Metallic dispensing lids for cups and method of making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022016691-A1
Application number	US-202117376010-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 14, 2021
Priority date	Jul 14, 2020
Publication date	Jan 20, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to novel systems, devices, and methods for providing metallic dispensing lids for cups. The novel lids provided herein snap onto containers, including single-use cups, and permit drinking liquids while minimizing spillage of the liquids in the cups. The metallic dispensing lids are easily recyclable and prevent spillage from single-serve cups.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A metallic dispensing lid, comprising:
a center panel having a dispensing orifice; a sidewall interconnected to a perimeter of the center panel, the sidewall extending upwardly from the center panel; a raised rim interconnected to the sidewall; and a curl interconnected to an outer portion of the raised rim and positioned below the raised rim.

2 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 1 , further comprising at least two lug features in the curl, wherein the at least two lug features are biased inwardly and configured to removably interconnect the lid to a peripheral curl of a cup.

3 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing orifice has a triangular shape with a wide end and narrow end, and wherein the wide end is positioned proximate to the perimeter of the center panel.

4 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 1 , wherein the dispensing orifice is initially closed by a tear panel defined by a score line, wherein the score line extends at least partially through a thickness of the lid, and wherein at least a portion of the tear panel stays attached to the center panel after opening.

5 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 2 , wherein the at least two lug features are positioned at opposite ends of the metallic dispensing lid and can be moved between a first position where the at least two lug features are retained to the cup and a second position where the at least two lug features are released from the cup to allow removal of the lid.

6 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 5 , wherein the at least two lug features each comprise an inner curved portion that is oriented toward the cup and shrouds the end of the curl from contact with a user removing the metallic dispensing lid.

7 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 2 , wherein the at least two lug features extend a predetermined distance around the curl, and wherein the at least two lug features are cut into the curl.

8 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 1 , wherein the raised rim has a height no greater than about 0.6 inches above the center panel.

9 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 1 , wherein the metallic dispensing lid is comprised of an aluminum alloy and the aluminum alloy is blended from at least 20% of a recycled aluminum alloy.

10 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 9 , wherein the recycled aluminum alloy consists of a plurality of metals including aluminum and two or more of the following: silicon, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc, titanium, or chromium.

11 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 1 , further comprising a vent hole in the center panel.

12 . A metallic dispensing lid, comprising:
a center panel; a sidewall interconnected to a perimeter of the center panel, the sidewall extending upwardly from the center panel between about 0.1 inch and 0.2 inch; a raised rim interconnected to the sidewall having a radius of curvature of between about 0.04 inch and about 0.08 inch; a curl interconnected to an outer portion of the raised rim and positioned below the raised rim and having a radius of curvature between about 0.025 inch and 0.06 inch; and at least two lug features formed in the curl which are biased inwardly and are configured to selectively secure and release the lid to a cup.

13 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 12 , wherein the at least two lug features had an inwardly oriented curl to shroud the end of the curl to prevent contact with a user's fingers.

14 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 13 , wherein the inwardly oriented curl has a radius of curvature between about 0.015 inch and 0.045 inch.

15 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 14 , further comprising a liner portion extending outwardly from the inwardly oriented curl which has a length of at least 0.1 inches to provide an engagement surface for a user's fingers.

16 . The metallic dispensing lid of claim 13 , wherein the inwardly oriented curl extends inwardly at least about one third of a horizontal distance of the raised rim.

17 . A method of manufacturing a metallic dispensing lid, the method comprising:
providing a coil of aluminum material; forming a blank of aluminum material which has a generally circular shape; feeding the blank into a cupper to form a lid shape with a center panel, an inner sidewall extending upwardly from the center panel, a raised rim interconnected to the inner sidewall that has a radius of curvature of between about 0.025 inch and 0.06 inch and forming a curl around a perimeter of the lid which extends downwardly from the raised rim; forming one or more lug features in the curl; and piercing the center panel to form one or more dispensing holes.

18 . The method of manufacturing the metallic dispensing lid of claim 17 , further comprising:
stacking a plurality of lids; bagging the plurality of lids; and palletizing the bags of lids for transportation.

19 . The method of manufacturing the metallic dispensing lid of claim 17 , wherein the lids are coated on at least one of an exterior and interior surface after forming one or more lug features.

20 . The method of manufacturing the metallic dispensing lid of claim 17 , further comprising forming an inwardly oriented curl in the lug features to shroud the end of the lug from exposure.

Assignees

• Ball Corp

Inventors

• Scott Anthony J

Classifications

• Y02W30/80

  Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging (bio-packaging Y02W90/10) · CPC title

• B65D2543/0075

  Rolled edge · CPC title

• B65D2543/00537

  on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container · CPC title

• B65D2543/00092

  circular · CPC title

• B65D2543/00638

  Rolled edge · CPC title