Patent Description:
The present disclosure herein relates broadly to lids for drinkware, and more specifically to leak resistant lids for drinkware containers that provide a means for drinking.

Beverage containers can be filled with hot or cold drinkable liquids, such as water, coffee, tea, soft drink, or alcoholic beverage, such as beer. These beverage containers can be made of a variety of materials such as stainless steel, glass, plastic, cardboard, or paper material. Lids may be provided on beverage containers to provide a means for drinking the contents of the beverage container while also being resistant to leaks if spilled. <CIT> discloses a drinking vessel with selectable modes including a lid, a straw, and a container. The lid extends over an upper opening of the container. The lid includes a lid upper portion and a lid base. The lid upper portion defines a drinking passage therethrough, the drinking passage disposed at an upper rim of the lid upper portion. The lid base defines a first fluid passage therethrough and a second fluid passage therethrough. The straw is coupled to a bottom side of the second fluid passage. The lid upper portion is rotatable through at least three positions relative to the lid base. In the first position the drinking passage does not align with either the first fluid passage or the second fluid passage. In the second position the drinking passage aligns with the first fluid passage. In the third position the drinking passage aligns with the second fluid passage.

This Summary provides an introduction to some general concepts relating to this disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosure.

Aspects of the disclosure herein relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, where the lid assembly comprises: a base including: (a) a cover member; (b) a lip extending upward from the cover member; the lip positioned around a perimeter of the cover member; (c) a skirt member extending downward from the cover member; (d) a retaining wall spaced inward from the skirt member creating a grommet groove between the skirt member and the retaining wall; (e) a primary opening in the cover member; and (f) a secondary opening spaced from the primary opening. The lid assembly further including a straw extending through the primary opening; and a grommet arranged in the grommet groove. The grommet includes a primary body member and a spiral ring extending outward from an outer surface of the primary body member, where the spiral ring creates an airflow path from below the lid assembly to the secondary opening. The spiral ring may contact an inboard surface of the skirt member, where an outboard edge of the spiral ring compresses against the inboard surface of the skirt member. The primary opening may be larger than the secondary opening. The lid assembly may also include a gasket arranged in a gasket groove in the skirt member, where the gasket includes a body member and an annular ring extending outward from an outer surface of the body member, and where the annular ring contacts an inner surface of the beverage container. The grommet may also comprise a secondary body member extending inward from the primary body member, and a straw opening in the secondary body member, where the straw extends through the straw opening. The grommet may further comprise a connecting member that extends from the primary body member to the secondary body member, where the connecting member extends around a lower end of the retaining wall. In addition, the grommet may be formed as a unitary member. In some examples, the spiral ring may extend at least <NUM> degrees around a perimeter of the primary body member, while in other examples, the spiral ring may extend at least <NUM> degrees around a perimeter of the primary body member. Also, the grommet may further comprise a pull tab to allow easy removal and cleaning.

Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, where the lid assembly comprises: a base including: (a) a cover member; (b) a lip extending upward from the cover member; the lip positioned around a perimeter of the cover member; (c) a skirt member extending downward from the cover member; and (d) an opening in the cover member. The lid assembly further including a straw extending through the opening and a gasket arranged in a gasket groove in the skirt member. The gasket including a body member and a spiral ring extending outward from an outer surface of the body member, where the spiral ring creates an airflow path from below the lid assembly to an exterior of the lid assembly. An outboard edge of the spiral ring may be configured to contact an interior surface of the beverage container. In some examples, the spiral ring may extend at least <NUM> degrees around a perimeter of the body member, while in other examples, the spiral ring may extend at least <NUM> degrees around a perimeter of the body member. The lid assembly may further comprise a grommet arranged in the opening of the cover member, where the grommet includes a straw opening that receives the straw.

Additional aspects of this disclosure may relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, where the lid assembly comprises: a base including: (a) a cover member; (b) a lip extending upward from the cover member; the lip positioned around a perimeter of the cover member; (c) a skirt member extending downward from the cover member; and (d) an opening in the cover member. The lid assembly further including a straw extending through the opening and a gasket arranged in a gasket groove in the skirt member. The gasket including a body member and a plurality of annular rings that extend outward from an outer surface of the body member, where each annular ring of the plurality of annular rings has a gap, where the plurality of annular rings create an airflow path from below the lid assembly to an exterior of the lid assembly. A first gap on a first annular ring may be located at a different location on a first perimeter of the first annular ring than a second gap located on a second perimeter of a second annular ring. A grommet may be arranged in the opening of the cover member, where the grommet includes a straw opening that receives the straw.

Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, where the lid assembly comprises: a base including: (a) a cover member; (b) a lip extending upward from the cover member; the lip positioned around a perimeter of the cover member; (c) a skirt member extending downward from the cover member; (d) a retaining wall spaced inward from the skirt member creating a grommet groove between the skirt member and the retaining wall; (e) a primary opening in the cover member; and (f) a secondary opening spaced from the primary opening. The lid assembly further including a straw extending through the primary opening and a grommet arranged in the grommet groove. The grommet including a primary body member, a plurality of annular rings extending outward from an outer surface of the primary body member, where each annular ring of the plurality of annular rings has a gap such that the plurality of annular rings create an airflow path from below the lid assembly to the secondary opening. A first gap on a first annular ring is located at a different location on a first perimeter of the first annular ring than a second gap located on a second perimeter of a second annular ring. The grommet may include a secondary body member extending inward from the primary body member and a straw opening in the secondary body member, where the straw extends through the straw opening. The lid assembly may also include a gasket arranged in a gasket groove in the skirt member, where the gasket includes a body member and an annular ring extending outward from an outer surface of the body member.

The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements in all of the various views in which that reference number appears.

In the following description of the various examples and components of this disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced.

Also, while the terms "front," "top," "base," "bottom," "side," and "rear" and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use. Additionally, the term "plurality," as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional or spatial orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of the claims.

In general, this disclosure relates to a leak resistant lid assembly with a straw or similar means where a user can drink liquid from a lid with an opening in the top. When drinking from a straw, air must travel into the container to prevent a vacuum from occurring. This requires a secondary opening in the lid that is separate from the straw or straw opening. In addition, when installing a press fit-type lid assembly, air must be able to escape to prevent the liquid in the container from traveling up the straw, which could cause a spill or leak. A secondary opening in the lid may help to address a vacuum from forming or liquid from traveling up the straw, but this secondary opening provides an additional leak path that needs to be addressed.

<FIG> illustrates a lid assembly <NUM> for a beverage container that enables a user to drink from a straw <NUM> while allowing air to escape through a secondary opening <NUM> in a cover member <NUM> and also resisting potential leak paths for liquid to flow through the secondary opening <NUM>. The lid assembly <NUM> may have a top <NUM>, a bottom <NUM>, a front <NUM>, and a rear <NUM>. <FIG> depicts a perspective view of lid assembly <NUM> removably coupled to a beverage container <NUM>. Container <NUM> is one example container to which the lid assembly <NUM> is configured to be removably coupled. Accordingly, the container <NUM> may be configured to contain a volume of liquid and lid assembly <NUM> is configured to be releasably inserted into an opening of the container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the lid assembly <NUM> comprises a base <NUM>, a straw <NUM>, a gasket <NUM> that extends around the base <NUM>, and a grommet <NUM> connected to the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> includes a cover member <NUM>, a lip <NUM> extending upward from the cover member <NUM>, a skirt member <NUM> extending downward from the cover member <NUM>, a retaining wall <NUM> spaced inward from the skirt member <NUM> creating a grommet groove <NUM> between the skirt member <NUM> and the retaining wall <NUM>, a primary opening <NUM> in the cover member <NUM>, and a secondary opening <NUM> spaced from the primary opening <NUM> on the cover member <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated examples, the grommet groove <NUM> may be open to the bottom <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM>, while in other examples, the grommet groove <NUM> may be open to the top <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM>. The straw <NUM> extends through the primary opening <NUM> in the cover member <NUM>. The primary opening <NUM> may be larger than the secondary opening <NUM>. The primary opening <NUM> may receive the straw <NUM> and a portion of grommet <NUM> while the secondary opening <NUM> acts primarily as a vent to allow air to travel between outside environment and an interior of the container <NUM>.

To form a seal between the base <NUM> and the container <NUM>, gasket <NUM> may be arranged in a gasket groove <NUM> in the skirt member <NUM>, where the gasket <NUM> includes a body member <NUM> and an annular ring <NUM> extending outward from an outer surface <NUM> of the body member <NUM>. Annular ring <NUM> may be a projection that extends outward from the body member <NUM> around the perimeter of the body member <NUM> at same vertical location of the gasket <NUM>. The gasket groove <NUM> may be located below a shelf <NUM> of the base <NUM> formed opposite a top surface of the lip <NUM> adjacent the outboard surface <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM>. An outer edge <NUM> of the annular ring <NUM> may contact and compress against an inner surface of the container <NUM> to create an effective seal to prevent both liquid and air from escaping between the container <NUM> and the lid assembly <NUM> where the gasket <NUM> contacts the container <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated examples, the gasket <NUM> may include a plurality of annular rings <NUM> to ensure no liquid or air escapes from this seal. Alternatively, the gasket <NUM> may not have annular rings and may only have a compressible main body member <NUM>, such as an o-ring.

The grommet <NUM> includes a main body member <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a primary body member, with a spiral ring <NUM> extending outward from an outer surface <NUM> of the main body member <NUM>. The main body member <NUM> is received in the grommet groove <NUM> of the base <NUM>, where the grommet <NUM> is installed from the bottom <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, in examples where the grommet groove <NUM> is open on the top <NUM>, the grommet <NUM> may be installed from the top <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM>.

The spiral ring <NUM> of the grommet <NUM> may comprise a tapered cross section and may extend around a portion of the outer surface <NUM>. The spiral ring <NUM> may have a first end <NUM> on a lower portion of the main body member <NUM> and gradually moves upward along the main body member <NUM> as the spiral ring <NUM> moves around the main body member <NUM>. The spiral ring <NUM> may be a continuous member that extends at least <NUM> degrees around the primary body member <NUM>, or in other words, the spiral ring <NUM> makes at least one half of a revolution around the primary body member <NUM>. In some examples, the spiral ring <NUM> may be a continuous member that extends at least <NUM> degrees around the primary body member <NUM>, or in other words, the spiral ring <NUM> makes at least one revolution around the primary body member <NUM>. In other examples, the spiral ring may extend at least <NUM> degrees around the primary body member <NUM>, at least <NUM> degrees around the primary body member <NUM>, or at least <NUM> degrees around the primary body member <NUM>. An outboard edge <NUM> of the spiral ring <NUM> may contact and compress against an inboard surface <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM> creating a seal between the spiral ring <NUM> and an inboard surface <NUM> to form a spiraled flow path <NUM> in the lid assembly <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The flow path <NUM> begins at the first end <NUM> of the spiral ring <NUM> that is open to the interior of the container <NUM> and ends at the secondary opening <NUM> of the cover member <NUM>. The flow path <NUM> allows air to travel freely in and out of the container <NUM>. However, the spiraled airflow path <NUM> resists liquid from leaking through the secondary opening <NUM> by creating a torturous or difficult path for the liquid to follow to escape through the secondary opening <NUM>. For example, for liquid to leak from a container <NUM> with lid assembly <NUM> having a grommet <NUM> with a spiral ring <NUM> that extends at least <NUM> degrees, the container <NUM> would need to be tilted at least <NUM> degrees and also rolled <NUM> times for the liquid to leak from the secondary opening <NUM>. Thus, the grommet <NUM> helps to resist liquid leaks while providing an adequate flow path for air to move in and out of the container <NUM> through the lid assembly <NUM>.

The grommet <NUM> may also help form a seal between the primary opening <NUM> and the straw <NUM>. The grommet <NUM> may include a secondary body member <NUM> extending inward from the main body member <NUM> and a straw opening <NUM> in the secondary body member <NUM>. The secondary body member <NUM> may be releasably secured within the primary opening <NUM>, where the straw opening <NUM> is substantially aligned with the primary opening <NUM>. The straw <NUM> may extend through the straw opening <NUM> where the secondary body member <NUM> compresses to form a seal between the straw <NUM> and the grommet <NUM> to prevent any liquid from leaking from the container <NUM> between the straw <NUM> and the grommet <NUM>. The grommet <NUM> may also include a connecting member <NUM> that extends from the main body member <NUM> to the secondary body member <NUM>. The connecting member <NUM> may extend around a lower end <NUM> of the retaining wall <NUM>. As shown in the illustrated example, the grommet <NUM> may be a unitary member that includes both the main body member <NUM> and the secondary body member <NUM>. Alternatively, the grommet <NUM> may be formed as separate members where a primary grommet provides the spiraled flow path <NUM> and a secondary grommet fits within the primary opening <NUM> to provide a seal between the straw <NUM> and the cover member <NUM>. As another feature, the grommet <NUM> may include a pull-tab <NUM> that allows a user to easily grasp and remove the grommet <NUM> from the lid assembly <NUM> for periodic cleaning.

Referring back to <FIG>, the base <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> may have features to assist with the operation of the lid assembly <NUM>. As discussed above, the base <NUM> includes a primary opening <NUM> to receive the secondary body member <NUM> of grommet <NUM> and the straw <NUM> while also having a secondary opening <NUM> to provide an air vent. As such, the primary opening <NUM> may be larger than the secondary opening <NUM>. The openings <NUM>, <NUM> may be aligned along a central plane and spaced apart of each other, where the primary opening <NUM> is nearer to a the front <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> and the secondary opening <NUM> is nearer the rear <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM>. In some examples, the primary opening <NUM> may be centrally located on the cover member <NUM>. While the secondary opening <NUM> is shown on the cover member <NUM> of the base <NUM>, the secondary opening <NUM> may be located anywhere on the may be base <NUM> where is it in fluid communication with airflow path <NUM>. The secondary opening <NUM> may have a substantially rectangular shape as shown. In other examples, the secondary opening <NUM> may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or other geometric shape. The lip <NUM> may extend around a perimeter of the base <NUM> and may include a tapered surface that extends from a top surface of the lip <NUM> to the top surface of the cover member <NUM>.

The base <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> may include features to assist in attachment to the container <NUM>. For examples, lid assembly <NUM> may include external threads <NUM> arranged on an outboard surface <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM> to engage internal threads arranged on an interior surface of the container <NUM>. The lip <NUM> may include ridges <NUM> arranged on opposite sides of the lip <NUM> to allow a user to easily grip and turn the lid assembly <NUM> to engage allow the external threads <NUM> to engage internal threads of the container <NUM>. The shelf <NUM> may act as a stop for the lid assembly <NUM> when the shelf <NUM> contacts an upper surface of the container <NUM> when the lid assembly <NUM> is attached to the container <NUM>.

The base <NUM>, straw <NUM>, gasket <NUM>, and grommet <NUM> may each be formed using a molding process, such as injection molding. In some examples, the straw <NUM> may be extruded, where the stop <NUM> may be formed by overmolding it onto the extruded portion using injection molding. In addition, in some examples, the gasket <NUM> and grommet <NUM> may be compression molded. The base <NUM> and straw <NUM> may be molded from a clear or transparent polymer material, such as Tritan™ or other food safe polymer. In some examples, the retaining wall <NUM> may be formed of an opaque food-safe polymer material using a two-shot molding process. The two-shot molding process may help to improve aesthetics of the base <NUM> by providing different color options and to mask the appearance of the grommet <NUM>. As another option, the gasket <NUM> and/or the grommet <NUM> may be overmolded onto the base <NUM>. The gasket <NUM> and grommet <NUM> may be formed from a compressible elastomeric material, such as a silicone-based material, neoprene, nitrile, EPDM, or a rubber-based material. However, additional or alternative polymeric materials may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

<FIG> illustrate lid assembly <NUM>. The features of lid assembly <NUM> are referred to using similar reference numerals under the "2xx" series of reference numerals, rather than "1xx" as used in the exemplary lid assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. Accordingly, certain features of lid assembly <NUM> that were already described above with respect to lid assembly <NUM> of <FIG> may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. Lid assembly <NUM> may be similar to lid assembly <NUM> except lid assembly <NUM> may have a press-fit connection to attach lid assembly <NUM> with container <NUM> instead of the threaded connection used to attach lid assembly <NUM> with container <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, lid assembly <NUM> may releasably couple to container <NUM>. Lid assembly <NUM> includes a base <NUM>, a straw <NUM>, a gasket <NUM> that extends around a skirt member <NUM>, and a grommet <NUM> connected to the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> includes a cover member <NUM>, a lip <NUM> extending upward from the cover member <NUM>, a skirt member <NUM> extending downward from the cover member <NUM>, a retaining wall <NUM> spaced inward from the skirt member <NUM> creating a grommet groove <NUM> between the skirt member <NUM> and the retaining wall <NUM>, a primary opening <NUM> in the cover member <NUM>, and a secondary opening <NUM> in the cover member <NUM>. The straw <NUM> extends through the primary opening in the cover member <NUM>. The primary opening <NUM> may be larger than the secondary opening <NUM>, where the primary opening <NUM> receives the straw <NUM> and a portion of grommet <NUM> and the secondary opening <NUM> acts primarily as a vent to allow air to travel between outside environment and an interior of the beverage container <NUM>.

To facilitate a press fit engagement between the lid assembly <NUM> and the container <NUM>, the base <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> may include features to assist in attachment to the container <NUM>. For example, skirt member <NUM> may include a tapered end member <NUM> to help guide the base <NUM> into the container <NUM>. In addition, the lip <NUM> may include a lid tab <NUM> that extends outward at the rear <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> to provide a user a location to easily grasp and remove or install the lid assembly <NUM>. The shelf <NUM> may act as a stop for the lid assembly <NUM> when the shelf <NUM> contacts an upper surface of the container <NUM> when the lid assembly <NUM> is attached to the container <NUM>.

Similar to lid assembly <NUM>, the gasket <NUM>, which may be similar to gasket <NUM>, may help form a seal between the lid assembly <NUM> and the container <NUM> to prevent any liquid from leaking from the container <NUM>. In addition, the contact between the annular rings <NUM> and interior of the container <NUM> may help to secure the lid assembly <NUM> to the container <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the gasket <NUM> may be located in the gasket groove <NUM> where the gasket groove <NUM> is spaced away from the shelf <NUM>. The gasket groove <NUM> may be located below a shelf <NUM> of the base <NUM> formed opposite a top surface of the lip <NUM> adjacent the outboard surface <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM>.

The grommet <NUM> is similar to grommet <NUM> of lid assembly <NUM>. The grommet <NUM> includes a main body member <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a primary body member, with a spiral ring <NUM> extending outward from an outer surface <NUM> of the main body member <NUM>. The main body member <NUM> is received in the grommet groove <NUM> of the base <NUM>. An outboard edge <NUM> of the spiral ring <NUM> may contact and compress against an inboard surface <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM> creating a seal between the spiral ring <NUM> and an inboard surface <NUM> to form a spiraled flow path in the lid assembly <NUM>. The grommet <NUM> may include a secondary body member <NUM> extending inward from the main body member <NUM>, and a straw opening <NUM> in the secondary body member <NUM>. The straw <NUM> may extend through the straw opening <NUM> where the secondary body member <NUM> compresses to form a seal between the straw <NUM> and the grommet <NUM> to prevent any liquid from leaking from the container <NUM> between the straw <NUM> and the grommet <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an alternate lid assembly <NUM> where the gasket provides the airflow path instead of the grommet as discussed with respect to lid assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>. Lid assembly <NUM> is similarly configured as lid assembly <NUM> and <NUM> to include a base <NUM>, a gasket <NUM> attached to the base <NUM>, a straw <NUM> and a grommet <NUM> connected to the opening <NUM> of the base <NUM> to form a seal between the straw <NUM> and the base <NUM>. Lid assembly <NUM> may releasably attach to a beverage container. The base <NUM> includes a cover member <NUM>, a lip <NUM> extending upward from the cover member <NUM>, a skirt member <NUM> extending downward from the cover member <NUM>, and an opening <NUM> in the cover member <NUM>. A straw <NUM> similar to straw <NUM> extends through the opening <NUM> in the cover member <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may receive a grommet <NUM> that has a straw opening, where the straw <NUM> extends through the straw opening of the grommet <NUM> to form a seal between the straw <NUM> and the grommet <NUM> to prevent liquids from leaking through the opening <NUM>.

The gasket <NUM> provides an airflow path from an interior of the container to the exterior environment, while also resisting liquid from inside the container from leaking from the container. Gasket <NUM> is arranged in a gasket groove <NUM> in the skirt member <NUM>. As shown best in <FIG>, the gasket <NUM> includes a main body member <NUM>, which may also be referred to as a primary body member, with a spiral ring <NUM> extending outward from an outer surface <NUM> of the main body member <NUM>. The main body member <NUM> may be received in the gasket groove <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The spiral ring <NUM> may have a tapered cross section and may extend around a portion of the outer surface <NUM>. The spiral ring <NUM> has a first end <NUM> on a lower portion of the main body member <NUM> and gradually moves upward along the main body member <NUM> as the spiral ring <NUM> moves around the main body member <NUM>. The spiral ring <NUM> may be a continuous member that extends at least <NUM> degrees around the primary body member <NUM>, or in other words, the spiral ring <NUM> makes at least one half of a revolution around the primary body member <NUM>. In some examples, the spiral ring <NUM> may be a continuous member that extends at least <NUM> degrees around the main body member <NUM>, or in other words, the spiral ring <NUM> makes at least one revolution around the main body member <NUM>. In some examples, the spiral ring <NUM> may extend at least <NUM> degrees around the main body member <NUM>, at least <NUM> degrees around the main body member <NUM>, or at least <NUM> degrees around the main body member <NUM>. An outboard edge <NUM> of the spiral ring <NUM> may contact and compress against an interior surface of a container creating a seal between the spiral ring <NUM> and the interior surface of the container to form a spiraled airflow path in the lid assembly <NUM>. The airflow path may begin at the first end <NUM> of the spiral ring <NUM> that is open to the interior of the container and end at an upper end <NUM> that is in fluid communication with exterior of the container. A gap or aperture may be formed between the skirt member <NUM> and the container near the upper end <NUM> of the spiral ring <NUM> to allow air to flow in and out of the container. As another option, the gap or aperture may be formed in the lip <NUM> or shelf <NUM> of the base <NUM> to allow air to escape from the interior of the container. The airflow path allows air to travel freely in and out of the container. However, the similar to the airflow paths <NUM> and <NUM> discussed above, spiraled flow path resists liquid from leaking directly through the gap and out of the container. For example, for liquid to leak from a container with lid assembly <NUM> that has a gasket <NUM> with a spiral ring <NUM> that extends at least <NUM> degrees, the container would need to be tilted at least <NUM> degrees and also rolled <NUM> times for the liquid to leak through the gap. Thus, the gasket <NUM> helps to resist liquid leaks while providing an adequate flow path for air to move in and out of the container through the lid assembly <NUM>.

The grommet <NUM> may seal between the opening <NUM> and the straw <NUM>. The grommet <NUM> may include a body member with a straw opening. The straw may extend through the straw opening where the body member compresses to form a seal between the straw <NUM> and the grommet <NUM> to prevent any liquid from leaking from the container between the straw and the grommet <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the base <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> may have features to assist with the operation of the lid assembly <NUM>. As discussed above, the base <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> to receive the grommet <NUM> and straw <NUM>. The lip <NUM> may extend around a perimeter of the base <NUM> and may include a tapered surface that extends from a top surface of the lip <NUM> to the top surface of the cover member <NUM>.

The base <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> may include features to assist in attachment to the container. The illustrated example of lid assembly <NUM> in <FIG> has a base <NUM> to facilitate a press fit engagement between the lid assembly <NUM> and a container similar to base <NUM>. For example, skirt member <NUM> may include a tapered end member <NUM> to help guide the base <NUM> into the container. In addition, the lip <NUM> may include a lid tab <NUM> that extends outward at the rear <NUM> of the lid assembly <NUM> to provide a user a location to easily grasp and remove or install the lid assembly <NUM>. The shelf <NUM> may act as a stop for the lid assembly <NUM> when the shelf <NUM> contacts an upper surface of the container when the lid assembly <NUM> is attached to a container. Alternatively, lid assembly <NUM> may be configured to releasably connect to a container with a threaded connection similar to lid assembly <NUM>. In these examples, lid assembly <NUM> may include external threads arranged on an outboard surface <NUM> of the skirt member <NUM> to engage internal threads arranged on an interior surface of a container. The lip <NUM> may include ridges arranged on opposite sides of the lip <NUM> to allow a user to easily grip and turn the lid assembly <NUM> to engage the external threads with the internal threads of the container.

Similar to the examples for lid assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>, the base <NUM>, straw <NUM>, gasket <NUM>, and grommet <NUM> may each be formed using a molding process, such as injection molding. The base <NUM> and straw may be molded from a clear or transparent polymer material, such as Tritan™ or other food safe polymer. The gasket <NUM> and grommet may be formed from a compressible elastomeric material, such as a silicone-based material. However, additional or alternative polymeric materials may be used, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates an alternate gasket <NUM> that can replace the gasket <NUM> of lid assembly <NUM>. Gasket <NUM> includes a plurality of annular rings <NUM> that extend outward from the main body member <NUM>, which may also be referred to as the primary body member. Each annular ring <NUM> has a gap to create an airflow path that starts at a lower gap 466A in the lower annular ring 464A to allow air below the lid assembly <NUM> to flow through the lower gap 466A and above annular ring 464A. Air may then flow through upper gap 466B located in the upper annular ring 464B through the aperture or gap between the lid assembly <NUM> and the container to exit the container. Each gap may be staggered such that they are positioned at different locations around the perimeter of the annular rings <NUM>. For example, lower gap 466A and upper gap 466B may be located approximately <NUM> degrees apart from one another. While the illustrated example of <FIG> shows only two annular rings <NUM>, the number of annular rings <NUM> could be greater than two annular rings <NUM>, such as three annular rings <NUM>, four annular rings <NUM>, or more. Each annular ring <NUM> will have a gap that is offset from the gap on the annular ring <NUM> either above or below it. These offset gaps 466A, 466B create a flow path that allows air to travel easily, but resists liquid from flowing directly out of the container through the gaps because of their staggered arrangement.

<FIG> illustrates an alternate grommet <NUM> that can replace grommets <NUM>, <NUM> of lid assemblies <NUM> and <NUM>. Grommet <NUM> includes a plurality of annular rings <NUM> that extend outward from the main body member <NUM>, which may also be referred to as the primary body member. Each annular ring <NUM> has a gap to create an airflow path that starts at a lower gap 576A in the lower annular ring 574A to allow air below the lid assembly <NUM> or <NUM> to flow through the lower gap 576A and above lower annular ring 574A. Air may then flow through upper gap 576B located in the upper annular ring 574B through the secondary opening <NUM> or <NUM> to exit the container. Each gap may be staggered such that they are positioned at different locations around the perimeter of the annular rings <NUM>. For example, lower gap 576A and upper gap 576B may be located approximately <NUM> degrees apart from one another. These offset gaps 576A, 576B create a flow path that allows air to travel easily, but resists liquid from flowing directly out of the container through the gaps because of their staggered arrangement. While the illustrated example of <FIG> shows only two annular rings <NUM>, the number of annular rings <NUM> could be greater than two annular rings <NUM>, such as three annular rings <NUM>, four annular rings <NUM>, or more. Each annular ring <NUM> will have a gap that is offset from the gap on the annular ring <NUM> either above or below it. Additionally, the illustrated grommet <NUM> in <FIG> is shown without the secondary body member <NUM> or <NUM>, but grommet <NUM> may include the secondary body member <NUM> or <NUM> as described above.

Claim 1:
A lid assembly (<NUM>) for a beverage container, the lid assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) including:
a cover member (<NUM>);
a lip (<NUM>) extending upward from the cover member (<NUM>); the lip (<NUM>) positioned around a perimeter of the cover member (<NUM>);
a skirt member (<NUM>) extending downward from the cover member (<NUM>);
a retaining wall (<NUM>) spaced inward from the skirt (<NUM>) creating a grommet groove (<NUM>) between the skirt member (<NUM>) and the retaining wall (<NUM>);
a primary opening (<NUM>) in the cover member (<NUM>); a secondary opening (<NUM>) spaced from the primary opening (<NUM>);
a straw (<NUM>) extending through the primary opening (<NUM>); and
a grommet (<NUM>) arranged in the grommet groove (<NUM>), the grommet (<NUM>) including a primary body member (<NUM>) and a spiral ring (<NUM>) extending outward from an outer surface (<NUM>) of the primary body member (<NUM>); and
wherein the spiral ring (<NUM>) creates an airflow path from below the lid assembly (<NUM>) to the secondary opening (<NUM>).