Non-spillable lid and straw for a beverage container

Abstract

The present invention is a non-spillable beverage container. The container includes a conventional lid attached to the container. The lid includes a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw and a vent opening. A conventional straw is inserted within the straw opening. A reinforcing strip is attached to the conventional straw and the conventional lid. The reinforcing strip has a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the vent opening. A second selectably closing means is provided for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening. The vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and the first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw. In addition, the present invention includes an actuating device actuated by the mouth of the user. Providing force to the actuating device opens a closeable opening, thereby allowing the passage of liquid through the opening.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 747,769 entitled “NON-SPILLABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER AND STRAW” filed Dec. 29, 2003 in the name of Hongbiao Li, which claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 829,893 entitled “NON-SPILLABLE BEVERAGE CONTAINER,” filed Apr. 10, 2001 in the names of Hongbiao Li, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to beverage containers and, more particularly, to a conventional beverage container having a non-spillable lid and straw attachable to a conventional beverage container. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] It is quite common for a beverage container to be accidentally tipped over, causing the liquid contents of the beverage container to spill out of the interior of the beverage container. Many times the beverage container is util...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a non-spillable container that includes a lid with a straw opening and a vent opening. The lid has two selectable closing means: one for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the vent opening and another for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the straw opening. The container also includes a reinforcing strip that can be attached to the straw and lid, and has a similar closing mechanism. The vent opening and straw opening are closed when the user is not drinking from the container and are opened when the user inhales through the straw, allowing liquid to pass through. This invention prevents spills and allows for easy consumption of beverages."

Problems solved by technology

It is quite common for a beverage container to be accidentally tipped over, causing the liquid contents of the beverage container to spill out of the interior of the beverage container.

In addition, the problem of spillage is particular acute when dealing with children.

Children tend to be clumsy and not as cautious as adults, resulting in even a greater risk of spillage of the beverage container.

However, Sawatani does not teach or suggest a device to prevent the inadvertent spilling of liquid through the lid or straw.

Without the use of a secondary valve system on the mouthpiece (or a straw), the lid configuration cannot fully prevent the leakage of liquid.

Use of a secondary valve in the mouthpiece is actually not appropriate in an infant training beverage container as disclosed in Haberman.

Haberman does not teach or suggest providing a device for use with a conventional lid / straw configuration to prevent the inadvertent leakage of liquid from the container or lid.

However, Hung does not teach or disclose utilizing a device which is attachable to a conventional lid / straw configured beverage container.

Hung merely discloses a specially constructed and costly beverage container / lid.

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