US4631715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio straw and cup lid
Assignee: TEK LABORATORIES Inc A CORP OF MICHIGAN
•
Filing: 1985-05-06
•
Granted: 1986-12-23
•
Expires: 2005-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A beverage container lid made of relatively thin, flexible and sound resounding material, provided with cross-slits at its center with a sound reading member in the form of a sharp projection engageable with an in-depth recording soundtrack linearly embossed on the peripheral surface of a coacting drinking straw. By pushing the drinking straw through the cross-slits in the lid, the sharp projection engages the linear soundtrack on the straw thus causing the lid to vibrate and emit a sound corresponding to that recorded on the straw soundtrack.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence E. Hoover
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:34
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B65D51/24; B65D51/248; A; A47; A47G; A47G21/00; A47G21/18; A47G21/182; G; G11; G11B; G11B3/00; G11B3/001; G11B3/68; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
The combination of a cup lid having a pair of cross-slits for allowing passage therethrough of a drinking straw, said cup lid being made of substantially thin resilient material, said drinking straw having at least one longitudinal linear soundtrack embossed on its surface, said soundtrack consisting of a series of embossed crests and valleys according to a specific audio modulation, said cross-slits on said lid forming a plurality of substantially triangular flaps having adjoining tips, one of said flaps having a stylus-like projection having a sharp apex formed at the tip of said one of said flaps for engagement with said soundtrack when said drinking straw is pushed through said cross-slits causing said one of said flaps having said stylus-like projection to bend and thereby engage the apex of said stylus-like projection with said soundtrack, whereby said lid is set in vibration for emitting a sound corresponding to said soundtrack on said drinking straw, wherein said drinking straw has a plurality of longitudinal linear soundtracks and means at the tip of the flaps other than said one of said flaps provided with said stylus-like projection preventing engagement of the tip of said other flaps with said soundtracks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
The combination of a cup lid having a pair of cross-slits for allowing passage therethrough of a drinking straw, said cup lid being made of substantially thin resilient material, said drinking straw having at least one longitudinal linear soundtrack embossed on its surface, said soundtrack consisting of a series of embossed crests and valleys according to a specific audio modulation, said cross-slits on said lid forming a plurality of substantially triangular flaps having adjoining tips, one of said flaps having a stylus-like projection having a sharp apex formed at the tip of said one of said flaps for engagement with said soundtrack when said drinking straw is pushed through said cross-slits causing said one of said flaps having said stylus-like projection to bend and thereby engage the apex of said stylus-like projection with said soundtrack, whereby said lid is set in vibration for emitting a sound corresponding to said soundtrack on said drinking straw, wherein said drinking straw has a plurality of longitudinal linear soundtracks and means at the tip of the flaps other than said one of said flaps provided with said stylus-like projection preventing engagement of the tip of said other flaps with said soundtracks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said means comprises a smooth rounded dimple formed in said other flaps proximate the tip of said other flaps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said stylus-like projection is a conical projection embossed in said one of said flaps at the tip thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said stylus-like projection is a conical projection embossed in said one of said flaps at the tip thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |