US4331255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cup cover
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-08-18
•
Granted: 1982-05-25
•
Expires: 2000-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A unitary nonspilling container cover comprises a pair of similarly dimensioned discoid sections each having a peripheral channel and a flexible hinge connecting their peripheries. The two sections are oriented so that the second section can be flipped over onto the first so that the peripheral channel on the second section engages over the peripheral channel on the first section to provide a shallow space between the two sections bounded by peripheral seal. An array of small openings are provided in the first section leaving a relatively large contiguous imperforate area in that section. A removable tab is provided for forming a drinking opening in the second section, the tab being positioned so that it is disposed opposite the imperforate area in the first section.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. Fournier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:45
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/10; B65D47/103; B65D51/00; B65D51/18; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/0003; B65D2251/0006; B65D2251/0025; B65D2251/0068; B65D2251/0087; B65D2543/00; B65D2543/00009; B65D2543/00018; B65D2543/00046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A cover for a container comprising A. a first discoid cover section, said first cover section including 1. a peripheral channel, said channel being arranged to resiliently engage over the rim of a cup or other container, 2. an array of relatively small openings, and 3. a relatively large contiguous area which is imperforate, B. a second discoid cover section having substantially the same dimensions as the first section, said second cover section having 1. a peripheral channel arranged and adapted to resiliently engage over the channel on the first cover section, and 2. means in the second cover section for producing a defined opening therein, C. an integral hinge connecting the two cover sections so that the second section can be flipped over and superimposed on the first section with its channel engaging the first section channel so as create a shallow passage between the two sections which is bounded by a peripheral fluid-tight seal, the array of openings in the first section and the opening producing means in the second section being positioned relative to the hinge so that, when the two sections are superimposed, the opening producing means is positioned directly above said imperforate area of the first cover section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A cover for a container comprising A. a first discoid cover section, said first cover section including 1. a peripheral channel, said channel being arranged to resiliently engage over the rim of a cup or other container, 2. an array of relatively small openings, and 3. a relatively large contiguous area which is imperforate, B. a second discoid cover section having substantially the same dimensions as the first section, said second cover section having 1. a peripheral channel arranged and adapted to resiliently engage over the channel on the first cover section, and 2. means in the second cover section for producing a defined opening therein, C. an integral hinge connecting the two cover sections so that the second section can be flipped over and superimposed on the first section with its channel engaging the first section channel so as create a shallow passage between the two sections which is bounded by a peripheral fluid-tight seal, the array of openings in the first section and the opening producing means in the second section being positioned relative to the hinge so that, when the two sections are superimposed, the opening producing means is positioned directly above said imperforate area of the first cover section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cover defined in claim 1 wherein the opening producing means comprises a tear tab which can be stripped away to leave an opening in the second cover section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cover defined in claim 1 wherein the two cover sections and hinge are molded together as a single unitary plastic piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cover defined in claim 1 wherein A. at least the central portion of the first cover section slopes relative to the plane defined by the peripheral channel of that section, B. the imperforate portion is located near the top of the slope, and C. at last one said passage is located at the bottom of said slope.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cover defined in claim 1 wherein when said two cover sections are superimposed, the array of openings on the first section and the opening-producing means on the second section are located in adjacent angular sectors about the axis of the two sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1949357A
Cited
US2695732A
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US2867359A
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US3342383A
Cited
US3360161A
Cited
US3680744A
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US3727808A
Cited
US4138033A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-24 | 1985-11-23 | 1986-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-24 | 1989-11-23 | 1990-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-24 | 1993-11-23 | 1994-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |