MAZE CUP TOPPER

Abstract

A decorative cup lid is described. The decorative cup lid includes a bottom component. The bottom component is configured to attach to a top section of a cup. The bottom component includes indentation(s). The decorative cup lid also includes an insert component. The insert component is attachable to the bottom component. The insert component includes shape(s) associated with a simple game. The decorative cup lid also includes a movable game piece. The movable game piece is placed on the insert component. The movable game piece and shape(s) of the insert component comprise the simple game. The decorative cup lid also includes a transparent housing. The transparent housing encloses the movable game piece, the insert component, and the bottom component.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application is a provisional application and claims no priority to any patent or patent application.

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0002] The field of embodiments of the present invention is related to a decorative cup lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0003] Disposable cups and lids are important assets to fast food consumption and fast access to variety of drinks. A disposable lid will secure a disposable cup and prevent spillage of liquids contained within the cup. The secured disposable cup is usable to transport and deliver variety of liquids with a varying range of temperatures. Straws are further usable to provide access to the liquids within the disposable cups to enable a user to simply provide suction to consume the liquids. However, the disposable cups and lids lack any entertainment value beyond design(s) and coloring printed on respective surfaces.

[0004] For instance, WO03101260A3 pertains to a drinking flask including a housing which is formed with a lower compartment for containing a drinks liquid and an upper enclosed space, a delivery passage extending from adjacent the bottom of the lower compartment and having its upper end directed upwardly into the upper enclosed space, and a suction tube extending from the upper enclosed space. In use, the user applies suction to the suction tube to create a partial vacuum in the upper enclosed space, causing liquid to be drawn up the delivery passage to emerge as a vertical jet or fountain: a ball may be provided, normally in a rest position just above the top end of the delivery passage, to be lifted by the jet and supported by this jet in an elevated position.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,264,532B2 pertains to a cup structure. The cup structure having an external tube, a sealing cap, a suction tube and a cup body, characterized in that the sealing cap is a dual-layered body having a bottom seat for holding a rotating wheel and a through hole at the external edge thereof, corresponding to the upper layer seat of the seat, a connection tube having a through hole is provided so that the suction tube can be connected to the connection tube, the upper layer seat and the bottom layer seat are connected, and the face thereof is capped with a capping plate, and the core of a transmission mechanism within the upper layer seat is extended from the capping plate so as to connect to one or more than one decorating object, the upper layer seat is provided with a connection tube and an air tube corresponding to the top which is pivotally mounted with a triggering plate, a protruded tube is provided at one side of the triggering plate which can pass through the top capping plate and then is connected to the external tube.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,945A pertains to a toy maze including a container with a ball having a plurality of passage levels with vertically extending wall segments forming passageways. Each level is separated by a tray having a plurality of apertures, some of which are trap-holes with a mechanism for limiting the movement of the ball to only one direction. PAL In a preferred embodiment of the toy maze of the present invention, the mechanism for limiting the movement of the ball to only one direction comprises at least one flexible flap which flexes to permit the ball to pass through an aperture from one level to the next level and resiliently blocks reverse movement of the ball.

[0007] However, none of the art described above addresses all the issues that the embodiments of the present invention do.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention include a decorative cup lid. The decorative cup lid may include a bottom component. The bottom component may be configured to attach to a top section of a cup. Furthermore, the bottom component may include indentation(s). The decorative cup lid may also include an insert component. The insert component may be attachable to the bottom component. The insert component may also include shape(s) associated with a simple game. Furthermore, the decorative cup lid may also include a movable game piece. The movable game piece may be placed on the insert component. The movable game piece and shape(s) of the insert component may comprise the simple game. The decorative cup lid may also include a transparent housing. The transparent housing may enclose the movable game piece, the insert component, and the bottom component.

[0009] Embodiments also include a system to provide a simple game within a decorative cup lid. The decorative cup lid may include a circular bottom component. The circular bottom component may be configured to attach to a top section of a cup. The circular bottom component may also include indentation(s). Furthermore, the decorative cup lid may also include a circular insert component attachable to the circular bottom component. The circular insert component may include shape(s) associated with the simple game. In addition, the decorative cup lid may include a spherical game piece. The spherical game piece may be placed on the circular insert component. In addition, the spherical game piece and the shape(s) of the circular insert component may comprise the simple game. Additionally, the decorative cup lid may include a semi-spherical transparent housing. The semi-spherical transparent housing may enclose the spherical game piece, the circular insert component, and the circular bottom component.

[0010] A method of providing a decorative cup lid is also disclosed. The method may include inserting a circular bottom component on a top section of a cup. The circular bottom component may include indentation(s). A first circular insert component may also be superimposed on to the circular bottom component. Shape(s) of the first circular insert may overlay the indentation(s) of the circular bottom component. The shape(s) may be associated with a simple game. A spherical game piece may be placed on the first circular insert. The spherical game piece, the first circular component, and the circular bottom component may be enclosed with a semi-spherical transparent housing.

[0011] It is an object of the embodiment of the present invention to provide a decorative cup.

[0012] It is another object of the embodiment of the present invention to provide bottom and insert components that superimpose.

[0013] It is another object of the embodiment of the present invention to enclose the bottom and insert components and a movable game piece with a transparent housing

[0014] It is yet another object of the embodiment of the present invention to provide a simple game associated with shapes on the insert component and the movable game piece.

[0015] In addition to the foregoing, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better comprehended through a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a high-level view of a decorative cup lid.

[0017] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a bottom component of the decorative cup lid.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an insert component of the decorative cup lid.

[0019] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a transparent housing of the decorative cup lid.

[0020] FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 shows an alternative view of the example embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 shows components of the example embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 8 shows a component of an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

[0026] As seen in FIG. 1, the present invention may include a decorative cup lid 1. The decorative cup lid 1 may include a bottom component 3. The bottom component 3 may be configured to attach to a top section of a cup 2. The bottom component 3 may include a shape that is complimentary to a shape of the top section of the cup 2. As such, the bottom component 3 may seal the top section of the cup 2 and prevent liquid(s) within the cup 2 from spilling. The bottom component 3 may also include indentation(s).

[0027] The decorative cup lid may also include an insert component 4. The insert component 4 may be attachable to the bottom component 3. The insert component 4 may also include shape(s) associated with a simple game. The shape(s) of the insert component 4 may be complimentary to the indentation(s) of the bottom component 3. As such, the shape(s) may allow the insert component 4 to be superimposed on the bottom component 3.

[0028] Furthermore, the decorative cup lid 1 may also include a movable game piece 5. In an example scenario, the movable game piece 5 may include a sphere shape or a cube shape. The movable game piece 5 may be placed on the insert component 4. The movable game piece 5 and shape(s) of the insert component may comprise the simple game.

[0029] The decorative cup lid 1 may also include a transparent housing 6. The transparent housing 6 may enclose the movable game piece 5, the insert component 4, and the bottom component 3. An internal volume of the transparent housing 6 (bounded by the insert component 4) may comprise a space in which to play the simple game with the movable game piece 5.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the bottom component 3 of the decorative cup lid. The bottom component 3 may include a circular shape. Alternatively, the bottom component 3 may include a shape that is complimentary of a shape of a top section of a cup. As such, the bottom component 3 may seal the top section of the cup and prevent any liquid(s) inside the cup from spilling.

[0031] The bottom component 3 may also include indentation(s) 7. The indentation(s) may aid in securing the insert component of the decorative cup lid in place.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the insert component 4 of the decorative cup lid. The insert component 4 may include shape(s) 8 that are part of a simple game in conjunction with the movable game piece 5.

[0033] The shape(s) 8 may include tunnel(s) and channel(s) in which the movable game piece 5 may travel as part of the simple game. The shape(s) 8 may include aperture(s) that may server as entry and exit points of tunnel(s) within the shape(s) 8. The movable game piece 5 may travel through the tunnel(s0 as part of the simple game. The movable game piece 5 may include a spherical shape to enable travel within the channels of the shape(s) 8 and as such enable the simple game. An example of the movable game piece 5 may include a ball. The simple game may include a start position on the channel(s) of the insert component 4. The simple game may also include an end position on the channel(s) of the insert component 4.

[0034] Alternatively, the movable game piece 5 may include a cube-based shape. An example of the movable game piece 5 may include a dice.

[0035] Color(s) of the movable game piece 5 may be in a contrast to color(s) of the insert component 4 to aid in a visualization of the movable game piece 5. Furthermore color(s) of the insert component 4 may be in a contrast to color(s) of the bottom component of the decorative cup lid.

[0036] The shape(s) 8 of the insert component 4 may superimpose on the indentation(s) of the bottom component of the decorative cup lid. As such, the superimposed shape(s) may secure the insert component 4 on the bottom component.

[0037] Furthermore, the insert component 4 may be replaceable with a different insert component. By replacing insert component 4 with the different insert component, a different simple game may be provided to a user within the decorative cup lid.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a transparent housing 6. The transparent housing 6 may be transparent. In an example scenario, the transparent housing 6 may include a semi-spherical shape. The shape of the transparent housing 6 may compliment a shape of the top section of the cup.

[0039] A level of transparency of the transparent housing 6 may be determined during production based on demand. Furthermore, a gradient of color(s) may also be introduced to the level of transparency of the transparent housing 6 during production based on demand.

[0040] The transparent housing 6 may enclose the movable game piece, the insert component, and the bottom component. An internal volume of the transparent housing 6 bounded by the insert component may comprise a space in which to play the simple game with the movable game piece.

[0041] In addition, the transparent housing 6 may include a logo or a design 9. The logo or design may be embedded onto the transparent housing 6 during production based on demand.

[0042] The transparent housing 6, the insert component, and the bottom component may include an aperture or a hollow section to enable a straw to be inserted through the transparent housing 6, the insert component, and the bottom component. The straw may allow a user access to liquid(s) within the cup (for consumption) secured by the decorative cup lid.

[0043] In another example scenario, the transparent housing may be formed from a transparent or translucent material. A logo or a design may be formed on the transparent housing. The transparent housing may fit over the bottom component and/or glued and/or heat sealed/welded over the bottom component.

[0044] The insert component may be formed over a dimensional pattern representing a place or a scene. The insert component may be printed in color. The distorted printing may allow for image(s) to align with the shape(s) after vacuum based formation. The insert component may also be vacuum formed from transparent plastic to represent an environment such as water or ice. The insert component may be die cut around an outer edge and holes for channels may be removed. The insert component may be fit over the bottom component, glued or welded to the bottom component.

[0045] The bottom component may fit a top section of the cup. The bottom component may include indentation(s) created by a dimensional plate. Each of the components may have a straw hole. The movable game piece may not be removed from the inside the transparent housing upon assembly with the insert component and the bottom component.

[0046] In an alternative example, the transparent housing may be injection molded from a transparent material. The transparent housing may fit over the bottom component. The insert component may be constructed from a single piece or multiple piece material using a dimensional plate and molded with different colors, deco, stickers, or labels. The bottom component may also be molded using a dimensional plate. A straw hole may be cut into each component to allow a straw access to liquid(s) within the cup. A seal may be used to prevent spillage or liquid(s) through the straw hole(s).

[0047] Lighting and components may be added to the insert component to provide a variety of lighting and sound effects. Shape(s) of the insertion component may duplicate a three dimensional topography of a location (for example a theme park). For example, doors, tunnels, bridges may be cut into insertion component to duplicate a scenery of the location. Lighting or other effects on the insertion component may notify a user regarding destination or other activities associated with a location of the user.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows an example embodiment of the decorative cup lid 1. The decorative cup lid 1 includes a liquid delivery extrusion 10. The liquid delivery extrusion 10 may include apertures that route liquid(s) in the cup 2 to a user. The liquid delivery extrusion 10 may be sealed from the internals of the decorative cup lid 1 and as such prevent a seepage of the liquids into the simple game within the decorative cup lid 1. The decorative cup lid 1 may also include a logo or a design 9.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows an alternative view of the example embodiment of the decorative cup lid 1. The decorative cup lid 1 may include the liquid delivery extrusion 10. The liquid delivery extrusion 10 may be separated from a body of the decorative cup lid 1 to enable a mouth of a user access the liquid delivery extrusion 10. The decorative cup lid 1 may be sealed on a top section of the cup 2.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows components of the example embodiment of the invention. The decorative cup lid may include the movable game piece 5, the insert component 4, and the bottom component 3. The transparent housing 6 may encapsulate the bottom component 3, the insert component 4, the movable game piece 5, and as such forming the simple game.

[0051] The insert component 4 may include aperture(s) 11 that may form entry and exit points of sub-structure(s) within the shape(s) of the insert component 4. An example of the sub-structure(s) may include tunnel(s) through which the movable game piece 5 may travel.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows an insert component 4 of an embodiment of the decorative cup lid. The insert component 4 may include the movable game piece 5. The insert component may also include the shape(s) 8. The shape(s) 8 may include aperture(s) or protrusions to simulate a terrain of a region (such a theme park). Lighting and/or other alert mechanisms may notify a user of a location of the user on the insert component in relation to an actual location of the cup or the decorative cup lid (based on a location information provided by a location sensor on the cup or the decorative cup lid).

[0053] The insert component 4 may include aperture(s) 11 that may form entry and exit points of sub-structure(s) within the shape(s) 8 of the insert component 4. An example of the sub-structure(s) may include tunnel(s) through which the movable game piece 5 may travel.

[0054] A method of providing a decorative cup lid is also disclosed. The method may include inserting a circular bottom component on a top section of a cup. The circular bottom component may include indentation(s). A first circular insert component may also be superimposed on to the circular bottom component. Shape(s) of the first circular insert may overlay the indentation(s) of the circular bottom component. The shape(s) may be associated with a simple game. A spherical game piece may be placed on the first circular insert. The spherical game piece, the first circular component, and the circular bottom component may be enclosed with a semi-spherical transparent housing.

[0055] In addition to the foregoing, other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better comprehended through a careful reading of a detailed description provided herein below with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A decorative cup lid, comprising: a bottom component, wherein the bottom component is configured to attach to a top section of a cup, and wherein the bottom component includes one or more indentations; an insert component attachable to the bottom component, wherein the insert component includes one or more shapes associated with a simple game; a movable game piece, wherein the movable game piece is placed on the insert component, and wherein the movable game piece and one or more shapes of the insert component comprise the simple game; and a transparent housing, wherein the transparent housing encloses the movable game piece, the insert component, and the bottom component.

2. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein each of the bottom and insert components include a circular shape.

3. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein the transparent housing may include a semi-circular shape.

4. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein a color of the insert component is in a contrast to a color of the insert component.

5. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein a color of the movable game piece is in a contrast to a color of the insert component.

6. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein the one or more shapes include one or more channels in which the movable game piece is configured to travel as part of the simple game.

7. The decorative cup lid of claim 6, wherein the simple game includes a start position and an end position along the one or more channels.

8. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein the movable game piece includes a spherical shape.

9. The decorative cup lid of claim 8, wherein the movable game piece is a ball.

10. The decorative cup lid of claim 1, wherein the movable game piece includes a cube shape.

11. The decorative cup lid of claim 10, wherein the movable game piece is a dice

12. A system to provide a simple game within a decorative cup lid, comprising: a circular bottom component, wherein the circular bottom component is configured to attach to a top section of a cup, and wherein the circular bottom component includes one or more indentations; a circular insert component attachable to the circular bottom component, wherein the circular insert component includes one or more shapes associated with the simple game; a spherical game piece, wherein the spherical game piece is placed on the circular insert component, and wherein the spherical game piece and the one or more shapes of the circular insert component comprise the simple game; and a semi-spherical transparent housing, wherein the semi-spherical transparent housing encloses the spherical game piece, the circular insert component, and the circular bottom component.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more shapes of the circular insert component are configured to superimpose on the one or more indentations of the circular bottom component.

14. A method of providing a decorative cup lid, the method comprising: inserting a circular bottom component on a top section of a cup, wherein the circular bottom component includes one or more indentations; superimposing a first circular insert component on to the circular bottom component, wherein one or more shapes of the first circular insert overlay the one or more indentations of the circular bottom component, and wherein the one or more shapes are associated with a simple game; placing a spherical game piece on the first circular insert; and enclosing the spherical game piece, the first circular component, and the circular bottom component with a semi-spherical transparent housing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first circular insert component is replaceable with a second circular insert to provide another simple game.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the semi-spherical transparent housing includes a logo or a design.