TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to a lid for a container, such as a beverage container.
BACKGROUND
Containers that hold liquids can have a variety of lids. Containers that hold beverages have become increasingly popular in recent years. Such beverage containers can hold a variety of beverages, including for example, water, tea, coffee, sports drinks, and soft drinks. The lids for beverage containers prevent spilling of the beverage while providing access to the beverage for drinking. In some cases, people prefer to drink beverages directly from a beverage container by placing their lips next to a drinking aperture, whereas in other cases, people prefer to drink beverages indirectly by using a straw to drink from a beverage container. A beverage container lid that provides a user with multiple function capability in which the user can alternately drink directly from a drinking aperture and drink indirectly with a straw would be beneficial. In particular, a lid that combines multiple function capability with a simple and user-friendly design would be beneficial.
SUMMARY
In one example embodiment, the present disclosure is generally directed to a lid for a container. The lid may comprise: (i) a lid connector that engages the container; (ii) a base attached to the lid connector, wherein the base comprises a lid track and a drinking aperture; and (iii) a slidable cover attached to a top surface of the base. The slidable cover may comprise: a lid guide that engages the lid track, a straw aperture, and a straw cover that removably covers the straw aperture. The slidable cover may be moved along the top surface of the base from a closed position, in which the straw aperture overlaps at least a portion of the drinking aperture, to a retracted position, in which at least a portion of the drinking aperture is not covered by the slidable cover.
The foregoing example embodiment may further include one or more of the following additional features. In one embodiment, the lid track may comprise a first rail and a second rail and the lid guide may comprise a first lid guide that engages the first rail and a second lid guide that engages the second rail. The slidable cover may move linearly along a diameter of the lid. The straw cover may pivot at a straw cover hinge between an open position and a closed position. The straw cover may pivot toward a center of the lid when moving from the closed position to the open position. The straw cover and the straw aperture may be located on a forward portion of the slidable cover. The entirety of the straw aperture may overlap with the drinking aperture when the slidable cover is in the closed position. Lastly, the slidable cover may further comprise a grip protruding from a top surface of the slidable cover.
The foregoing embodiments are non-limiting examples and other aspects and embodiments will be described herein. The foregoing summary is provided to introduce various concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify required or essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is the summary intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings illustrate only example embodiments of a lid for a container and therefore are not to be considered limiting of the scope of this disclosure. The principles illustrated in the example embodiments of the drawings can be applied to alternate methods and apparatus. Additionally, the elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles. In the drawings, the same reference numerals used in different embodiments designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.
FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a container and lid in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the container and lid of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the lid of FIG. 1 in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the slidable cover in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates the container and lid of FIG. 1 with the slidable cover in a retracted position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 6 illustrates the container and lid of FIG. 1 with the slidable cover in a closed position and the straw cover in an open position in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective view of a container and lid in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 8 illustrates a top perspective view of a container and lid in accordance with yet another example embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
The example embodiments discussed herein are directed to a lid for a container wherein the lid provides multiple functions that are particularly useful for a beverage container. Specifically, the example embodiments of the lid described herein facilitate drinking from a beverage container both directly from a drinking aperture and indirectly with a straw. The example lids provide a slidable cover with an integrated straw aperture. Furthermore, when the slidable cover is in the closed position, the straw aperture overlaps with the drinking aperture. The position of the straw aperture on the slidable cover eliminates the need for an additional aperture in a base of the lid to accommodate a straw. The elimination of an additional aperture in the base of the lid removes a point of potential leaks from the container and simplifies the use and cleaning of the lid for a user. The elimination of an additional aperture in the base also simplifies the manufacture of the lid. Accordingly, the arrangement of the drinking aperture, the slidable cover and the straw aperture provides several advantages.
In the following paragraphs, particular embodiments will be described in further detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the description, well-known components, methods, and/or processing techniques are omitted or briefly described. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the embodiments is not to suggest that all embodiments must include the referenced feature(s).
FIGS. 1 through 6 provide views of the lid in association with a beverage container as well as illustrating the features of the slidable cover. FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which a slidable cover is attached to and slides along the lid in a different manner. FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment in which the lid of FIGS. 1-6 is attached to a different beverage container.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a lid 110 is shown attached to a container 102 which may contain a beverage. The container 102 is simply an illustrative example and the lid 110 can be attached to a variety of containers having different shapes and sizes. The lid 110 comprises a base 114 that has a generally circular shape and that is disposed in a generally horizontal position when the lid is attached to a container that is in an upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1. A rim 112 having a generally cylindrical shape extends from a perimeter of the base 114 in an upward direction away from the container when the container is in the upright position. In other embodiments, the rim may have other shapes or may include a spout to facilitate drinking. In yet other embodiments, the lid may have no rim. A lid connector 126 having a generally cylindrical shape extends from a perimeter of the base 114 in a direction opposite to the rim 112. The lid connector 126 may comprise one or more features for securing the lid to the container, including for example, threads, detents, snap fit features, and/or a gasket.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container 102 may have a longitudinal axis that extends through the base and through the top opening of the container. When the lid 110 is attached to the container 102 by the lid connector 126, the major faces of the base 114 are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container 102. The rim 112 and the lid connector 126 extend from the base 114 (in opposite directions) generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.
The lid 110 also includes a slidable cover 116 attached to a top surface of the lid 110. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the slidable cover 116 may move along the top surface of the base 114 of the lid 110. In the example of FIGS. 1-6, the slidable cover 116 moves in a linear direction along a diameter 106 of the lid 110. However, in other embodiments, the slidable cover may move in a different manner, such as in a rotational direction along the top surface of the base 114. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the base 114 of the lid 110 includes a drinking aperture 124. Because the drinking aperture 124 passes through the base 114, the drinking aperture defines an area that is co-planar with the base 114. A user can drink directly from the container 102 by placing the user's mouth adjacent to the drinking aperture 124 through which a beverage can flow from the container 102. The slidable cover 116 can alternately cover or expose the drinking aperture 124 when a user slides the slidable cover 116 along the top surface of the base 114. FIG. 1 shows the slidable cover 116 in a closed position wherein the slidable cover 116 covers the drinking aperture 124 preventing a user from drinking directly from the drinking aperture. In contrast, FIG. 5 shows the slidable cover 116 in a retracted position wherein the slidable cover 116 has been moved away from the drinking aperture 124 so that at least a portion of the drinking aperture 124 is not covered by the slidable cover 116. In the retracted position, the slidable cover 116 can be configured to expose the entirety of the drinking aperture 124 or only a portion of the drinking aperture 124. When the slidable cover 116 is in the retracted position, the drinking aperture 124 is exposed, thereby allowing a beverage within the container 102 to flow through the drinking aperture 124 for direct drinking by a user. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the base 114 may optionally include a vent 128 to provide for equalization of air pressure within the container 102 when a user is drinking through the drinking aperture 124.
The sliding motion of the slidable cover 116 can be accomplished by one of several mechanisms. FIGS. 1-6 provide one example mechanism for the movement of the slidable cover 116. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base 114 includes a track 110 that facilitates the motion of the slidable cover 116. In the example of FIGS. 2 and 3, the track comprises a first rail 130 and a second rail 134. The first rail 130 and the second rail 134 are located on opposite sides of the lid diameter 106 that bisects the drinking aperture 124 and along which the slidable cover 116 slides. In other embodiments, the track 110 can have other shapes or configurations, such as the example discussed below in connection with FIG. 7.
The slidable cover 116 attaches to the track 110 with a lid guide. The lid guide can have a variety of shapes and configurations. In the example of FIGS. 1-6, the lid guide comprises a first lid guide 140 and a second lid guide 144, which are visible in FIG. 4. The first lid guide 140 and the second lid guide 144 are located on opposite sides of the bottom of the slidable cover 116 so that they generally align with the first rail 130 and the second rail 134, respectively. The first lid guide 140 extends along the bottom of the slidable cover 116 from a first side of slidable cover 116 inward toward the center of the slidable cover 116. Similarly, the second lid guide 144 extends along the bottom of the slidable cover 116 from a second side of slidable cover 116 inward toward the center of the slidable cover 116. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first rail 130 of the base 114 includes an extension that extends outward away from the diameter 106. Similarly, the second rail 134 of the base 114 includes an extension that extends outward away from the diameter 106. When the slidable cover 116 is attached to the base 114, the first lid guide 140 fits around the extension of the first rail 130 and the second lid guide 144 fits around the extension of the second rail 134, thereby allowing the slidable cover 116 to move along the diameter 106 between the closed position and the retracted position. Optionally, the lid guides and the rails can include stop features that govern the extent of the movement of the slidable cover 116. Specifically, in the example of FIGS. 3-4, the optional stop features include a second rail stop 135, a counterpart first rail stop (not visible in FIG. 3) on the first rail 130, a second lid stop 145, and a first lid stop 141.
As illustrated in the example of FIGS. 1-6, the slidable cover 116 also includes a straw cover 120 that covers a straw aperture 122. The straw cover 120 and straw aperture 122 are positioned at a forward portion of the slidable cover. The straw aperture 122 defines a plane that is generally parallel with the major face of the base 114 of the lid 110. The straw aperture 122 also can be described as coplanar with a major face of the slidable cover 116. The straw cover 120 is attached to a straw cover hinge 121 that allows the straw cover 120 to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The straw cover 120 is shown in the closed position in FIGS. 1 and 5. In contrast, when a user wants to drink from the container 102 using a straw, the slidable cover 116 is positioned in the closed position and the straw cover 120 can be opened for inserting a straw into the straw aperture as illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows the straw cover 120 has been pivoted upward and toward the center of the lid 110 using the flexible straw cover hinge 121. In the example of FIGS. 1-6, the straw cover 120 pivots toward the center of the lid and away from the rim 122 so that the straw cover does not obstruct the placement of a straw into the straw aperture 122. In other embodiments, the straw cover may be moved from the straw aperture by any of a variety of mechanisms. As one example, the straw cover may pivot in other directions. As another example, instead of pivoting, the straw cover may slide toward the sides of the slidable cover or toward the back of the slidable cover or slide into a recess.
As further illustrated in FIG. 6, when a user wants to use the straw aperture 122 to insert a straw into the container 102, the straw aperture 122 overlaps with the drinking aperture 124 so that a straw can be inserted through both the straw aperture 122 and the drinking aperture 124. In other words, the overlap of the straw aperture 122 and the drinking aperture 124 allows the straight cylindrical shape of a straw to be inserted through both apertures. While not required, the area of the straw aperture 122 may be smaller than the area of the drinking aperture 124 so that the perimeter of the straw aperture 122 falls within the perimeter of the drinking aperture 124 (as viewed from above the lid 110) when the slidable cover 116 is in the closed position. In one example, a portion of the straw aperture 122 overlaps the drinking aperture 124 a sufficient amount to allow a straw to pass through both apertures. In an alternate example, the entirety of the straw aperture 122 overlaps the drinking aperture 124. As such, the configuration of the movable slider and the position of the straw aperture at the forward portion of the movable slider provides an advantage over prior lids that provide a drinking aperture and a straw aperture that are separated and non-overlapping. The configuration of the movable slider and the position of the straw aperture at the forward portion of the movable slider allows a user to easily switch between drinking directly from the drinking aperture (with the slidable cover in the retracted position) and drinking indirectly via a straw through the drinking aperture and the straw aperture (with the sliding aperture in the closed position). When the user wishes to drink from a straw, the user is not required to align the straw aperture with a different aperture through the base of the lid, but instead, simply places the slidable cover in the closed position and passes the straw through both the straw aperture and the drinking aperture.
The slidable cover 116 illustrated in the example of FIGS. 1-6 also includes a grip 118. In the example of FIGS. 1-6, the grip 118 is a protrusion that extends upward from the slidable cover 116 so that a user's finger can easily engage the grip 118 for moving the slidable cover between the closed position and the open position. In the example of FIGS. 1-6, the grip 118 is located behind the forward portion of the slidable cover 116 where the straw aperture 122 and the straw cover 120 are located. Placing the grip 118 behind the forward portion of the slidable cover 116 can be advantageous so that the grip is not positioned between the straw and the closest portion of the rim 112 where it might interfere with consuming a beverage. However, in alternate embodiments, the grip may be placed at another location on the slidable cover or the grip may be eliminated from the slidable cover. Additionally, in other embodiments, the grip may take other forms, such as a recess or texturing that allows a user's finger to gain purchase on the slidable cover.
Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment of a lid is illustrated. Many features of the lid in the example of FIG. 7 are similar to the features of the lid in the example of FIGS. 1-6. Accordingly, a detailed description of those similar features will not be repeated.
In FIG. 7, a lid 210 is shown attached to a container 202 which may contain a beverage. The lid 210 comprises a base 214 that has a generally circular shape and that is disposed in a generally horizontal position when the lid is attached to a container that is in an upright position as illustrated in FIG. 7. A rim 212 having a generally cylindrical shape extends from a perimeter of the base 114 in an upward direction away from the container when the container is in the upright position. Although not visible in FIG. 7, lid 210 may have a lid connector for securing the lid 210 to the container 202 in a manner similar to the example of FIGS. 1-6.
The lid 210 also includes a slidable cover 216 attached to a top surface of the lid 210. As indicated by the bidirectional arrow in FIG. 7, the slidable cover 216 may move along the top surface of the base 214 of the lid 210. In the example of FIG. 7, the slidable cover 216 moves in a linear direction along a diameter 206 of the lid 210. However, in other embodiments, the slidable cover may move in a different manner, such as in a rotational direction along the top surface of the base 214. Although not visible in FIG. 7, the base 214 of the lid 210 includes a drinking aperture similar to the drinking aperture described previously in connection with FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 7 shows the slidable cover 216 in a closed position wherein the slidable cover 216 covers the drinking aperture preventing a user from drinking directly from the drinking aperture. The slidable cover 216 can alternately cover or expose the drinking aperture when a user slides the slidable cover 216 along the top surface of the base 214. With the slidable cover in a retracted position, a user can drink directly from the container 202 by placing the user's mouth adjacent to the drinking aperture through which a beverage can flow from the container 202. In the retracted position, the slidable cover 216 can be configured to expose the entirety of the drinking aperture or only a portion of the drinking aperture.
As explained previously, the sliding motion of the slidable cover can be accomplished by a variety of mechanisms. FIG. 7 illustrates another such mechanism. In the example of FIG. 7, the slidable cover 216 attaches to a track 210. The track 210 may be a raised feature on the top surface of the base 214 that extends along a portion of the diameter 206. A lid guide on the underside of the slidable cover 216 can attach to and slide along the track 210. Similar to the example of FIGS. 1-6, the lid guide may comprise opposing first and second lid guides that attach to and slide along the edges of the track 210. The first lid guide may extend along the bottom of the slidable cover 216 from a first side of slidable cover 216 inward toward the center of the slidable cover 216. Similarly, the second lid guide may extend along the bottom of the slidable cover 216 from a second side of slidable cover 216 inward toward the center of the slidable cover 216.
In another alternate embodiment, the track 210 may be a recessed feature on the top surface of the base 214 that extends along the diameter 206. When the track is a recessed feature, the lid guide on the underside of the slidable cover 216 can attach to and slide along the recessed track. The attachment of the slidable cover 216 to the recessed track 210 may be via a snap fit feature or similar feature.
Similar to the example of FIGS. 1-6, in the example lid of FIG. 7, the slidable cover 216 also includes a straw cover 220 that covers a straw aperture, which is not visible in FIG. 7. The straw cover 220 and straw aperture are positioned at a forward portion of the slidable cover 216. The straw aperture defines a plane that is generally parallel with the major face of the base 214 of the lid 210. The straw cover 220 is attached to a straw cover hinge that allows the straw cover 220 to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The straw cover 220 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 7. When a user wants to drink from the container 202 using a straw, the slidable cover 216 is positioned in the closed position and the straw cover 220 can be opened for inserting a straw into the straw aperture. Similar to the example of FIGS. 1-6, the straw cover 220 may be pivoted upward and toward the center of the lid 210 using the flexible straw cover hinge. Pivoting the straw cover 220 upward exposes the straw aperture which overlaps with the drinking aperture so that a straw can be inserted through both the straw aperture and the drinking aperture. In other embodiments, the straw cover may move in different ways. As one example, the straw cover may pivot in other directions. As another example, instead of pivoting, the straw cover may slide toward the sides of the slidable cover or toward the back of the slidable cover or slide into a recess.
The overlap of the straw aperture and the drinking aperture allows the straight cylindrical shape of a straw to be inserted through both apertures. As such, the configuration of the movable slider and the position of the straw aperture at the forward portion of the movable slider provides an advantage over prior lids that provide a drinking aperture and a straw aperture that are separated and non-overlapping. The configuration of the movable slider and the position of the straw aperture at the forward portion of the movable slider allows a user to easily switch between drinking directly from the drinking aperture (with the slidable cover in the retracted position) and drinking indirectly via a straw through the drinking aperture and the straw aperture (with the sliding aperture in the closed position). When the user wishes to drink from a straw, the user is not required to align the straw aperture with a different aperture through the base of the lid, but instead, simply places the slidable cover in the closed position and passes the straw through both the straw aperture and the drinking aperture.
Similar to the example of FIGS. 1-6, the slidable cover 216 illustrated in the example of FIG. 8 also includes a grip 218. Grip 218 is a protrusion that extends upward from the slidable cover 216 so that a user's finger can easily engage the grip 218 for moving the slidable cover along the track 210 between the closed position and the open position. In the example of FIG. 7, the grip 218 is located behind the forward portion of the slidable cover 216 where the straw aperture and the straw cover 220 are located. Placing the grip 218 behind the forward portion of the slidable cover 216 can be advantageous so that the grip is not positioned between the straw and the closest portion of the rim 212 where it might interfere with consuming a beverage. However, in alternate embodiments, the grip may be placed at another location on the slidable cover or the grip may be eliminated from the slidable cover.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the lid 110 of FIGS. 1-6 is shown attached to a different container 302. FIG. 8 illustrates that the example lids described herein can be attached to a variety of containers for drinking beverages.
The components of the lid may be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastics, metals, and composites. For any figure shown and described herein, one or more of the components may be omitted, added, repeated, and/or substituted. Additionally, it should be understood that in certain cases components can be combined or can be separated into subcomponents. Accordingly, embodiments shown in a particular figure should not be considered limited to the specific arrangements of components shown in such figure. Further, if a component of a figure is described but not expressly shown or labeled in that figure, the label used for a corresponding component in another figure can be inferred to that component. Conversely, if a component in a figure is labeled but not described, the description for such component can be substantially the same as the description for the corresponding component in another figure.
With respect to the example methods described herein, it should be understood that in alternate embodiments, certain operations of the methods may be performed in a different order, may be performed in parallel, or may be omitted. Moreover, in alternate embodiments additional steps may be added to the example methods described herein. Accordingly, the example methods provided herein should be viewed as illustrative and not limiting of the disclosure.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “distal”, “proximal”, and “within” are used merely to distinguish one component (or part of a component or state of a component) from another. Such terms are not meant to denote a preference or a particular orientation, and are not meant to limit the embodiments described herein. In the example embodiments described herein, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.
The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include plural alternatives, e.g., at least one. The terms “including”, “with”, and “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language), unless specified otherwise.
Although embodiments described herein are made with reference to example embodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example embodiments described herein are not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments using the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art. Therefore, the scope of the example embodiments is not limited herein.
Patent Application
20250229958
