초록 ▼

A lid for a beverage 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 flo

A lid for a beverage 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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A lid for a container, comprising: a basin comprising a valley surrounded by a ridge;wherein the valley is defined by a length, a first end, a middle section, and a second end, the first end having a first width, the second end having a second width, and the middle section having a third width;wh

1. A lid for a container, comprising: a basin comprising a valley surrounded by a ridge;wherein the valley is defined by a length, a first end, a middle section, and a second end, the first end having a first width, the second end having a second width, and the middle section having a third width;wherein the first width is larger than the second width;wherein the third width is larger than the first width and the second width;wherein the ridge comprises (i) a first section of an outward-facing wall near the first end that intersects a horizontal plane at a first angle, (ii) a second section of the outward-facing wall near the second end that intersects the horizontal plane at a second angle, and (iii) a third section of the outward-facing wall near the middle section that intersects the horizontal plane at a third angle;wherein at least two of the first angle, second angle, and third angle are different from each other; anda first opening disposed on the valley and near the first width. 2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the valley is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane when the lid is coupled with the container and oriented in a resting position. 3. The lid of claim 2, where the valley is lower at the first end with respect to the horizontal plane then at the second end. 4. The lid of claim 1, wherein the ridge completely surrounds the valley. 5. The lid of claim 4, wherein the ridge has a first height near the first end and a second height near the second end, and wherein the first height is greater than the second height. 6. The lid of claim 1, wherein the valley is substantially planar. 7. The lid of claim 1, wherein the valley is concave. 8. The lid of claim 1, wherein the ridge further comprises an inward-facing wall. 9. The lid of claim 8, wherein the inward-facing wall meets with the valley at an angle greater than 90 degrees near the first end of the basin. 10. The lid of claim 8, wherein a portion of the inward-facing wall that is near the first end of the basin comprises a sipping area defined by (i) the first width and (ii) a height of the ridge near the first end. 11. The lid of claim 1, wherein the each of the first angle, second angle, and third angle are greater than 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. 12. The lid of claim 1, wherein the outward-facing wall includes a graphic comprising at least one of a word, a logo, a trademark, a slogan, a website address, a picture, a color, a matrix barcode, and a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag. 13. The lid of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the lid is made of a thermochromic material. 14. The lid of claim 1, further comprising a second opening disposed on the valley and near the second width. 15. The lid of claim 14, wherein the first opening and the second opening are the only openings on the valley. 16. The lid of claim 1, further comprising a rim disposed around a perimeter of the lid and configured to removably mate with an opening of the container. 17. The lid of claim 1, wherein the first opening is the only opening on the valley. 18. The lid of claim 1, wherein the first angle is between 90 and 135 degrees, the second angle is between 100 and 130 degrees and the third angle is about 135 degrees. 19. A lid for a beverage container, comprising: an outer circumferential rim sized and dimensioned to removably couple with an opening of the beverage container;a basin defined by a ridge that at least partially surrounds a valley;wherein the basin is disposed within the outer circumferential rim and has an aroma portion and a drinking portion;a through hole disposed on the valley and in the drinking portion of the basin;wherein the drinking portion is defined by the ridge having a first portion of an inward-facing wall that (i) intersects a second portion of the inward-facing wall at a first angle and (ii) intersects a third portion of the inward-facing wall at a second angle;wherein the valley meets the first portion of the inward-facing wall at a third angle;wherein the first and second angles are between 90 and 135 degrees and the third angle is about 90 degrees; andwherein the first portion of the ridge of the drinking portion has a width that is sized and dimensioned to support a user's upper lip above the valley. 20. The lid of claim 19, wherein the width of the drinking portion at the top of the ridge is 1¼ inches. 21. The lid of claim 19, wherein the aroma portion is defined by the ridge having a first portion of an outward-facing wall that intersects a second portion of the outward-facing wall at a fourth angle. 22. A lid for a beverage container, having (i) a basin defined by a ridge surrounding a valley and (ii) an opening disposed on a valley of the basin, the lid comprising: a first crease disposed on an inward facing surface of the ridge and having a first tear line;a second crease disposed on the inward facing surface of the ridge and having a second tear line; andwherein the opening is disposed between the first crease and the second crease. 23. The lid of claim 22, wherein the first and second tear lines each comprise a plurality of perforations. 24. The lid of claim 22, wherein the first and second tear lines each comprise a plurality of cuts. 25. The lid of claim 22, wherein the first and second tear lines are a solid tear line.