Combination lid and straw for a drinking container

A combination lid and straw for covering a drinking container has a lid, a straw having an interlocking portion, and at least one venting slot. The lid has a lid perimeter adapted to be attached to the drinking container, and a straw aperture having an inner surface. The interlocking portion of the straw is shaped to interlock with the straw aperture to resist movement of the straw relative to the lid. The venting slots are formed between the inner surface of the straw aperture of the lid, and the outer surface of the straw. Each of the venting slots has a diameter that is large enough to allow air to vent into the container, but small enough to restrict liquid from leaking from the container. The drinking straw has a proximal and distal end. One or both ends may be shaped to prevent a water droplet from leaking from the drinking straw. The drinking straw body may have flexibility and a specific gravity greater than 1 so that when the container is held in a non-vertical orientation, the distal end of the elongate straw body remains submerged in the fluid within the container, without the addition of weights to the distal end of the straw body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to drinking containers, and more particularly to a combination lid and straw for covering a drinking container that enables venting into the container but restricts leaking in the event the container is knocked over, and allows drinking when the cup is held in a non-vertical orientation.

Description of Related Art

Young children often lack adequate dexterity to allow for successful consumption of liquid from an open cup. To this end, a number of training cups exist having a straw designed to facilitate consumption of liquid by children or others having limited dexterity.

The inclusion of a straw can often lead to leaks if the cup is tipped or dropped, unless there is a mechanism to prevent liquid flow when not in use. This is especially a problem when the child is traveling in an automobile or the like, and drinks from such a container, especially when drinking juice or other liquid which may stain and soil the vehicle.

Valved drinking devices used as trainer cups provide a partial solution to this problem and are well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,102,245 and 6,116,457, both to Haberman, provide for a drinking vessel having a valve contained in a lid mouthpiece.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,349 to Fawcett provides a fluid supply chamber connected to a length of tubing having a closed end with a deformable slit. The tube can be received in a person's mouth to enable fluid to flow therethrough.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,755 to Andreozzi provides a children's drinking vessel with a flexible straw disconnectably mounted on a container and extendable substantially beyond the container. The outermost free end of the straw has a valve.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,747 to Quigley et al. provides a drinking tube connected to a one-way valve located in a liquid reservoir. The valve has a flapper enclosed within a valve chamber to prevent liquid from flowing back from the tube into the reservoir.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,831 to Williams, III provides for a straw having a one-way flapper valve at the bottom of the straw to prevent liquid from falling back when the sucking action of the drinker ceases.

While the art provides for drinking straw systems that include valves, missing in the art is a drinking straw of very simple construction that does not require a valve, and which may be easily removed and cleaned.

The inclusion of a straw can often make it more difficult for children to drink from, especially when they are transitioning from a baby bottle, since a bottle our spouted cup must be tipped up to drink, whereas a straw cup must be held in a vertical orientation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,474 to Gray and U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,519 to Kim et al. provide for a straw having a weighted assembly at the distal end of the straw to follow the liquid in the bottle.

While the art provides for drinking straw systems that include a weight at the end of a straw to maintain submersion when a cup is tilted, missing in the art is a drinking straw of very simple construction that does not require the additional complexity of added materials, components, or geometries, and which may be easily manufactured and cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a combination lid and straw for covering a drinking container, the combination comprising a lid, a straw having an interlocking portion, and at least one venting slot. The lid has a lid perimeter adapted to be attached to the drinking container, and a straw aperture having an inner surface. The interlocking portion of the outer surface of the straw is shaped to interlock with the straw aperture to resist movement of the straw relative to the lid. The venting slots are formed between the inner surface of the straw aperture of the lid, and the outer surface of the straw. Each of the venting slots has a diameter that is large enough to allow air to vent through the venting slots and into the container, but small enough to restrict liquid from leaking from the container.

In one embodiment, one or both of the straw ends are shaped to prevent a water droplet from leaking from the drinking straw.

In one embodiment, the straw body has a specific gravity greater than 1, and material and geometry that together provide sufficient flexibility such that when the container is held in a non-vertical orientation, the distal end of the straw body remains submerged in the fluid within the container.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a combination lid and straw having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a combination that is of simple and inexpensive design.

Another objective is to provide a combination that may be readily disassembled for cleaning.

Another objective is to provide a combination that is effective in resisting leaks under ordinary circumstances.

Another objective is to provide a combination that maintains the straw body submerged in fluid when the container is tilted.

A further objective is to provide a combination that is easy to assemble and use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a combination lid and straw for use with a drinking container. The combination includes a lid and a straw that are particularly adapted to resist leaks if the container is knocked over or dropped.

FIG. 1is a side sectional view of one embodiment of a drinking container10.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view thereof. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the drinking container10may include a cup20that is used with the lid30, and may further include a spinner mechanism60. The straw50extends through the lid30, as discussed in greater detail below. In this embodiment, the straw50may further include a bottom straw40. The cup20and the lid30are connected for holding a liquid (not shown). The spinner mechanism60may be mounted in the cup20for providing the display.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the cup20has a cup bottom22and a cup wall24that extends upwardly to a cup perimeter26. In the present embodiment, the cup20includes an outward step27, and a conical body portion28of the cup wall24that extends upwardly above the outward step27. The cup perimeter26may include threading29, or an equivalent structure, for engaging the lid30. While one embodiment of the drinking container10may have any form, shape, or additional features, including any cups that are known in the art, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the lid30includes a straw aperture32through the lid30, and a lid perimeter34that engages the cup perimeter26of the cup20. The straw aperture32may include an upwardly extending flange36, as shown, or may be an alternative construction that functions as described herein. A top surface38of the lid30may be generally flat, and may be transparent, to facilitate viewing of the spinner mechanism60.

The lid perimeter34of the lid30may include another threading39, or an equivalent structure, for engaging the cup20, as mentioned above. The lid30preferably forms an airtight seal with the cup20, to prevent leakage if the drinking container10is tipped over; however, this is not required in alternative embodiments. Since the general construction of such cups is well known in the art, these aspects of the invention are not described in greater detail herein.

While some particular embodiments of the container10, including the cup20, the lid30, and the straw50, are shown herein, the invention should not be limited to these particular embodiments, but should be construed to include any alternative embodiments that may be designed by one skilled in the art consistent with this disclosure. A wide variety of cups known in the art may be used, as well as a large number of lids30or equivalent constructions may be used.

The spinner mechanism60is adapted to spin when a person is drinking from the drinking container10. The spinner mechanism60includes a liquid input100and a liquid outlet120for receiving the liquid into the spinner mechanism60, and then allowing the liquid out of the spinner mechanism60. The construction of the spinner mechanism60is shown in greater detail in the following drawing figures, and is discussed in greater detail below.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid input100may receive the liquid from the bottom straw40, and the liquid outlet120may direct the liquid into the top straw50, for directing the liquid into and out of the spinner mechanism60. However, this is not required, and in alternative embodiments or arrangements these straws may be omitted or used in different configurations.

In the present embodiment, the bottom straw40includes a top end42and a bottom end44, the top end42being engaged with the liquid input100of the spinner mechanism60. In this embodiment, the top end42of the bottom straw40is operably engaged with the liquid input100of the spinner mechanism60, via an input port102that extends from a bottom surface104of the spinner mechanism60, such that the bottom end44of the bottom straw40extends downwardly into the cup20for immersion in the liquid. The input port102may be of tubular construction shaped to engage (e.g., frictionally, threadedly, or otherwise) the bottom straw40. In this embodiment, the bottom straw40fits into and frictionally engages the input port102. A simple frictional engagement contributes to quick and easy assembly and disassembly for cleaning and storage. While one embodiment of such engagement is shown herein, those skilled in the art may devise alternative engagement structures, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the top straw50has a proximal end52, a middle tubular body54, and a distal end. The proximal end52of the top straw50may be engaged with the liquid outlet120of the spinner mechanism60, in this case via a outlet port122that may be of generally tubular construction. In this embodiment, the top straw50extends through the straw aperture32of the top lid so that the distal end56extends from the drinking container10. In this embodiment, the middle tubular body54includes a lid engagement structure58that engages the straw aperture32of the lid30so that the top straw50is fixed relative to the lid30. In this embodiment, the lid engagement structure58allows air flow between the top straw50and the lid30, to allow venting.

FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of the spinner mechanism60.FIG. 4is a perspective view of the spinner mechanism60, with a portion of the spinner mechanism60broken away to reveal the internal construction of the spinner mechanism60. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the spinner mechanism60includes a spinner housing62that forms a spinner chamber70that is shaped to receive a spinner disk80. The spinner housing62is at least partially transparent so that the spinning of the spinner disk80may be observed by the person drinking from the drinking container10.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the spinner housing62includes a first chamber surface64and a second chamber surface66that are spaced apart from each other a distance D by a chamber perimeter surface68. The distance D may be consistent, or may vary, but should be sufficient to envelop the spinner disk80with the desired clearance, as discussed in greater detail below. The first and second chamber surfaces64and66and the chamber perimeter surface68together define the spinner chamber70. In the present embodiment, the spinner housing62includes a first housing component72and a second housing component74that may be connected together to form the spinner housing62. In this embodiment, the first housing component72includes the first chamber surface64and a first annular wall75, and the second housing component74includes the second chamber surface66and a second annular wall76. The first and second housing components72and74are pressed together around the spinner disk80, and a connector77(e.g., a mechanical seal such as an O-ring, a threaded connection, or other form of connection known in the art). In the present embodiment, the first and second housing components74may be readily separated for cleaning; however, in some embodiments, they may be permanently connected. In this embodiment, the connector77is a mechanical seal such as an O-ring that is positioned between the first and second annular walls75and76(in a suitable groove, for example) for sealing and removably interlocking the first and second housing components72and74, as shown.

An axle78extends upwardly from the second chamber surface66for rotatably mounting the spinner disk80in the spinner chamber70. For purposes of this application, the term “axle”78is defined to include any form of structure that functions for rotatably mounting the spinner disk80, and the term should be broadly construed to include alternative structures (e.g., a post, a pin, an annular wall, etc.). The terms “axle” and related terms (e.g., the center aperture, the hubs, etc.) are also expressly defined to include all inverse constructions, wherein the axle extends from the spinner disk88and engages a receiver (not shown) in the spinner chamber70, or from the first chamber surface64.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the spinner disk80has a top disk surface82and a bottom disk surface84that extend from a center aperture86to an outer disk perimeter88. The top disk surface82may include decorative elements90that provide enjoyment and entertainment to the child (or other person) drinking from the drinking container10. In this embodiment, the spinner disk80is shaped to fit securely within the spinner chamber70when the spinner disk80is mounted with the axle78through the center aperture86of the spinner disk80. The clearance between the spinner housing62and the spinner disk80controls the velocity of the flow of the liquid, the pressure differential, as well as the volume that requires priming. This clearance should be optimized for the particular design to achieve high flow-velocity and a practical pressure differential for a given volumetric flow rate. Furthermore, the volume should be kept small to minimize the priming effort. In this embodiment, the spinner housing62envelops the spinner disk80with a nominal clearance of 0.01-0.1 inches between the first chamber surface64and the top disk surface82, and between the second chamber surface66and the bottom disk surface84.

In this embodiment, the top disk surface82and the bottom disk surface84of the spinner disk80are planar, and wherein the spinner disk80does not include paddles. For purposes of this application, the term “paddle” is hereby defined to include any form of paddle, vane, blade, or equivalent structure shaped to capture fluid flow. The absence of paddles enables the tight clearance between the spinner disk80and the spinner housing62, which prevents undue air from mixing with the liquid, forming bubbles, and otherwise interfering with the person's drinking from the drinking container10.

The spinner disk80may further include top and bottom spacers92and94extending outwardly from the top disk surface82and the bottom disk surface84, respectively, which maintain a slip fit with the first and second chamber surfaces64and66to maintain space between the top and bottom disk surfaces82and84and the first and second chamber surfaces64and66. The top and bottom spacers92and94may be in the form of annular hubs adjacent and around the center aperture86.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid input100may extend through the chamber perimeter surface68for directing the liquid at the spinner disk80for spinning the spinner disk80. In this embodiment, the liquid input100is an input aperture105in an input chamber106formed in the chamber perimeter surface68of the spinner housing62. The input chamber106has an input chamber floor108that is separated from the second chamber surface64by a step109so that the input chamber floor108is lower than the second chamber surface66.

In this embodiment, the liquid input100further includes a jet nozzle110operably positioned adjacent the liquid input100for directing the liquid at the outer disk perimeter88so that jets of the liquid flow across the top and bottom disk surfaces82and84the spinner disk80. The jets may be directed to follow a path that is generally circular around an axis of the spinner disk80, to spin the spinner disk80. In this embodiment, the jet nozzle110is a generally C-shaped wall extending downwardly from the first chamber surface64to fit within the input chamber106, such that two ends114are positioned adjacent each other to form a restricted outlet116. The restricted outlet116increases the velocity of the liquid when it enters the spinner chamber70. While the C-shaped configuration is used in the present embodiment, the jet nozzle110may be any shape that produces a suitable jet of the liquid (e.g., round or slotted tube or orifice, nozzle, or other duct, etc.) when the liquid flows into the spinner housing62through the fluid input100.

As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the spinner mechanism60further includes a liquid outlet120for allowing the liquid out of the spinner chamber70once it has contacted the spinner disk80. The liquid outlet120may further include an outlet port122that engages (e.g., frictionally, threadedly, etc.) the top straw50. In the present embodiment, both the top and bottom straws are constructed of a resilient material (e.g., plastic, rubber, elastomer, etc.) that can easily frictionally fit into or around a port or similar structure, for quick assembly and disassembly.

During use, the drinking container10is assembled, as shown inFIG. 1, and at least partially filled with the liquid that is to be consumed. When suction is applied to the top straw50, the liquid is drawn up the bottom straw40by the pressure differential, through the jet nozzle110, and sprayed into the spinner chamber70as described above. The liquid jets are directed across the spinner disk80as discussed above, such that the liquid jets flow across the top and bottom disk surfaces82and84, around the axle78in a generally circular path, and then exit through the fluid outlet120, and up the top straw50.

The high speed fluid jet imparts viscous forces to the lower speed fluid surrounding it, acting to slow the fluid jet and speed the surrounding fluid. In accordance with the well-known “no slip” condition, adhesive forces between the fluid and the spinner disk80ensure that the fluid layer in direct contact with the spinner disk80has the same velocity as the spinner disk80. So, the kinetic energy of the fluid jets is imparted to the spinner disk80through viscous and adhesive forces, promoting rotation of the spinner disk80.

As the user drinks through the top straw50, he or she can see the spinner disk80rotate (along with any decorative features90printed on or formed on the spinner disk80), in an entertaining manner. The rate of spin varies depending upon the suction power applied by the user.

FIG. 5is a side sectional view of the drinking container10illustrating another method of assembling the drinking container10. In this arrangement, the spinner mechanism60is positioned elsewhere in or on the drinking container10, in this case, in a bottom portion of the drinking container10adjacent the cup bottom22. In this arrangement, the input port102is able to draw the liquid from the cup20, and the top and bottom straws50and40are connected together to extend from the outlet port122up to and through the lid30. While this illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, alternative assemblies and constructions could also be used, according to the designs of one skilled in the art, and should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 6is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the drinking container130, illustrating a combination lid and straw132that includes a second embodiment of the straw150.FIG. 7is a close up cross-sectional view of the straw150operably mounted in the lid30, with a portion of the straw150broken away to better illustrate an inner surface140of the straw aperture32. As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the combination132may be used for covering the cup20to resist leakage but still enable venting of air into and out of the container130, as needed.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment of the combination132, the straw150includes an interlocking portion160that is shaped to operably engage the inner surface140of the straw aperture32. In the embodiment ofFIGS. 6 and 7, the straw150includes a proximal end152, a distal end154, and an outer surface156, and the interlocking portion160is formed in the outer surface156of the straw150.

As shown inFIG. 6, the proximal end152or the distal end154of the straw150(or both) may include a bullet-shaped cross sectional tip151that is shaped to prevent a water droplet159from leaking from the drinking straw150. In this embodiment, the drinking straw150includes an elongate straw body158that defines an inner conduit155such that the elongate straw body has an inner diameter ID and an outer diameter OD. The difference between the inner diameter ID and outer diameter OD defines a thickness of the straw150.

The bullet-shaped cross sectional tip151includes a thin annular edge157that forms the inner diameter ID, and a tapered portion153extending away from the inner diameter ID to form the outer diameter OD. In this embodiment, the water droplet159stabilizes approximately on the thin annular edge157of the inner diameter ID so that the water droplet159has a minimized diameter and the surface tension of the water droplet prevents the water droplet159from escaping the drinking straw150. For the purposes of this application, the term “thin annular edge”157is defined to include any form of structure that functions to stabilize the water droplet159on a minimized diameter, and the term should be broadly construed to include alternative structures (e.g., a sharp edge on the inner diameter ID, or a thin wall or protrusion that extends from the inner diameter ID). In prior art straws, a water droplet would tend to spread to the outer diameter OD, and thus have a larger diameter and a greater ability to overcome the surface tension of the water and drip from the straw150.

Also shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the interlocking portion160is shaped to interlock with the straw aperture32to resist movement of the straw150relative to the lid30. In this embodiment, the interlocking portion160includes an annular groove162that is shaped to frictionally engage the inner surface140of the straw aperture32. In this embodiment, the annular groove162is adjacent a top bushing portion164that extends radially outwardly from the straw150, and a bottom bushing portion166that extends radially outwardly from the straw150.

As shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment the inner surface140of the straw aperture32includes an inner conduit surface142adjacent an inwardly extending locking portion144that extends inwardly from the inner surface140. In this embodiment, the inner conduit surface142has a generally annular cross-section and is shaped to abut the top bushing portion164.

In this embodiment, the interlocking portion160includes at least one venting slot170, typically a plurality of the venting slots170, that traverse at least part of the interlocking portion160to enable air to vent into the container130while preventing, or at least resisting, leakage. The venting slots170are formed between the inner surface140of the straw aperture32of the lid30, and the outer surface156of the straw150. The venting slots170each have a diameter that is large enough to allow air to vent through the venting slots170, but small enough to restrict liquid from leaking from the container130.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 6 and 7, the venting slots170are formed in the straw150, and extend across the annular groove162, the top bushing portion164, and the bottom bushing portion166. In alternative embodiments, alternative constructions may be designed by one skilled in the art which enable the venting described herein, and such alternatives should be considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 8is a close up cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the straw150operably mounted in the lid30, similar toFIG. 7, illustrating an embodiment wherein the venting slots172are formed in the lid30, not the straw150, to enable venting through the lid30. In this embodiment, the venting slots172extend into the inner surface140of the straw aperture32, including the inner conduit surface142and a front surface146of the inwardly extending locking portion144, which fits into and abuts the annular groove162of the interlocking portion160. The venting slots172further extend across a lower surface148of the inwardly extending locking portion144. As shown inFIG. 8, the at least one venting slot172of this embodiment includes at least three venting slots that are radially spaced from one another.

FIG. 9is a close up cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the straw150operably mounted in the lid30, illustrating venting slots174formed through a combination of slot elements formed in both the straw150and the straw aperture32to enable venting through the lid30. In this embodiment, each of the venting slots174includes a straw vent segment176and a lid vent segment178. In this embodiment, the straw vent segment176is formed in the straw150, in particular in this embodiment in the annular groove162and at least some of the bottom bushing portion166. The lid vent segment178in this embodiment is formed in the straw aperture32, in this embodiment in the inner conduit surface142.

The straw vent segments176and the lid vent segments178are operably connected to form the venting slots174. In the embodiment ofFIG. 9, they are operably connected via an annular connector conduit180formed in either the lid30or the straw150, or formed in both the lid30and the straw150, such that the annular connector conduit180operably connects the straw vent segments176with the lid vent segments178. An advantage of the annular construction of this conduit180is that the different segments176and178do not have to align to operatively interconnect, they can connect from any orientation via the conduit180.

One advantage of this approach is that only one type of segments (either the straw vent segments176or the lid vent segments178) needs to be formed with precision, the other can be larger and more irregular in shape and size. In this embodiment, the lid vent segments178, formed in the inner conduit surface142, is formed with precision, so that the lid vent segments178have a diameter that is small enough so that surface tension of water in each of the lid vent segments178is enough to prevent leakage from the drinking container. For purposes of this application, the term “prevent leakage” is defined to include complete prevention, and also substantial restriction of leakage so that leakage is so minor during typical usage that it does not bother a typical consumer.

In this embodiment, the lid vent segments178each terminate in a critical restriction182, at which point the diameter of the lid vent segment178is small enough so that surface tension of water in each of the lid vent segments178is enough to prevent leakage, as discussed above.

FIG. 10is a side elevational view of the assembled drinking container130ofFIG. 6, illustrating the flexing of the drinking straw150when the drinking container130is held in a non-vertical orientation. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10, the straw150is constructed of a material that has a specific gravity of greater than 1, such as silicone. In alternative embodiments, other materials may be used, but a specific gravity of greater than 1 may be used in some embodiments to enable the straw150to flex and remain submerged, as discussed below.

The elongate straw body has an elastic modulus within a predetermined range such that the combination of the thickness, the diameter, the length, the specific gravity, and the elastic modulus of the straw150result in the straw150flexing when the container130is held in a non-vertical orientation, so that the distal end154of the straw150remains submerged in the fluid within the container130, without the addition of weights, as is done in the prior art.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application.