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US 6,374,726 B1Granted
Lid for beverage container with removable inner cover
AssigneeEspire Incorporated
InventorBruce W. Melton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lid for covering an associated beverage container. The lid attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a central opening with an optional well portion. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the opening into the associated container and then circulates between the inside and outside of the well portion to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. A removable paper inner cover is also provided that seats within the central opening. The paper inner cover snaps into the central opening either alone or over and covering the well portion. The removable paper inner cover may be printed with high quality graphics and text.
Claims14
A lid for a beverage container, comprising:
- a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in a snug, liquid-tight relation,
- an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion,
- said annular cover panel portion having a centrally-located opening to permit insertion of condiments into a beverage while said container attachment portion is attached to an associated container, said centrally-located opening having a cross-sectional area along a vertical plane, said vertical plane being substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the outer circumference of said centrally-located opening, said annular cover panel portion having a cross-sectional area along said vertical plane, said cross-sectional area of said centrally-located opening being greater than said cross-sectional area of said annular cover panel portion,
- a drinking area formed in a portion of said annular cover panel portion, said drinking area including an opening having at least one portion lying radially inwardly of said container attachment portion, and
- a separate cover piece for seating engagement within said centrally-located opening of said annular cover panel portion, said cover piece having an upper surface, said cover piece upper surface being flat and uninterrupted across said cover piece.
2 more elements
A lid for a beverage container, comprising:
- a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in a snug, liquid-tight relation,
- an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion,
- said annular cover panel portion having a centrally-located opening to permit insertion of condiments into a beverage while said container attachment portion is attached to an associated container, said centrally-located opening having a cross-sectional area along a vertical plane, said vertical plane being substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the outer circumference of said centrally-located opening, said annular cover panel portion having a cross-sectional area along said vertical plane, said cross-sectional area of said centrally-located opening being greater than said cross-sectional area of said annular cover panel portion,
- a drinking area formed in a portion of said annular cover panel portion, said drinking area including an opening having at least one portion lying radially inwardly of said container attachment portion, and
- a separate cover piece for seating engagement within sa id centrally-located opening of said annular cover panel portion,
- wherein said cover piece is seated within a groove formed integrally within said centrally-located opening of said annular cover panel portion.
3 more elements
A lid for a beverage container, comprising:
- a container attachment portion for removable association with the rim of an associated liquid container in a snug, liquid-tight relation,
- an annular cover panel portion extending radially inwardly from said container attachment portion,
- said annular cover panel portion having a substantial opening centrally-located therein for the passage of large quantities of liquid into an associated container while said container attachment portion is attached to said associated container, said centrally-located opening having a cross-sectional area along a vertical plane, said vertical plane being substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the outer circumference of said centrally-located opening, said annular cover panel portion having a cross-sectional area along said vertical plane, said cross-sectional area of said centrally-located opening being greater than said cross-sectional area of said annular cover panel portion,
- a drinking area formed in a portion of said annular cover panel portion, said drinking area including an opening having at least one portion lying radially inwardly of said container attachment portion, and
- a separate cover piece for seating engagement within said centrally-located opening of said annular cover panel portion, said cover piece having an upper surface and a lower surface, said cover piece upper surface and said cover lower surface each being flat and uninterrupted across said cover piece.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.