward-facing wall are at or near top surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a tear line on the inward-facing wall, and wherein (i) pinching together the portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion or (ii) applying the force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion to thereby enlarge the opening comprises rupturing the tear line to enlarge the opening. ### Claim 8 A method of enlarging an opening on a lid, wherein the lid comprises: a ridge comprising an inward-facing wall and an outward-facing wall that meet at a top surface; wherein the top surface comprises a first width that is greater than a second width; and wherein the ridge comprises a widened ridge portion where the top surface is the first width; the method comprising, tearing the lid to thereby create the opening; and creating a tear on one or more of the inward-facing wall and the top surface by (i) pinching together a portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and a portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion, (ii) applying a force on the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion, or (iii) applying a force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion to thereby enlarge the opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the lid comprises a first tear line, and wherein tearing the lid to thereby create the opening comprises rupturing the first tear line to create the opening. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the lid comprises a second tear line, and wherein (i) pinching together the portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion or (ii) applying the force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion to thereby enlarge the opening comprises rupturing the second tear line to enlarge the opening. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the second tear line is disposed on the inward-facing wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the lid comprises a third tear line, and wherein (i) pinching together the portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion or (ii) applying the force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion to thereby enlarge the opening comprises rupturing the second tear line and the third tear line to enlarge the opening. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the second tear line and the third tear line are disposed on the inward-facing wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein (i) pinching together the portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion or (ii) applying the force on the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion enlarges the opening, and further comprising (i) applying a force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion or (ii) pinching a portion of the top surface in the widened ridge portion and a portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion to further enlarge the opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein (i) applying the force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion or (ii) pinching the portion of the top surface in the widened ridge portion and the portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion to further enlarge the opening comprises creating a tear on one or more of the inward-facing wall and the top surface. ### Claim 16 A method of enlarging an opening on a lid, wherein the lid comprises: a ridge comprising an inward-facing wall and an outward-facing wall that meet at a top surface; wherein the top surface comprises a first width and a second width that are each disposed on different portions of the ridge, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width; wherein the ridge comprises a widened ridge portion where the top surface is the first width; and an opening disposed proximal to the widened ridge portion; the method comprising: (i) pinching together a portion of the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion and a portion of the outward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion, (ii) applying a force on the inward-facing wall in the widened ridge portion, or (iii) applying a force to the top surface in the widened ridge portion to thereby permanently enlarge the opening without a tear being created on the lid.