Leakage-proof straw cover

Abstract

The leakage-proof straw cover comprises a lower cover and an upper cover. The lower cap is removably connected to the liquid containing container and includes a straw receiving aperture for receiving a straw and a straw closing mechanism positioned adjacent the straw receiving aperture. The upper cap is attachable to the lower cap and includes a straw receiving aperture aligned with a straw receiving aperture in the lower cap and at least one closing element configured to engage a straw closing mechanism in the lower cap. Rotation of the upper lid causes the at least one closing element to engage a straw closing mechanism that operates to compress or squeeze the straw and close the straw.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to containers capable of holding liquids for consumption, such as, for example, glasses, travel mugs, and hydration bottles. More particularly, the present invention relates to leak-proof sippy lid for containers, such as glasses, travel mugs, and hydration bottles, for holding liquids. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sippy straws are commonly used for the consumption of hydration bottles, travel mugs, or glasses. The term "container" as used herein is intended to mean one or all types of such bottles, mugs, or glasses.

[0003] In some cases, the sippy straw is inserted into the liquid holding portion of the container through a top or side opening as needed and removed when not in use. In other cases, the lids of these containers have lids with a collapsible piece in which the sippy straw passage is integrated into the lid, where collapsing opens and closes the passage of the sippy straw. In these variations, the mouth engaging portion is a hard plastic, and the flexible sippy straw is typically connected to the underside of the lid.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide a liquid holding container in which a user can use a sippy straw through the lid and the container can be opened and closed by opening and closing the sippy straw inside the lid, thereby maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance, while not having to remove and / or fold up the sippy straw. SUMMARY

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a leak-proof sippy lid includes a lower lid and an upper lid. The lower lid is removably attached to a container capable of holding a liquid and includes an aperture for receiving a sippy straw. A sippy straw closure mechanism is positioned adjacent the aperture. The upper lid is releasably attached to the lower lid and also includes a sippy straw receiving aperture aligned with the aperture in the lower lid. The upper lid includes a closure element configured to engage the sippy straw closure mechanism in the lower lid such that rotation of the upper lid causes the sippy straw closure mechanism to crush the sippy straw and close the sippy straw.

[0006] According to another aspect, the sippy straw closure mechanism includes a first sippy straw clamp adjacent the aperture and a second sippy straw clamp positioned adjacent the aperture and opposite the first sippy straw clamp.

[0007] According to yet another aspect, the first sippy straw clamp and the second sippy straw clamp each include a sippy straw engaging surface such that the sippy straw engaging surfaces of each sippy straw clamp are positioned opposite one another and contact the sippy straw and crush the sippy straw upon rotation of the upper lid.

[0008] According to a further aspect, the first sippy straw clamp is pivotally positioned adjacent the aperture and includes a first protrusion. The second sippy straw clamp is pivotally positioned adjacent the aperture and includes a second protrusion. Rotation of the upper lid causes the closure element to engage the first protrusion and the second protrusion, thereby pivotally moving the first sippy straw clamp and the second sippy straw clamp to physically contact the sippy straw and crush the sippy straw closed.

[0009] According to a further aspect, the upper lid comprises a downwardly extending circular rim which is received into the lower lid when the upper lid is connected to the lower lid. The closure element is configured to extend along an inner surface of the circular rim and radially inwardly from the circular rim.

[0010] Other aspects and features of the present principles will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the principles of the present principles. It should, however, be understood that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the present principles, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote identical parts throughout the several views:

[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a leak-proof straw lid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a leak-proof straw lid and straw according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 3 is a bottom view of an upper portion of a leak-proof straw lid according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 4 is a top view of a lower portion of a leak-proof straw lid shown in an open position according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 5 is a top view of a lower portion of a leak-proof straw lid shown in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 An example of a drinking vessel, such as, for example, a glass 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The glass 100 has a liquid containing body 102 and a lid 104, which is comprised of a lower lid 106 connected to the liquid containing body 102 and an upper lid 108 connected to the lower lid 106. A straw 110 passes through both the upper lid 108 and the lower lid 106 to access the liquid contained in the liquid containing body 102. As will be described in greater detail below, the lower lid 106 has indicators 112, 114 for indicating the open and closed positions, respectively. The upper lid also includes a position indicator 116, which aligns with the indicator 112 when in the open position and with the indicator 114 when rotated to the closed position.

[0018] Figure 2 The lid 104 is shown in exploded view with the straw 110. See Figure 2 and Figure 3 Both the upper lid 108 has an aperture 109a for receiving the straw 110 and includes a downwardly extending circular rim 120 spaced from the circumferential rim. The circular rim 120 includes one or more external protrusions 122a, 122b (see Figure 3 ), which are configured to engage the internal threads 113 of the lower lid 106 and serve to secure the upper lid 108 to the lower lid 106 such that the upper lid 108 has limited rotational capability relative to the lower lid 106. In operation, when the upper lid 108 is connected to the lower lid 106, the position indicator 116 on the upper lid is aligned with the "open" indicator 112 on the lower lid 106 (see Figure 1 ). The internal protrusions 124a, 124b extend radially inwardly from the circular rim 120 and, as will be shown and described below, operate to open and close the straw 110 when the internal protrusions 124a, 124b work in conjunction with the lower lid 106.

[0019] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The interior of the lower lid 106 is shown, with the circular rim 120 and the internal protrusions 124a, 124b of the upper lid 108 shown in dashed lines. The lower lid 106 includes straw clamps 130a, 130b pivotally or rotatably mounted above pivot points 132a, 132b, respectively. The straw clamps 130a, 130b each include a tab 134a, 134b (see Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) at a distal end of the straw clamp 130a, 130b relative to the pivot point 132a, 132b, respectively. The straw clamps 130a, 130b each also include a straw engagement surface 136a, 136b, respectively, positioned opposite one another across the straw-receiving aperture 109b. Figure 4 The straw clamps 130a, 130b are shown in their open position. In one embodiment, this open position is a biased position for the straw clamps 130a, 130b such that the aperture 109b in the lower lid 108 is open to receive the straw 110. In one exemplary embodiment, the biased open position can be achieved using springs in the pivot points of the straw clamps 130a, 130b.

[0020] As will be appreciated by the present disclosure, in order to pinch or clamp the straw 110 such that the straw 110 is closed and does not leak, it is preferable that the pinching or clamping be applied equally to opposite sides of the straw and, preferably, by equal pressure from both sides.

[0021] It will be further appreciated that although the present application is described in the context of two pivotally mounted straw clips 130a, 130b, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, one of the straw clips can be stationary or integrated as a stop or wall into the lower lid, against which one straw clip will be used to clamp or pinch the straw closed when actuated by the closing element of the upper lid.

[0022] As can be seen in Figure 4 the inner protrusions 124a, 124b from the rounded edge 120 of the upper lid 108 are positioned immediately adjacent to and can be in slight contact with the raised portions 134a, 134b of the straw clips 130a, 130b, respectively. It will be appreciated that the inner protrusions 124a, 124b do not have to be in contact with the raised portions 134a, 134b when in the open position.

[0023] Referring to Figure 5 When the upper lid 108 is rotated in the direction of the arrow (e.g., clockwise), the radial protrusions 124a, 124b engage and push against the raised portions 134a, 134b of the straw clips 130a, 130b, respectively. To close the straw, the upper lid 108 is rotated a small amount so that the indicator 116 aligns with the indicator 114 on the lower lid, and the straw engagement surfaces 136a, 136b come together internally and, in doing so, tightly compress, pinch or clamp the straw 110, thereby closing the straw in a leak-proof manner. In a preferred embodiment, the straw 110 is made of food-grade silicone or rubber. As used herein, the terms pinch, clamp and compress are interchangeable and clearly refer to closing the straw by clamping, pinching or compressing the straw.

[0024] As will be further appreciated, rotation of the upper lid 108 in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise) will cause release of the straw clips 130a, 130b and alignment of the indicator 116 on the upper lid with the “open” indicator 112 on the lower lid, thereby opening the straw for drinking.

[0025] According to other contemplated embodiments, the above-described mechanism can be switched from the upper lid to the lower lid and vice versa, without departing from the intended scope of the present disclosure. By way of example, the straw clips 130 can be positioned in the upper lid and the radial protrusions 124 can be positioned in the lower lid, such that rotation of the upper lid causes the same straw closing action as has been described.

[0026] While the essential novel features of this principle have been shown, described, and pointed out, it will be understood that those skilled in the art can make various omissions, substitutions, and changes to the form and details of the described methods and illustrated apparatus, as well as their operation, without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, all combinations of those elements and / or method steps explicitly intended to perform substantially the same function in substantially the same manner to achieve the same result are within the scope of this principle. Furthermore, it should be recognized that the structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of this principle can be incorporated into any other disclosed, described, or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Therefore, the intent is limited to what is indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

[0027] Having described preferred embodiments for illustrating the various concepts, structures, and techniques that are the subject of this patent, those skilled in the art will now understand that other embodiments incorporating these concepts, structures, or techniques can be used. Furthermore, elements of the different embodiments described herein can be combined to form other embodiments not specifically described above.

Claims

1. A leak-proof straw cap, characterized by, The spill-resistant straw lid includes: a lower lid configured to be removably attached to a container capable of holding a liquid, the lower lid having a hole for receiving a straw and a straw closure mechanism positioned adjacent to the hole; and an upper lid releasably attached to the lower lid, the upper lid having a straw-receiving hole aligned with the hole in the lower lid and a closure element configured to engage the straw closure mechanism in the lower lid such that rotation of the upper lid relative to the lower lid causes the straw closure mechanism to crush the straw and close the straw.

2. The leakproof straw lid of claim 1, wherein, The straw closure mechanism includes: a first straw clip positioned adjacent to the hole; and a second straw clip positioned adjacent to the hole and opposite the first straw clip.

3. The leakproof straw lid of claim 1, wherein, The straw closure mechanism includes: a first straw clip pivotally positioned adjacent to the hole; and a second straw clip pivotally positioned adjacent to the hole and opposite the first straw clip, the first and second straw clips each having a straw-engaging surface configured to physically contact the straw from opposite sides and crush the straw upon rotating the upper lid.

4. The leakproof straw lid of claim 1, wherein, The straw closure mechanism includes: a first straw clip pivotally positioned adjacent to the hole and having a first protrusion; and a second straw clip pivotally positioned adjacent to the hole and opposite the first straw clip and having a second protrusion, wherein rotation of the upper lid causes the closure element to engage the first and second protrusions such that the first and second straw clips each physically contact the straw and crush the straw.

5. The leakproof straw lid of claim 1, wherein, The upper lid further includes a downwardly extending circular rim received into the lower lid, the closure element configured to extend along an inner surface of the circular rim and radially inward from the circular rim.

6. The leakproof straw lid of claim 5, wherein, The spill-resistant straw lid further includes at least one protrusion extending radially outward from an outer surface of the circular rim, the at least one protrusion capable of releasably connecting the upper lid to the lower lid.

7. The leakproof straw lid of claim 1, wherein, The spill-resistant straw lid further includes an upper lid indicator and at least one indicator on the lower lid, wherein the upper lid indicator is configured to align with the at least one indicator on the lower lid to indicate an open or closed state of the straw.

8. The leakproof straw lid of claim 1, wherein, The straw includes a food-grade silicone.

9. A leak-proof straw cap, characterized by The spill-resistant straw lid includes: a lower lid releasably attached to a container capable of holding a liquid, the lower lid having a first straw hole for receiving a straw and a straw closure mechanism positioned adjacent to the first straw hole, the straw closure mechanism including at least one straw clip positioned adjacent to the first straw hole; and an upper lid releasably attached to the lower lid, the upper lid having a straw-receiving hole aligned with the first straw hole in the lower lid and a closure element configured to engage the straw closure mechanism in the lower lid such that rotation of the upper lid relative to the lower lid causes the straw closure mechanism to crush the straw and close the straw. An upper lid, the upper lid being rotatably attached to the lower lid, the upper lid having a second straw-receiving aperture and at least one closure element, the second straw-receiving aperture being aligned with the first straw aperture in the lower lid, the at least one closure element being configured to engage the at least one straw clip in the lower lid such that rotation of the upper lid relative to the lower lid causes the at least one straw clip to pinch the straw and close the straw.

10. The leakproof straw lid of claim 9, wherein, The upper lid further comprises a downwardly extending circular rim, the downwardly extending circular rim being received into the lower lid, the at least one closure element being configured to extend along an inner surface of the circular rim and radially inwardly from the circular rim.

11. The leakproof straw lid of claim 10, wherein, The leak-resistant straw lid further comprises at least one protrusion extending radially outwardly from an outer surface of the circular rim, the at least one protrusion enabling releasable connection of the upper lid to the lower lid.

12. The leakproof straw lid of claim 9, wherein, The leak-resistant straw lid further comprises an upper lid indicator and at least one indicator on the lower lid, the upper lid indicator being configured to align with the at least one indicator on the lower lid to indicate an open or closed state of the straw.

13. The leakproof straw lid of claim 9, wherein, The straw comprises food-grade silicone.

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