LEAKPROOF LID AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME

Abstract

A lid connectable to a drinking vessel. The lid has a bottom lid portion, a top lid portion, a first straw and a second straw. The bottom lid portion has a top, a bottom and a sidewall defining an interior space having a straw connector portion. The top lid portion is connected to the bottom lid portion. The top lid portion has a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening having a passageway extending therebetween. The first straw has a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the first straw to the straw connector portion of the bottom lid portion. The second straw has a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the second straw to the opening of the top lid portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a lid for a drinking vessel, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved leakproof lid for a drinking vessel and a method of making and using the leakproof lid.

BACKGROUND

The market currently contains many tumbler drinking vessels. It is very common for those vessels to use a straw lid that is connected to a top opening of the vessel to enable users to consume liquids from the vessel, through a straw, with the lid attached. Most straw lids for drinking tumblers, however, are not leakproof and will spill if the vessel is knocked over or turned upside down.

To this end, although lids for drinking vessels of the existing art are operable, further improvements are desirable and a need remains to provide a lid that is leakproof than currently is provided in existing lids. It is to such a lid and method of making and using that at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Several embodiments of the present disclosure are hereby illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted however, that the appended drawings only illustrate several embodiments and are therefore not intended to be considered limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. Further, in the appended drawings, like or identical reference numerals may be used to identify common or similar elements, and not all such elements may be so numbered. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a lid coupled to a drinking vessel, the lid constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side perspective view of FIG. 5 showing the flow pathway of fluid when in use in the open position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view side elevational view of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is top view of a passageway of a straw connecter portion of a bottom lid portion of the lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a bottom, perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional of another embodiment of a lid constructed in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the lid of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing at least one embodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concept is not limited in its application to the details of construction, experiments, exemplary data, and/or the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description, or illustrated in the drawings. The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting in any way.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concept, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concept. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concept within the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the inventive concept, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concept. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the inventive concept within the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

The use of the word “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein and when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.” The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or when the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and/or.” The use of the term “at least one” will be understood to include one as well as any quantity more than one, including but not limited to, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, or any integer inclusive therein. The term “at least one” may extend up to 100 or 1000 or more, depending on the term to which it is attached; in addition, the quantities of 100/1000 are not to be considered limiting, as higher limits may also produce satisfactory results. In addition, the use of the term “at least one of X, Y and Z” will be understood to include X alone, Y alone, and Z alone, as well as any combination of X, Y and Z.

As used in this specification and claims, the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The term “or combinations thereof” as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, “A, B, C, or combinations thereof” is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AAB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a lid 10, constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, is shown coupled to a top 12 of a drinking vessel 14. The drinking vessel 14 shown herein by example is a tumbler. However, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the drinking vessel may be any vessel or container used for storing or holding a liquid for drinking. The lid 10 may be sized and configured to be utilized with any type and shape of drinking vessel depending on the size and shape of the vessel for use with the lid 10 so long as the lid functions in accordance with the present disclosure as described herein.

The lid 10 may be constructed from any material known by one of ordinary skill in the art which is strong and durable enough to cover an opening of a vessel, such as, polymeric materials, stainless steel, aluminum, silicone, or combinations thereof, or other such materials capable of being utilized in the construction of the lid 10. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thought the lid 10 is shown as circular, the lid 10 may be any variety of shapes, such as square, cylindrical, coned, or the like, so long as the lid 10 functions in accordance with the present disclosure as described herein. It is contemplated, in one embodiment, that the lid 10 is formed as a single piece of material. However, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that another embodiment of the lid 10 is constructed from multiple components and from various types of material, or combinations thereof, and configured to be formed or connected into a single piece.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, showing that the lid 10 is movable between a closed position (FIGS. 2-4) and an open position (FIGS. 5-7), the lid 10 includes a bottom lid portion 16, a top lid portion 18, a straw portion 20 and a button 22. The bottom lid portion 16 is externally threaded so as to facilitate connection of the lid 10 with an inner portion of the drinking vessel 14 which has corresponding internal threading. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the lid and drinking vessel may be configured in various ways and methods to be attachable to one another by press-in, sliding, clamping, or any other way for attaching one object to another so long as the lid functions in accordance with the present disclosure.

The bottom lid portion 16 has a top end 24, a bottom end 26 and a sidewall 28 defining an interior space 30 having a straw connector portion 32. The straw connector portion 32 is an elongated body member having a top end 34, a bottom end 36 and an elongated passageway or channel 38 extending therebetween having a sidewall 39. The straw connector portion 32 extends a distance between the bottom end 26 and the top end 24 of the bottom lid portion 16 wherein in some embodiments, the straw connector portion extends a distance below the bottom end 26 of the bottom end portion 16.

Broadly, the top end 34 of the bottom lid portion 16 is sized and configured to receive a portion of the straw portion 20 and the bottom end 36 of the straw connector portion 28 of the bottom lid portion 16 is sized and configured to receive a bottom straw 31. The interior space 32 is sized and configured to receive a portion of the top lid portion 18 such that the top lid portion 18 is configured to connect to the bottom lid portion 16. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the bottom lid portion 16 and the top lid portion 18 may be connected to one another in any variety of ways known in the art for connecting one item to another. The bottom end 26 has a bottom surface 33 having a pair of drainage holes 35a and 35b and a relief valve 37 (FIG. 8) for releasing any excess pressure.

The bottom end 36 of the straw connector portion 32 is provided with a seat 40 or a raised rim positioned about a perimeter of the sidewall 39 of the channel 38. A second rim 44 is provided about the raised rim 40 to form a groove 47. The channel 38 of the bottom lid portion 16 has a plurality of sidewalls 45a, 45b and 45c that form a plurality of openings 46a, 46b, and 46c (FIG. 8) positioned at the bottom of the channel 38 about a plug 48 formed in the bottom end 36 of the straw connector portion 32. In some embodiments, at least one opening is formed by at least one separator in the channel 38.

The plug 48 is designed to stop the flow of fluid when the lid 10 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the channel 38 is sized and configured as a single opening or as two opening, or any number of openings, so long as the straw portion 20 and the vessel are in fluid communication as disclosed in the present application. The channel 38 is in fluid communication with the drinking vessel 14 when the lid 10 is coupled to the drinking vessel 14.

The top lid portion 18 has a top surface 50, a bottom surface 52 and an opening 54 having a passageway 55 extending between a first end 56 and a second end 58. The top surface 50 has a skirt 60 extending downward from and about a perimeter of the top surface 50 of the top lid portion 18 of the lid 10. The bottom surface 52 includes a connecting portion 62 sized and configured to connect with the bottom lid portion 16.

The passageway 55 of the opening 54 is sized and configured for receiving the straw portion 20 and the button 22. A fluid tight seal is created between a sidewall 57 of the passageway 55 and sidewalls of the straw portion 20 and the button 22, respectively, while allowing the straw portion 20 and the button 22 to move in upward and downward directions. The second end 58 of the passageway 55 is positioned in the groove 47 of the bottom end 36 of the straw connecter portion 32 for connecting the bottom lid portion 16 and the top lid portion 18.

The straw portion 20 includes a base 62 and a straw 64. The base 62 is positioned in the passageway 55 of the opening 54 and is provided with a groove 66 and a plurality of ridges 68a and 68b. The groove 66 of the base 62 of the straw portion 20 is sized and configured to be positioned on the sidewall 39 of the straw connector portion 28 of the bottom lid portion 16 to create a seal while allowing movement of the straw portion 20 in an upward and downward direction along the sidewall 39 of the straw connector portion 28. The plurality of ridges 68a and 68b extend outwardly from the base 62 applying a force against the sidewall 57 of the passageway 55 of the top lid potion 18.

The straw 64 of the straw portion 20 extends upward from the base 62 of the straw portion 20 and the top end 24 of the bottom lid portion 16 and through the opening 54 of the top lid portion 18. The straw 64 extends a distance from the top surface 50 of the top lid portion 18 of the lid 10. The straw 64 is in fluid communication with the plurality of openings 46a-46c in the bottom lid portion 16 and the drinking vessel 14.

The button 22 has an opening 70 sized and configured for receiving the straw 64. The button 22 is positioned in the opening 54 of the top lid portion 18 and sits on top of the base 62 of the straw portion 20 of the bottom lid portion 16 and is secured by the top lid portion 18.

In use, referring to FIGS. 2-4, when the lid 10 is in the closed position, the base 62 of the straw portion 20 sits on the bottom of the straw connector portion 28 of the bottom lid portion 16. The plug 48 completely seals the straw preventing fluid communication with the drinking vessel 14 and the flow of any fluid traveling between the plurality of openings 46a-46c and out of the straw 64.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, to move the lid into the open position, upward force is applied to the straw 64. The straw portion 20 is moved to the top of the straw connector portion 32 so the straw portion 20 sits on the upper part of the sidewall 39 of the channel 38. A seal is removed from the plug 48 of and end of the straw 64 to enable fluid to flow through the plurality of openings 46a-46c through the straw 64 through the top lid portion 18. The upward force on the straw 64 simultaneously moves a portion of the button 22 through the top lid portion 18 to indicate that the lid 10 is in the open position. The straw 64 is able to remain raised and in the open position by the force applied by the plurality of ridges 68a and 68b against the sidewall 57 of the passageway 55 of the top lid potion 18. The button 22 remains in the open position because it is supported by the straw portion 20.

Referring to FIGS. 2-7, to move the straw portion 20 from the open position to the closed position. A downward force is applied to the raised button 22. As the button moves downward, the straw portion 20 is pushed downward and the groove 64 of the straw portion 20 travels along the sidewall 39 of the straw connector portion 32 until it reaches the seat 40 of the straw connector portion 32. Simultaneously, the bottom hole of the straw 64 is sealed by the plug 48 of the bottom lid portion 16 when the plug 48 inserts itself into the straw opening. Though a plug seal is discussed herein, it should be understood that various seals may be utilized to control fluid communication between the straw and the drinking vessel, such as a hose seal.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-11, shown therein is another embodiment of a lid 80 constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. The lid 80 may be coupled to a drinking vessel and may be constructed from any material similar to the lid 10.

The lid 80 includes a bottom lid portion 82, a top lid portion 84, a first straw 86 and a second straw 88. The bottom lid portion 82 is externally threaded so as to facilitate connection of the lid 80 with a drinking vessel. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the lid and drinking vessel may be configured in various ways and methods to be attachable to one another by press-in, sliding, clamping, or any other way for attaching one object to another so long as the lid functions in accordance with the present disclosure.

The bottom lid portion 82 has a top 90, a bottom 92, a sidewall 94 defining an interior space 96 and a straw connector portion 98. The bottom 92 has a bottom surface having a relief valve for releasing any excess pressure. The interior space 96 is sized and configured to receive a portion of the top lid portion 84 such that the top lid portion 84 is configured to connect to the bottom lid portion 82. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the bottom lid portion 82 and the top lid portion 84 may be connected to one another in any variety of ways known in the art for connecting one item to another or may be formed as one portion.

The straw connector portion 98 is barrel-shaped having a top end 100, a bottom end 102 and an elongated passageway or channel 104 extending therebetween having a sidewall 106. The straw connector portion 98 extends a distance from the bottom 92 below the bottom lid portion 82. The sidewall 106 of the straw connector portion 92 includes at least one or more L-shaped openings 108a and 108b formed in the sidewall 106. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any number and various shaped openings may be utilized with the lid so long as the lid functions in accordance with the present disclosure.

The first straw 86 has a first end 112, a second end 114 and a passageway 116 therebetween. The passageway 116 having a sidewall 118. The first end 112 of the first straw is positionable in a drinking vessel so as to be in fluid communication with the fluid of the vessel. The second end 114 of the first straw 86 is provided with a connector 120 mounted about the second end 114 of the first straw 86. The connector 120 is barrel shaped and sized and configured to mate with the straw connector portion 98. The connector 120 is provided with at least one or more opposingly positioned projections 122a and 122b (not shown) on an outer surface of the connector 120 sidewall 126. The at least one or more projections 122a and 122b are inserted through at least one or more corresponding L-shaped openings 108 and 110 of the straw connector portion 98 for removing and connecting the first straw 86 from the bottom lid portion 82. At least one or more tabs 128a and 128b (not shown) are provided on the surface of the connector 120 sidewall 126 for allowing an individual to move the connector 120 between a first connectable position and a second removable position.

The top lid portion 84 has a top surface 132, a bottom surface 134 and an opening 136 having a passageway 138 extending therebetween. The top surface 132 has a skirt 140 extending downward from and about a perimeter of the top surface 132 of the top lid portion 84 of the lid 80. The bottom surface 134 includes a connecting portion 142 sized and configured to connect with the bottom lid portion 82.

The passageway 138 of the opening 136 is sized and configured for receiving the second straw 88. The passageway 138 is internally threaded so as to facilitate connection of the lid 80 with the second straw 88.

The second straw 88 includes a first end 144, a second end 146 and a passageway 148 therebetween. The first end 144 has an opening for an individual's mouth. The second end 146 is provided with a base 150 and an extended tab 152 (not shown) positioned on the base 150 and extending a distance from an outer wall of the second straw 88. A collar 154 is configured to mate with the base 150 being positioned about the base 150. The collar 154 has a slot 156 for receiving the tab 152 when the collar 154 mates with the base 150. The collar 154 is provided with an externally threaded portion 158 for facilitating connection of the lid 80 with the second straw 88. A tab 160 is positioned on an upper surface 162 of the collar 154 opposite the slot 156 so that when the collar 154 mates with the base 150, the tabs 152 and 160 may be used to move the second straw 88 between a first connectable position and second removable position.

In use, the first straw 86 is connected to the bottom lid portion 82. The connector 120 of the first straw 86 is positioned in the passageway 104 of the straw connector portion 98 of the bottom lid portion 82. The at least one of more projections 122a and 122b of the connector 120 are inserted through the at least one or more corresponding L-shaped openings 108 and 110 of the straw connector portion 98. The tabs 128a and 128b of the connector 120 are used to move the first straw 86 a first direction into a first connectable position connecting the first straw 86 to the bottom lid portion 82.

The second straw 88 is connected to the top lid portion 84. The collar 154 connected to the base 150 of the second straw 88 is mattingly positioned into the passageway 138 of the top lid portion 84. The second straw 88 is moved a first direction threading connecting the second straw 88 to the top lid portion 84 into a first connectable position. The first straw 86, the bottom lid potion 82, the second straw 88 and the top lid portion 84 are in fluid communication. In some embodiments, a fluid tight seal is created between the first straw 86 and the bottom lid portion 82 and the second straw 88 and the top lid portion 84. The lid 80 is threading connected to a vessel.

When being cleaned or stored, the lid 80 is removed from the vessel. The first straw 86 and the second straw 88 are removed from the bottom lid portion 82 and the top lid portion 84, respectively. The at least one or more tabs 128a and 128b are used to move the first straw 86 in a second direction to a second removable position. The at least one or more tabs 152 and 160 are used to move the second straw 88 in a second direction to a second removable position so that the first straw 86 and the second straw 88 are removed from the bottom lid portion 82 and the top lid portion 84, respectively.

From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concept(s) disclosed herein is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the inventive concept disclosed herein. While exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished without departing from the scope of the inventive concept disclosed herein and defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lid connectable to a drinking vessel, comprising: a bottom lid portion having a top, a bottom and a sidewall defining an interior space having a straw connector portion;a top lid portion connected to the bottom lid portion, the top lid portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening having a passageway extending therebetween;a first straw having a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the first straw to the straw connector portion of the bottom lid portion; anda second straw having a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the second straw to the opening of the top lid portion.

2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the straw connector portion has a top, a bottom and a passageway extending therebetween such that the straw connector portion extends a distance from the bottom below the bottom lid portion.

3. The lid of claim 2 wherein the straw connector portion has a sidewall wherein at least one or more L-shaped openings are formed in the sidewall.

4. The lid of claim 3 wherein the connector of the first straw is sized and configured to mate with the straw connector portion.

5. The lid of claim 4 wherein at least one or more projections are provided on an outer surface of the connector such that the at least one or more projections is inserted into a corresponding at least one or more L-shaped openings.

6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the passageway of the opening is sized and configured for receiving the second straw.

7. The lid of claim 6 wherein the passageway is internally threaded.

8. The lid of claim 1 wherein the connector of the second straw has a base and a first extended tab positioned on the base, the first extended tab extends a distance from an outer wall of the second straw.

9. The lid of claim 8 wherein a collar is configured to mate with the base being positioned about the base, the collar having a slot for receiving the first extending tab when the collar mates with the base.

10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the collar is provided with an externally threaded portion for facilitating connection of the lid with the second straw.

11. The lid of claim 9 wherein a second tab is positioned on an upper surface of the collar opposite the slot so that when the collar mates with the base, the first extending tab and the second tab are used to facilitate movement of the second straw between a first connectable position and second removable position.

12. The lid of claim 1, further comprising: a drinking vessel for holding a fluid.

13. A lid connectable to a drinking vessel, comprising: a body having a bottom lid, a top lid portion, a first straw and a second straw wherein the bottom lid portion has a top, a bottom and a sidewall defining an interior space having a straw connector portion, the top lid portion is connected to the bottom lid portion, the top lid portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening having a passageway extending therebetween, the first straw having a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the first straw to the straw connector portion of the bottom lid portion, the second straw having a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the second straw to the opening of the top lid portion.

14. The lid of claim 13 wherein the straw connector portion has a top, a bottom and a passageway extending therebetween such that the straw connector portion extends a distance from the bottom below the bottom lid portion.

15. The lid of claim 14 wherein the straw connector portion has a sidewall wherein at least one or more L-shaped openings are formed in the sidewall.

16. The lid of claim 15 wherein the connector of the first straw is sized and configured to mate with the straw connector portion.

17. The lid of claim 16 wherein at least one or more projections are provided on an outer surface of the connector such that the at least one or more projections is inserted into a corresponding at least one or more L-shaped openings.

18. The lid of claim 13 wherein the passageway of the opening is sized and configured for receiving the second straw.

19. The lid of claim 18 wherein the passageway is internally threaded.

20. The lid of claim 13 wherein the connector of the second straw has a base and a first extended tab positioned on the base, the first extended tab extends a distance from an outer wall of the second straw.

21. The lid of claim 20 wherein a collar is configured to mate with the base being positioned about the base, the collar having a slot for receiving the first extending tab when the collar mates with the base.

22. The lid of claim 21 wherein the collar is provided with an externally threaded portion for facilitating connection of the lid with the second straw.

23. The lid of claim 21 wherein a second tab is positioned on an upper surface of the collar opposite the slot so that when the collar mates with the base, the first extending tab and the second tab are used to facilitate movement of the second straw between a first connectable position and second removable position.

24. The lid of claim 13, further comprising: a drinking vessel for holding a fluid.

25. A tumbler, comprising: a drinking vessel having a fluid; anda lid connected to the drinking vessel, the lid, comprising: a bottom lid portion having a top, a bottom and a sidewall defining an interior space having a straw connector portion;a top lid portion connected to the bottom lid portion, the top lid portion having a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening having a passageway extending therebetween;a first straw having a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the first straw to the straw connector portion of the bottom lid portion; anda second straw having a first end, a second end, a passageway therebetween and a connector that removably connects the second straw to the opening of the top lid portion.