Lid having a reclosable spout

Abstract

A lid having a reclosable spout for providing a reclosable drink-through opening therewithin, for use with disposable drinking cups. The lid comprises a reclosable tab, an integral hinge and a sealing edge wherein the reclosable tab may be moved about the integral hinge to an open position by pulling the reclosable tab away from the sealing edge; or to a closed position by pushing the reclosable tab against the sealing edge. The reclosable tab, in its open position, defines a drink-through opening in the lid through which a user can consume a beverage from the drinking-cup without removing the lid. In its closed position, the reclosable tab is adapted to close the drink-through opening in a leak-resistant manner. The reclosable spout of the present invention can be employed on a variety of lids and containers for facilitating drinking, dispensing, or pouring therefrom.

1 . A plastic lid for a drink cup comprising: 
 a peripheral rim adapted for engaging with said drink cup;    a reclosable tab adapted for alternating between an open position and a closed position through an integral hinge; and    wherein said reclosable tab is adapted to define a drink-through opening in said open position and to close said drink-through opening in said closed position.    
     
     
         2 . The plastic lid according to  claim 1 , wherein said reclosable tab is substantially upright and can be closed by a user, from said open position to said closed position, by moving said reclosable tab against a depending surface.  
     
     
         3 . The plastic lid according to  claim 2 , wherein said reclosable tab can be pulled open by said user, from said closed position to said open position, by moving said reclosable tab away from said depending surface.  
     
     
         4 . The plastic lid according to  claim 2 , wherein said depending surface is arcuate.  
     
     
         5 . The plastic lid according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said reclosable tab and said integral hinge is arcuate.  
     
     
         6 . The plastic lid according to  claim 1 , wherein said reclosable tab in said closed position renders said plastic lid substantially leak resistant.  
     
     
         7 . The plastic lid according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic lid is injection molded with said reclosable tab in one of said open position and said closed position.  
     
     
         8 . The plastic lid according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic lid contains Polypropylene.  
     
     
         9 . A plastic lid for a drink cup comprising: 
 a peripheral recess about said lid for engaging with said drink cup;    a reclosable spout on said lid comprising a moveable tab, an integral hinge and a sealing surface wherein said movable tab is able to alternate between an open position and a closed position about said integral hinge, wherien said moveable tab in said open position creates a drink-through opening for allowing a user to drink from said drink cup without removing said plastic lid from said drink cup; and wherein said moveable tab in said closed position rests against said sealing surface and closes said drink-through opening.    
     
     
         10 . The plastic lid according to  claim 9 , wherein said reclosable spout in said closed position is substantially leak resistant.  
     
     
         11 . A plastic lid comprising: 
 a peripheral mounting portion for engaging with the upper rim of a drinking cup;    a raised frontal portion extending upwardly from said peripheral mounting portion;    a central body portion having a central wall;    said raised frontal portion having a reclosable tab, an integral hinge and a sealing edge; wherein said reclosable tab is moveable between a first position and a second position; said first position being defined by said reclosable tab being disposed away from said sealing edge and said second position being defined by said reclosable tab being disposed against said sealing edge; and    wherein, said reclosable tab and said sealing edge cooperatively define a drink-through opening in said first position; said drink-through opening being substantially closed in said second position.    
     
     
         12 . The lid according to  claim 11 , wherein said reclosable tab is arcuate and flares radially outwardly from said central body portion in said first position.  
     
     
         13 . The lid according to  claim 11 , wherein said reclosable tab is arcuate and bends radially inwardly towards said central body portion in said second position.  
     
     
         14 . The lid according to  claim 11 , wherein said lid is produced primarily from a polypropylene resin.  
     
     
         15 . The lid according to  claim 11 , wherein said sealing edge is made from an elastomeric material.  
     
     
         16 . A reclosable spout, comprising: 
 a moveable tab, a depending surface, and an integral hinge, wherein said moveable tab is adapted for moving about said integral hinge between a first position and a second position; and    wherein said moveable tab, in said first position, is positioned away from said depending surface and defines an opening; and    said moveable tab, in said second position, is positioned against said depending surface to close said opening.    
     
     
         17 . The reclosable spout according to  claim 16 , wherein said reclosable spout is integrally incorporated into a lid for use with a drinking cup, and wherein said opening is adapted for drinking from said cup.  
     
     
         18 . The reclosable spout according to  claim 16 , wherein said moveable tab is oriented in a generally upright direction in said first position.  
     
     
         19 . The reclosable spout according to  claim 16 , wherein said integral hinge is arcuate.  
     
     
         20 . The reclosable spout according to  claim 16 , wherein said integral hinge is a living hinge and wherein said living hinge is made primarily from a polypropylene resin.