LIQUID CONTAINER LID AND APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE

BACKGROUND
Field of the Development

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to the field of liquid containers and liquid container lids. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to liquid container lids having a filling aperture and a drinking aperture.

Description of the Related Art

Beverage containers are ubiquitous for the storage and transportation of liquids, such as water, juice, coffee, and tea. Traditional beverage containers include a removable lid that covers the beverage container and provides a drinking aperture. Common drinking apertures include a sipping interface (e.g., an opening for sipping the contained beverage) or a suction interface (e.g., mouthpiece-type beverage container lids configured to draw up the contained beverage through suction generated by a user). Such lids engage the beverage container through a threaded or rotatable engagement, snap-fit, friction fit, mechanical interlock, male-female connector, or other suitable removable connection mechanism.

Mouthpiece-type beverage container lids have become increasingly popular in recent years. These beverage container lids include an articulable mouthpiece that moves between a closed (e.g., folded) position and an open (e.g., unfolded) position, to respectively deny or allow a user to access the contents of the beverage container. Accordingly, in the open position, the mouthpiece of these beverage container lids is in selectable fluid communication with the contents of the beverage container, and vice versa. Furthermore, such mouthpiece-type beverage container lids often include one or more vent orifices to allow ambient air to enter the beverage container to minimize suction forces in the container and facilitate drinking.

Ultimately, traditional beverage container lids are inadequate for several reasons. For example, mouthpiece-type beverage container lids typically lack an aperture usable to refill the beverage container. Consequently, users must generally remove traditional beverage container lids from the beverage container in order to refill the beverage container. Having to repetitively remove and replace the lid with each refill of the beverage container causes inconvenience to the user and increases the exposure of the beverage container lid interior and the beverage container interior to contaminants and pollutants.

Prior beverage container lids also suffer from additional hygienic concerns. For instance, most beverage container lids lack a filter arrangement for decontaminating, disinfecting, or otherwise purifying the liquid in the beverage container prior to the consumption of the liquid. In those lids that include a filter arrangement, the filter displacement volume often causes the beverage container to overflow when attaching the lid to a refilled beverage container. As a result, users of prior filtered beverage container lids must intentionally under-fill the beverage container to account for the filter displacement volume. Further, traditional mouthpiece-type beverage container lids expose the opening at the base of the mouthpiece to the environment when the mouthpiece is in the closed position. Similarly, these beverage container lids may have no structure for sealing or protecting the drinking tip of the mouthpiece in the closed position (i.e., when the mouthpiece is not in use). As such, prior mouthpiece-type beverage container lids may offer no or little protection against contaminants or pollutants entering the drinking tip or base opening of the mouthpiece when in the closed position.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved beverage container lid that allows refilling of the beverage container without removing the lid while addressing the hygienic concerns raised by existing beverage container lids.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a liquid container lid is provided. The liquid container lid comprises a filling aperture configured to allow liquid to enter therethrough; and a drinking aperture configured to allow liquid to exit therethrough. The cap can be configured to removably sealingly engage the filling aperture. The liquid container lid further includes a mouthpiece hingedly engaged with the cap, the mouthpiece having a tip in selectable fluid communication with the drinking aperture. The mouthpiece is movable relative to the cap from a closed position to an open position.

In some embodiments, a filter assembly for use with a liquid container is provided. The filter assembly comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, the housing including a housing base and at least one filter wall, wherein at least one filter compartment is defined within the housing. One or more of the inlet and outlet are configured to removably attach to a lid of the liquid container. The lid of the liquid container is configured to allow a user to draw water through the filter and out of an aperture in the lid of the liquid container. The filter compartment is configured to house at least one filter media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a beverage container lid.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container lid of FIG. 1, in addition to a beverage container.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container lid of FIG. 1, with a cap in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view beverage container lid of FIG. 1, with a mouthpiece in an open position.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the beverage container lid of FIG. 2, including a filter arrangement.

FIG. 5B is an exploded depiction of some embodiments.

FIG. 5C is a depiction of the filter assembly and functional module in greater detail.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the beverage container lid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a left side view of the beverage container lid of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front side view of the beverage container lid of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-8 depict an embodiment of a beverage container lid 100 for use in storing a volume of liquid within a beverage container 200. The beverage container 200 can be used with any kind of liquid; one non-limiting example of liquids includes potable liquids such as beverages. As used herein, the term “beverage” includes water and other drinks. FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 5A and 5B provide a cross-sectional view of the beverage container lid 100, which includes a filling aperture 110, a drinking aperture 120, a cap 111, and a mouthpiece 121, among other features. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the beverage container lid 100 may be removably connected to a beverage container 200 through a threaded or rotatable engagement, snap-fit, friction fit, mechanical interlock, or other suitable removable connection mechanism between the beverage container 200 and lid 100. Optionally, a threaded connection region 150 that is disposed along the bottom of the beverage container lid 100 may removably connect with a corresponding connection region 250 disposed along an outer periphery of the beverage container 200.

In some embodiments, the lid, container, filter assembly, and/or functional module can be combined as a single arrangement. In other embodiments, one or two, or three of the components can be sold or used or combined together as subparts. In some embodiments, one or two or three or all four of the parts can be combined with other drinking systems and/or methods and/or kits. In some embodiments, the cap is hingedly engaged with the lid. In some embodiments, opening the cap correspondingly moves the mouthpiece (and the device is configured in such an arrangement).

In some embodiments, a lid is provided. The lid can comprise a filling aperture configured to allow liquid to enter therethrough; and a drinking aperture configured to allow liquid to exit therethrough. The cap can be configured to removably sealingly engage the filling aperture. The liquid container lid further includes a mouthpiece hingedly engaged with the cap, the mouthpiece having a tip in selectable fluid communication with the drinking aperture. The mouthpiece is movable relative to the cap from a closed position to an open position.

As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the mouthpiece 121 may comprise a tip opening 122 in fluid communication with a base opening 123, such that a drinking channel 127 is defined between the tip opening 122 and base opening 123. The mouthpiece 121 may have a thickness defined as the distance between the top surface 121A and bottom surface 121B of the mouthpiece. The thickness of the mouthpiece 121 may increase with increasing distance from the tip opening 122, although the thickness may also be uniform along the length of the mouthpiece 121. The mouthpiece 121 may also include a projection 128 that extends from the top surface 121A to facilitate opening and closing of the mouthpiece 121 by a user.

The mouthpiece 121 can be moved relative to the beverage container lid 100 between a closed position, a semi-closed position, and an open position. This movable arrangement of the mouthpiece 121 relative to the beverage container lid 100 may be achieved by a hinge 126. The mouthpiece 121 may be directly or indirectly connected with the hinge 126, which allows the mouthpiece 121 to pivot or rotate around the hinge axis 126A between the closed and open positions, as desired by the user.

The tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 may be in selectable fluid communication with liquid inside the optional beverage container 200. For example, in the closed position, the tip opening 122, base opening 123, and drinking channel 127 of the mouthpiece 121 are not in fluid communication with the drinking aperture 120 and delivery channel 124, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. In the semi-closed position, the mouthpiece 121 is partially rotated around the hinge axis 126A, but the tip opening 122, base opening 123, and drinking channel 127 of the mouthpiece 121 are not in fluid communication with the drinking aperture 120 and delivery channel 124. In the open position, however, the mouthpiece 121 is fully rotated around the hinge axis 126A, and the tip opening 122, base opening 123, and drinking channel 127 of the mouthpiece 121 are in fluid communication with the drinking aperture 120 and the delivery channel 124. The drinking aperture 120 and/or delivery channel 124 may be in fluid communication with a straw or other conduit structure that extends from the beverage container lid 100 into the optional beverage container 200. Accordingly, in the open position, user-generated suction at the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 may draw liquid from the beverage container 200 and into the user's mouth.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate that the beverage container lid 100 optionally includes a base opening cover 125 that covers the base opening 123 of the mouthpiece 121 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the closed position. The mouthpiece 121 may comprise the base opening cover 125, which may extend downwardly from the projection 128 to cover the base opening 123. Optionally, the base opening cover 125 may extend upwardly from the beverage container lid 100 to cover the base opening 123 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the closed position. The base opening cover 125 may be shaped to surround the base opening 123. Advantageously, the base opening cover 125 prevents contaminants and other hygienic concerns (e.g., dust, insects, etc.) from entering the base opening 123 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the closed position.

The base opening cover 125 may be formed of a resilient polymeric or other suitable flexible material that is capable of deflecting out of the way of the base opening 123 when the mouthpiece 121 is moved to the open position. Optionally, the base opening cover 125 may be formed of a more rigid material, provided that the material still allows the base opening cover 125 to deflect and permit fluid communication between the base opening 123 and drinking aperture 120 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the open position. Additionally, if it extends upwardly from the beverage container lid 100, the base opening cover 125 may be formed of a more rigid material because the need for the base opening 125 to deflect may be reduced or eliminated entirely.

In the closed or semi-closed position, a sealing portion 129 along the bottom surface 121A of the mouthpiece 121 prevents liquid from escaping through the drinking aperture 120. For example, the sealing portion 129 may engage and seal against the thinking aperture 120 or drinking aperture walls 130 that extend upward from the drinking aperture 120, thereby preventing liquid from escaping through the beverage container lid 100 via the drinking aperture 120. As discussed below, the sealing portion 129 of the mouthpiece 121 may be formed of a resilient material that can compress against the drinking aperture 120 and/or drinking aperture walls 130 to create a conforming seal. Additionally, rotation of the mouthpiece 121 from the open position to the closed position eliminates any user-generated suction in the drinking Channel 127 of the mouthpiece 121, which helps prevent liquid from escaping through the drinking aperture 120.

The mouthpiece 121 may be formed of a resilient polymeric material (e.g., silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane) capable of creating a conforming seal with the beverage container lid 100. Optionally, the mouthpiece 121 may be formed of a semi-rigid or rigid material (e.g., polycarbonate, food-grade stainless steel). Precise engineering tolerances may allow such a semi-rigid or rigid material to adequately seal against the drinking aperture 120 and/or drinking aperture walls 130 without the need for a resilient material. Moreover, the mouthpiece 121 may be a monolithic structure comprised of a single material or may be comprised of multiple materials. For example, the sealing portion 129 may be formed of a resilient material while the tip opening 122 may be formed of more rigid material. In the case of a mouthpiece 121 formed of multiple materials, the more resilient material may be co-molded to the more rigid material to improve the durability or ease of manufacturing of the mouthpiece 121.

In addition to the drinking aperture 120, the beverage container lid 100 includes a filling aperture 110. The filling aperture 110 is an opening in the lid 100 that allows access to the interior of an optional beverage container 200. The filling aperture 110 is therefore an inlet port to the bottle, and is shaped to allow liquid to be poured therethrough. Accordingly, the filling aperture 110 advantageously allows the beverage container 200 to be refilled without having to remove the beverage container lid 100 from the container 200. To facilitate faster refilling of the beverage container 200, the outer periphery of the filling aperture 110 may be larger than the outer periphery of the drinking aperture 120, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 5A. In some embodiments, an influent filter or other functional module may be removably or permanently attached to the filling aperture 110 to reduce the level of contamination of liquid flowing therethrough into the beverage container 200 or to provide other advantageous benefits. Non-limiting examples of such filters include mesh filters, carbon filters, activated carbon filters, ceramic filters, and other suitable filters suitable for use as an influent filter. Such an influent filter may be used independently or in conjunction with straw assembly 300 (FIG. 5C).

In the frame of reference of FIG. 1, the filling aperture 110 comprises an upper periphery 112 and a lower periphery 113. To prevent liquid in the beverage container 200 from escaping through the filling aperture 110 when the cap 111 is in its open position, a one-way valve (e.g., a check valve, not shown) may be removably or permanently connected to the upper periphery 112, the lower periphery 113, or between the upper periphery 112 and lower periphery 113 of the filling aperture 110. Further, the upper periphery 112 of the filling aperture 110 may be larger than the lower periphery 113 to facilitate faster refilling of the beverage container and inhibit liquid from attempting to escape the filling aperture 110 through the upper periphery 112. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, the lower periphery 113 of the filling aperture 110 may be smaller than the largest inner periphery of the beverage container lid 100 such that the largest inner periphery of the beverage container lid 100 is spaced from the lower periphery 113.

The beverage container lid 110 also includes a cap 111 that covers the filling aperture 110. The cap 111 can be moved relative to the beverage container lid 100 between an open position and a closed position, to respectively allow or deny access to the filling aperture 110. In some embodiments, the cap 111 may share hinge 126 and hinge axis 126A with mouthpiece 121, as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, cap 111 does not share hinge 126 with mouthpiece 121, but can be moved relative to the beverage container lid 100 via a separate hinge and hinge axis. In either embodiment, the cap 111 may be directly or indirectly connected to a hinge to allow the cap 111 to pivot or rotate around the corresponding hinge axis between the open and closed positions, as desired by the user. The hinge 126 allows the mouthpiece 121 to move independently of the cap 111, if desired. For example, the mouthpiece 121 may be movably connected with the cap 111, and the cap 111 may be movably connected to the lid 100.

The cap 111 may support or carry at least a portion of the mouthpiece 121. For example, the tip opening 122 or a portion of the bottom surface 121B of the mouthpiece 121 can rest upon the cap 111 when the mouthpiece 121 is in its closed position. Accordingly, movement of the cap 111 to its open position can correspondingly move the mouthpiece 121, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. Optionally, the entire bottom surface 121B of the mouthpiece 121 may rest upon the cap 111. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 121B of the mouthpiece 121 is not supported or carried by the cap 111, such that movement of the cap 111 from the closed position to the open position does not correspondingly move the mouthpiece 121.

The cap 111 may include a rim 111A that projects from the bottom surface of the cap 111. The periphery of the rim 111A extends around the bottom surface of the cap 111 to removably engage either an outer or an inner periphery of the filling aperture 110 when the cap 111 is in the closed position. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 5A, the rim 111A may engage the upper periphery 112 of the filling aperture 110 (e.g., when the cap 111 is in the closed position) or disengage the filling aperture 110 (e.g., when the cap 111 is in the open position). The cap 111 may also include at least one vent orifice 170 to facilitate drinking liquid from the beverage container 200 under suction. The vent orifice 170 may comprise a small diameter hole in the cap 111 that is located below a portion of the mouthpiece 121 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the closed position, although the vent orifice 170 may be located in other suitable locations along the cap 111 or elsewhere on the lid 100.

The rim 111A of the cap 111 may form a seal against the filling aperture 110 to prevent leakage of liquid out of the filling aperture 110 or to prohibit contaminants and pollutants from accessing the filling aperture 110. For example, the rim 111A of the cap 111 may form a friction fit, o-ring fit, gasket fit, or similar suitable sealing mechanism with the upper periphery 112 of the filling aperture 110 which prevents the cap 111 from opening accidentally. The rim 111A may also removably engage the upper periphery 112 via a removable snap-fit connection in which at least part of the rim 111A deflects upon engagement with upper periphery 112. Such a snap-fit connection mechanism may provide tactile and/or audible feedback to the user that the cap 111 is in the closed position and thus, that the filling aperture 110 is now sealed. Other suitable connection mechanisms may be used, such as a mechanical interlock between the rim 111A and filling aperture 110. Advantageously, the sealing engagement between the cap 111 and the filling aperture 110 offers a degree of leak protection beyond the inclusion of the optional check valve described above.

FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 5A also illustrate that the cap 111 of the beverage container lid 100 may comprise a lip 111B that extends radially outward relative to the rim 111A and past the outer lid periphery 101. Accordingly, the lip 111B of the cap 111 may either overlay or removably connect to the top lid surface 102. For example, the lip 111B may form a removable snap-fit, mechanical interlock, friction fit, or other suitable removable connection with the top lid surface 102. Advantageously, the protrusion of the lip 111B past the outer lid periphery 101 makes the lip 111B an easily identifiable and accessible point that can be used by the user to move the cap 111 between the open and closed positions.

The cap 111 may also comprise a protective recess 114 on its top surface that removably engages the tip and tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the closed position, as seen in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the mouthpiece 121 advantageously may seal against the protective recess 114 when not in use to prevent any contaminants or pollutants from entering the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121. Optionally, the protective recess 114 may include a portion which selectively covers a portion of the top surface 121A of the mouthpiece 121, to provide additional protection against contamination of the tip opening 122.

With reference now to FIG. 5A, the beverage container lid 100 may also optionally comprise a straw assembly 300 (FIG. 5C). Straw assembly 300 serves to transfer liquid from the bottom of beverage container 200 to the straw connection portion 160 of the beverage container lid 100 via straw delivery conduit 307, enabling liquid to be transferred while beverage container 200 is in an upright vertical position. In some embodiments, straw assembly 300 may comprise a straw 301, a functional module 313, or both a straw 301 and a functional module 313 (FIG. 5C). Functional module 313 provides an advantageous benefit as water passes through the module. A combination of straw 301 and functional module 313 can be used to span the distance from the bottom of beverage container 200 to the straw connection portion 160 of the beverage container lid 100, as shown in FIG. 5. However, if the height of functional module 313 is tall enough to span that distance, then straw 301 may not be required.

The straw assembly 300 may be removably connected to the beverage container lid 100 For example, as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the straw 301 may include one or more o-rings near the straw top 306 for sealingly engaging the straw connection portion 160 of the beverage container lid 100. As seen in FIG. 1, the straw connection portion 160 is defined by a rim that extends downwardly from the beverage container lid 100. For example, the filter connection portion may be a rim that surrounds the delivery channel 124. The straw 300 may be removably connected to the straw connection portion 160 of the beverage container lid 100. In some embodiments, the straw top 306 may be pressed or pushed into the straw connection portion 160 to form a friction fit between the components. Optionally, the straw 301 may include one or more protruding rims near the straw top 306 in place of o-rings 303A, 303B that engage corresponding mating recesses in the straw connection portion 160 of the beverage container lid 100 to form a removable mechanical interlock or snap-fit connection. Alternatively, other suitable removable connection mechanisms may be used to removably connect the straw 301 to the beverage container lid 100. Similar suitable removable connection mechanisms may also be used to directly connect a functional module 313 to the beverage container lid 100. One or more functional modules 313 may be connected in series. Such modular assemblies may advantageously be interchangeable by the user to carry out different beneficial functions, such as disinfection or the removal of particulates, as discussed below. Optionally, in some embodiments, the beverage container lid 100 may be used without one or more functional modules 313.

The straw assembly 300 (FIG. 5A-C) may include an inlet 302 located on the straw assembly bottom 305 and positioned a spaced distance from the bottom interior surface of the beverage container 200, as seen in FIG. 5A. The spaced distance between the beverage container 200 and the straw assembly bottom 305 ensures that a user can draw liquid through the inlet 302. A support spring 308 may be connected to straw assembly, bottom 305 to make contact with the bottom interior surface of the beverage container 200 and maintain the spaced distance. When the beverage container lid 100, straw assembly 300, and beverage container 200 are assembled together, the support spring 308 ensures that all components fit snugly and limits the motion of straw assembly 300, preventing damage if the assembled beverage container is knocked around or dropped. The support spring 308 may be formed of a material that can be compressed when pressed against the bottom interior surface of beverage container 200. Support spring 308 may also be formed of a material that allows passage of liquid therethrough, and does not block liquid transfer from beverage container 200 to straw assembly 300. Precise engineering design and tolerances may allow semi-rigid or rigid materials to adequately function as the support spring. Alternatively, a compressible material may be used such as a sponge, foam, membrane, or non-woven fabric. In some embodiments, a filter assembly or filter unit is a type of functional module.

The straw assembly bottom 305 may also include a valve 304 (e.g., a one-way valve or check valve) that seats against the straw assembly bottom 305 and against inlet 302. The valve 304 may be, for example, spring-biased to a closed valve position (see FIG. 5A) to prevent liquid from entering the straw assembly 300 when the beverage container lid 100 is not in use. User-generated suction at the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 is sufficient to overcome the valve biasing force and lifts the valve 304 from the straw assembly bottom 305 to allow liquid to enter the straw assembly 300. Accordingly, liquid may only enter the straw assembly 300 when the beverage container lid 100 is in use (e.g., under suction), and the valve 304 prevents liquid from leaving the straw assembly 300 via the inlet 302.

The functional module 313 may also include an outlet 331 located at the functional module top 330 which is in fluid communication with either straw delivery conduit 307 of straw 200 or the delivery channel 124 and/or drinking aperture 120 of the beverage container lid 100. The straw assembly bottom 305 may serve as the base of the functional module 313 and may be removably connected to the functional module 313 (e.g., via a removable snap-fit, friction fit, mechanical interlock, or other suitable removable connection mechanism). Alternatively, the straw assembly bottom 305 may be integral or otherwise irremovable from the functional module 313.

The functional module 313 may be in fluid communication with the drinking aperture 120 so that liquid is drawn from the beverage container 200 through the functional module 313, then through the straw 301, and then through the drinking aperture 120 and tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 upon suction generated by a user. For example, in use, user-generated suction at the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 may draw liquid through the inlet 302, through the interior of functional module 313, through the straw delivery conduit 307, and through the delivery channel 124, the drinking aperture 120, and the mouthpiece 121 to the user. Accordingly, the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 may be in fluid communication with the inlet 302 when the mouthpiece 121 is in the open position.

The straw assembly 300, including the straw 301, the functional module 313, the functional module top 330, straw assembly bottom 305, valve 304, and support spring 308 may be formed of a semi-rigid or rigid material. Preferably, the material forming these components is sufficiently durable to withstand both cold and hot temperature liquids (e.g., between temperatures of approximately 0-200° F.) while being sufficiently lightweight to avoid making the combination of the beverage container lid 100 and straw assembly 300 inconveniently heavy. The straw assembly 300 may be formed of polymeric materials such as polycarbonate or metallic materials such as food-grade stainless steel. In addition, the valve 304 may be formed of a resilient polymeric material, or any other polymeric or metallic material capable of seating against the straw assembly bottom 305. In some embodiments, however, the valve 304 may be a rigid member which seats against a seal or o-ring that is disposed around the inlet 302. The beverage container 200 may be formed of glass, metal, plastic, or any suitable combination involving one or more of these materials. Optionally, the beverage container 200 may have a double-walled construction.

In some embodiments, the functional module 313 may be removably connected to the filling aperture 110 and may be used in the same orientation as shown in FIG. 5A or may also be inverted as compared to the orientation shown in FIG. 5A. For example, the functional module top 330 may be removably connected to the lower periphery 113 of the filling aperture 110 via a snap-fit, mechanical interlock, friction fit, or other suitable removable connection mechanism. This configuration allows liquid to pass through the functional module 313 upon being poured into the filling aperture 110. As a result, this configuration enables liquid to be gravity filtered or low pressure filtered, which removes the need for the suction-based mechanism described above.

Beverage container lid 100 may be provided with different configurations of functional module 313. Such configurations may advantageously be used to carry out different beneficial functions. Functional module 313 may comprise a filtration module that purifies liquids by removing or eliminating harmful contaminants as the liquid passes through the module. In this embodiment, functional module 313 may contain a filtration media or mechanism, which may comprise a granular filtration media, a pleated or unpleated nonwoven filter media, a filtration membrane, a solid ceramic or carbon block, a disinfection media, an adsorption media, an irradiation source (e.g. an ultraviolet lamp for disinfection), or some combination of these water purification materials and mechanisms.

Functional module 313 may also comprise a module that enhances or improves the taste and flavor of the liquid as it passes through the module. In this embodiment, functional module 313 may contain a tea or coffee infuser wherein tea or coffee flavors are extracted from tea leaves or coffee grounds as liquid passes through the module. The module may also contain a powdered solid, granular solid, or tablet that slowly dissolves as water passes through the module and imparts flavors, improves taste, enhances mouthfeel, or provides a health benefit (e.g. nutritional supplements or vitamins). Alternatively, the function module 313 may contain a mechanism that adds dissolved gases such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen to the liquid as it passes through the module to provide a carbonated or nitrogenated beverage.

Functional module 313 may also comprise a module that adjusts the temperature of the liquid as it passes through the module. In this embodiment, functional module 313 may contain an electric heating or cooling element (e.g. a resistive heater or thermoelectric cooling element), or it may contain a latent heat storage unit (e.g. a suitable phase-change material) that can modulate temperature. Alternatively, the module may contain of a reusable freezable gel material or ice block that is placed in a household freezer prior to use with beverage container lid 100 and beverage container 200.

Functional module 313 may also comprise a module that contains sensor devices for data collection. Sensors may be placed near the inlet 302 to measure and collect relevant water quality data of liquid contained in the beverage container 200. Alternatively, sensors may be placed near the outlet 331 in order to collect relevant water quality data of liquid as it exits functional module 313 and is delivered to the user through tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121. Relevant water quality parameters include, but are not limited to: pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, turbidity, inorganic chemicals (e.g. lead, chromium, arsenic), and organic chemicals (e.g. disinfection byproducts, perfluorinated compounds, pesticides). Sensor data may be transmitted from the functional module 313 to an external device via wireless technology. Functional module 313 may also be used to collect water usage and consumption data, allowing the user to keep track of their water consumption and meet their individual health or dietary goals. A mechanical or electric counter may be used to record the volume of water that has passes through the functional module 313. This counter may be used in conjunction with an alarm or a shut-off device that alerts the user or physically blocks liquid from passing through the functional module when the capacity of the functional module has been exhausted.

Some embodiments of functional module 313 may involve the use of an electric power source or power supply (e.g. ultraviolet disinfection, temperature modulation, sensors). Functional module 313 may contain a small power source, such as a battery or rechargeable battery. Functional module 313 may also optionally include a mechanism for power generation, such as a flywheel or turbine that rotates as liquid flows through the functional module and generates electricity. This generated power may be directly consumed by other components of the functional module, or may be stored in a battery.

When functional assembly 313 comprises a filter assembly, the filter housing 309 may comprise one or more filter walls for separating or containing one or more filter media within the filter housing 309. Specifically, the filter housing 309 may comprise a first filter wall 310, and a second filter wall 320. The filter housing 309 may comprise as many filter walls as are necessary for a particular filtration scenario. For example, the filter housing 309 may contain no filter walls if filtration is not desired, or a single filter wall, or five filter walls, or ten filter walls, or twenty filter walls, or fifty filter walls, as dictated by the particular filtration needs. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5A comprises the first and second filter walls 310, 320. Each of the filter walls may be removably connected (e.g., snap-fit fit, friction fit, or other suitable connection mechanism) to the interior walls of the filter housing 309 such that the filter walls may be removed entirely from housing for inspection, for cleaning, or to allow for replacement of internal filter components.

As seen in FIG. 5A, the filter walls separate the interior of the filter housing 309 into individual filter compartments that may be used to contain filter media. A first filter compartment 312 may be defined by the first filter wall 310 at the top, the straw assembly bottom 305 at the bottom, and the filter housing 309 or the straw assembly bottom 305 on the sides. Similarly, a second filter compartment 322 may be defined by the second filter wall 320 at the top, the first filter wall 310 at the bottom, and on the sides by either the filter housing 309 or a rim extending downward from the second filter wall 320. Further, a third filter compartment 332 may be defined by the functional module top 330 at the top, the second filter wall. 320 at the bottom, and on the sides by either the filter housing 309 or a rim extending downward from the functional module top 330. Each filter wall defines an orifice which serves as the outlet from the previous filter compartment and an inlet to the subsequent filter compartment. Accordingly, the first filter wall 310 includes a first filter outlet 311, and the second filter wall 320 includes a second filter outlet 321. More or fewer filter compartments may be defined within the filter housing 309 depending on the filtration scenario, and accordingly, more or fewer filter outlets may be included.

The filter compartments 312, 322, 332 each may house at least one filter media or may be empty. Different filter media may be enclosed in each filter compartment, such that the functional module 313 may comprise a layered or suspended combination of filter media, including, for example, adsorption media, electroadsorptive media, disinfection media, size exclusion media, and taste or odor control media, for optimal filtration performance. For example, any of the filter compartments 312, 322, or 332 may house an adsorption media capable of adsorbing, binding, remediating, or scavenging environmental contaminants such as toxic anions (including fluoride, arsenite, arsenate, nitrate, chromate, selenite, selenate, etc.), metals, heavy metals or their salts (including lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc, copper, chromium, etc.), volatile organic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceutical chemicals, synthetic or natural organic matters, and the like. Examples of adsorption media include granular filter media, ion exchange resin, metal oxide functionalized resins, anion-selective resins, cation-selective resins, granular activated carbon, kinetic degradation fluxion (KDF), zeolite, metal ion exchange zeolite sorbents, zirconia oxide or hydroxide, natural or synthetic sorbents (including cellulose) or other suitable granular filter media, Components of the adsorption media may include one or more compounds selected from activated carbon, granular activated alumina, granular diatomaceous earth, granular silica gel, granular zeolites, granular silicates, granular synthetic molecular sieves, granular ion exchange resin particles, granular mineral clay, granular aluminosilicates, granular titanates, granular bone char, granular KDF process media, granular iodated resins, granular ceramic, granular perlite, granular sand, granular hybrid of ion exchange resin with metal oxides, granular hybrid of activated carbon with metal oxides, functionalized granular activated carbon, polymeric adsorbent resins, nanofibers or microfibers (including synthetic polymeric nanofiber or microfiber), natural polymeric nanofiber or microfiber, derivatives of natural polymeric nanofiber or microfiber, inorganic nanofiber or microfiber, nanofibrillated fibers, microfibrillated fibers, or any combination thereof. An illustrative adsorption media capable of adsorbing, binding, or scavenging environmental contaminants is the granular filtration media mixture described in published Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent application WO 2016/025873, published on Feb. 18, 2016, and in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2017-0239600, published on Aug. 24, 2017, both of Which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, adsorption media may comprise a single layer or mixed layers of filter media or suspended filter media which occupies either an entire filter compartment or only a portion thereof. Optionally, one filter media may be combined with another filter media into a layered or suspended combination within a single filter compartment. The contaminants which can be removed by contact with the adsorption media, include without being limited to: particulate particles, colloidal particles, fine particles, suspended particles, organic, residual halogen such as residual chlorine or residual bromine, selenium, arsenate, arsenite, fluoride, dichromate, manganese, tin, platinum, iron, cobalt, chromate, molybdate, selenite, senelate, uranium, vanadium, vanadate, ruthenium, antimony, molybdenum, tungsten, barium, cerium, lanthanum, zirconium, titanium, and or radium, zinc, copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, as well as natural organic matter (NOM), pesticide and herbicide residues, endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutical residues and organic compounds released through industrial discharges. The particles include without being limited to: particles of lead, copper, iron oxides, ironoxyhydroxide, silica, et al. The contaminated water source includes without being limited to: tap water from municipal supplies or rural wells; municipal water treatment. In some embodiments, the metal contaminants include without being limited to zinc, copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, iron, cobalt, chromate, dichromate, manganese, tin, etc. The contaminant particles from the water source include without being limited to, particulate particles, colloidal particles, fine particles, suspended particles, which widely exist in the contaminated water.

As a non-limiting example, one filter compartment may include an adsorption composite, a second filter compartment may include a disinfection media, and a third filter compartment may include a size exclusion membrane filter. Any reordering of the filter media is possible, such that specific filter media arrangements can be achieved in modular fashion within the functional module 313. In another example, one filter compartment may include the granular filtration media mixture described in WO 2016/025873, a second filter compartment may include a disinfection media, and a third filter compartment may include a size exclusion membrane filter. In another example, one filter compartment may include the granular filtration media mixture described in WO 2016/025873, a second filter compartment may include ion exchange resin filter media, and a third filter compartment may include KDF filter media. Additionally, granular disinfecting media may be used in place of or in addition to any of the filter media discussed above. For example, the first filter compartment 312 may include a disinfection media, the second filter compartment 322 may include a size exclusion membrane disinfecting filter media (e.g., hollow fiber membranes), and the third filter compartment 332 may include ion exchange resin filter media. Any reordering of the filter media is possible, such that specific filter media arrangements can be achieved in modular fashion within the straw assembly 300. The filter compartments 312, 322, or 332 may be of any size suitable to achieve the flow rate and filtration requirements of the straw assembly 300 and may be different in size from one another or may be the same size. Optionally, each filter compartment may have a top screen on a first side and/or a bottom screen on a side opposite the top screen to prevent the filter media from escaping. A filter compartment may have a top screen and a bottom screen, only a top screen, or only a bottom screen, depending on the type of filtration media housed in the filter compartment.

Disinfection media are used to kill or inactivate or eliminate or trap bacteria, viruses, molds, algae, protozoa, or pathogens. Disinfection media may include the class of compounds known as N-halamines, including halogenated polystyrene hydantoin beads. N-halamines include cyclic amines that have biocidal properties owing to chlorine or bromine or both attached to the amines. Halogenated polystyrene hydantoin beads can be halogenated with chlorine or bromine and may have a varying percentage of crosslinking. Halogenated polystyrene hydantoin beads are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,687,072 and 6,548,054, both of which are incorporated herein expressly by reference. Disinfection media can also include the biocidal polymeric cyclic N-Halamines of U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,983, incorporated herein expressly by reference. However, other disinfection media can be used, such as N-halamines, N-halamine polymers, quaternary ammonium compounds, or iodinated resin. Disinfection media can include HALOPURE brominated media, chlorinated beads, brominated beads, or mixtures of the halogenated beads with adjuvants, such as nanofibers or nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can include nano iron oxides, nano iron oxyhydroxides, nano hydrated ferric oxides (HFO), nano titanium oxides, nano zirconium oxide, nano cerium oxide, nano manganese oxides, nano zinc oxides, nano magnetic iron oxides or any combination of thereof. In some embodiments, the disinfection media can be an electroadsorptive wet laid nonwoven media which traps or removes microorganisms. Combinations of disinfection media can also be used, as described above.

The disinfection media can optionally include a hybrid particle or composition having polymers linked to nanoparticles that can provide a dual function of water disinfection through biological and chemical contaminants reduction for water purification or remediation. Such hybrid particles are described in PCT patent application WO 2016/061265, published on Apr. 12, 2016, and in U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2017-0240435 A1, published on Aug. 24, 2017, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Additional media that can be used in the filter compartments 312, 322, and 332, alone or in combination with other media, include but are not limited to: activated carbon, ion exchange resin, cyst removal media, and scrubbing media. Activated carbon can remove compounds that would otherwise color the water, or give an unpleasant taste or odor to the water. For example, the activated carbon can remove organic compounds. Activated carbon media can include granular activated carbon, powdered activated carbon, extruded activated carbon (activated carbon with a binder), bead activated carbon, impregnated carbon (activated carbon with a metal, for example), and polymer coated carbon. The activated carbon can be placed in any order in the filter. In some embodiments, the activated carbon follows a pre-filter, when present.

Ion exchange resin can remove certain ionic compounds from the water through ion exchange. The ion exchange resin may include ion exchange media, such as cation exchange resin that exchanges positively charged ions, anion exchange resin that exchanges negatively charged ions, or amphoteric exchange resin that can exchange both positively and negatively charged resin. The ion exchange resin can be used to remove calcium, magnesium, iron, or manganese from the water. The ion exchange resin can be used to remove nitrates and organic matter from the water. In some embodiments, the ion exchange resin media includes a polymer substrate, such as crosslinked polystyrene. In some embodiments, the ion exchange resin media is porous. In some embodiments, the ion exchange resin media can be in the form of beads or membranes. The ion exchange resin media may include functional groups, such as amino groups, carboxylic acid groups, and sulfonic acid groups. The functional group may depend on the ionic compounds desired to be removed. The ion exchange resin can be placed in any order in the filter. In some embodiments, the ion exchange resin follows the activated carbon. In some embodiments, the ion exchange resin follows the disinfection media.

Cyst removal media can remove cysts such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, or other water borne parasites. In some embodiments, the cyst removal can include cyst removal media, such as a “depth” type filter. In a depth type filter, the materials (e.g., the cysts) to be removed are retained throughout the depth of the filter media and not just on the surface of the media. Depth type fibrous filter media can be, for example, woven, non-woven, wound, spun, melt blown, or resin bonded. Depth type filter media can also include ceramic filters. Other cyst removal media may include membrane filter media. In some embodiments, the cyst removal media can include a pleated filter media. In some embodiments, the cyst removal media can be rated to remove particles to about 1 micron or smaller in size. Further, in some embodiments, the cyst removal filter media can have a pore size of about 1 micron or less. In some embodiments, the filter media for the cyst removal can be a functionalized, reticulated polyurethane foam. In some embodiments, the cyst removal media can be an electroadsorptive wet laid nonwoven media. In some embodiments where the cyst removal media is used, the cyst removal media can be the last of the filter compartments (e.g., within the filter compartment closest to the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121).

Scrubbing media can remove halogens that may be given off by any of the other filtration medias. For example, when the disinfection media uses chlorinated or brominated N-halamines, chlorine or bromine may be released into the water. The scrubbing media is provided to remove the chlorine, bromine, or any other halogen that may be released. The scrubbing media can generally be placed after the disinfection stage or any other media that may release compounds that could affect the quality of the water. In some embodiments, the scrubbing media can be used after the disinfection media, particularly when the disinfection media includes N-halamines. In some embodiments, the scrubbing media can be used after the ion exchange resin media. The scrubbing media can include scrubbing media, such as adsorptive media, including activated carbon or activated carbon block.

As described above, user-generated suction may be used to draw liquid from the beverage container 200, through the straw assembly 300, and through the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 to the user. For the ease of use of the user, a draw force (e.g., suction force) of between about one half (0.5) pounds per square inch (“psi”) to about three (3) psi may be sufficient to draw liquid through the straw assembly 300 and any functional modules therein to the user. In some embodiments, a draw force of less than one half (0.5) psi to about one (1) psi may be sufficient to draw liquid to the user. In some embodiments, a draw force of about three (3) psi to about seven (7) psi may be sufficient to draw liquid to the user. In other embodiments, a draw force of about four (4) psi to about six (6) psi may be sufficient to draw liquid to the user. In an embodiment, a draw force of about three (3) psi may be sufficient to draw liquid to the user.

Optimal flow rates for user-generated suction to draw liquid from the beverage container 200, through the functional module 313, and through the tip opening 122 of the mouthpiece 121 to the user are between about 100 mL/min and 1 L/min. In some embodiments, the functional module 313 may achieve a flow rate of between about 150 mL/min to about 950 mL/min, between about 200 mL/min to about 900 mL/min, between about 250 mL/min to about 850 mL/min, between about 300 mL/min to about 800 mL/min, between about 350 mL/min to about 750 mL/min, between about 400 mL/min to about 700 mL/min, between about 450 mL/min to about 650 mL/min, or between about 500 mL/min to about 600 mL/min, to draw liquid to the user. In a further embodiment, the user-generated suction force is between about one (1) to three (3) psi and the flow rate is between about 200 mL: min to about 800 mL/min. In a further embodiment, the user-generated suction force is about three (3) psi and the flow rate is between about 200 mL/min to 800 mL/min.

Advantageously, use of granular filter media and granular disinfecting filter media within the filter compartments allows water passing through the functional module 313 to meet or exceed several performance standards. For example, the functional module 313 can meet or exceed the NSF/ANSI 53 or EPA action filtration performance standards for metal contaminant removal when the influent contamination concentration is less than or equal to the concentration stated in the standard for several contaminants, including but not limited to: lead, copper, mercury, arsenic 5⁺, cadmium, chromium, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), and pesticides and herbicides. In addition, the functional module 313 can meet or exceed the NSF 401 or EPA action filtration performance standards when the influent contamination concentration is less than or equal to the concentration stated in the standard for Group A, Group B, and Group C contaminants.

Experiments have been conducted, the results of which indicate the technical advantages of the functional module 313 and enclosed filter media of the beverage container lid 100. For example, the NSF/ANSI Standard 53 protocol for pH 8.5 lead reduction was conducted using pH 8.5 test water contaminated with 150 parts per billion (ppb) of lead. The pH 8.5 lead test water was pumped through the functional module 313, with HaloPure AC lead filter media enclosed, at a pressure of about 3 psi to correspond to a draw force sufficient to draw liquid through the functional module 313 to the user, as described above. After filtering between 5-160 (or, e.g., 10-80) L of such highly lead-contaminated influent water, the functional module 313 with HaloPure AC lead filter media advantageously reduced the lead contamination from 150 ppb to between 2 and 7 (e.g., 3-6) ppb and reduced the pH of the water from pH 8.5 to between pH 6.2 and pH 6.8 (or 5.8-6.1), while maintaining a filtration flow rate of between 680 mL/min and 720 (or 345-510) mL/min. Accordingly, in use, the functional module 313 achieves exceptional reduction of metal contamination while sustaining a flow rate that is safely within the optimal flow rate range described above. In some embodiments, the straw assembly includes the functional module 313.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate that the beverage container lid 100 may comprise a utility ring 140. The utility ring 140 may be rotatably connected to the beverage container lid 100 or the beverage container 200. The utility ring 140 may rotate from a resting position (see FIG. 6) to a locking position in which the utility ring 140 sits upon a portion of the cap 111 to lock or hold the cap in the closed position. Optionally, the cap 111 may seal securely against the filling aperture 110, such that the utility ring 140 is not needed to retain the cap 111 to the beverage container lid 100. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the utility ring 140 can serve as a convenient carrying handle for the user.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. Thus, in some embodiments, part numbers may be used for similar components in multiple figures, or part numbers may vary depending from figure to figure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure.

The foregoing description details certain embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the systems, devices, and methods can be practiced in many ways. As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the described technology. Such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that parts included in one embodiment are interchangeable with other embodiments; one or more parts from a depicted embodiment can be included with other depicted embodiments in any combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.)

It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

The term “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The term “contaminants” can mean chemical contaminants and or biological contaminants from a contaminated fluid. In some embodiments, the biological contaminants include bacteria, virus, fungus, or algae. In some embodiments, the chemical contaminants will include without being limited to: organic compounds, residual halogen, selenium, arsenate, arsenite, fluoride, dichromate, manganese, tin, platinum, iron, cobalt, chromate, molybdate, selenite, selenate, nitrate, phosphate, borate, uranium, vanadium, vanadate, ruthenium, antimony, molybdenum, tungsten, barium, cerium, lanthanum, zirconium, titanium, and or radium, zinc, copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, as well as natural organic matter (NOM, such as tannins, fulvic acid or humic acid), pesticide and herbicide residues, endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutical residues and organic compounds released through industrial discharges.

The term “contaminated fluid” refers to water or aqueous that contains the chemical or biological contaminants.

The term “water purification” refers to a process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from contaminated water. The objective of this process is to produce water fit for a specific purpose, such as human drinking, or medical, pharmacological, chemical and industrial applications.

The term “water remediation” refers to a process of removing pollutants from the polluted water or waste water from industrial manufacture processes, or from the polluted municipal or agricultural water sources.

As used herein, “bead,” in singular or plural, can be of any size or shape, including spheres so as to resemble beads, but may also include irregularly shaped particles. “Bead” is used interchangeably with particle.

As used herein, “hybrid particle” refers to a nanocomposite particle comprising of a polymer with N-halamines or precursor N-halamine, such as polystyrenehydantoin or methylated polystyrene or halogenated polystyrenehydantoin or any methylated polystyrene or any of the halogenated forms of methylated polystyrene or other cyclic amine and N-halamine polymers, and nanoparticles. Hybrid particle can be referred to as a polymeric hybrid particle or as a composition.

As used herein, “nanoparticles” refers to particles having particle size in the range of 1 to 500 nanometers, preferably, 1 to 200 nanometers, more preferably, 1 to 100 nanometers, such as nano metal particles, or nano metal oxides particles, or others. In some embodiments, nanoparticles are adsorbents. In some embodiments, nanoparticles are linked to polymers, such as the halogenated or nonhalogenated polystyrenehydantoin particles or beads or any of the methylated polystyrenes or other cyclic amine and N-halamine polymers.

The term “gravity-fed or gravity-flow” filtration refers to the flow of a fluid through a filtration media wherein gravity is substantially the only motive force acting upon the fluid to force the fluid through the filtration media.

The term “low pressure flow” filtration refers to the flow of a fluid through a filtration media wherein the pressure of fluid within 30 psi or less is the motive force to move the fluid through the filtration media.

The above description discloses several methods and materials of the present invention. This invention is susceptible to modifications in the methods and materials, as well as alterations in the fabrication methods and equipment. Such modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of this disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. Consequently, it is not intended that this invention be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but that it cover all modifications and alternatives coming within the true scope and spirit of the invention as embodied in the attached claims.

LIQUID CONTAINER LID AND APPARATUS AND METHODS OF USE

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