Coffee cup travel lids seem simple, but upon further inspection, it is clear that a lot of design decisions must have gone into their creation. The first known travel lid design was created in 1967 and featured a peelable tab to access the beverage. This design can still be found in use today, but in my opinion, the design Pret uses is superior.
The small opening allows for just a small amount of liquid to come out, which is ideal for sipping hot beverages. This along with the height of the opening above the drink reduces the risk of the liquid sloshing out of the cup. Another factor that is essential, is the small ventilation hole further back on the lid. This hole releases the pressure when the consumer takes a sip and prevents the formation of a vacuum.
There is also an indentation behind the larger opening which allows room for a nose. If this indentation was not there, the consumer’s nose would be squashed by the plastic of the lid and they would likely also feel the heat from the liquid on their nose, which could be uncomfortable.
Another very important feature of this lid is the lip that anchors it to the cup. This lid, in particular, has a very strong grip, which is aided by the small rectangle indentations along the rim. Aesthetically, Pret has kept it simple, but they have managed to make it recognizable for their brand. The burgundy color along with the star shape on the lid make it unmistakable. Along with the branding, there are a few practical elements that are important to note as well. There are easily recognizable symbols that indicate that the contents are hot as well as numbers that tell which size cups this lid will fit.
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