DRINK CONTAINER

BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention

Present embodiments relate to a drink container, or lid, or both. More specifically, but without limitation, present embodiments relate to a drink container, or lid having a closure, or both.

2. Description of the Related Art

Drink containers may have closure, caps, lids, or the like which limit spillage of the drink within the container. While limiting unintended spills of the drink in the container, there is also needed a resealable closure to access to the drink easily and quickly, when desired by the user. Some prior art closures have provided slidable seals or thread structures which allow for removal of the closure from the drink container.

It may be desirable to provide a closure for a drink container which has a resealable feature to allow ease of access to a drink in the container, while also ease of sealing the container from spills during motion or overturn of the container.

The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded as subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter.

Present aspects provide a lid having resealable closure of a drink container, and in combination, the resealable lid feature, for example having a living hinge, wherein the closure is formed of a different material than the lid, and which allows for easy opening of a drinking aperture in the lid or cap of the drink container.

According to some embodiments, a drink container comprising a base having a bottom and a surrounding wall extending upwardly from the bottom, and, a neck at the top of the surrounding wall. A thread disposed on the base. A lid has a top wall and a peripheral upstanding lid wall. The lid is formed of a first rigid material, and a corresponding thread on the lid for threadable engagement of the cap with the base. A centrally located channel is formed in the top wall and a drink aperture located within the channel. A flap is formed of a second material flexible material, and the flap is disposed in the centrally located channel. The flap may have a first end and a second end wherein one end of the first and second ends includes one or more anchors that extend through the top wall of the lid to retain the flap in position, and wherein an other end of the first and second ends includes a plug which passes through the drink aperture. The flap may comprise a living hinge disposed between the first end and the second end and, a retaining groove near the other end of the flap to retain the flap in a folded open position.

In some embodiments, the drink container may further comprise a thread wall depending from the top wall of the lid.

In some embodiments, the peripheral upstanding cap wall may have a first flat section and a second flat section opposed from the first flat section.

In some embodiments, the flap may further comprise a grab extending upwardly from the flap.

In some embodiments the grab may be disposed adjacent to the retaining groove.

In some embodiments the grab may extend to an elevation that is higher than the peripheral upstanding cap wall.

In some embodiments, the peripheral upstanding cap wall being tapered from an upper larger diameter to a lower smaller diameter.

In some embodiments, the one or more anchors may be two anchors.

In some embodiments, each of the two anchors may be mushroom shaped in cross-section.

In some embodiments, each of the two anchors may have a head and a neck.

In some embodiments, each head of the two anchors may be rectangular.

In some embodiments, the drink container may further comprise a trench disposed centrally in the centrally located channel.

In some embodiments, the trench may be declined to move fluid toward the drink aperture.

In some embodiments, each neck may have a hole allowing fluid to pass through the neck and through the channel.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. All of the above outlined features are to be understood as exemplary only and many more features and objectives of the various embodiments may be gleaned from the disclosure herein. Therefore, no limiting interpretation of this summary is to be understood without further reading of the entire specification, claims and drawings, included herewith. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present disclosure is provided in the following written description of various embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of a drink container will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the claims as other embodiments of a drink container will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the present embodiments are shown in figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of an example drink container, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a lower perspective view of the drink container, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the example drink container, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the container lid, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a second upper perspective view of a container lid in a different position from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container lid wherein the closure is exploded from the lid, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the container lid and closure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side section view of the assembled lid, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lid with closure hinged to the open position, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a side section view of the lid in the closure open position of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the lid, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that a drink container is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The described embodiments are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “some embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in some embodiments” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, the exemplary embodiments discussed herein are directed to various aspects (e.g., methods, systems, devices) of drink containers or hydration bottles, having container caps, and more particularly, to container caps and hydration bottles a drink container is provided which allows for sealing and re-sealing. The drink container may comprise a container base, a cap or lid, and a closure. The container comprises a container base which may be an insulated structure. At an upper end of the drink container may be a lid that sealably engages an upper end of the container base at an opening therein. The lid may comprise a closure that is formed of a different material than the lid, wherein the different material of the closure defines an integral hinge.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the drink container 10 is provided which allows for sealing and re-sealing of the container 10. The drink container 10 comprises a container base 12 which is capable of containment of a consumable fluid and a container cap or lid 14. The cap or lid 14 may be coupled to the container base 12 in a number of ways, for example a screw on cap, a push and turn cap, a pressure fit, a twist lock, a snap fit, or a flip top cap. Other types may be utilized. Additionally, the cap or lid 14 allows for drink access through one or more apertures 60 (FIG. 10) therein.

The drink container 10 comprises the container base 12 which is formed having a bottom 16 and a surrounding wall 18 that extends upwardly from the bottom 16. The bottom 16 and surrounding wall 18 define an interior cavity 20, indicated by the partially broken lead line, which may retain a fluid or liquid for drinking. The drink container 10 of the instant embodiment is generally cylindrical in shape. In other embodiments, the surrounding wall 18 may be tapered or may include shoulders, of changing diameter, that connect an upper portion and the lower portion.

The container base 12 is shown having a generally cylindrical shape defined by the bottom 16, which may be circular, and the surrounding wall 18 which extends upwardly from the circular bottom 16. The drink container base 12 may be in one or more of a number of different sizes with various widths, heights, geometrical and non-geometrical shapes and/or capacities. Further, in certain exemplary embodiments, the hydration container and/or container base 12 and/or cap or lid 14 may be fabricated using different colors, accents, and/or different personalizations, such as by laser etching or silk screening across one or more of its surfaces. Further, in certain exemplary embodiments, the container base 12 and/or the container lid 14 may be fabricated in various different materials, such as rubber, plastics, stainless steel, other polymers, and other metals in one or more fabricated parts. The container base 12 may be formed of various materials. For example in some embodiments, the container base 12 may be formed of a metal or an alloy, for example a food-safe stainless steel. In other embodiments, the container base 12 may be formed of a plastic or polymeric material, such as a blow-molded, injection molded, or rotomolded plastics and such plastics or polymerics may include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrile Styrene (AS or SAN) polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), tritan, and other polymerics may be utilized. Still further, glass and ceramics may be utilized.

The container base 12 may be formed of a single wall or may be a double walled container. For example, if the material is a metallic, the container base may be vacuum insulated double walled. Alternatively, if a plastic container base, the walls may comprise an outer wall, an inner wall, and a gaseous or a foam insulation, such as polyurethane between the outer and inner walls. Additionally, the walls may be single walled if the container base 12 is metal or plastic. As noted previously, various materials may be used for any of these embodiments, including but not limited to, durable, cleanable, food safe polymeric material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile Styrene (AS or SAN), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene polyethylene terephthalate (PET), tritan, and other polymerics may be utilized, or any other suitable material. Glass or ceramics may also be used. Further for example, the container base 12 may be formed of metals or alloys, for example, aluminum or food grade steel without departing from the scope of the present embodiments.

The upper end of the container base 12, defines an opening 22 of the container base 12. The opening 22 receives a cap or lid 14, which seals the upper end of the container base 12. The lid 14 closes the upper end of the container base 12 so that any fluid has to pass through one or more apertures 60 (FIG. 10, 11) in the lid 14. The upper end of the container base 12 may include a thread on an inner surface thereof, or may include a thread on an outer surface which is engaged by an inwardly facing thread of some embodiments of the lid 14. In other embodiments, the lid 14 may be pressure fit relative to the container base 12.

The container 10 may also comprise the lid 14. The lid 14 may be positioned in the opening 22 defined at the upper edge of the container base 12. The lid 14 closes the upper end of the container base 12 to allow access to the cavity 20, or limit splash or spill of a liquid contained within said container base 12.

The lid 14 comprises a top wall 30 and a peripheral lip 32, also referred to as an upstanding lid wall, which extends about the edges of the top wall 30. The lid 14 may also comprise a sidewall 36 (FIGS. 4, 5) that depends from the top wall 30. The sidewall 36 may extend into the opening 22 and the cavity 20 of the container base 12.

Like the container base 12, the lid 14 may be formed of various materials. For example, durable, cleanable, food safe polymeric material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile Styrene (AS or SAN), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), tritan, and other polymerics or any other suitable material For example, in some examples, metals or alloys may be utilized, such as aluminum or food grade steel. In some constructions, for example, the plastic may be blow molded or injection molded, for non-limiting example. The lid 14 may comprise a seal or a sealing rib for interference and sealing fit with the inner wall of container base 12. Alternatively, the lid 14 may comprise a threaded engagement with an inner wall of the container base 12.

The lid 14 may comprise a closure or flap 40 which is formed of a second material differing from the lid 14 material. The closure 40 is connected to the lid 14 and opens and closes for access to the drinking aperture 60 (FIG. 10). The second material of the closure 40 is more flexible than the first lid material of the lid 14, which is generally rigid. The flap or closure 40 may be formed of any type of flexible polymer, including but not limited to, silicone, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or rubber. This list is not exhaustive, as other materials may be utilized.

The closure 40 is shown in the closed position. The closure 40 is also shown as generally rectangular shape. The closure 40 generally extends across a top surface of the lid 14 inside of the lip 32 that extends about the perimeter of the top wall 30.

Referring additionally to FIG. 2, a lower perspective view of the container 10 is depicted. The lid 14 is shown as generally circular with flat sections 37 that aid in gripping the lid 14. The flat sections 37 allow grasping the lid 14 and allows for twisting of the lid 14 to remove or insert the lid 14 in the container base 12. The flat sections 37 may be used if the lid 14 is either an interference fit or a twist top lid, such as threaded engagement, or press and turn or other engagement type. Regardless of the type of closing movement, the flat sections 37 aid with manipulation of the cap or lid 14. The bottom of the container 10 may comprise an optional coaster 17 which may be defined by a rubber or polymeric material. The coaster 17 may be formed with the container or may be formed separately and joined to the container by an adhesive or mechanically. The coaster 17 may limit sliding of the container 10 when sitting on a surface.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the closure 40 also comprises an integrated hinge 50. The hinge 50 may be located in various locations, and in the instant embodiment, the hinge 50 is shown located generally in the center of the closure 40. The closure 40 is shown as rectangular shaped having a first end 42 and a second end 44. The hinge 50 extends perpendicularly to the centerline c of the closure 40. In the instant embodiment, the hinge 50 may be a living hinge. The hinge 50 allows movement of one end of the closure 40 to open the lid 14 and provides access to the one or more apertures 60 (FIG. 9) in the lid 14. The one or more apertures 60 provide access to the interior of the container base 12.

At one end of the hinge 50 is a tab 54 which extends upwardly above an adjacent lip 32. The tab 54 allows gripping of the tab, above the lip 32, and bending of the closure 40 about the hinge 50. The tab 54 is located at an end of the closure 40 and the living hinge 50 is disposed centrally to allow the bending/flexing of the closure 40 to an open position (FIG. 10).

At the base of the tab 54, a groove 56 is located in the closure 40. The groove 56 is sized to receive the lip 32 when the closure 40 bends at the hinge 50. In this way, the closure 40 may be retained in an open position (FIG. 10) for drinking, rather than hitting the user's face. The closure 40 may have a variation in thickness that aids in forming the channel in 56 in the area closer to the tab 54.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an elevation view is shown. The view shows the cylindrical shape and the lid 14 at the upper end of the container base 12. The depicted view shows the upper end of the container base 12. The upper end of the container base 12 comprises a shoulder 15 that narrows in diameter to a neck 19 extending upwardly from the shoulder 15.

In this view, the tab 54 is shown in relation to the lid wall or lip 32. The elevation view shows the height of the tab 54 extending above the top edge of the lid wall or lip 32. This allows ease of grasping of the tab 54 to hinge the closure 40, for example when a user wants to drink fluid from the container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the lid 14 is shown in perspective view, removed from the container base 12. The lid 14 comprises the sidewall 36 that is depending from the top wall 30. The sidewall 36 may be integrally formed with the lid 14 and may further comprise one or more threads 38 thereon. The one or more threads 38 may be helical for example and may be external threads, as shown, or may be an internal facing thread extends over external threads of a container base 12. In some embodiments, the sidewall 36 may comprise one or more seal rings which engages the inner wall of the base 12. The one or more rings may provide a friction fit with the inner wall of the container 10 and be used with or without threads, or other engagement structures between the lid 14 and the container 10.

Referring additionally to FIG. 5, the lid 14 is rotated from the position of FIG. 4. The rotated lid 14 shows the radius within the closure material which defines the hinge 50. Additionally, the view also clearly shows the hinge 50. As depicted, the hinge 50 is defined by a thinned area of material forming the closure 40. The hinge 50 may be formed during the molding of the closure 40 or may be formed in a separate process after the closure 40 is formed, for example in a cutting, grinding, or other similar process to remove material.

The groove 56 is also depicted in the view of FIG. 5. The groove 56 may be more narrow at the opening defining the groove 56 and may widen lower in the groove 56. It may be desirable to provide such shape so that the groove 56 the lip 32 and may be retained on the lip 32 when the closure 40 is in the open position.

Further, the closure 40 is shown seated in a lid channel 31 of the top wall 30. With the lid channel 31 formed, the closure 40 may sit flush therein and be flush, or near flush, with the upper surface of the top wall 30 when in the closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a side elevation view of the lid 14 wherein the closure 40 is shown exploded. As described before, the tab 54 is utilized to pivot the closure at the hinge 50. The closure 40 comprises an upper surface and a second surface. At the first end 42 of the closure 40, a plug 46 is shown depending from the bottom surface 43. The plug 46 is positioned through a drinking aperture 60 (FIG. 9) in the top wall 30, when the closure 40 is in the closed position. This precludes liquid passing through the drinking aperture 60 from inside the container base 12.

Toward the second end 44 of the closure 40, is an anchor 48. The instant embodiment provides two anchors 48, 49. The anchors 48, 49 retain the second end 44 of the closure 40 to the lid 14. Additionally, when the first end 42 is pulled from the lid 14, and pivots at the hinge 50, the anchors 48, 49 also retain the closure 40 in the lid 14. The anchors 48, 49 each comprise a neck 66 and a head 68, wherein the head 68 is larger than the neck 66. The anchors 48, 49 may be integrally formed with the closure 40, and therefore the head 68 may be flexible to compress when passing through an anchor hole 26 (FIG. 7) in the lid top wall 30. Subsequently, when the head 68 passes through the anchor hole 26, the head expands so that the head 68 cannot pull through the anchor hole 26.

Additionally, the necks 66 may each include a flow aperture which allows for fluid flow through the neck from the second end 44 toward the first end 42. The flow apertures may each allow fluid to move within the one or more trenches 39 to the drink aperture 60 and thereby return to within the container base.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an exploded section view is depicted with the closure 40 exploded from the lid top wall 30. In this view, the closure 40 comprises the plug 46, and the two anchors 48, 49 depending from a lower surface 43 of the closure 40. In this view, the plug 46 is shown as generally hollow centrally or internally, which allows some flexing of the plug 46 to pass through the drink aperture 60 in the channel 31. Oppositely, the anchors 48, 49 are solid in the section view. As opposed to the plug 46, the anchors 48, 49 will not flex as much as the plug 46. Accordingly, the plug 46 is readily insertable and removable, while the anchors 48, 49 are not removable once inserted in the anchor holes 26.

The section view of the lid 14 shows the drinking aperture 60 and the anchor holes 26. With the spaced and opposed closure 40, one skilled in the art will opposing holes in the lid 14 are smaller than the plug 46 and the anchors 48, 49. The anchors 48, 49 are pressed through the anchor holes 26 so that the anchors 48, 49 expand and cannot be removed, without likely damaging the anchors 48, 49. The anchors 48, 49 are also linearly aligned along the direction of the closure 40.

With brief reference to the bottom view of FIG. 11, the heads 68 are shown having passed through the channel 31 of lid 14. The heads 68 are shown having a general rectangular shape. The heads 68 may pass through holes anchor holes 26 of similar shape. Alternately however, the heads 68 may have alternate polygonal shapes or may have curved walls defining the shape of the heads 68. Further, while the heads 68 are both of the same shape, in other embodiments the heads may each be of differing shapes.

Similarly, the drinking aperture 60 is smaller than the size of the plug 46. The plug 46 however has a hollow inner portion capable of flexing so that the plug 46 can more easily pass though the drinking aperture 60 and be removed. The plug 46 also expands once it passes through the drinking aperture 60 and therefore drinking aperture 60 is sealable and resealable.

The top wall 30 of the lid 14 is shown is also shown in the section view. The top wall 30 and the channel 31 therein are slanted from a higher position at the anchor 48, 49 side toward the drinking aperture 60. This moves and fluids on the top wall 30 or within the channel 31 toward the drinking aperture 60 so that the fluids can return to the container base 12 through the drinking aperture 60 if the closure 40 is open.

Lastly in view of FIG. 7, the closure 40 shows the hinge 50 which is formed with radiuses at the upper and the lower surfaces 41, 43 of the closure 40. The thinned area of the hinge 50 allows the folding or bending of closure 40.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an assembled section view of the lid 14 and closure 40 is shown. The anchors 48, 49 are shown extending through the anchors holes 26 and the heads of the anchors 48, 49 are expanded. Being solid material, the anchors 48, 49 are not as flexible and therefore cannot as readily be pulled through the anchor holes 26 from the position shown.

Alternately, the plug 46 is extending through the drinking aperture 60 and expands once the plug 46 passes through the aperture. However, due to the hollow plug internals, the plug 46 can more readily flex inwardly and allow for more passage through the drinking aperture 60 to seal, open, or re-seal.

Also shown in the section view, the lip 32 may comprise a protuberance or catch 33 formed integrally thereon. At the opposite side of the lid 14, is the groove 56 (FIG. 9) of the closure 40. The groove 56 is curved and has a reduced opening or entry, but expands or enlarges moving downwardly in the groove 56. The reduction in the opening of the channel may be provided from fingers 45 that that are formed near the base of tab 54 and on the opposite side of the groove 56, along the closure 40. The fingers 45 provide a frictional engagement on the lip 32 and specifically the protuberance 33, when the closure 40 is moved to the open position. Additionally, the groove 56 is a radius that matches the protuberance or catch 33. As a result, when in the open position, the closure 40 is retained on the protuberance 33 of the lip 32 and out of the way of the user of the drink container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the lid 14 is shown in perspective view with the closure in the open position. The groove 56 is shown engaging the lip 32, and specifically the protuberance 33 of the lip 32. In the view, the hinge 50 is shown folded, so that the closure 40 may be moved out of the way of the drinking aperture 60.

Additionally, the centrally located channel 31 is shown in top wall 30. The channel 31 is more clearly revealed with the closure 40 opened. The channel 31 allows for the closure to be recessed slightly so that the upper surface of closure 40 is flush or substantially flush with the top wall 30.

Still further the finger 45 are also shown engaging the protuberance 33 to retain the closure 40 in the open position.

Additionally, shown within the channel 31 are one or more trenches 39 extend in a longitudinal direction of the channel 31. The one or more trenches are formed by one or more scallops or other shapes that provide a space for collection of fluid and movement of fluid from near the second end 44 of the closure 40 toward the first end 42 and within the channel 31. The trenches 39 also direct fluid to the drinking aperture 60. The trenches 39 are declined similar to the top wall 30 to direct fluid toward the drink aperture 60. The one or more trenches 39 are a low spot for fluid collection and movement within the channel 31.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a section view of the closure 40 and lid 14 are shown, with the closure 40 in the open position of FIG. 9. The anchors 48, 49 are shown extended through the anchor holes 26 of the top wall 30. This retains the closure 40 in position, and the groove 56 is shown engaging the lip 32 and the protuberance 33 of the lip 32, in order to retain the closure 40 in the open position. In this way, the drinking aperture 60 is available for drinking directly, or is available for use with a straw.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 10, a side section views are shown of the lid 14. The lid sidewall 36 is vertical but in some embodiments, sidewall 36 may be tapered. The sidewall 36 may provide an upwardly extending sidewall which allows the sidewall and threads to extend into the container base 12 and also allow the lip 32 to extend upwardly and to be flush with the sidewall of the container base 12.

The instant lid 14 and closure 40 provides that the closure 40 pivots or hinges opened and closed. The closure 40 is anchored at one end of the closure 40 and may be lifted and pivoted at the opposite end, by the tab 54. The undersurface 43 of the closure 40 is shown having the one or more anchors 48, 49. The first and second anchors 48, 49 which extend through the closure top wall 30. In the depicted embodiment, the two anchors 48, 49 are generally rectangular in shape. The anchors 48, 49 are oversized relative to apertures in the top wall 30, so that once the anchors 48, 49 are pressed through the apertures, the anchors 48, 49 expand and may be difficult to remove, or may only be removable with destruction or damage to the anchors 48, 49.

The closure 40 may be formed of various materials and therefore for the anchors may be formed of the same materials. The anchors 48, 49 are shown to be mushroom-shaped in cross section, but other shapes may be utilized. For example, it may be desirable to use a large size anchor or anchors, relative to the closure, in order to strengthen the connection of the closure and the lid. The anchors 48, 49 may be solid with the intent of reducing flexibilty and ability to remove the anchors 48, 49 from the lid 14.

At the opposite end of the closure 40, the closure 40 comprises a plug 46. The lid top wall 30 comprises a drinking aperture 60 in the top wall 30 which a user may drink fluid. The plug 46 extends through the drinking aperture 60. The plug 46 may have material removed from the interior central area of the plug so that the plug 46 may flex to pass through the drinking aperture 60, but may expand again once the plug 46 passes through the drinking aperture 60. This allows for sealing of the drinking aperture 60 in the closure top wall.

Also shown in the lower perspective view, the top wall 30 has a recessed central area or channel 31 that corresponds to the location and size of the closure 40. The recess or channel 31 provides two functions. First, it provides a low spot for the drinking aperture 60 wherein the fluid may be collected and may return though the drinking aperture 60, back into the container base 12. Second, the recess or channel 31 provides a more flush fit for the closure 40 with the upper surface of the top wall 30, when the closure 40 is closed.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the invent of embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.

Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in this specification and claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently-disclosed subject matter.

As used herein, the term “about,” when referring to a value or to an amount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration or percentage is meant to encompass variations of in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed method.

As used herein, ranges can be expressed as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures.

The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.

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