Drinking component with vent for beverage containers
The vented drinking member addresses pressure buildup and leakage issues in beverage containers by using flexible members to relieve pressure and prevent leakage, ensuring user convenience and hygiene.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025009908
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-11
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing beverage containers often experience pressure buildup and liquid leakage due to inadequate venting mechanisms, particularly when the lid is closed or opened.
A vented drinking member with flexible members that relieve pressure and prevent leakage, featuring an outlet portion, vent, and flange portion, which includes an upper and lower opening, and is configured to connect to the beverage container.
The vented drinking member effectively minimizes pressure buildup and prevents liquid leakage, enhancing user convenience and hygiene by reducing contact with contaminants.
Smart Images
Figure 2025138573000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vented drinking element for a beverage container. [Background technology]
[0002] Specific aspects of a vented drinking member for a beverage container are described. In one aspect, the drinking member is part of a lid assembly for the beverage container. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The lid assembly includes a drinking member and a lid. The lid is configured to engage or connect to a top or neck of the beverage container. The lid is configured to hold or secure the drinking member to the beverage container. The lid may include an optional lid cover.
[0004] In one aspect, the drinking member includes an outlet portion, a vent, a flange portion, and a lower portion. The outlet portion includes an outlet for dispensing a beverage for consumption. A user can drink directly from the outlet portion. The outlet portion may include a straw shape. The outlet portion is in fluid communication with the lower portion. The vent includes an upper opening and a lower opening. The lower portion is configured to fluidly connect to an interior volume of the beverage container. For example, the lower portion may engage an internal straw member within the beverage container.
[0005] The vent in the drinking member helps to minimize or reduce pressure buildup when the lid is closed, and the vent also helps to prevent liquid leakage when the lid cover is opened.
[0006] In one aspect, the vent passage is defined by one or more flexible members configured to relieve pressure, the flexible members being internal to the vent.
[0007] In another aspect, a beverage container system is described that includes any of the drinking members of the present disclosure and a beverage container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of the top of the beverage container system with the lid in an open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid assembly and a beverage container. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly and beverage container. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly and beverage container. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] For purposes of this application, terms expressing relative positions (e.g., "upper," "middle," "lower," "outer," "inner," "upper," "lower," "bottom," "top," etc.) refer to the aspects of the invention as illustrated, but these terms do not limit the orientation in which the embodiments may be used.
[0010] A beverage container system 10 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The beverage container system 10 includes a container 20 for holding a beverage and a lid assembly 50 for selectively closing the beverage container 20. The lid assembly 50 engages with the beverage container 20 to form the beverage container system 10.
[0011] The lid assembly includes a lid 100 and a drinking member 200. The lid 100 is configured to engage or connect to the top or neck of the beverage container 20. The lid 100 is configured to hold or secure the drinking member 200 to the beverage container 20. The lid 100 may include an optional lid cover 150.
[0012] The drinking member 200 includes an outlet portion 210, a vent 220, a flange portion 260, and a lower portion 270. The outlet portion 210 includes an outlet 212 for dispensing a beverage for drinking. The outlet portion 210 is in fluid communication with the lower portion 270. The vent 220 includes an upper opening 230 and a lower opening 250. The lower portion is configured to fluidly connect to the interior volume of the beverage container 20.
[0013] The drinking member 200 comes in various versions, configurations, or types depending on the user's drinking style and preferences. The drinking member may include a straw shape (as shown in Figures 1-7), a spout, or other opening, or a separate opening for receiving an additional straw.
[0014] The lid 100 removably connects or engages with the beverage container 20 to retain the lid assembly 50 on the beverage container 20. The lid 100 can be unscrewed from the beverage container 20 to fill the container 20 with a beverage.
[0015] Next, the lid cover 150 will be described. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 7, the lid cover 150 is hingedly engaged with the lid 100. The lid cover 150 includes a push button locking mechanism 155, which allows the lid cover 150 to remain closed until a user activates the push button locking mechanism 155. In this embodiment, when the lid cover 150 is closed, the drinking member 200 bends downward, allowing the drinking member 200 to fold. When the lid cover is opened, the drinking member 200 can extend upward.
[0016] When the lid cover 150 is moved to the closed or stowed position, the drinking member 200 is substantially covered, thereby helping to reduce contact of dirt, contaminants, bacteria, etc. with the drinking member 200. The underside of the lid cover 150 may include a stopper 160 configured to close the top opening 230 of the vent 220. Referring to Figure 4, the stopper 160 is inserted into the top opening 230. The top opening 230 includes an extended rim 232 sized and configured to receive the stopper 160.
[0017] The vent 220 includes an inner wall 226 that defines a generally circular cross-section. The vent 220 includes a first flexible member 222 and a second flexible member 224 that taper inward and define an internal vent passageway 240. The internal vent passageway 240 is between an upper opening 230 and a lower opening 250. The flexible members 222, 224 may include two flaps that taper toward each other for the internal vent passageway 240. In this embodiment, the internal vent passageway 240 is a slit between the flexible members 222 and 224. The internal vent passageway 240 is generally linear. The flexible members 222, 224 extend inward from the inner wall 226 of the vent 220. In this embodiment, the flexible members 222, 224 extend inward from the inner wall 226 of the vent 220 and slope downward. When pressure is applied within the container 20, the flexible members 222, 224 may bend, flex, or deform to allow the pressure to pass through the vent 220. The amount or range of movement of the flexible members 222, 224 depends on the particular lid assembly 50 and its intended operating characteristics. The amount or range of movement may be increased to increase venting capacity. The amount or range of movement may be decreased to reduce leakage.
[0018] In other embodiments, vent 220 may include a single flexible member. For example, the single flexible member may move or bend away from inner wall 226 of vent 220 to relieve pressure. In other embodiments, vent 220 may include three or more flexible members that move or bend to relieve pressure.
[0019] The drinking member 200 includes a central body portion 205 located between the outlet portion 210 and the lower portion 270. The vent 220 and an intermediate portion of the fluid passageway 225 may be generally parallel within the central body portion 205.
[0020] A lower opening 250 of the vent 220 is formed in the underside of the flange portion 260. An upper opening 230 of the vent 220 is located near the outlet portion 210.
[0021] The lower portion 270 may include a ribbed structure for engaging another straw (not shown). In other embodiments, the lower portion 270 may be long enough so that an additional straw is not required.
[0022] In this embodiment, the underside of the lid 100 may include a cup-like or generally open shape for receiving the drinking member 200. The drinking member 200 may fit into a lower central region of the lid 100. The lid 100 may include an opening 120 for the outlet portion 210 to pass through the lid 100.
[0023] The drinking member 200 may be formed from a flexible material such as silicone or other suitable elastomer.
[0024] The flange portion 260 may seal against the sidewall of the lid 100 or the rim of the beverage container 20 .
[0025] In this embodiment, the lid 100 includes a handle 195 extending from the side wall of the lid cover 150. In other embodiments, the handle 195 may be omitted.
[0026] The inner wall of the lid 100 includes internal threads 135 disposed on a generally circular inner diameter of the lid 100. The internal threads 135 threadably engage with the external threads 30 of the beverage container 20. The beverage container 20 includes a wall 22 that defines an interior volume 35 for holding a beverage.
[0027] In other embodiments, the lid 100 may engage the beverage container 20 in ways other than a threaded engagement, including a snap fit engagement, a friction engagement, a bayonet engagement, or other engagement configured to selectively attach the lid 100 to the beverage container 20.
[0028] In this embodiment, container 20 has an insulated double-walled construction. In other embodiments, container 20 includes an uninsulated single-wall or multi-wall construction, or other insulated construction. Container 20 may be formed from moldable food-grade plastics, thermoplastics, stainless steel, other metals and metal alloys, other plastics, or any combination thereof.
[0029] Thus, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this novel concept as defined by the following claims. Moreover, many other advantages of applicant's disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0030] 10 Beverage container system 20 Beverage containers 30 external thread 35 internal volume 50 Lid Assembly 100 lids 135 Internal thread 150 Lid Cover 155 Push button locking mechanism 200 Drinking Materials 210 Exit section 220 Vent 222, 224 Flexible members 226 Interior wall 230 Top opening 232 rims 240 Internal vent passage 250 bottom opening 260 flange part 270 Lower part
Claims
1. The lid and a drinking member having a vent for relieving pressure and an outlet for dispensing a beverage for drinking, said vent including an upper opening and a lower opening; a vent passageway located between the upper opening and the lower opening, the vent passageway being defined by a first flexible member and a second flexible member; A lid assembly for a beverage container comprising:
2. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member extend inwardly from an inner wall of the vent.
3. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member extend inwardly and downwardly from an inner wall of the vent.
4. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vent passage is a slit between the first flexible member and the second flexible member.
5. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vent passage has a generally linear shape.
6. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member include two flaps that taper toward each other to form the vent passageway.
7. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the vent prevents pressure buildup within a beverage container when the lid assembly is closed.
8. The lid assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a lid cover, wherein the vent reduces leakage of liquid from the beverage container when the lid cover is opened.
9. 2. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the drinking member comprises an outlet portion, the vent, a flange portion, and a lower portion, the outlet portion including an outlet for dispensing a drinking beverage, the outlet portion extending from the flange portion, and the outlet portion in fluid communication with the lower portion.
10. The lid assembly of claim 9, wherein the flange portion is configured to seal against a rim or wall of a container.
11. The lid assembly of claim 9, wherein the lower portion is configured to engage a straw.
12. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the drinking member has a straw shape, and the drinking member is formed from a flexible and resilient material.
13. 10. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the top opening of the vent includes an extended rim sized and configured to receive a stopper on an inner surface of a lid cover, the lid cover being hingedly engaged to the lid.
14. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lid is configured to secure the drinking member to a beverage container.
15. 10. A beverage container system comprising the lid assembly of claim 1, further comprising a beverage container, the opening configured to fluidly connect to an interior volume of the beverage container.
16. The lid and A drinking member having an outlet portion, a vent, a flange portion, and a lower portion, the outlet portion includes an outlet for dispensing a beverage; the outlet portion extends from the flange portion; the outlet portion is in fluid communication with the lower portion; the vent includes an upper opening and a lower opening. A drinking member; A lid assembly for a beverage container comprising:
17. 17. The lid assembly of claim 16, wherein the outlet portion, the vent, the flange portion, and the lower portion are integral.
18. 17. The lid assembly of claim 16, wherein the lower portion is configured to fluidly connect to an interior volume of a beverage container.
19. The lid and a drinking member having a vent and an outlet for dispensing a beverage for drinking, said vent including an upper opening and a lower opening; a vent passageway located between the upper opening and the lower opening, the vent passageway being defined by at least one flexible member; A lid assembly for a beverage container comprising:
20. 20. The lid assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one flexible member is configured to bend or deform to open the vent passageway.