Dual-Action Lid

Abstract

A dual-action drink-through cup lid having a first drink-through opening on a first raised area and a fold-back tab substantially opposite the first drink-through opening and capable of exposing a second drink-through opening when the fold-back tab is folded back. A single-action drink-through cup lid is also disclosed having a fold-back tab that exposes a semicircular drink-through opening. Both dual-action and single-action lids disclosed herein have optional lock-back features to secure one or both drink-through openings in an open position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A drink-through lid for a drink cup having a circular rim, said lid comprising:
 a central deck having a geometric center;   an outer deck surrounding said central deck;   a skirt extending below said outer deck;   a first raised area proximal to a portion of said outer deck;   a first drink-through opening adapted to allow drinking from said first raised area; and   a fold-back tab substantially opposite said first raised area and adapted to form a second drink-through opening upon folding back said fold-back tab;   
       whereby one may choose between drinking via said first drink-through opening or opening said fold-back tab and drinking via said second drink-through opening. 
     
     
         2 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein at least a substantial portion of said outer deck is raised with respect to said central deck. 
     
     
         3 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein at least a substantial portion of said central deck is substantially level with the highest portion of said outer deck. 
     
     
         4 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein at least a substantial portion of said central deck is raised with respect to said outer deck. 
     
     
         5 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said fold-back tab comprises a raised catch and said central deck comprises a recess adapted to releasably secure said raised catch whereby folding back said fold-back tab and inserting said raised catch into said recess releasably secures said fold back tab in an open, folded back position. 
     
     
         6 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said fold-back tab comprises a recess and said central deck comprises a raised catch adapted to releasably secure said recess, wherein folding back said fold-back tab and inserting said raised catch into said recess releasably secures said fold-back tab in an open position. 
     
     
         7 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 6  wherein said raised catch is located within a central deck depression adapted to receive at least a substantial portion of said fold-back tab when said fold-back tab is open. 
     
     
         8 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein
 Said drink-through lid is formed from a plastic material having substantially aligned polymer chains; 
 said fold-back tab when open forms a shape having
 two substantially parallel straight edges, 
 one substantially straight hinge edge that is substantially perpendicular to said two substantially parallel straight edges, and 
 a curved edge substantially opposite said hinge edge; and 
 
 said two substantially parallel straight edges are substantially parallel to said substantially aligned polymer chains; 
 
       whereby upon folding back said fold-back tab said two substantially parallel straight edges tear away from said central deck in part due to said two substantially parallel straight edges being substantially parallel to said substantially aligned polymer chains, and said hinge edge resists tearing due to said hinge edge being substantially perpendicular to said substantially aligned polymer chains. 
     
     
         9 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 8  wherein said fold-back tab comprises a hinge member operably attached and parallel to said hinge edge. 
     
     
         10 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said fold-back tab comprises a hinge member operably attaching said fold-back tab to said central deck when said fold-back tab is opened. 
     
     
         11 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 10  wherein said hinge member defines a chord extending from a first hinge point located at a meeting point of said central deck and said outer deck, across a portion of said central deck, to a second hinge point located at a second point located at a second meeting point of said central deck and said outer deck, whereby folding back said fold-back tab about said hinge member forms said second drink-through opening in the shape of a semicircle. 
     
     
         12 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said fold-back tab folds back about a portion of said central deck without the benefit of a hinge member. 
     
     
         13 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said fold-back tab further comprises a grip extension attached to said skirt and adapted to facilitate opening of said fold-back tab. 
     
     
         14 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said first drink-through opening is formed below the highest point of said first raised area whereby fluid within a lidded cup flows through said first drink-through opening and across a portion of said first raised area before being consumed by a user. 
     
     
         15 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 1  wherein said first raised area further comprises a plurality of indentations adapted to touch the lower lip of a person drinking from said first drink-through opening. 
     
     
         16 . A drink-through lid for a drink cup having a circular rim, said drink-through lid comprising:
 a central deck having a geometric center;   an outer deck surrounding said central deck;   a skirt extending below said outer deck;   a fold-back tab adapted to form a drink-through opening upon folding back said fold-back tab;   a hinge member operably attaching said fold-back tab to said central deck when said fold-back tab is opened, said hinge member defining a chord extending from a first hinge point at a meeting point of said central deck and said outer deck, across a portion of said central deck, to a second hinge point at a second meeting point of said central deck and said outer deck, whereby folding back said fold-back tab forms said drink-through opening in the shape of a semicircle.   
     
     
         17 . A drink-through lid as in  claim 16  wherein said fold-back tab comprises a means to secure said fold-back tab in an open position. 
     
     
         18 . A drink lid as in  claim 16  wherein at least a substantial portion of said outer deck is raised with respect to said central deck. 
     
     
         19 . A drink lid as in  claim 16  wherein at least a substantial portion of said central deck is substantially level with the highest portion of said outer deck.