Abstract:
A vapor directing baffle for a beverage container. The combination of a beverage container and a tight fitting lid in combination with an internal baffle forces aroma laden vapor (located between the interior of the lid and the liquid surface of the beverage in the container) outward through openings in the lid, when the beverage container is tipped from the level position to the drinking position. This vapor pumping action places the outwardly flowing aroma beneath the nose of a user, thereby allowing the user to enjoy the aroma of the beverage.

Description:
This application is a 371 of C-I-P of Ser. No. 08/730,483 filed Oct. 11, 1996. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to beverage containers, and, more particularly, to a covered beverage container that directs vapor and aroma emanating from a beverage in a predetermined direction. Such containers are especially useful for serving coffee and tea. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is well known that the aroma of a beverage comprises a large part of the flavor of the beverage. This is because while most human taste buds sense only sweet, salt, sour, and bitter tastes, the human nose can distinguish between approximately 10,000 distinct odors. 
     Presently, covered beverage containers typically prevent the consumer from enjoying, to a very significant degree, the aroma of the beverage when the beverage is consumed while the lid of the container remains in place. A few covered beverage containers of which I am aware allow for aroma laden air vapor to travel through drink openings or other small openings for venting air. However, because in typical containers the opening of the container must remain covered in order to achieve the benefits of a lid (such as reduced risk of spilling and retaining the heat of hot beverages), traditional lidded beverage containers have resulted in very little of available aromas actually reaching the nostrils of the drinker. 
     Thus, there remains an unmet need for an improved lid for beverage containers, and for containers which can be used in combination with such lids, that include structural features that would direct available aromas to the consumer, for increased enjoyment during consumption of flavorful beverages. 
     SUMMARY 
     I have now developed a vapor directing beverage container that includes a lid and a unique internal baffle. The lid has a drink opening to allow beverage to pass through the lid while the lid remains attached to the container. At least one vent opening, and preferably two or more vent openings (in addition to the drink opening) are provided to allow vapor within the container to pass through the lid. In one embodiment, the internal baffle is sized and shaped so that when it is inserted into the container, the baffle substantially seals against the container inner side walls, and the baffle extends down into the container so that the bottom of the baffle is very near to the bottom of the container. The space between the bottom of the baffle and the bottom of the container allows liquid in the container to flow freely from one side of the baffle to the other side of the baffle. The baffle sealably attaches to, or is integrally and sealingly provided with, the lid of the container. The baffle is positioned between the drink opening and one vent opening so as to divide the space within the container into at least two chambers. When the container is tipped to allow beverage to flow out of the drink opening, vapor within one chamber is forced out of at least one opening in the lid while air from outside the container is simultaneously drawn into the container through one or more openings on the other side of the baffle. The precise location, shape, and number of vent openings through which vapor is directed can vary depending upon the size and shape of the lid and of the container in order control the direction and speed of the vapor. 
     More generally, a covered beverage container is provided for pumping vapor from within the container to the vicinity of the user&#39;s nose when the container is tipped from a level, upright or generally vertical position to a more generally horizontal oriented drinking position, or when the container is returned from the drinking position back to a level, upright position. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the beverage container includes a lid through which beverage can be drunk with the lid still in place, thereby reducing the amount of spillage from the container and retaining the heat of a hot beverage while the container remains at rest. 
     The method of the present invention utilizes a baffle that, when the container is tipped, allows the rising liquid level in one half of the container to force vapor out of one or more of the vapor openings in the lid, and then towards the user&#39;s nose. This method provides a unique mechanism, beyond mere volatilization, by which the aroma of the beverage can be enjoyed by the user. 
     The foregoing briefly described vapor directing beverage container structure, and my method of directing aromas to the consumer of a beverage, and the various objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with careful examination of the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 shows the side view of a simple vapor directing beverage container with a vertical baffle provided roughly in the center of the container. 
     FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the method directing vapor to the nose of a user which can be achieved by tipping a vapor directing beverage container. 
     FIG. 3 shows a beverage container or cup. 
     FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a disposable baffle for use in conjunction with a disposable lid and a disposable cup. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a disposable lid which has been designed for use with the disposable baffle illustrated in FIG. 4 above. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the baffle illustrated in FIG. 4, now shown inserted into the cup first illustrated in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the lid of FIG. 5 attached to the cup and baffle which were first illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cup of the ceramic or plastic type, with handle. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a second embodiment of my vapor directing lid with vertical baffle, adapted for use in combination with a cup such as that first illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of my vapor directing cup insert, now shown utilizing both a vertical and a horizontal baffle. 
     FIG. 11 shows the vapor-directing insert first illustrated in FIG. 9 installed for use in the cup illustrated in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 12 shows a reusable beverage cup that has been manufactured with internal, downwardly directed alignment grooves sized and shaped for receiving therein a vertical baffle. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment for a vertical baffle. 
     FIG. 14 is a still further embodiment of a reusable lid with vapor directing outlet. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cup first illustrated in FIG. 12, with the baffle first illustrated in FIG. 13 now inserted into a working position therein. 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view that illustrates the lid first described in FIG. 14 installed for used on the cup first illustrated in FIG. 12, while utilizing the baffle first illustrated in FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a reusable beverage cup having an upwardly directed opening with a flanged annular outlet rim. 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a reusable lid and baffle chamber, ready for mounting together to form a lid and baffle assembly. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the reusable lid and baffle chamber first illustrated in FIG. 18, when fully assembled together for use. 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the lid and baffle assembly first illustrated in FIG. 19, mounted on the cup first illustrated in FIG.  17 . 
     FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of my lid with tubular baffle assembly, shown inserted into a beverage container in a normal working configuration. 
     FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of the lid and tubular baffle assembly first shown in FIG. 21 above, now shown removed from a beverage container. 
     FIG. 23 shows a top view of the embodiment of the lid and tubular baffle assembly shown just shown in FIG.  21  and in FIG.  22 . 
     FIG. 24 shows a top view of yet another embodiment of my lid and tubular baffle assembly, similar to that just illustrated in FIGS. 21,  22 , and  23 , but now utilizing a partial-pipe portion running longitudinally along the tubular portion of the tubular baffle assembly, and adjacent to the liquid outlet. 
     FIG. 25 shows a top perspective view of the embodiment of my lid and tubular baffle assembly just illustrated in FIG. 24, showing the partial-pipe indentation portion running longitudinally along the tubular portion of the tubular baffle assembly and placed adjacent to the liquid outlet in the lid. 
     FIG. 26 shows a side cross-sectional view of the lid and integral baffle assembly first shown in FIGS. 21,  22 , and  23 , now showing the combination of an insulated beverage container having the lid thereon and the tubular baffle assembly therein, with the container in use, being tipped to dispense a beverage, and showing the flow of vapors through the lid and thus into and out of the container. 
     FIG. 27 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the lid and integral baffle assembly first shown in FIGS. 24, and  25 , now showing the combination of an insulated beverage container having the lid thereon and the tubular baffle assembly therein, with the container in use, being tipped to dispense a beverage, and showing the flow of vapors through the lid and thus into and out of the container; also shown are liquid levels and accompanying vapor volumes at various tilt angles theta (ø). 
     FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a lid for a container, where the lid includes a main baffle, a downwardly extending central baffle transversely oriented to the main baffle and sealingly affixed to the center of the main baffle, and a generally U-shaped partial-pipe sealingly affixed to the central baffle. 
     FIG. 29 shows a top view of yet another embodiment of my lid and tubular baffle assembly, in some respects similar to the embodiment just shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, but now including laterally sealing main baffle, a downwardly extending central baffle sealingly affixed to the center of the main baffle, and a generally U-shaped partial-pipe outlet sealingly affixed to the central baffle in a position to direct a liquid flow path along the partial-pipe outlet, in order to enhance availability of liquid from the container. 
    
    
     In the various figures of the drawing, like features may be illustrated with the same reference numerals, without further mention thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Attention is directed to FIG. 1 of the drawing, which depicts a simple embodiment of my vapor directing beverage container  30 . The vapor directing beverage container  30  includes a container  32  with a closure lid  34  sealed to the rim of the container  32 . A baffle  36  seals against the lid  34  and the side walls of the container  32 . A gap in  38  between the bottom of the container  32  and the bottom edge of the baffle  36  allows liquid in the container  32  to flow freely from one side of the baffle  36  to the other side. The lid  34  has a drink opening  40  and vent openings  42 . 
     FIG. 2 shows a simplified two-dimensional schematic of the vapor directing beverage container  30 , which is shown in FIG. 1, where the liquid in container  46  is represented by the shaded areas  52 ,  54 , and  58 . In a level position the same volume of liquid in the container  46  would occupy the shaded areas  52  and  58 . As the container  46  is tipped from the level position to the drinking position, the air volume  56  decreases. The vapor previously occupying area  54  is forced out of the drink opening  60  and out of the vent opening  62 . When the container is tipped back to the level position, the vapor in area  58  is forced out of the vent opening  64 . 
     FIG.  3  through FIG. 7 depict one of the alternative embodiments of the present invention. The container  66  is any conventional configuration and construction including disposable cups of the type commonly used as carry out containers for beverages such as coffee and tea. Typically, the container  66  has downwardly converging side walls  68  and a bottom  70  so that the container  66  is an inverted frusto-conical shape. The container  66  may be fabricated from any number of materials including wax or resin impregnated paper, Styrofoam, plastic sheet or paperboard. The container typically has a bead formed on the rim  72  to facilitate attachment of a lid. 
     The baffle of  74  depicted in FIG. 4 is sized and shaped to slidably fit into the container  66  as depicted in FIG.  6 . The baffle  74  may be fabricated from any number of materials including wax or resin impregnated paper, Styrofoam, plastic sheet or paperboard. The baffle  74  is topped with a bead  76  so that when the baffle  74  is inserted into the container  66 , the rim  72  of the container  66  and the bead  76  of the baffle  74  form a continuous edge  108  to which the lid  80 , depicted in FIG. 5, can be sealably attached. When the baffle  74  is inserted into the container  66 , the baffle  74  frictionally seals against the side wall  68  so that neither air nor liquid will leak through the joint  110 . The baffle side  78  is shorter than the container side wall  68  so that a gap  112  is created between the bottom  77  of the baffle  74  and the bottom  79  of the container  66  when the baffle  74  is fully inserted into the container  66 . 
     FIG. 5 depicts a lid  80 , which covers the container  66 . The lid  80  includes a recessed rim  82 , which releasably attaches to the rim  72  of the container  66 . The lid  80  also includes a grove  84 , which engages the bead  76  of the baffle  74 . When the baffle  74  is inserted into the container  66 , as depicted in FIG. 6, and the lid  80  is attached to the baffle/container assembly  106 , as depicted in FIG. 7, an air and water tight seal  116  is created between the container  66  and lid  80  and an air and water tight seal  118  is created between the baffle  74  and lid  80 . 
     The lid  80  includes a tapering annular side wall  90  that extends upwardly from the recessed rim  82 , and a large top wall  98  having a generally circular periphery adjoining the side wall  90  and sloping down to groove  84 . The top wall  98  has an opening  104  adjacent to the periphery of the top wall  98 , which allows vapor to pass through the lid  80 . The lid  80  also includes an annular side wall  88  that extends upward from the recessed rim  82 , and a groove side wall  88  that extends upward from the groove  84 . A small top wall  96  adjoins the side wall  88  and has vent openings  102  near the edge where the small top wall  96  joins the groove side wall  88 . A drink opening top wall  92  adjoins the side wall  86  and has a drink opening  100 . The tapering annular side wall  94  depends downward from the drink opening top wall  92 , and adjoins the small top wall  96 . The side wall  86 , drink opening top wall  92 , and tapered annular side wall  94  are configured to allow the lips of the user to comfortably fit around the area of the drink opening  100 . 
     The lid is frusto-conical shape (i.e., all angles are less than 90 degrees), which allows it to be constructed of a single piece of vacuum formed plastic and also allows multiple lids to be stacked for storage and shipment. 
     FIG. 8  through FIG. 11 depict other alternative embodiments of the present invention. The cup  120  can be any conventional configuration including the common ceramic mug with a handle which is often used for drinking coffee and tea. FIG. 9 depicts a cup insert  122 , which may be constructed from a single piece of injection molded plastic or from other relatively inexpensive materials such as ceramic, metal, wood, or paper. The cup insert  122  comprises a slopped circular top wall  124  and a vertical baffle member  126  that adjoins the top wall  124  at or near the top wall  124  diameter and extends perpendicularly downward. The outer circular rim  138  and the edges  140  of the baffle  126  frictionally engage the inner side wall of the cup  40  when the cup insert  122  is inserted into the cup  40  to create the cup/insert assembly  136 , as depicted in FIG.  11 . The outer rim  138  of the top wall  124  and edge  140  of the baffle  126  include a gasket or flap  127  which is preferably but not necessarily made out of the same material as the rest of the cup insert  122  but is thinner so as to be more flexible in order to assist in obtaining an air and water tight seal and to allow a single sized cup insert  122  to fit slightly different diameter cups. The sloping circular top wall  124  has a drink notch  130  at the lowest point when the cup insert  122  is inserted into the cup  120 . The top wall  124  also includes vent openings  132  on the same side of the baffle member  126  as the drink notch  130  that are near to where the baffle member  126  joins the top wall  124 . The top wall also includes a vent opening  134  that is on the opposite side of the baffle member  126  from the drink notch  130 . The precise size, shape, location and number of vent openings  132  and  134  may vary depending upon the size and shape of the cup  120 . However, there must always be at least one vent opening  134 , which allows air pressure within the cup  120  to equalize when he cup  120  is tipped to the drinking position and back to the level position. Vent openings should also be located so that the beverage will not spill out of the vent openings when the cup is tipped to the drinking position. The cup insert  122  also includes a tapered side wall  128  which extends upward from the top wall  124  from that portion of the top wall rim that is on the opposite side of the baffle  126  from the drink notch  130 . The rim  142  of the side wall  128  contains a bead or lip which prevents the cup insert  122  from being pushed too far into the cup  120 . As depicted in FIG. 11, the rim  142  allows the insert to easily be inserted into and removed from the cup  120  and insures that the cup insert  122  is properly positioned in the cup  120  when the insert  122  is pushed into the cup  120  until the rim  142  rests against the lip of the cup, as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     The cup insert embodiment  144  depicted in FIG. 10 is identical to the embodiment  122  depicted in FIG. 9 except that the vertical portion  146  of the baffle  126 ′ is shorter and the baffle  126 ′ has a horizontal portion  148  extending in a half circle from the bottom  149  of the vertical portion  146  of baffle  126 ′. The edge  150  of the horizontal portion  148  of the baffle frictionally engages the inner side wall  141  of the cup  120  in the same manner as the edges  140  of the vertical portion  146  of the baffle  126  frictionally engage the inner side wall  126 ′ of the cup  120 . The horizontal portion  148  of the baffle  126 ′ has a notch  152 , which allows air and liquid to pass between the horizontal portion  148  of the baffle  126 ′ and the inner side wall  141  of the cup  120 . 
     FIG.  12  through FIG. 16 depict yet another important embodiment of the present invention. The container  156 , depicted in FIG. 12, is a reusable beverage cup, typically constructed of plastic, or aluminum, or stainless steel. The container  156  has an annular flanged neck  162  which may also include threading or similar features which allow the lid  170 , depicted in FIG. 14 to be removably attached to the container  156 , in the manner depicted in FIG.  16 . The container  156  includes first  166   1  and second  166   2  grooves  166  on opposing sides of the interior side wall  167  of the container  156 , to create a baffle space of a preselected width and shape. As illustrated, a constant width baffle space W s  is created such that the baffle  168  of width W B  fits sealingly between first  166   1  and second  166   2  grooves when inserted into the container  156 , to create a container/baffle assembly  186 , as depicted in FIG.  15 . Thus, the baffle  168  is sized and shaped so that, when the baffle  168  is inserted into the container  156 , an air and water tight seal  188  is created between the side edges  170  of the baffle  168  and the interior side walls  167  of the cup  156 . However, a gap  190  remains between the bottom edge  189  of the baffle  168  and the base  191  of the cup  156  such that liquid my flow freely beneath the baffle  168 . The container  156  also includes a tube  160  attached to the inner side wall of the container  156 , tube  160  extending vertically down the side wall of container  156 . The bottom  161  of tube  160  opens near the base  191  of container  156  and the top  163  of tube  160  opens at the rim of the container  156 . 
     FIG. 14 depicts a lid  170  that includes a circular top wall  172  and also extends upward from the top wall  172  to create a drinking lip  176 . The top wall  172  contains a drink opening  178  near the periphery of the top wall  172 . The top wall  172  also includes vent openings  180  that are located near the periphery of the top wall  172  approximately 90 degrees from the drink opening  178  and adjacent to where the baffle  168  seals against the bottom of the top wall  172 , when the lid  170  is attached to the baffle/container assembly  186 . The vent openings  180  are on the same side of the baffle  168  as the drink opening  178 . The lid  172  also includes a vent opening  182  which is near the periphery of the top wall  172  approximately 180 degrees from the drink opening  178 . By locating the vent openings  180  and  182  as described above, beverage within the container  156  will not spill out the vent openings when the container  156  is tipped to the drinking position. A curved pipe  184  is attached to the vent opening  182  and extends horizontally on top of the top wall  172  toward the drink opening  178 . This allows vapor to be forced out of the vent opening  182  and to be directed towards the user&#39;s nose, when the container  156  is tipped from the drinking position back to the level or vertical position. The vent openings  180  may also be ducted (not shown) to direct vapor as desired. 
     When the lid  170  is attached to the baffle/container assembly  186 , as depicted in FIG. 16, the drink opening  178  aligns with the top  163  of the tube  160  such that, when the lid  170  and container  156  and assembled into a vapor directing beverage container  192 , which contains liquid and is tipped to the drinking position, only the vapor within the tube  160  is forced out the drink opening  178 , thus allowing more vapor to be directed out the vent openings  180 . 
     FIG.  17  through FIG. 20 depict yet another embodiment of the present invention. The container  198  depicted in FIG. 17 is the same as the container  156  depicted in FIG. 12, except that container  198  does not have grooves  166  and does not have a tube  160 . The lid  200  is the same as the lid  170  (ducting  184  of the lid is not shown). However, in this alternative embodiment, the vertical baffle  168  is replaced with a baffle chamber  202 , as depicted in FIG.  18 . The baffle chamber  202  includes a curved side wall  204  and a rectangular side wall  206 , both side walls extending upward from a baffle base  208 . The baffle base  208  has an opening  210  which is directly beneath the drink opening  214  when the baffle chamber  202  is sealably attached along reference line location  216  to the lid  200 , as depicted in FIG.  19 . FIG. 20 depicts the lid/baffle chamber assembly  212  removably attached to the container  198 . When the vapor directing beverage container  218  contains liquid and is tipped to the drinking position, vapor within the baffle chamber  202  is forced out the vent openings  180  and drink opening  214  as liquid flows into the baffle chamber  202  through the baffle base  208  opening  210 . 
     Attention is now directed to FIGS. 21-23, where yet another embodiment of my vapor directing beverage container assembly  300  is depicted. The vapor directing beverage container assembly  300  comprises a container  302  having an opening  304  and a bowl portion  306  for receiving and containing a liquid  308  therein (see FIG.  26 ). As shown in FIG. 26, the container  302  preferably includes a double walled insulating chamber comprising an outer wall  310  having an inner portion  312 , an inner wall  314  having an outer portion  316 , to provide a chamber  320  between the inner portion  312  of outer wall  310  and the outer portion  316  of the inner wall  314 . The container  302  opening  304  is configured for receiving in suspended relationship within the bowl portion  306  and in a spaced relationship to the inner portion  322  of inner wall  314  an at least partially tubular baffle assembly  330 . The tubular portion  332  of the baffle assembly  330  extends downwardly from the inner surface  334  of lid  336  for a preselected distance X to a lower end portion  337  having a bottom end  338 , so that a relatively small gap G is provided between the bottom end  338  of the baffle assembly  330  and the bottom portion  340  of the inner portion  322  of inner wall  314  of container  302 . For example, in a typical container  302  having an overall exterior height of a little more than about 6 inches, the downwardly extending length X of baffle assembly  330  is about 0.25 inches less than than that of the interior height, or slightly less than about 6 inches, leaving a clearance gap G of about 0.25 inches. In the downwardly extending tubular portion  332  of the baffle assembly  330 , I also prefer that the central wall portion  344  be provided oriented in a plane perpendicular to a reference diameter line  348  of the lid  336 , when the reference diameter line  348  is depicted through the center  352  of liquid outlet  354  (defined by edgewall  356 ) in the lid  350 . 
     I have also developed and disclose herein a baffle structure in which the volume of vapor pumped is controlled by the shape of the baffle outlet, so that a relatively smooth vapor volume curve is provided for various liquid volumes in a container  302 . This is achieved by evaluating the volume pumped at various liquid levels in the container, and by then providing a sliced outlet shape  360  that becomes sealingly effective only at a preselected tilt angle theta (ø) for a preselected liquid level. This is illustrated in FIG. 27, where at liquid level L 3 , the container must be tilted an angle theta(ø) 4  before the tubular portion  332  of tubular baffle assembly  330  becomes effective. Then, before liquid becomes available at the liquid outlet  354 , the container  302  must be additionally tilted by a further angle, theta (ø) 3 −theta (ø) 4 , at which time the user can sip liquid L from the outlet  354 . This is important because without the angularly sliced tubular baffle outlet  360 , when liquid levels are low in the container, high vapor volumes would be pumped through the at least one vapor passageways  364  which allow vapor  366  to escape from tubular portion  332  of the tubular baffle assembly  330 . 
     This design feature is more rigorously evaluated from the selected geometry for a tubular baffle assembly. For a simple case of a tubular baffle assembly of semi-circular cross section having an interior radius R (see FIG.  26 ), the volume of vapor pumped when the container  302  is titled is equal to 2/3 R 3  tan Ø, where theta (ø) is the angle between the liquid L surface at rest and the liquid surface L at the point the container  302  reaches an angle wherein liquid L is available at the drink opening outlet  354 . As shown in FIG. 27, at liquid level L 1  (i.e, the container is nearly full), the pumped volume in a container having a semi-circular tubular baffle assembly having a one inch radius R, where theta (ø) is 58 degrees, (where pumped volume is the amount of vapor attempting to exit through vapor passageway  364 ) is 1.067 cubic inches. Then, at liquid level L 2 , and where theta (ø) is 66 degrees, the pumped vapor volume is 1.497 cubic inches. At L 3 , where theta (ø) is 72 degrees, the vapor volume displaced is 1.493 cubic inches, due to the sliced outlet  360  shape as defined by the end edge portions thereof. In the absence of the sliced outlet shape, the volume displaced would be 2.052 cubic inches. Thus, my sliced tubular portion of the tubular baffle, as defined by an inlet edge portion  37 , allows a more uniform pumping volume to be achieved, when compared to tubular baffle structures wherein all sidewalls of the tubular portion of the baffle extend downward for the same preselected distance. 
     However, these dimensions are provided by way of example and should not be construed in any way to be a limitation, as many other configurations for the baffle assembly  330  may be utilized to achieve the vapor pumping method taught herein. 
     In FIG. 22, a perspective view of the lid  336  and tubular baffle assembly  330  first shown in FIG. 21 above is illustrated, now shown removed from a beverage container  302 . Note the that two first vapor passageways  364  (at least one is necessary) are provided in the dome-shaped outlet structures  370 . Also, note that a single second vapor passageway  372  is provided in a second dome-shaped outlet structure  374 . The top surface  380  of lid  336  is sloped at an angle beta (β) from being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container  302 , to allow liquid to accumulate in rim  382  (see FIG.  26 ). 
     FIG. 23 shows a top view of the embodiment of the lid and tubular baffle assembly  330  shown just shown in FIG.  21  and in FIG.  22 . Note that in this embodiment, the tubular portion  332  of the tubular baffle assembly may be provided in a circular, or elliptical cross section shape. However, an arcuate cross-sectional shape for this component need not be so limited. Tubular portion  332  has opposing end walls  390  and  392  that sealingly mate with distal edges  394  and  396  of the central wall  344 . Preferably, the tubular portion is manufactured in a single, integral, one-piece assembly, and thus there are no seals to consider. 
     FIG. 24 shows a top view of yet another embodiment  430  of my lid and tubular baffle assembly, similar to that just illustrated in FIGS. 21,  22 , and  23 , but now utilizing a partial-pipe portion  432  running longitudinally along the tubular portion  332  of the tubular baffle assembly, and adjacent to the liquid outlet  354 . 
     FIG. 25 shows a top perspective view of the embodiment of my lid and tubular baffle assembly  430  just illustrated in FIG. 24, showing the partial-pipe indentation  432  running longitudinally along the tubular portion  332  of the tubular baffle assembly and placed adjacent to the liquid outlet  354  in the lid  336 . 
     As discussed above, FIG. 26 shows a side cross-sectional view of the lid and integral baffle assembly  330  first shown in FIGS. 21,  22 , and  23 , now showing the combination of an insulated beverage container  302  having the lid  336  thereon and the tubular baffle assembly  330  therein, with the container  302  in use, being tipped to dispense a beverage with liquid level L, and showing the flow of vapors  366  through the lid  336  and thus out (as well as in to, via arrows  440  to ullage space  442 ) of the container  302 . 
     FIG. 27 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the lid and integral tubular baffle assembly  430  first shown in FIGS. 24, and  25 , now showing the combination of an insulated beverage container  302  having the lid thereon and the tubular baffle assembly therein, with the container  302  in use, being tipped to dispense a beverage with liquid level L, and showing the flow of vapors through the lid and thus into and out of the container; also shown are liquid levels and accompanying vapor volumes at various tilt angles theta (ø). 
     Finally, FIGS. 28 and 29 shows a top view of yet another embodiment of my lid and tubular baffle assembly  530 , which is in some respects similar to the embodiment  430  just shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. This embodiment includes a lateral edge  531  sealing main baffle  532 , a downwardly extending central baffle  534  sealingly affixed to the center of the main baffle, and a generally U-shaped partial-pipe outlet  540  sealingly affixed to the central baffle  534 , in a position to direct a liquid flow path along the partial-pipe outlet  542 , in order to enhance availability of liquid from the container. FIG. 26 also illustrates attachment teeth  580  which are provided for close meshing engagement with attachment ledges  582  in container  302 . 
     It is to be appreciated that my unique beverage containers, when used in combination with my vapor pumping baffle lids for the same, provide an appreciable improvement in the art of beverage containers or consumption of aromatic beverages. My novel vapor pumping lids for such containers addresses the problem of aromas reaching the consumer of the liquid, to provide a significantly improved experience for the user consuming an aromatic beverage such as hot coffee. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that my vapor pumping beverage container lid structure may be modified from those embodiments provided herein, without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages provided. 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, including those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in designing the described structures when placing such structures into mass production, it is to be understood that my invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Many other embodiments are also feasible to attain advantageous results utilizing the principles disclosed herein. Therefore, it will be understood that the foregoing description of representative embodiments of the invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and for providing an understanding of the invention, and it is not intended to be exhaustive or restrictive, or to limit the invention only to the precise embodiments disclosed. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the invention, as expressed herein above and in the appended claims. As such, the claims are intended to cover the methods, apparatus, structures, and not only the equivalent methods or structural equivalents thereof, but also equivalent methods or structures. The scope of the invention, as described herein is thus intended to include variations from the embodiments provided which are nevertheless described by the broad meaning and range properly afforded to the language herein, as explained by and in light of the terms included herein, or the legal equivalents thereof.