Non-spillable lid and straw for a beverage container
The present invention is a non-spillable beverage container. The container includes a conventional lid attached to the container. The lid includes a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw and a vent opening. A conventional straw is inserted within the straw opening. A reinforcing strip is attached to the conventional straw and the conventional lid. The reinforcing strip has a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the vent opening. A second selectably closing means is provided for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening. The vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and the first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw. In addition, the present invention includes an actuating device actuated by the mouth of the user. Providing force to the actuating device opens a closeable opening, thereby allowing the passage of liquid through the opening.
This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/747,769 entitled “NON-SPILLABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND STRAW” filed Dec. 29, 2003 in the name of Hongbiao Li, which claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/829,893 entitled “NON-SPILLABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER,” filed Apr. 10, 2001 in the names of Hongbiao Li, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to beverage containers and, more particularly, to a conventional beverage container having a non-spillable lid and straw attachable to a conventional beverage container.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is quite common for a beverage container to be accidentally tipped over, causing the liquid contents of the beverage container to spill out of the interior of the beverage container. Many times the beverage container is utilized in an area where it is particularly undesirable to spill the contents, such as within the interior of an automobile. In addition, the problem of spillage is particular acute when dealing with children. Children tend to be clumsy and not as cautious as adults, resulting in even a greater risk of spillage of the beverage container. A beverage container is needed which provides an effective and economical way of preventing unwanted spillage of the contents of the beverage container. In addition, it would be advantageous to have a container which may only be used by manipulation of a user's month on the container or a straw.
Although there are no known prior art teachings of a solution to the aforementioned deficiency and shortcoming such as that disclosed herein, prior art references that discuss subject matter that bears some relation to matters discussed herein are U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,009 to Sawatani (Sawatani), U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,245 to Haberman (Haberman) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,923 to Hung (Hung).
Sawatani discloses a straw-insertable lid for a paper cup. The straw/lid combination is common in existing beverage containers. However, Sawatani does not teach or suggest a device to prevent the inadvertent spilling of liquid through the lid or straw.
Haberman discloses a specialized lid and beverage container, which includes an open-mouthed cup-shaped container, a lid having a mouthpiece and a valve to prevent the flow of liquid form the interior of the container through the mouthpiece unless a predetermined level of suction is applied to the mouthpiece. However, Haberman merely discloses the use of one valve to prevent the leakage of liquid through the straw. Without the use of a secondary valve system on the mouthpiece (or a straw), the lid configuration cannot fully prevent the leakage of liquid. Haberman does not provide any suggestion to providing a secondary valve on the mouthpiece. Use of a secondary valve in the mouthpiece is actually not appropriate in an infant training beverage container as disclosed in Haberman. In addition, Haberman merely discloses a specialized container. Haberman does not teach or suggest providing a device for use with a conventional lid/straw configuration to prevent the inadvertent leakage of liquid from the container or lid.
Hung discloses a specialized drinking bottle having a cap mounted on an open-ended bottle body. The cap includes a flexible liquid-sucking member that has a horizontal disk clamped between the upper end portion of the bottle body and an annular plate of the cap in such a manner to provide a liquid-tight seal. However, Hung does not teach or disclose utilizing a device which is attachable to a conventional lid/straw configured beverage container. Hung merely discloses a specially constructed and costly beverage container/lid.
Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a device for preventing the inadvertent spillage of liquids from the interior of a beverage container, yet requires no significant modification of the lid, straw or beverage container. Additionally, it would be a distinct advantage to have a container which only allows the removal of the liquid from the container by a distinct action by the user's mouth. It is an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one aspect, the present invention is a non-spillable container. The container is a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container. The container also includes a lid attachable to the container. The lid includes a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw and a vent opening having a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the opening. The first selectably closing means is attachable to the lid. A straw is inserted within the straw opening. A second selectably closing means is provided for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening. The second selectably closing means is attachable to the straw. The vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and both closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.
In another aspect, the present invention is a non-spillable container which is a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container. The container also includes a conventional lid attached to the container. The lid includes a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw and a vent opening. A conventional straw is inserted within the straw opening. A reinforcing strip is attachable to the conventional straw and the conventional lid. The reinforcing strip has a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the vent opening. A second selectably closing means is provided for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening. The second selectably closing means is also attachable to the straw. The vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and the first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An attachable non-spillable lid and straw for a beverage container are disclosed.
In addition, the straw 14 is positioned through a reinforcing strip 30 having an opening 32. The straw runs through the opening 32 and the hole 16 of the lid 12. The reinforcing strip includes a base section 34 having a diaphragm 36. The diaphragm 36 covers a vent opening 38 (not shown in
The lid 12 may be constructed of any material preventing the seepage of liquids contained in the beverage container 10. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid is constructed of a conventional plastic material commonly used in beverage container covers. Additionally, the straw 14 may be constructed and configured similarly to any conventional straw used in existing beverage containers. For the present invention to work in its best mode, the lid should provide an airtight seal between the lid and the container to prevent airflow through the edges of the cover. The beverage container may be any shape and constructed of any material which allows liquid to be container within the interior of the container. In addition, as discussed above, the reinforcing strip 30 provides a substantially airtight seal between the straw and the hole 16. To prevent the leakage of liquid from the container, the lid 12 may include an adhesive upon an interior perimeter of the lid.
The diaphragm 36 covers the vent opening 38 and may be constructed of a material preventing the transfer of liquid and air contained within the container from exiting through the vent opening. The diaphragm may be constructed of an elastomeric material or any flexible material. Alternately, the diaphragm includes a slit or plurality of small holes which allows the passage of air into the interior of the container when the user sucks on the straw, yet prevents air or liquid from passing when air is not inhaled through straw. Additionally, the hole, as well as the diaphragm may be any shape (e.g., square, triangle, etc.). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the diaphragm allows air to enter the interior of the container when a user inhales through the straw 14 (with the cover attached to the container 20).
With reference to
When a user of the container 10 wishes to drink, the use inhales and sucks on the straw 14. By drawing air through the straw from the interior of the container, air is allowed to pass through the diaphragm and into the interior of the container. In addition, while sucking through the straw, the slit opens to allow air and liquid to pass into the user's mouth. By allowing air to enter the interior of the container, the user can easily draw out liquid from the container via the straw. Once the user discontinues inhaling on the straw, the vent opening 28 is closed by the diaphragm, thus preventing passage of air. The diaphragm then prevents air from entering or exiting the interior of the container through the vent opening 38. Additionally, the liquid is prevented from exiting through the straw 14 for two reasons. First, the slit 24 located on the sheath 22 is closed, thereby preventing air or liquid to pass through the orifice 18. Second, the vent opening is covered, preventing passage of air through the vent opening. Thus, when the container is not being used for drinking, no liquids may exit from the container. Additionally, the user can automatically drink from the container by merely inhaling (sucking) on the straw. Thus, the user requires no additional manipulation.
In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the diaphragm and/or the sheath 22 may include one or more slits 24. The slits may allow the passage of air through the hole 16/vent opening 38 while preventing the passage of liquid from exiting through the vent opening. In addition, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the sheath may include a small diameter than the straw, thereby allowing the sheath to fit within the interior of the straw.
Alternatively to utilizing the orifice 28, the cover may include a diaphragm 36 with a plurality of small holes. The diaphragm may be constructed of an elastomeric material. When the user is not inhaling through the straw 26, the diaphragm is in a closed state whereby the holes are closed. Additionally, it should be understood that any closeable opening may be used to cover the vent opening 38 as well as the orifice 18 of the straw.
With reference to
It should be understood that the actuating device may be used to cover one or more openings in the beverage container lid. In addition, in various embodiments of the present invention, the user may press, apply force, pull up/push down, or merely touch the actuating device to provide a sufficient action to move the actuating device to the open position. The actuating device, in all of the embodiments enables a user to drink from the beverage container by merely touching or pressing the user's lips against the actuating device.
The present invention provides many advantages over existing beverage/cover systems. The container allows a user to confidently lay their beverage container down without the fear of spilling liquid contained within the container. Specifically, the container is biased to prevent any liquid from spilling from the container. In order to drink from the container, the user merely has to inhale through the straw. In addition, the reinforcing strip 30 enables the use of the present invention on an existing lid and container. The reinforcing strip provides ease in attachment of the reinforcing strip to the straw. The lid includes a vent opening, which is covered by the diaphragm 36. The reinforcing material 40 prevents seepage of liquid through the hole 16. The reinforcing strip is simple to use by merely sliding the reinforcing strip through the straw 14. Thus, unlike existing beverage anti-spill containers, the present invention may be used on a convention lid without modification to the lid or the container.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof.
It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A non-spillable container, the container comprising:
- a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;
- a lid attached to the container, said lid having: a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw; and a vent opening having a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through said opening, the first selectably closing means attachable to said lid;
- a straw inserted within the straw opening; and
- a second selectably closing means for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening, said second selectably closing means attachable to said straw;
- whereby the vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.
2. The non-spillable container of claim 1 further comprising a sealing means for preventing seepage of the liquid from exiting between an exterior portion of the inserted straw and the straw opening.
3. The non-spillable container of claim 1 wherein the closing means includes a diaphragm attached to the vent opening.
4. The non-spillable container of claim 3 wherein the diaphragm includes a slit providing the first selectably closing means to vent opening.
5. The non-spillable container of claim 3 wherein the diaphragm includes a plurality of small holes providing the first selectably closing means to vent opening.
6. The non-spillable container of claim 3 wherein the diaphragm includes a porous material providing the first selectably closing means to vent opening.
7. The non-spillable container of claim 1 wherein the second selectably closing means is a sheath attachable to the top of said straw.
8. The non-spillable container of claim 7 wherein the sheath includes at least one slit at a top portion of the sheath.
9. The non-spillable container of claim 7 wherein the sheath includes a plurality of holes located at a top portion of the sheath.
10. The non-spillable container of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcing strip attachable to said straw, the reinforcing strip having a diaphragm attachable to the vent opening.
11. The non-spillable container of claim 1 wherein the lid includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the lid to adhere to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.
12. The non-spillable container of claim 1 wherein an upper portion of the container includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the upper portion which provides a means for adhering the lid to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.
13. The non-spillable container of claim 1 wherein:
- the second selectably closing means is a sheath attachable to the top of said straw, the sheath having at least one slit at a top portion of the sheath;
- the sheath includes a plurality of longitudinally rigid segments; and
- whereby force placed on the sheath moves the segments Which open the slit.
14. A non-spillable container, the container comprising:
- a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;
- a conventional lid attached to the container, said lid having: a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw; and a vent opening;
- a conventional straw inserted within the straw opening;
- a reinforcing strip attachable to said conventional straw and said conventional lid, said reinforcing strip having a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through said vent opening; and
- a second selectably closing means for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening, said second selectably closing means attachable to said straw;
- whereby the vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and the first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.
15. A non-spillable container, the container comprising:
- a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;
- a conventional lid attached to the container;
- an opening in the lid, the opening closed when not in use;
- a selectable closing means for preventing passage of liquid and air through the venting opening and the opening;
- whereby the opening is biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user actuates the selectable closing means causing the opening to be opened and liquid to pass through the opening.
16. The non-spillable container of claim 15 wherein the selectable closing means is an actuating device which opens the opening when the user's mouth is pressed against the actuating device.
17. The non-spillable container of claim 15 wherein the lid includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the lid to adhere to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.
18. The non-spillable container of claim 15 wherein an upper portion of the container includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the upper portion which provides a means for adhering the lid to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.
19. The non-spillable container of claim 15 further comprising a vent opening affixed to the lid, whereby the vent is biased closed when the user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user actuates the selectable closing means causing the vent opening to be opened and liquid to pass through the opening.
20. The non-spillable container of claim 19 wherein the opening on the lid is located within a spout, the spout being moveable to allowing the opening and vent opening to open when force is applied to the spout.
21. The non-spillable container of claim 15 wherein the selectable closing means is actuated by providing an upward force to the closing means to open the opening.
22. The non-spillable container of claim 15 further comprising a straw with the opening, the opening biased closed when a user is not drinking.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 28, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 27, 2006
Inventor: Hongbiao Li (Plano, TX)
Application Number: 11/236,070
International Classification: A47G 19/22 (20060101);