Abstract:
A lid includes a flat portion having a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein, a hinge positioned about a center of the flat portion such that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge, a cover, having two directly opposing sidewalls each with a protrusion, rotatably attached to the flat portion via the hinge, a valve housing integrally formed with the flat portion, a valve, and a valve retainer for retaining the valve within the valve housing. The cover pivots relative to the flat portion so as to engage either the first aperture or the second aperture, and when the protrusion on one sidewall of the cover is pivoted towards the first aperture, the protrusion on the other sidewall simultaneously pivots away from the second aperture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention relates generally to a lid for a container, and more particularly, to a removable lid having two apertures therein, a cover adapted to contact either of the two apertures by pivoting on the lid, and a valve assembly for retaining a valve.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    During outdoor activities, objects in the environment such as flies, mosquitoes, hornets, dust, rain, and the like seem to find their way into open beverage containers. People prefer to avoid contact with such extraneous matter, and especially do not desire to have it in and about the containers from which they drink. Children, and even many adults, sometimes refuse to consume the contents of a container after witnessing various insects moving thereabout. More importantly, consuming a beverage into which minute particles from the air have fallen may prove unhealthy. In addition, whether indoors or outdoors, many people desire a drinking container that does not readily spill its contents when accidentally tipped or dropped.  
           [0005]    Similarly, beverages are often consumed while in a vehicle in motion. Drivers and passengers alike generally desire beverage containers that, when tipped, shaken, or dropped, do not simply spill their contents about the vehicle cabin and its occupants. Further, whether indoors, outdoors, or in a vehicle, not everyone prefers to drink from a container in the same manner. That is, some people prefer to use a straw, while others prefer to simply drink directly from a spout. Moreover, most consumers consider beverage containers to be fungible commodities. As such, a market exists for a simple, low cost, easily manufacturable product that renders a beverage container spill proof, prevents objects from the environment from contacting its contents, and at the same time provides a consumer with the option of consuming its contents either through a straw or directly from a spout.  
           [0006]    Conventional container lids directed towards that market generally include an opening for a straw and an opening for pouring or sipping the contents of a container. Such lids may have pairs of covers to close off the openings, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,113 to Stymiest, or single removable covers to close off both openings, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,312 to Mueller. However, the container lid disclosed by Stymiest requires separate first and second closures for closing off the two openings, and both the first and second closures are separately connected to the lid. This increases manufacturing complexity and requires additional assembly steps and material, which raises the cost per lid. The container lid disclosed by Mueller includes a cover that does not attach to the lid. As such, that cover is easily separated and lost.  
           [0007]    Therefore, there is a continuing need in the art for a simple, safe, low-cost, easily-manufacturable container lid having a plurality of apertures therein that can be alternately covered by a single cover, which is hingedly attached to the lid even when none of the plurality of apertures is covered.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    This invention addresses the foregoing needs in the art by providing a container lid having two apertures therein, and comprising a cover hingedly attached to the lid and adapted to cover one of the two apertures at a time by pivoting on the lid, and a valve assembly for retaining a valve.  
           [0009]    In a first embodiment of the invention, a container lid comprises a cover receiving portion having a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein and having a top side and a bottom side, a valve housing, a valve, a valve retainer, a hinge, and a cover. The valve housing comprises a tubular retaining wall and a valve seat, the tubular retaining wall depending from and being integrally formed with the bottom side of the cover receiving portion and having an inner surface with a shoulder integrally formed therein, the valve seat depending from and being integrally formed with the bottom side of the cover receiving portion. The valve is receivable within the valve housing. The valve retainer has a retainer retention portion, the valve retainer being shaped so as to retain the valve within the tubular retaining wall and against the valve seat via engagement of the retainer retention portion with the shoulder of the tubular retaining wall. The hinge is integrally formed with the cover receiving portion and is positioned so that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge. The cover is attached to the cover receiving portion via the hinge, the cover comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall having a protrusion extending therefrom and shaped so as to engage one of the first aperture and the second aperture. The cover is pivotally attached to the lid via the hinge, and the cover pivots relative to the cover receiving portion so that when the protrusion on the first sidewall of the cover is pivoted toward the first aperture, the protrusion on the second sidewall of the cover simultaneously pivots away from the second aperture.  
           [0010]    In another aspect of the first embodiment, the valve seat comprises a first seating surface. The first seating surface is inclined at a first angle relative to a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis of the tubular retaining wall.  
           [0011]    In yet another aspect of the first embodiment, the valve seat further comprises a projection. The projection comprises a second seating surface. The second seating surface is at a second angle relative to a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular retaining wall.  
           [0012]    In yet another aspect of the first embodiment, the first angle and the second angle are different; for example, the second angle may be smaller than the first angle, the first angle may be in a range of 22 degrees to 45 degrees, or the first angle may be in a range of 22 degrees to 45 degrees with the second angle being in a range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees.  
           [0013]    In a second embodiment of the invention, a container assembly comprises a container having an upper lip and a lid. The lid is removably attachable to the upper lip of the container. The lid comprises (i) a substantially flat portion, the substantially flat portion having a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein, and having a top side and a bottom side; (ii) a hinge, the hinge being integrally formed with the substantially flat portion and being positioned so that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge; (iii) a valve housing, the valve housing comprising a tubular retaining wall and a valve seat, the tubular retaining wall depending from and being integrally formed with the bottom side of the substantially flat portion and having an inner surface with a shoulder integrally formed therein, the valve seat depending from and being integrally formed with the bottom side of the substantially flat portion; (iv) a valve, the valve being receivable within the valve housing; (v) a valve retainer, the valve retainer having a retainer retention portion, the valve retainer shaped so as to retain the valve within the tubular retaining wall and against the valve seat via engagement of the retainer retention portion with the shoulder of the tubular retaining wall; (vi) a cover, the cover being attached to the substantially flat portion via the hinge, the cover comprising a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall, each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall having a protrusion extending therefrom and shaped so as to engage one of the first aperture and the second aperture; and (vii) a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall shaped so as to receive the upper lip therewithin.  
           [0014]    In a third embodiment of the invention, an improved drinking assembly includes a container and a lid, the container having an upper lip, the lid being removably attachable to the upper lip of the container. The lid has (i) a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein and a top side and a bottom side, (ii) a hinge, the hinge being integrally formed with the lid and being positioned so that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge, and (iii) an aperture cover, the aperture cover being attached to the lid via the hinge. The improvement comprises a valve housing, a valve, and a valve retainer. The valve housing comprises a tubular retaining wall and a valve seat. The tubular retaining wall depends from and is integrally formed with the bottom side of the lid and has an inner surface with a shoulder integrally formed therein. The valve seat depends from and is integrally formed with the bottom side of the lid. The valve is receivable within the valve housing. The valve retainer has a retainer retention portion and is shaped so as to retain the valve within the tubular retaining wall and against the valve seat via engagement of the retainer retention portion with the shoulder of the tubular retaining wall.  
           [0015]    In a fourth embodiment of the invention, a valve assembly comprises a valve housing comprising a housing top portion, a tubular retaining wall, and a valve seat. The tubular retaining wall depends from and is integrally formed with the housing top portion and has an inner surface with a shoulder integrally formed therein. The valve seat depends from and is integrally formed with the housing top portion and has a first seating surface. The valve assembly further comprises a valve receivable within the valve housing, the valve comprising a flange having a top flange surface and a bottom flange surface; and a valve retainer having a retainer retention portion and a valve engaging surface, the valve retainer shaped so as to retain the valve within the tubular retaining wall and against the valve seat via engagement of the retainer retention portion with the shoulder of the tubular retaining wall. Furthermore, at least one of (i) the first seating surface is non-complementary to the top flange surface and (ii) the bottom flange surface is non-complementary to the valve engaging surface.  
           [0016]    In a fifth embodiment of the invention, a valve assembly comprises a valve housing comprising a housing top portion, a tubular retaining wall, and a valve seat. The tubular retaining wall depends from and is integrally formed with the housing top portion and has an inner surface with a shoulder integrally formed therein. The valve seat depends from and is integrally formed with the housing top portion and has a first seating surface. The valve seat comprises a projection having a second seating surface. The valve assembly further comprises a valve receivable within the valve housing. The valve comprises a flange having a top flange surface and a bottom flange surface. The valve assembly also comprises a valve retainer having a retainer retention portion and a valve engaging surface, the valve retainer shaped so as to retain said valve within the tubular retaining wall and against the valve seat via engagement of the retainer retention portion with the shoulder of the tubular retaining wall. Furthermore, at least one of (i) the first seating surface is non-complementary to the top flange surface, (ii) the second seating surface is non-complementary to the top flange surface, and (iii) the bottom flange surface is non-complementary to the valve engaging surface.  
           [0017]    In another aspect of the fifth embodiment of the invention, (i) the first seating surface is at a first angle relative to a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis of the tubular retaining wall, (ii) the second seating surface is at a second angle relative to a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular retaining wall, (iii) the top flange surface is at a top flange angle relative to a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis of said valve, and (iv) the first angle is greater than the top flange angle. In yet another aspect of the fifth embodiment, at least one of (i) the first angle is about 1 degree to about 25 degrees greater than the top flange angle; (ii) the first angle is about 14 degrees greater than the top flange angle; (iii) the second angle is about 5 degrees to about 10 degrees; and (iv) the second angle is about 6 degrees. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top of a lid in accordance with this invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of a cover for use in this invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an underside of the lid shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid in accordance with this invention attached to a container;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is a sectional view along the line I-I in FIG. 4 while FIG. 5A is a partial cut-out sectional view of the portion  5 A shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 6 and 7 are partial cross-sectional views of a valve housing shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a valve for use in this invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the valve taken along the line J-J in FIG. 8;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a valve retainer for use in this invention, which is used to retain a valve in the valve housing;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the valve retainer taken along the line K-K in FIG. 10; and  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of an assembled valve housing, valve, and valve retainer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    This invention relates generally to a container lid comprising a hinge, a plurality of apertures disposed in the lid and positioned on opposite sides of the hinge, a cover pivotally connected to the lid via the hinge, and a valve assembly for retaining a valve. The cover comprises two sides and a protrusion on each side, each protrusion being adapted to sealingly engage (or alternatively to fit within) one of the plurality of apertures in the lid.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lid  100  according to the preferred embodiment. The lid  100  comprises a top  124  and a peripheral wall  102  depending therefrom. A circumference of the top  124  is generally circular, and a cross section of the top  124  is generally arcuate, rising from a low point at a periphery of the top  124  to a high point near a center of the top  124 . A cover receiving portion, preferably a flat portion  104 , extends across the top  124  and through the center of the top  124 . The flat portion  104  comprises at least two apertures formed therein. These apertures in the cover receiving portion can be of the same or different shape and size. Preferably, however, one aperture is, for example, a straw hole  106  suitable for receiving a conventional straw, and another aperture is, for example, a spout  108  suitable for pouring or sipping contents of a container  400  (see FIG. 4). Various shapes for the apertures, such as circular, elliptical, polygonal, rectangular, and the like, can be formed in the flat portion  104  without departing from the scope of the invention. Near the spout  108 , the lid  100  further comprises an extending lip  110  to aid in sipping.  
         [0031]    A tongue  112  is provided on one side of the lid  100  and is integrally formed with the peripheral wall  102  to facilitate removal and handling of the lid  100 . Of course, the tongue  112  may be a separate piece, or may be disposed of altogether without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, the tongue  112  can be a variety of shapes and sizes, such as an arcuate, rectangular, or triangular extension from the lid.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 2A and 2B show a cover  300  for use in this invention. The cover  300  comprises two sides  302 ,  302 ′ each with a protrusion  304 ,  306 , respectively disposed thereon and shaped to sealingly engage, fit within, or mate with one of the apertures in the flat portion  104 . As shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and  2 B, the side  302  of the cover  300  nearest the straw hole  106  includes the protrusion  304 , which is shaped similarly to the straw hole  106 , and the side  302 ′ of the cover  300  nearest the spout  108  includes the protrusion  306 , which is shaped similarly to the spout  108 . Of course, the protrusions  304 ,  306  and the apertures  106 ,  108  may take on a variety of shapes, such as contoured, elliptical, polygonal, and the like, other than the straw holes and spouts shown.  
         [0033]    As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cover  300  comprises an L-shaped handle  308  extending orthogonally from the side  302 . The handle  308  has an orthogonal panel  310  perpendicular to the side  302  and a parallel panel  312  parallel to the side  302 , thus forming the L-shaped handle  308 . Near a corner formed by an intersection of the panels  310 ,  312  of the handle  308 , a first rib  314  is formed. When the cover  300  is closed over the straw hole  106 , the first rib  314  grips a bottom edge of the wall  102 , holding the cover  300  closed against the flat portion  104 , as illustrated in FIG. 3. The orthogonal panel  310  also includes a second rib  316  that engages with a notch  114 , shown in FIG. 5, formed in the lid  100 , thus keeping the cover  300  in place over the spout  108 . Although the first and second ribs  314 ,  316  and the notch  114  are preferably provided, they may be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention.  
         [0034]    The cover  300  is pivotally attached to the lid  100  near the middle of the flat portion  104  , as shown in FIG. 1. The flat portion  104  comprises at least one pair of protruding forks  116 , preferably two pairs of protruding forks  116 , and the cover  300  comprises a rod-shaped end  318  and at least one window  320 , preferably a pair of windows  320 . The rod-shaped end  318  is received by the forks  116  (e.g., the rod-shaped end  318  snaps into the forks  116 ) at the location of the windows  320 , thereby allowing for hinged movement of the cover  300 . Of course, other hinge-like structures may be used without departing from the scope of the invention, such as extending the rod-shaped end  318  beyond an endwall of the cover  300  to form extended pins and using forks or pin receiving means to restrain the cover  300  on the lid  100  via the extended pins.  
         [0035]    An underside of the lid  100  according to the preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. A valve housing  500  depends from and is integrally formed with an underside (i.e., bottom side) of the flat portion  104  and generally surrounds the straw hole  106 . A ridge  130  extends around the wall  102 , and a plurality of stops  118  protrude from the underside of the lid  100 . Three stops  118  are shown; however, there are three additional stops on the opposite side of the flat portion  104  that are obscured by the wall  102  (in FIG. 3). Nevertheless, any number of stops may be provided, from none to a continuous ridge, without departing from the scope of the invention, to provide a mating surface between the lid  100  and the container  400 .  
         [0036]    The valve housing  500 , shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 and in greater detail in FIGS. 6, 7, and  10 , comprises a housing top portion, a tubular retaining wall  502 , and a valve seat  503 . The tubular retaining wall  502  depends from and is integrally formed with the housing top portion, the housing top portion being integrally formed with the bottom side of the flat portion  104 . The tubular retaining wall  502 , which is preferably cylindrical in shape, includes an inner surface  504  with a shoulder  505  integrally formed therein. The shoulder  505  is preferably continuous about the circumferential inner surface  504  of the tubular retaining wall  502 , but may also be intermittent (i.e., discontinuous), in the form of spaced-apart shoulders. The valve seat  503  also depends from and is integrally formed with the housing top portion, which is integrally formed with the bottom side of the flat portion  104 . The valve seat  503  is positioned inside of, or within a perimeter of, the tubular retaining wall  502 . In addition, the valve seat  503  is preferably continuous in form; that is, the valve seat  503  is preferably a depending ring-like structure, which may be, for example, cylindrical in shape. However, the valve seat  503  may also be intermittent (i.e., discontinuous), in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart valve seats.  
         [0037]    The valve seat  503  comprises a first seating surface  508 . The first seating surface  508  is inclined at a first angle α relative to a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis  501  of the tubular retaining wall  502 . Alternatively, the valve seat  503  comprises a projection  510  (see FIG. 7), which further depends downwardly from the bottom side of the flat portion  104 . The projection  510  comprises a second seating surface  518 . The second seating surface  518  is inclined at a second angle β relative to a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis  501  of the tubular retaining wall  502 . The valve housing  500 , including the tubular retaining wall  502  and the valve seat  503 , is shaped so as to allow receipt of a valve  200  therewithin.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8 generally shows a perspective view of the valve  200 , which is one example of a valve for use in this invention, and FIG. 9 generally shows a sectional view of the valve  200  taken along the line J-J in FIG. 8. Such valves  200  are produced by Liquid Molding Systems, Inc., Midland, Mich., marketed through Sequist Closures of Mukwanago, Wis., under the SIMPLISQUEEZE line, and typically made of silicone. As shown in FIG. 9, the valve  200  preferably comprises a flange  202  and a plurality of slits  204 . The flange  202  has an upper surface  203  and a lower surface  205 . The upper surface  203  is formed at an angle ω relative to a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis  201  of the valve  200 , and the lower surface  205  is formed at an angle η relative to a plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis  201  of the valve  200 . The plurality of slits  204  allows for insertion of an object therethrough, such as a conventional straw. When a straw or similar tube is not inserted through the valve  200 , then the valve  200  provides a spill-proof seal, meaning that fluid contents of the container  400  coming in ephemeral contact with the valve  200  will not pass through the valve  200 .  
         [0039]    The valve  200  is preferably secured within the valve housing  500  via a valve retainer  600 , which is generally shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The valve retainer  600  preferably comprises a retainer retention portion  602  and a valve engaging surface  603 . The valve engaging surface  603  is formed at an angle Φ relative to a plane orthogonal to a central longitudinal axis  601  of the valve retainer  600 . The valve retainer  600  is shaped so as to retain the valve  200  within the tubular retaining wall  502  and against the valve seat  503  via engagement of the retainer retention portion  602  with the shoulder  505  of the tubular retaining wall  502 , as shown, for example, in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 shows the valve  200  secured within the valve housing  500  using the valve retainer  600 . In order to secure (i.e., retain) the valve  200 , the valve  200  is first placed within the valve housing  500  so that the flange  202  of the valve  200  abuts the valve seat  503 . Then, the valve retainer  600  is pressed within the tubular retaining wall  502 , towards the bottom side of the flat portion  104 , until the retainer retention portion  602  snap-fittingly engages the shoulder  505  of the tubular retaining wall  502 . In this position, the valve retainer  600  exerts a force upon the valve  200 , effectively squeezing the flange  202  between the valve seat  503  and the valve retainer  600 . The valve retainer  600  is preferably snap-fitted within the tubular retaining wall  502 ; however, the valve retainer  600  may also be effectively retained in place by alternative means, such as by ultrasonic welding or with adhesives, which may render the shoulder  505  optional.  
         [0040]    The configuration of the valve seat  503  substantially determines the magnitude of the force (e.g., squeezing force) exerted upon the flange  202 , when assembled as shown, for example, in FIG. 12. Consequently, the configuration of the valve seat  503  determines, in significant part, the amount of withdrawal force necessary to forcibly remove the valve  200  from its mounted position in the valve housing  500  through the straw hole  106  (i.e., from the top side of the lid). To this end, various configurations of the valve seat  503  are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.  
         [0041]    A basic configuration of the valve seat  503  has the first angle α of the first seating surface  508  of the valve seat  503  being complementary to the angle ω of the upper surface  203  of the valve  200 , with the angle η of the lower surface  205  of the valve  200  being complementary to the angle Φ of the valve engaging surface  603  of the valve retainer  600 . In this configuration, the first seating surface  508  meets the upper surface  203  and the lower surface  205  meets the valve engaging surface  603 , surface-to-surface, in a complementary fashion (i.e., like pieces of a puzzle). However, in this configuration, the amount of withdrawal force necessary to forcibly remove the valve  200  from its mounted position in the valve housing  500  through the straw hole  106  is less than can be obtained from the following configurations of the valve seat  503 .  
         [0042]    An improved configuration of the valve seat  503 , as shown in FIG. 6, has the first angle α of the first seating surface  508  of the valve seat  503  being different than, and preferably greater than, the angle ω of the upper surface  203  of the valve  200 , with the angle η of the lower surface  205  of the valve  200  being complementary to the angle Φ of the valve engaging surface  603  of the valve retainer  600 . In this configuration, the first seating surface  508  is not complementary with the upper surface  203 , while the lower surface  205  and the valve engaging surface  603  meet each other, surface-to-surface, in a complementary fashion. For example, where the angle ω is 22 degrees, the angle α is selected to be greater than 22 degrees, such as from greater than 22 degrees to 45 degrees, and is preferably selected to be about 36 degrees. In this configuration, the amount of withdrawal force necessary to forcibly remove the valve  200  from its mounted position in the valve housing  500  through the straw hole  106  is greater than the required withdrawal force in the basic configuration of the valve seat  503  discussed above.  
         [0043]    Another improved configuration of the valve seat  503 , as shown in FIG. 7, includes the projection  510  with at least one seating surface, such as the second seating surface  518 . In this configuration, the first angle α of the first seating surface  508  of the valve seat  503  is the same as or different than, and preferably greater than, the angle ω of the upper surface  203  of the valve  200 , and the second angle β of the second seating surface  518  of the valve seat  503  relative to the plane orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis  501  of the tubular retaining wall  502  is zero or greater, with the angle η of the lower surface  205  of the valve  200  remaining complementary to the angle Φ of the valve engaging surface  603  of the valve retainer  600 . Preferably, the second angle β is smaller than the first angle α, so that the first seating surface  508  is not parallel with the second seating surface  518 . In addition, the first seating surface  508  is preferably angled in a direction generally opposite that of the second seating surface  518 , as shown, by way of example, in FIG. 7. For example, where the angle ω is 22 degrees, the angle α is preferably selected to be from 22 degrees to 45 degrees, and the second angle β is preferably selected to be in the range of 5 degrees to 10 degrees, more preferably between 5 degrees and 6 degrees. In this configuration, the second seating surface  518  is not complementary with the upper surface  203 , while the lower surface  205  and the valve engaging surface  603  meet each other, surface-to-surface, in a complementary fashion. Also, in this configuration, the amount of withdrawal force necessary to forcibly remove the valve  200  from its mounted position in the valve housing  500  through the straw hole  106  is again greater than the required withdrawal force in the basic configuration of the valve seat  503  discussed above. Of course, the projection  510  may comprise a plurality of seating surfaces, such as, for example, two second seating surfaces  518  configured to form a point (e.g., a wedge-like projection).  
         [0044]    One resulting feature of each example of the improved configurations of the valve seat  503 , as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is that the force (e.g., squeezing force) exerted upon the flange  202 , when assembled as shown, for example, in FIG. 12, is neither too small nor too great. That is, if the squeezing force were too small, the amount of withdrawal force necessary to forcibly remove the valve  200  from its mounted position in the valve housing  500  through the straw hole  106  would likewise be small. Similarly, if the squeezing force were too great, the flange  202  of the valve  200  would act like a compressed spring and cause the valve retainer  600  to dislodge from its snap-fitted position within the tubular retaining wall  502 . As such, a person of ordinary skill in this art would appreciate that the particular configuration of the valve seat  503 , including its optional projection  510 , is dependent, at least in part, on (i) the particular material(s) comprising the valve  200 , the valve retainer  600 , and the valve housing  500 , (2) the particular shape of the flange  202  of the valve  200 , including the angle η of the lower surface  205  of the valve  200  and the angle ω of the upper surface  203  of the valve  200 , and (3) the selected means for securing the valve retainer  600  within the tubular retaining wall  502 .  
         [0045]    In addition, although the above discussion was directed to manipulating the valve seat  503  with respect to the upper surface  203  of the valve  200 , a person of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that the same or equivalent features may be provided on the valve engaging surface  603  of the valve retainer  600  with respect to the lower surface  205  of the valve  200 , as additional features or with the upper surface  203  and the valve seat  503  configured to meet each other, surface-to-surface, in a complementary fashion.  
         [0046]    The lid  100  is removably attachable to a container  400  having a flared top  402 , as shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the ridge  130  of the lid  100  contacts the flared top  402  to removably secure the lid  100  to the container  400 . When the lid  100  is secured to the container  400 , a seal is formed as the ridge  130  contacts the flared top  402 . This seal may be a leak-resistant, a leak-proof, or a spill-proof seal. Preferably, the seal formed is a leak-proof seal. Also, when the lid  100  is secured to the container  400 , the stops  118  abut the flared top  402  of the container  400 . Moreover, in another aspect of the invention, the lid  100  preferably snaps onto or snap-fittingly engages with the container  400 , thus producing a snapping sound upon properly attaching the lid  100  to the container  400 .  
         [0047]    The lid  100 , cover  300 , and container  400  can be manufactured from a variety of materials, but are preferably plastic. Such plastics include high density polyethylene (HDPE), any polyolefin, including but not limited to linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), polypropylene (PP), and low density polytheylene (LDPE). The plastics used should preferably provide a rigidity between that of LDPE and polypropylene. That is, the plastics used should preferably be rigid enough to provide a solid snapping sound when the lid  100  and the container  400  are attached together, but pliable enough to provide a leak-proof seal therebetween.  
         [0048]    In operation, the lid  100  is attached to the container  400  containing a fluid, such as a beverage, and the cover  300  is selectively snapped down over one of the apertures, such as the spout  108 , as shown in FIG. 4. A conventional straw can then be placed into the straw hole  106 . Alternatively, if a user chooses to drink out of the spout  108 , the user can remove the straw and pivot the cover  300  so as to cover the straw hole  106  and expose the spout  108 . When done drinking, the user may pivot the cover  300  back over the spout  108 . In this position, the cover  300  seals the spout  108  to prevent fluid leakage, and the valve  200  prevents fluid leakage through the straw hole  106  in the event the container  400  is tipped over.  
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
       [0049]    This invention provides a container lid for removable attachment to a container. This lid includes apertures, such as a straw aperture and a spout aperture, through which a user may withdraw contents of the container, and a pivotally attached cover for selectively sealing the apertures. This lid allows a user to consume the contents of the container through a straw or from a spout, while preventing external environmental objects from contacting the contents and preventing accidental spilling of the contents. When not consuming the container contents, a user may seal the spout aperture with the cover and allow a gasket within the straw aperture to seal that aperture. In this state, the lid substantially prevents the container contents from contacting the environment external thereto, thus making this invention highly suitable for use outdoors or in vehicles.  
         [0050]    While this invention has been described with reference to what are currently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.