Patent Publication Number: US-2022211197-A1

Title: Insulated drinking vessel with multifunction lid

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This Application claim priority from and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/076,910, entitled INSULATED DRINKING VESSEL WITH MULTIFUNCTION LID, and filed Mar. 22, 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to drinking vessels, and more specifically, to an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Drinking vessels, such as cups, insulated beverage containers, canteens, and the like are used to contain fluids for drinking. Fluids tend to spill if left in an open container, so many drinking vessels include a lid. Some lids include openings for allowing controlled passage of the fluid to a user of the vessel. In some cases, the opening is a hole or slot for receiving a drinking straw. In other cases, the opening is a hole or slot for sipping directly through the lid. Various forms of such drinking vessels are known in the art. For example, paper disposable cups commonly include a plastic lid with an “X” shaped opening cut in the surface thereof for receiving a drinking straw. Many disposable coffee cups may be covered with a lid that includes a slot or spout for sipping directly through the lid. Such lids often include a secondary hole or opening for allowing passage of air through the lid, thereby equalizing the pressure inside the drinking vessel and the environment outside of the drinking vessel. 
     Some drinking vessels are insulated to reduce thermal transfer between the fluid contained in the drinking vessel and the external environment. For example, some disposable coffee cups are formed of an insulating material, such as a polymer foam. Other insulated drinking vessels may include an inner vessel and an outer shell, where at least a portion of the outer shell is spaced apart from a portion of the inner vessel. In some insulated drinking vessels, the space between the inner vessel and the outer shell is filled with air. In other cases the space may be filled with an insulating material, such as a fibrous material, a polymer foam material, or the like. In other cases, the space between the inner vessel and the outer shell is vacuum sealed. Known drinking vessels are commonly made from paper, polymers, foam, plastic, metal, and the like. 
     People often use covered drinking vessels when they are on the move. For example, it may be desirable to cover a drinking vessel when transporting the fluid on foot or in a vehicle. Additionally, it may be desirable to use a covered drinking vessel in the outdoors to prevent contamination of the fluids by dirt, insects, or the like. Because covered drinking vessels may be used in a variety of circumstances, and with a variety of different fluids, it may be useful to have a variety of access options. Unfortunately, drinking vessels are typically only provided with a lid configured for a single mode of access, such as with a straw, or with a drinking spout. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of systems and apparatuses including an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid are described. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a lid configured to engage an opening of a container, the lid configured to retain the liquid within the container. The apparatus may further include a first opening in the lid for dispensing liquid across a rim of the lid. Additionally, the apparatus may include a second opening in the lid for receiving a drinking straw. The apparatus may also include a first cover for covering the first opening in a first position and for allowing access to the first opening in a second position. Also, the apparatus may include a second cover for covering the second opening in a first position and for allowing access to the second opening in a second position. 
     An embodiment of a system may include a container for containing liquids, and a lid configured to engage an opening of the container, the lid configured to retain the liquid within the container. The lid may include a first opening for dispensing liquid across a rim of the lid, a second opening for receiving a drinking straw, a first cover for covering the first opening in a first position and for allowing access to the first opening in a second position, and a second cover for covering the second opening in a first position and for allowing access to the second opening in a second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid. 
         FIG. 9A  a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a cover in a closed position. 
         FIG. 9B  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a cover in an actuated position. 
         FIG. 9C  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a cover in an open position. 
         FIG. 10A  a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a cover in a closed position. 
         FIG. 10B  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a cover in an actuated position. 
         FIG. 10C  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a cover in an open position. 
         FIG. 11A  a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with multiple covers in a closed position. 
         FIG. 11B  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with multiple covers in an actuated position. 
         FIG. 11C  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with multiple covers in an open position. 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid with a drinking straw inserted therein. 
         FIG. 13  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various features and advantageous details are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known starting materials, processing techniques, components, and equipment are omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure the invention in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and/or rearrangements within the spirit and/or scope of the underlying inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 
     The present embodiments describe an insulated drinking vessel with a multifunction lid. For example, in an embodiment, the insulated drinking vessel may be a tumbler style cup. The tumbler may be formed of stainless steel sheet metal. The drinking vessel may include an inner vessel and an outer shell where at least a portion of the inner vessel is spaced apart from the outer shell, and wherein a space between the inner vessel and the outer shell is vacuum sealed. 
     In an embodiment, the drinking vessel can be configured to receive a multifunction lid. The multifunction lid may, in one embodiment, include an opening for receiving a drinking straw. In an embodiment, the multifunction lid may additionally include an opening for drinking or sipping directly through the lid. In an embodiment, the lid may include an operable cover for covering at least one of the openings in a first position and for allowing access to the fluid through the opening in a second position. In a further embodiment, the lid may include a plurality of operable covers. A first operable cover may be configured for covering the drinking straw opening in a first position and allowing insertion of a straw in a second position. The lid may also include an operable cover for covering the sipping spout in a first position and allowing drinking directly through the spout in a second position. 
     In a further embodiment, the multifunction lid may include a raised edge for engaging the lip of a user when the user drinks from the vessel. Beneficially, the smooth surface of the raised edge may provide a superior tactile experience to the user when drinking as compared to the relatively rough surface of the metal drinking vessel. In a further embodiment, the raised edge may be formed with a contour, such as a concave contour, for more fully engaging a lower lip, thereby reducing the tendency for spillage while drinking. 
     In various embodiments, the multifunction lid may include additional features, such as a vent port for allowing pressure equalization and steady flow of the fluid from the vessel. The lid may also include a flange or handle for removing the lid from the vessel. 
       FIG. 1  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel  102  with a multifunction lid  104 . In an embodiment, the multifunction lid  104  may engage an interior surface of the vessel  102  when seated. In another embodiment, the multifunction lid  104  may engage an exterior surface of the vessel  102  when seated. Beneficially, the multifunction lid  104  may contain (or keep) a fluid within the vessel  102 . The vessel  102  may be insulated to reduce thermal conduction between a fluid contained therein and the external environment. For example, the vessel may be a stainless steel vacuum insulated tumbler. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel  102  with a multifunction lid  104 . In an embodiment the drinking vessel  102  may include a first portion  202  and a second portion  206 , with a transition  204  between the first portion  202  and the second portion  206 . In one embodiment, an average outer diameter of the first portion  202  may be greater than an average outer diameter of the second portion  206 . More specifically, the outer diameter along the second portion  206  may be within a range that is suitable for fitting in an average cup holder of an automobile. Additionally, the drinking vessel  102  may include a bottom  208 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel  102  with a multifunction lid  104 . The embodiment further illustrates contours of the first portion  202 , the second portion  206 , and the transition  204 . The insulated drinking vessel  102  may be manufactured from one or more sheets of stainless steel, or other metal material, where the ends of the sheet are welded together, or otherwise attached to form a generally cylindrical profile, and a bottom piece  208  is attached to a bottom edge of the cylinder for forming a vessel suitable for holding a fluid. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel  102  with a multifunction lid  104 . As shown, the outer diameter of the multifunction lid  104  may be greater than the outer diameter of the vessel  102 .  FIG. 5  is a bottom view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel  102  with a multifunction lid  104 , where the bottom comprises a bottom piece  208 . In an alternative embodiment, the bottom and sides of the vessel  102  may be a single piece of material, which has been stamped, pressure formed, forged, extruded, or otherwise formed into the shape of the vessel  102 , for example. 
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid  104 . In an embodiment, the lid  104  includes a body  602  for engaging at least a portion of the vessel  102  and retaining the fluid within the vessel  102 . The lid  104  may also include a raised edge  604  suitable for engaging a lip of a user during use. For example, when drinking from the vessel  102  through the lid  104 , the user&#39;s bottom lip may engage the raised edge  604 , rather than the vessel surface, which may be preferable in some embodiments. 
     The lid  104  may further include one or more sealing members  606  for creating a seal between the body  602  of the lid  104  and a portion of the vessel  102 . For example, the sealing member  606  may be an annular rubber or plastic ring, in some embodiments. In particular, multiple sealing members  606  may engage the portion of the vessel  104 . In one embodiment, the lid includes two sealing members  606 . In an embodiment, a recess  608  may be formed in the upper surface of the lid  104 , the recess  608  for retaining liquid inadvertently spilled from the cup through the lid. 
     In an embodiment, the lid  104  may also include a tab  610  for operating the lid. For example, the tab  610  may be used for grasping the lid  104  to remove it from an opening of the vessel  102 . 
     The lid  104  may also include a first cover  612  for removably covering a drinking spout opening in the vessel  102 . Additionally, the lid  104  may include a second cover  614  for removably covering a drinking straw hole in the lid  102 . In a further embodiment, the first cover  612  may include a locking mechanism  616  for locking the first cover  612  into a closed or open position. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism  616  may include a flange with a recess and a lip thereon for engaging an edge of the raised edge  604 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid  104 . The embodiment of  FIG. 7  further illustrates the contour of the raised edge  604 . For example, the raised edge  604  may be concave in shape. Also shown is the tab  610 , which may be formed directly on a portion of the raised edge  604 .  FIG. 7  also shows an embodiment of the sealing member  606 , in which the sealing member includes two annular rings applied to the body  602 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid  104 . In one embodiment, the first cover  612  is attached to the body  602  by one or more pivot pins or tabs  808 , which are configured to engage mating pivot receivers  810  in the body  602 . For example, the pivot receivers  810  may include one or more holes in a surface of the cover  104 . The first cover  612  may be configured to cover the spout opening  816  in the lid  104 . Similarly, the second cover  614  may be pivotally coupled to at least one end of the first cover by a pivot pin or tab  804  for engaging a mated receiver  806 . In a further embodiment, a seal  802  may be applied to the drinking straw opening  812 . A vent port  814  may also be covered, but not completely, by the seal  802  when the second cover  614  is in a closed position. 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate operation of a first cover  612  of an embodiment of a multifunction lid  104 . In  FIG. 9A , the first cover  612  is in a closed position, thereby sealing opening  816 .  FIG. 9B  illustrates operation of the first cover  612  over a pivot point, as described in more detail above with respect to  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 9B  also illustrates sealing member  902 , which is attached to (or formed on) the underside of the first cover  612  in order to seal/close the spout opening  816  when the first cover  612  is closed, so as to prevent liquid from spilling from the vessel  102 .  FIG. 9C  illustrates an embodiment of the first cover  612  in an open position, where the first cover  612  is engaged with the tab  610  to maintain the first cover  612  in the open position. For example, in an embodiment, a groove or slot on a surface of the first cover  612  may be configured to receive an edge portion of the tab  610 , thereby maintaining the first cover  612  in the open position. 
     In  FIGS. 10A-C , operation of the second cover  614  is shown. In  FIG. 10A , the second cover  614  is in the closed position such that seal  802  covers the straw hole  812 . In  FIG. 10B , operation of the second cover  614  is shown. In such an embodiment, the second cover  614  may be moved to an open position, as shown in  FIG. 10C , while the first cover  612  remains in the closed position. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 10B-C , a recessed  1002  is formed in a portion of the first cover  612  to allow access for manipulation of the second cover  614 . 
       FIGS. 11A-C  illustrate operations of both the first cover  612  and the second cover  614 . In such an embodiment, both the first cover  612  and the second cover  614  may be operated, as shown in  FIG. 11B  into the open position, as shown in  FIG. 11C . In such an embodiment, a user may drink from the spout at a high rate because of the enlarged vent capacity created by opening the straw hole  812  in addition to the vent hole  814  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
       FIG. 12  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of a multifunction lid  104  with a drinking straw  1202  inserted therein. In an embodiment, the drinking straw may be inserted through the straw hole  812  when the second cover  614  is open and the first cover  612  is closed. In such an embodiment, the straw  1202  may extend into an interior portion of the vessel  102 . 
       FIG. 13  is a top perspective view diagram of one embodiment of an insulated drinking vessel  102 . The embodiment may include an inner vessel  1302  and an outer shell  1304 . The inner vessel  1302  may be spaced apart from the outer shell  1304  and connected at a rim  1306 . The space between the inner vessel  1302  and the outer shell  1304  may be vacuum sealed, filled with insulation, filled with air, or the like. The vessel  102  may be shaped in a first portion  202  and a second portion  206 , where the average diameter of the second portion is suitable for insertion into an average cup holder of a vehicle. One of ordinary skill will recognize that alternative geometries may be suitable for use according to the present embodiments. In various embodiments, the vessel  102  may be a stainless steel tumbler, cup, mug, or the like. The vessel  102  may be formed to have a variety of inner volumes including, but not limited to 20 oz., 24 oz., 30 oz., 34 oz., 40 oz., 42 oz., 64 oz., and the like. 
     Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. 
     Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operably coupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations.