Straw gripper and tab separator for disposable cup or lid and methods of use

Abstract

A straw gripper and tab separator for disposable cup or lid having a tab extending from the perimeter of the drink lid/cup, the tab having an exterior edge with a straw capture and alignment port to align the straw with said exterior edge, the straw capture and alignment port having a slit dividing the planar tab into a first tab section and second tab section, the first tab section having a first straw contact finger configured therein and the second tab section having a second straw contact finger configured therein, each straw contact finger separated by said slit, the straw contact fingers cutout endpoints converge on a second slit end, and the straw contact fingers are hingeably configured to removably secure the straw against a straw contact rim formed in the planar tab by a cutout of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger.

1 . An apparatus to secure a straw to a cup lid having a perimeter flange; the cup lid is secured to a rim of a drinking cup having a sidewall, said apparatus comprising:
 a substantially horizontal planar tab extends outwardly from the perimeter flange of the cup lid, said substantially horizontal planar tab having an exterior edge with a straw capture and alignment port;   said straw capture and alignment port having a slit to divide said planar tab into a first tab section and second tab section, said slit having a first slit end and a second slit end;   said first tab section having a first straw contact finger configured therein and said second tab section having a second straw contact finger configured therein, each said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger separated by said slit, endpoints of cutouts of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger converge on said second slit end;   said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured to removably secure the straw against a straw contact rim formed in said planar tab by a cutout of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger, and   wherein said straw capture and alignment port points tangential thereto the perimeter flange of the cup lid.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said alignment port is semi-circular. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein starting points of said cutouts of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are evenly spaced about said slit and perpendicular to said first slit end of said straw capture and alignment port. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said straw capture and alignment port, said first straw contact finger, said slit, and said second straw contact finger are configured parallel to the perimeter flange. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured about said slit to fold therein to form straw capture cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said straw contact rim, said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured about said slit to fold therein to form straw capture cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said straw contact rim, said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured about said slit to fold therein to form straw capture cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are sized and shaped to match the straw configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said straw contact rim is sized and shaped to match the straw configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger having an upper surface to grip the straw. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of said straw contact rim, said first straw contact finger, said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured about said slit to fold therein to grip the straw therein. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger, and said straw contact rim are configured about said slit to grip the straw therein. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second straw end in contact with the sidewall of the cup. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus to secure a straw to a rim of a drinking cup having a sidewall, said apparatus comprising:
 a substantially horizontal planar tab extends outwardly from the rim of the drinking cup, said substantially horizontal planar tab having an exterior edge with a straw capture and alignment port;   said straw capture and alignment port having a slit to divide said planar tab into a first tab section and second tab section, said slit having a first slit end and a second slit end;   said first tab section having a first straw contact finger configured therein and said second tab section having a second straw contact finger configured therein, each said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger separated by said slit, end points of cutouts of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger converge on said second slit end;   said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured to removably secure the straw against a straw contact rim formed in said planar tab by a cutout of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger, and   wherein said straw capture and alignment port points tangential thereto the the rim of the drinking cup.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein starting points of said cutouts of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are evenly spaced about said slit and perpendicular to said first slit end of said straw capture and alignment port. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said straw capture and alignment port, said first straw contact finger, said slit, and said second straw contact finger are configured parallel to the rim. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said straw contact rim, and at least one of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger are hingeably configured about said slit to fold therein to form said straw capture and alignment port. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of said first straw contact finger and said second straw contact finger, and said-straw contact rim are configured about said slit to fold therein to grip the straw therein. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a second straw end in contact with the sidewall of the cup.