Single-piece paper cup sip adaptor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS.
1 5 wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating one embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, the present invention is directed to a sip cup adaptor 10 which is adapted for retrofit attachment to a conventional paper beverage cup 12.
The beverage cups 12 come in various sizes, such as 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, etc.
, and if the diameter of the opening at the top of the cup changes, then a different sized adaptor 10 will be needed that matches the diameter of the cup 12.
As best seen in FIGS.
3 5, such conventional beverage cups 12 comprises an outer wall 14 which has a generally frusto-conical configuration.
Extending along the periphery of the open end of the outer wall 14 is a continuous, enlarged bead 16 which defines the rim of the beverage cup 12 and that encircles the opening that allows access to the inside of cup.
The opposite end of the outer wall 14 is enclosed by a bottom wall 18.
In accordance with conventional construction techniques, the bead 16 of the beverage cup 12 has a generally circular cross-sectional configuration.
The cup 12, and bead 16, is typically made of a paper-based material coated with a sealant such as wax or plastic, or the entire cup may be made of plastic.
As used herein, up, upper or top direction refers to the direction along an axis extending from the bottom of the cup 18 toward the top of the cup 16, which direction is generally vertical when the bottom 18 rests on the ground.
As used herein, the term inner or inward refers to a direction generally toward the inside of the cup 12 and preferably toward a longitudinal axis of the cup 12 which axis passes through the center of the adaptor 10.
The term outer or outward indicates a direction away from that centerline.
As seen in FIGS.
1 5, the adaptor 10 of the present invention comprises an annular collar portion 20.
As best seen in FIG.
5, the collar portion 20 defines a top edge or surface 22 and a tapered inner surface 24, the slope or contour of which is configured to be complementary to the taper of the outer wall 14 of the beverage cup 12