Leakproof vented beverage lid

• US 5,988,426 A
• Filed: 03/20/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brett Stern
• Original Assignee: Brett Stern
• Inventors: Stern, Brett
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/044,954
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 220/371, 220/780, 220/781, 220/784, 220/792, 220/796, 215/260, 215/261, 215/317
• US Class Current: 220/371
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/1616 by means of a filter

Abstract

A disposable plastic lid is formed with a vent hole. A filter formed of a hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoraethylene is mounted over the vent hole. The pore size of the filter material is selected to allow for the free passage of air and to inhibit or block the passage of liquids such as water.

Claims

1. A lid assembly for a beverage container, comprising:

a thermoformed plastic press fit lid for creating a seal on a container;

a filter mounted on said lid, said filter comprising a hydrophobic filter material which allows the passage of air through said filter and which inhibits the passage of a beverage through said filter; and

wherein said lid, when attached to a beverage container, allows passage of gases and prevents passage of the beverage.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said filter material comprises a non-absorbent hydrophobic material.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said filter material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. The combination of the lid assembly according to claim 1 and a beverage container, wherein

said container has a conical shape having a base and a top, wherein said base is smaller than said top.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a vent formed therethrough and wherein said filter is mounted over said vent.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said filter is heat sealed to said cap.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said filter is glued to said cap.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said cap comprises a vent formed therethrough and a sidewall surrounding said vent and wherein said sidewall extends away from said filter.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a perforated adhesive connecting said filter to said cap.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein

said lid assembly is leak resistant, and

said seal comprises a leak resistant seal.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein

said lid assembly is leak proof, and

said seal comprises a watertight seal.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said filter material comprises a non-absorbent non-woven hydrophobic material.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said filter material comprises polyester.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said filter material comprises polypropylene.

15. A lid assembly for a beverage container, comprising:

a thermoformed plastic press fit lid having

a top portion surrounded by a U-shaped channel for forming a press fit seal on the beverage container, and

a vent hole formed through said top portion; and

a filter mounted on said lid and covering said vent hole,

said filter comprising a hydrophobic material,

said filter defining a plurality of micropores dimensioned to allow the passage of atmospheric air through said filter and to prevent the passage of liquid water through said filter; and

wherein said lid, when attached to a beverage container, allows passage of gases and prevents passage of the beverage.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said filter comprises a circular filter having a diameter ranging from 0.25 inch to 1 inch.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said filter is heat sealed to said cap.

18. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said filter is mounted to said cap in the form of a strip.

19. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said cap comprises a circular cap having a circular recess formed therein and wherein said filter comprises a circular filter mounted within said circular recess.

20. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said filter comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

21. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said filter is bonded to said cap.

22. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein

said lid assembly is leak proof, and

said seal comprises a watertight seal.

23. The assembly according to claim 15, wherein

said lid assembly is leak resistant, and

said seal comprises a leak resistant seal.

24. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said filter comprises a bonding layer and a filter layer.

25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said bonding layer comprises an adhesive material.

26. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said bonding layer is perforated.