Abstract:
A drinking container including a main body and a removable lid. The lid includes an opening configured to receive a straw. The lid includes a removable cover having an opening configured to receive an upper portion of the straw. The cover includes a slide mechanism adapted to move and bend the straw to close the opening. The straw is bent at an angle to prevent closing or kinking of the straw.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/913,464 filed on Apr. 23, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Children&#39;s drinking cups are generally provided with removable lids, to help prevent large spills. Commonly, these lids have drinking spouts extending from their upper surface, that children place in their mouths to sip from the cups. Such cups are sometimes called “sippy cups.” 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    As children grow, they are introduced to drinking containers having a straw. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, the invention provides a drinking container comprising a main body defining an interior cavity accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the opening and a removable lid secured to the rim of the main body to enclose the interior cavity. The removable lid includes an outer wall, an inner support structure supported by the outer wall. The inner support structure includes a first wall, a member extending from the first wall, a protrusion including a second wall positioned opposite the first wall, the second wall having a first portion substantially parallel with respect to the first wall and a curved portion extending upward from the first portion, and an opening between the member and the second wall. The drinking container also includes a straw positioned in the opening and coupled to the inner support structure, the straw having a lower portion extending into the interior cavity of the main body and an upper portion extending through the opening and a removable cover coupled to the removable lid, the cover including an opening configured to receive the upper portion of the straw and a slide mechanism configured to slide within the opening of the cover and bend the upper portion of the straw along the curved portion of the second wall and enclose the upper portion of the straw within the cover. 
         [0005]    Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a drinking container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of the drinking container illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of the drinking container illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a drinking container according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of the drinking container illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the drinking container illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of the drinking container illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. 
         [0014]    Although directional references, such as upper, lower, downward, upward, rearward, bottom, front, rear, etc., may be made herein in describing the drawings, these references are made relative to the drawings (as normally viewed) for convenience. These directions are not intended to be taken literally or limit the present invention in any form. In addition, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a drinking container  10  having a lid  14  and a fluid conduit  18 , such as a straw, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container  10  includes a bottom wall  22  and a side wall  26  extending upward from the bottom wall  22  that define an interior  30 . The container  10 , as illustrated in the  FIGS. 1-3 , is generally circular shaped, but could also include other suitable shapes, such as oval, square, rectangular, or irregular shapes. The side wall  26  includes an upper portion  34  adapted to receive the lid  14 . The upper portion  34  includes a rim  38  and threads  42  for engaging complementary threads on the lid  14 . 
         [0016]    The container  10  can be molded from a suitable polypropylene material having a suitable thickness and durability. Other suitable materials and/or combinations of materials may also be used to manufacture the container  10 . The lid  14  also can be molded from a suitable polypropylene material having a suitable thickness, but is not limited to polypropylene material. 
         [0017]    The lid  14  includes an outer wall  46  having an outer surface  50  and an inner surface  54 . The inner surface  54  includes threads  58  adapted to engage the threads  42  on the container  10  as mentioned above. The inner surface  54  is coupled to an inner support structure  62  adapted to support the straw  18 . The support structure  62  includes a first wall  66  connected to the inner surface  54 , a second wall  70  oriented generally parallel to the first wall  66 , and a third wall  74  connected to the first wall  66  and the second wall  70 . The support structure  62  also includes two side walls  76  oriented generally perpendicular to the first wall  66 , the second wall  70 , and the third wall  74 . 
         [0018]    The first wall  66  includes a notch  78  adapted to receive a portion of a cover  82  (discussed below) at a location where the first wall  66  and the third wall  74  generally intersect. The second wall  70  includes a notch  86  at a first end  90  adapted to receive a portion of the straw  18 . The third wall  74  includes a member  94  extending beyond the intersection of a second end  98  of the second wall  70  and the third wall  74 . The member  94  includes a distal end  102  having a contoured or rounded shape. 
         [0019]    The inner support structure  62  also includes a protrusion  106  having a first wall  110  and a second wall  114  connected to the first wall  110 . The second wall  114  includes a first relatively vertical portion  118  that is oriented parallel with the first wall  110  and a second curved portion  122  extending upward from the vertical portion  118  until connecting with a distal end  126  of the first wall  110 . The intersection of the first wall  110  and the second wall  114  is rounded. 
         [0020]    The inner support structure  62  also includes a first opening  130  into the interior  30  of the container  10 . The first opening  130  is defined by the second wall  70  and the vertical portion  118  of the second wall  114  of the protrusion  106 . The first opening  130  is adapted to support a lower portion  134  of the straw  18 . The lower portion  134  of the straw  18  includes a first extension  138  adapted to engage a lower surface  142  of the notch  86 . The lower portion  134  of the straw  18  also includes a second extension  146  at a vertical position lower than a position of the first extension  138 . The second extension  146  is adapted to engage a lower surface  148  of the vertical portion  118  of the second wall  114  of the protrusion  106 . 
         [0021]    The inner support structure  62  also includes a second opening  150  adapted to receive an upper portion  154  of the straw  18 . The second opening  150  is defined by the member  94  of the third wall  74  and the curved portion  122  of the second wall  114  of the protrusion  106 . The second opening  150  is laterally offset and angularly displaced from the first opening  130 . The upper portion  154  of the straw  18  is flexible and includes a bendable portion  158  such that the upper portion  154  can be oriented at an angle with respect to the lower portion  134  of the straw  18 . The angle at which the upper portion  154  bends with respect to the lower portion  134  can be in the range of about zero degrees to about 60 degrees, and more particularly in the range of about zero degrees to about 35 degrees. 
         [0022]    The inner support structure  62  also includes a recess  162  defined by a first wall  166 , a bottom wall  170 , the first wall  110  of the protrusion  106 , and the two side walls  76 . The height of the first wall  166  is greater than the height of the first wall  110 . The bottom wall  170  includes an opening  174  having a lip  178  extending downward into the interior  30  of the container  10 . The opening  174  is adapted to receive a vent  182 , which includes a generally vertical wall  186  engaged with the opening  174  and a channel  194  that engages the lip  178 . The vent  182  includes a membrane  190  having a concave outer surface  196  and a convex inner surface  198 . The membrane  190  includes an opening adapted to allow air to enter the interior  30  of the container  10  when suction or a vacuum is applied to the straw  18 . The membrane  190  is formed such that fluid does not leak from the container  10 . 
         [0023]    The lid  14  includes the cover  82  supported by the inner support structure  62 . The cover  82  includes an outer wall  202  that engages the outer wall  46  of the lid  14  by a frictional fit such that the cover  82  can be removed from the inner support structure  62  for cleaning purposes. The cover  82  is also supported by the first wall  166  of the recess  162 , the side walls  76 , and the notch  78  in the first wall  66  of the support structure  62 . The cover  82  includes an opening  206  that generally extends the length of the cover  82 . The upper portion  154  of the straw  18  extends through this opening  206 . 
         [0024]    The cover  82  also includes a slide mechanism  210  generally rectangular-shaped and having a flange  214  on at least two of the parallel sides of the mechanism  210 . The flanges  214  engage a track  218  formed along the respective parallel sides of the opening  206  in the cover  82 . The slide mechanism  210  includes a knob  222  on a top surface  226  that allows the user to manipulate the slide mechanism  210  between an open position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0025]    When the slide mechanism  210  is in an open position, the upper portion  154  of the straw  18  extends through the opening  206  in the cover  82  such that the user can drink from the straw  18 . In the open position, the slide mechanism  210  generally rests upon or is supported by the third wall  74  of the inner support structure  62 . 
         [0026]    When the slide mechanism  210  is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the slide mechanism  210  contacts the upper portion  154  of the straw  18  to urge the upper portion  154  of the straw  18  into the recess  162 . The upper portion  154  of the straw  18  bends around the curved portion  122  of the protrusion  106  until a distal end  214  of the straw  18  is positioned within the recess  162 . While the slide mechanism  210  is closed, the upper portion  154  of the straw  18  is enclosed within the lid  14 . The straw  18  does not close or restrict fluid flow therein (i.e., the straw  18  does not pinch or kink shut). If fluid leaks out the distal end  214  of the straw  18 , the excess fluid will collect in the recess  162  and flow back into the interior  30  of the container  10  through the membrane  190  in the vent  182 . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4-7  illustrate a drinking container  300  having a lid  304  and a fluid conduit  308 , such as a straw, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container  300  includes a bottom wall  312  and a side wall  316  extending upward from the bottom wall  312  that define an interior  320 . The container  300 , as illustrated in the figure is generally circular shaped, but could also include other suitable shapes, such as oval, square, rectangular, or irregular shapes. The side wall  316  includes an upper portion  324  adapted to receive the lid  304 . The upper portion  324  includes a rim  328  and threads  332  for engaging complementary threads on the lid  304 . 
         [0028]    The container  300  can be molded from a suitable polypropylene material having a suitable thickness and durability. Other suitable materials and/or combinations of materials may also be used to manufacture the container  300 . The lid  304  also can be molded from a suitable polypropylene material having a suitable thickness, but is not limited to polypropylene material. 
         [0029]    The lid  304  includes an outer wall  336  having an outer surface  340  and an inner surface  344 . The inner surface  344  includes threads  348  adapted to engage the threads  332  on the container  300  as mentioned above. The lid  304  also includes a first generally planar wall  352  and a second generally planar wall  356  oriented generally parallel with respect to the first planar wall  352 . The planar walls  352  and  356  are integrally molded with the outer wall  336  of the lid  304 . The planar walls  352  and  356  are hemispherical-shaped (or dome-shaped). The lid  304  includes a third wall  360  connected to a first portion  364  of the first wall  352  and a first portion  368  of the second wall  356 . The third wall  360  includes a curved portion  372  and is connected to the outer wall  336  via a cavity  376  adapted to receive a portion of a cover  380  (discussed below). The third wall  360  includes a wall  384  extending downward from a peak  388  of the curved portion  372 . The wall  384  includes a notch  392  at a first end  394  adapted to receive a portion of the straw  308 . 
         [0030]    The lid  304  also includes a protrusion  398  having a first wall  402  and a second wall  404  connected to the first wall  402 . The second wall  404  includes a first relatively vertical portion  408  that is oriented parallel with the wall  384  and a second curved portion  412  extending upward from the vertical portion  408  until connecting with a distal end  416  of the first wall  402 . The intersection of the first wall  402  and the second wall  404  is rounded. 
         [0031]    The lid  304  also includes a first opening  420  into the interior  320  of the container  300 . The first opening  420  is defined by the second wall  384  and the vertical portion  408  of the second wall  404  of the protrusion  398 . The first opening  420  is adapted to support a lower portion  424  of the straw  408 . The lower portion  424  of the straw  408  includes a first extension  428  adapted to engage a lower surface  432  of the vertical portion  408  of the second wall  404  of the protrusion  398 . The lower portion  424  of the straw  408  also includes a second extension  436  at a vertical position higher than a position of the first extension  428 . The second extension  436  is adapted to engage the notch  392  at the first end  394  of the wall  384 . 
         [0032]    The lid  304  also includes a second opening  440  adapted to receive an upper portion  444  of the straw  308 . The second opening  440  is defined by an edge  448  of the cover  380  and the curved portion  412  of the second wall  404  of the protrusion  398 . The second opening  440  is laterally offset and angularly displaced from the first opening  420 . The upper portion  444  of the straw  308  is flexible and includes a bendable portion  452  such that the upper portion  444  can be oriented at an angle with respect to the lower portion  424  of the straw  308 . The angle at which the upper portion  444  bends with respect to the lower portion  424  can be in the range of about zero degrees to about 90 degrees, and more particularly in the range of about zero degrees to about 75 degrees. 
         [0033]    The lid  304  also includes a recess  456  defined by the outer wall  336 , a bottom wall  462 , the first wall  402  of the protrusion  398 , and the two planar walls  352 ,  356 . The height of the first wall  402  is greater than the height of the outer wall  336 . The bottom wall  462  includes an opening  466  having a lip  470  extending downward into the interior  320  of the container  300 . The opening  466  is adapted to receive a vent  474 , which includes a generally vertical wall  478  engaged with the opening  466  and a channel  482  that engages the lip  470 . The vent  474  includes a membrane  486  having a concave outer surface  490  and a convex inner surface  494 . The membrane  486  includes an opening adapted to allow air to enter the interior  320  of the container  300  when suction or a vacuum is applied to the straw  308 . The membrane  486  is formed such that fluid does not leak from the container  300 . 
         [0034]    The lid  304  includes the cover  380  supported by the two planar walls  352 ,  356 . The cover  380  is dome-shaped and includes a flange  498  on at least two of the parallel sides of cover  380 . The flanges  498  engage a track  502  formed along the curvature of the planar walls  352 ,  356 . The cover  380  includes a knob  506  on a top surface  510  that allows the user to manipulate the cover  380  between an open position (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) and a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0035]    When the cover  380  is in an open position, the upper portion  444  of the straw  308  extends outward from the lid  304  such that the user can drink from the straw  308 . In the open position, cover  380  generally rests upon or is supported by the curved portion  372  of the third wall  360 . At least a portion of the cover  380  is received within the recess  376 . 
         [0036]    When the cover  380  is moved from the open position toward the closed position, the cover  380  contacts the upper portion  444  of the straw  308  to urge the upper portion  444  of the straw  308  into the recess  456 . The upper portion  444  of the straw  308  bends around the curved portion  412  of the protrusion  398  until a distal end  514  of the straw  308  is positioned within the recess  456 . While the cover  380  is closed, the upper portion  444  of the straw  308  is enclosed within the lid  304 . The straw  308  does not close or restrict fluid flow therein (i.e., the straw  308  does not pinch or kink shut). If fluid leaks out the distal end  514  of the straw  308 , the excess fluid will collect in the recess  456  and flow back into the interior  320  of the container  300  through the membrane  486  in the vent  474 . 
         [0037]    The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. As such, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that various changes in the elements and their configuration and arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.