Claims
- 1. A vapor directing beverage container, comprising:(a) containing means for containing liquid; (b) covering means for covering said containing means, said covering means sealably attaching to said containing means and having at least a first opening means and a second opening means; (c) baffle means for dividing said containing means into at least a first chamber means and a second chamber means, said baffle means being shaped and positioned to allow liquid in said containing means to flow freely between each of said chamber means, said baffle means being sealed against said covering means and shaped and positioned to prevent vapor within said first chamber means that is between said covering means and liquid in said containing means from flowing to said second chamber means; (d) said covering means associated with each of said chamber means having at least a first of said opening means through said covering means, such that, when said containing means contains liquid and is tipped to allow liquid to flow out of at least a first of said opening means in said covering means, vapor within said first chamber means is forced out of at least a first of said opening means associated with said first chamber means, while vapor outside said container means is simultaneously drawn into at least said second chamber means through at least a first of said opening means associated with said second chamber means.
- 2. The combination of a container and a vapor directing beverage container lid, comprising:(a) a container comprising an opening and a bowl portion, said bowl portion adapted for holding liquid therein; (b) a lid releasably and sealably covering said opening of said container, said lid having two or more openings therethrough; (c) a baffle in said container that seals against said lid, said baffle shaped and positioned within said container to create at least first and second chambers, said baffle further shaped and positioned to allow liquid in said container to flow freely between said at least first and second chambers, said baffle further shaped and positioned to prevent vapor located between said lid and said liquid within a first chamber in said container from flowing to a second chamber; and (d) wherein said baffle is shaped and positioned so that at least one of said openings in said lid is associated with said first chamber and at least one of said openings in said lid is associated with said second chamber, such that when said container contains liquid and is tipped to allow liquid to f low out of at least one of said openings in said lid, vapor within said first chamber is forced out of one or more openings in said lid associated with said first chamber while vapor outside said container is simultaneously drawn into said container through one or more openings in said lid associated with said second chamber.
- 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lid further comprises:(a) an annular rim, said annular rim configured to enable said lid to be removably attached to said container; (b) an annular side wall extending upward from said annular rim; (c) a circular top wall depending from said annular side wall, said circular top wall having (i) a drink opening adjacent to the periphery of said top wall, (ii) a groove in the bottom surface of said top wall that extends from one edge of said top wall at a point that is about 90 degrees from said drink opening to the opposite edge of said top wall at a point that is also about 90 degrees from said drink opening, said groove allowing said baffle to be removably attached to said lid, (iii) at least a first vent opening adjacent to the periphery of said top wall at a point about 180 degrees from said drink opening, (iv) at least a second vent opening adjacent to said groove and on the same side of said groove as said drink opening.
- 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said annular sidewall is frusto-conical in shape.
- 5. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein at least one of said openings in said lid associated with said first chamber is ducted, so that the out-flow of vapor exiting said opening is sent in a preselected direction.
- 6. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein:(a) said container comprises (i) a base, (ii) side walls extending upwards to a top from said base and cooperating with said base to form a container for holding liquid, (iii) a tube attached to an inner portion of said side walls of said container, said tube extending vertically downward, said tube having a bottom opening and a top opening, said bottom opening located near the base of said container, said top opening located near the top of said side wall; and, (b) wherein said lid comprises (i) a bottom, (ii) at least a first vent opening, and wherein one of said at least a first vent openings is located on the same side of said baffle as said at least a first of said openings in said lid associated with said first chamber, (iii) a means for removably attaching said lid to said container such that when said lid is attached to said container, said at least a first of said openings in said lid associated with said first chamber aligns with said top tube opening (iv) said top tube opening sealing against said bottom of said lid such that when said container contains liquid and is tipped from a level position to a drinking position, only the vapor within said tube flows out said at least a first of said openings in said lid associated with said first chamber, thus allowing more vapor to be directed out at least a first said vent opening.
- 7. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein:(a) said container comprises a circular base with side walls extending upwards from said base to a circular rim; and (b) wherein said baffle comprises a vertical extension which, when inserted into said container, seals against said side walls of said container near the diameter of said container; and (c) wherein said drink opening in said lid is near the point along the periphery of said lid which is 90 degrees from the points along said rim of said container where said baffle seals against said container side wall.
- 8. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein:(a) said container comprises (i) a circular base wall, and (ii) side walls extending upwards from said base wall to a circular rim; (b) said lid comprises (i) a horizontal top wall having a top and bottom, (ii) vertical side walls extending downward from said top wall; (c) said baffle comprises a baffle chamber, said baffle chamber further comprising a horizontal baffle chamber base that is approximately a half circle in shape, said baffle chamber base being sized and shaped to fit within said container and seal against said side walls of said container, and baffle chamber side walls said baffle chamber side walls extending upward from the periphery of said baffle chamber base and sealably attaching to the bottom of said lid; (d) said baffle chamber base has an opening near the point along the periphery of said baffle chamber base which is 90 degrees from the end points of the straight edge of said baffle chamber base; and (e) said drink opening in said lid is located near the point along the periphery of said lid top wall which is directly above said baffle chamber opening.
- 9. The combination as set forth in claim 2,wherein said lid comprises (i) a liquid outlet, (ii) at least one first vapor passageway, (iii) at least one second vapor passageway, and wherein said baffle comprises a tubular baffle assembly, said tubular baffle assembly having an upper end portion sealingly secured to and depending from said inner surface of said lid and a tubular portion extending downwardly for a preselected distance into said bowl portion of said container to a lower end portion having a opening; and wherein said at least one first vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between said tubular portion of said baffle assembly and ambient air, and wherein said at least one second vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between ambient air and a ullage space within said bowl of said container external to said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tubular baffle assembly is sealingly affixed to said inner surface portion of said lid.
- 11. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tubular baffle assembly and said lid comprise an integral, one-piece molded component.
- 12. The combination as set forth in claim 9, or in claim 11, wherein said tubular baffle assembly further comprises a central wall.
- 13. The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said central wall is planar.
- 14. The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said central wall extends between said inner surface of said lid and said lower end portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 15. The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said central wall is oriented substantially perpendicular to a reference line of diameter across said lid, and wherein said reference line of diameter is placed perpendicular to a reference tangent line adjacent said liquid outlet.
- 16. The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said tubular baffle assembly comprises an outer wall portion having an outer surface portion with an elliptical cross-section, said outer wall portion having opposing end edge portions each sealingly affixed to said central wall.
- 17. The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said tubular baffle assembly comprises an outer wall portion having an outer surface portion with a circular cross-section, said outer wall portion having opposing end edge portion each sealingly affixed to said central wall.
- 18. The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said tubular baffle assembly comprises an outer wall portion having a curved, arcuate cross-section, said outer wall portion having opposing end edge portions each sealingly affixed to said central wall.
- 19. The combination as set forth in claim 16, wherein said outer wall portion is disposed downwardly from said inner surface of said lid at a location between said liquid outlet and the intersection of said planar central wall with said inner surface of said lid.
- 20. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said outer wall portion is disposed downwardly from said inner surface of said lid at a location between said liquid outlet and the intersection of said planar central wall with said inner surface of said lid.
- 21. The combination as set forth in claim 18, wherein said outer wall portion further comprises a downwardly and inwardly sliced shape defining a first portion of said outlet of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 22. The combination as set forth in claim 13, wherein said planar central wall further comprises a rectangular shaped wall, said rectangular shaped wall having a lower end comprising a second portion of said outlet of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 23. The combination as set forth in claim 9, further comprising two or more first vapor passageways.
- 24. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said lid further comprises an upwardly oriented annular rim having an internal surface, and wherein said lid is oriented inwardly and downwardly by an angle beta (β) between an upper end and said liquid outlet, so as to provide room for liquid accumulation external to said lid adjacent to said internal surface of said annular rim.
- 25. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said lid further comprises a downwardly oriented annular sidewall, and wherein said container further comprises an upwardly oriented external connection flange, said annular sidewall and said connection flange sized and shaped for close fitting sealing engagement.
- 26. The combination as set forth in claim 25, wherein said connection flange further comprises a plurality of outwardly and upwardly sloped attachment ledges, and wherein said annular sidewall further comprises a plurality of attachment teeth downwardly and inwardly oriented complementary to said attachment ledges, and wherein by bringing said attachment teeth into close meshing engagement with said attachment ledges, said lid is securely and sealingly positioned to said outlet of said container.
- 27. The combination as set forth in claim 2 or in claim 9, wherein said container further comprises an outer wall having an inner surface, and an inner wall having an outer surface, said inner surface and said outer surface forming therebetween an insulating chamber.
- 28. The combination as set forth in claim 17, wherein said bowl portion of said container comprises a bottom portion, and wherein said lower end of said tubular baffle portion is closely separated from said bottom portion by a gap GB.
- 29. The combination as set forth in claim 28, wherein said gap GB is approximately 0.25 inches.
- 30. The combination as set forth in claim 19, wherein said downwardly and inwardly sliced shape has an inlet edge portion, and wherein said inlet edge portion is sized and shaped for being closely disposed adjacent to, but separated by a preselected gap distance, from said interior portion of said inner wall of said container.
- 31. The combination as set forth in claim 30, wherein said preselected gap distance GT is about 0.003 inches, or greater.
- 32. The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said preselected distance that said tubular portion extends downwardly from said inner surface portion is variable in length, along at least a portion of said lower end portion of said tubular portion.
- 33. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said tubular baffle assembly further comprises a partial-pipe element, said partial-pipe element running longitudinally along at least a portion of said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly oriented toward said liquid outlet in said lid, so as to form a liquid accepting indentation in said at least a portion of said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 34. The combination as set forth in claim 33, wherein said partial-pipe element comprises a broad U-shaped indentation in said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 35. A beverage container lid for use with a liquid container having an upwardly directed opening and a bowl portion adapted for containing a liquid therein, said lid comprising:(a) a lid base, said lid base releasably and sealably positionable on a container while overlying said opening, said lid having an inner surface portion, said lid further comprising (i) a liquid outlet, (ii) at least one first vapor passageway, (iii) at least one second vapor passageway, (iv) a tubular baffle assembly, said tubular baffle assembly having an upper end portion sealingly secured to and depending from said inner surface portion of said lid and a tubular portion extending downwardly for a preselected distance into said bowl portion of the container to a lower end portion having an opening; (b) wherein said at least one first vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between said tubular portion of said baffle assembly and ambient air, and wherein said at least one second vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between ambient air and a ullage space within the bowl of the container external to said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 36. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 35, wherein said tubular baffle assembly is sealingly affixed to said inner surface portion of said lid.
- 37. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 35, wherein said tubular baffle assembly and said lid base comprise an integral, one-piece molded beverage container lid.
- 38. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 35, wherein said tubular baffle assembly further comprises a central wall.
- 39. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 38, wherein said central wall is planar.
- 40. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 38, wherein said central wall extends between said inner surface of said lid base and said lower end portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 41. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 40, wherein said central wall is oriented substantially perpendicular to a reference line of diameter across said lid, and wherein said reference line of diameter is placed perpendicular to a reference tangent line adjacent said liquid outlet.
- 42. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 35, wherein said tubular baffle assembly further comprises a partial-pipe element, said partial-pipe element running longitudinally along at least a portion of said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly and oriented toward said liquid outlet in said lid, so as to form a liquid accepting indentation in said at least a portion of said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 43. The beverage container lid as set forth in claim 42, wherein said partial-pipe element comprises a broad U-shaped indentation in said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 44. The combination as set forth in claim 2,wherein said lid has an inner surface portion, and wherein said lid further comprises (i) a liquid outlet, (ii) at least one first vapor passageway, (iii) at least one second vapor passageway, and wherein said baffle comprises a tubular baffle assembly, said tubular baffle assembly having an upper end portion sealingly secured to and depending from said inner surface portion of said lid and a tubular portion extending downwardly for a preselected distance into said bowl portion of said container to a lower end portion having an opening, said tubular portion having a transverse area, and wherein said lower end portion, said preselected length, and said transverse area define a maximum vapor capture volume in said tubular portion, and wherein said transverse area and a tilt angle theta (Ø) determine the volume of vapor displaced outwardly from said tubular portion when said container having a liquid at a preselected level therein is tilted for drinking to an angle theta (Ø) wherein liquid is available at said liquid outlet, and wherein said shape of said lower end portion is provided to minimize differences between a first volume of vapor displaced when said container has a preselected first liquid level, and a second volume of vapor displaced when said container has a preselected second liquid level therein; (c) wherein said at least one first vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between said tubular portion of said baffle assembly and ambient air, and wherein said at least one second vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between ambient air and a ullage space within said bowl of said container external to said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 45. The combination as set forth in claim 44, wherein said tubular baffle assembly is sealingly affixed to said inner surface portion of said lid.
- 46. The combination as set forth in claim 44, wherein said tubular baffle assembly and said lid comprise an integral, one-piece molded component.
- 47. The combination as set forth in claim 44, wherein said tubular baffle assembly further comprises a partial-pipe element, said partial-pipe element running longitudinally along at least a portion of said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly and oriented toward said liquid outlet in said lid, so as to form a liquid accepting indentation in said at least a portion of said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly.
- 48. A method of directing an aroma emanating from a liquid to the nose of a consumer of the liquid, said method comprising:(a) providing a container comprising an opening and a bowl portion, said bowl portion adapted for containing said liquid therein; (b) providing a lid releasably and substantially sealably positionable on said container overlying said opening, said lid having an inner surface portion, said lid further comprising (i) a liquid outlet, (ii) at least one first vapor passageway, (iii) at least one second vapor passageway, (iv) a tubular baffle assembly, said tubular baffle assembly having an upper end portion sealingly secured to and depending from said inner surface portion of said lid and a tubular portion extending downwardly for a preselected distance into said bowl portion of said container to a lower end portion having an opening, said tubular portion having a transverse area, and wherein said lower end portion, said preselected length, and said transverse area define a maximum vapor capture volume in said tubular portion, and wherein said transverse area and a tilt angle theta (ø) determine the volume of vapor displaced outwardly from said tubular portion when said container having a liquid at a preselected level therein is tilted for drinking to an angle theta (ø) wherein liquid is available at said liquid outlet, and wherein said shape of said lower end portion is provided to minimize differences between a first volume of vapor displaced when said container has a preselected first liquid level, and a second volume of vapor displaced when said container has a preselected second liquid level therein; (c) wherein said at least one first vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between said tubular portion of said baffle assembly and ambient air, and wherein said at least one second vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between ambient air and a ullage space within said bowl of said container external to said tubular portion of said tubular baffle assembly. (d) tilting said container from the vertical by an angle theta (ø) to urge liquid toward said liquid outlet, and to displace vapor contained in said tubular portion out through at least one said first vapor passageways, (e) whereby said aromoa is directed to said nose of said consumer of said liquid.
- 49. A beverage container lid for use with a liquid container having an upwardly directed opening and a bowl portion adapted for containing a liquid therein, said lid comprising:(a) a lid base, said lid base releasably and sealably positionable on a container while overlying said opening, said lid having an inner surface portion, said lid further comprising (i) a liquid outlet, (ii) at least one first vapor passageway, (iii) at least one second vapor passageway, (iv) a baffle assembly, said baffle assembly having an upper end portion sealingly secured to and depending from said inner surface portion of said lid and a downward portion extending for a preselected distance into said bowl portion of the container to a lower end portion, said baffle assembly comprising a central baffle, a main baffle mounted transverse to said central baffle, and a generally U-shaped partial-pipe baffle affixed at a distal end of said central baffle; (b) wherein said at least one first vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between said one side of said baffle assembly and ambient air, and wherein said at least one second vapor passageway comprises a port through said lid positioned for vapor communication between ambient air and a ullage space within the bowl of the container to the second chamber.
- 50. The combination as set forth in claim 49, wherein said tubular baffle assembly is sealingly affixed to said inner surface portion of said lid.
- 51. The combination as set forth in claim 49, wherein said tubular baffle assembly and said lid base comprise an integral, one-piece molded beverage container lid.
Parent Case Info
This application is a 371 of C-I-P of Ser. No. 08/730,483 filed Oct. 11, 1996.
US Referenced Citations (15)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
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502009 |
Mar 1939 |
GB |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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