Sealing mechanism for a beverage container

Abstract

Some embodiments described herein are directed to a beverage container that includes a drinking opening, a closure, and a seal. The closure is configured to selectively close the drinking opening. The seal is coupled to the closure and configured to seal the drinking opening when the closure closes the drinking opening. The closure includes a shaft that extends downwardly from within the closure. The seal covers the shaft, and a slit extends through a portion of the seal that covers the shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to beverage containers. More specifically, some embodiments relate to seals and sealing mechanisms for beverage containers.

Background Art

[0002] A beverage container can be sealed against the atmosphere outside the beverage container. A pressure difference can occur between the inside of the beverage container and the atmosphere outside the beverage container.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments described herein are directed to a beverage container including a drinking opening, a closure, and a seal. The closure is configured to selectively close the drinking opening. The seal is coupled to the closure and is configured to seal the drinking opening when the closure closes the drinking opening. The closure includes a shaft that extends downwardly from within the closure. The seal covers the shaft, and a slit extends through a portion of the seal that covers the shaft.

[0004] Some embodiments described herein are directed to a seal for a beverage container including a seal body and a flap coupled to the seal body. The lower surface of the flap is configured to seal the drinking opening of the beverage container. The lower surface of the seal body and the upper surface of the flap define a gap therebetween. The gap is configured to be in fluid communication with the internal volume of the beverage container when the lower surface of the flap seals the drinking opening of the beverage container.

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, further function to explain the principles thereof and to enable one skilled in the art to make and use it.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The descriptions and representations herein are in accordance with the criteria used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the subject matter of their research to other skilled artisans. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] References to "some embodiments" in this specification are meant to illustrate that the described embodiments may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but not all embodiments may include the specific features, structures, or characteristics. Further, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to an embodiment, it is presented that it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic to other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not.

[0009] The following examples illustrate, but do not limit, the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the various conditions and parameters commonly encountered in the art and apparent to those skilled in the art are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] People use reusable containers to carry various beverages. Generally, it is desirable for the container to be airtight when the user is not drinking from it so that the beverage being carried does not leak onto the user or the user's belongings. An airtight container can be achieved by sealing the drinking opening of the container, for example, with a closure and a seal. However, sometimes the pressure inside the airtight container may decrease over time (for example, when the container is used to carry cold beverages). When the user later desires to open the container and drink from it, the user may find it difficult to remove the closure of the container due to the pressure difference between the inside of the container and the atmosphere outside the container. This can cause a suction effect between the container and the closure. At other times, (for example, when the container is used to carry hot beverages) the pressure inside the airtight container may increase. The relatively high pressure inside the airtight container may, for example, push the seal of the beverage container away from the drinking opening and cause the beverage inside the container to leak.

[0011] For example, in order to make it easier for a user to remove a closure, it may be desirable to reduce the low pressure within the hermetic container by reducing or eliminating the pressure differential with respect to the atmosphere outside the container. Also, a beverage container may desirably include a seal that remains sealed even under high pressure. As used herein and elsewhere in this disclosure, "low pressure" refers to the pressure within the container that is lower than the atmospheric pressure outside the container. As used herein and elsewhere in this disclosure, "high pressure" refers to the pressure within the container that is higher than the atmospheric pressure outside the container.

[0012] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a closure assembly that can mitigate the hermetic container from becoming a low pressure. As will be described in more detail below, an exemplary closure assembly shown herein includes a shaft extending from the interior of the closure, a seal covering the shaft, and a slit extending through a portion of the seal covering the shaft. When the closure closes a beverage container and the pressure differential between the interior of the beverage container and the atmosphere outside the beverage container falls below a threshold pressure differential, air from the atmosphere enters the interior of the beverage container through the slit, mitigating the interior of the beverage container from becoming a low pressure.

[0013] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a beverage container seal that remains sealed under high pressure. As will be described in more detail below, an exemplary seal shown herein includes a seal body, a flap coupled to the seal body, and a gap between the lower surface of the seal body and the upper surface of the flap. When the seal seals an opening of a beverage container and the interior of the beverage container is at high pressure, the air within the beverage container presses the flap against the drinking opening of the beverage container, thereby sealing the drinking opening more strongly.

[0014] Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a closure assembly that can reduce the reduction of the pressure inside the hermetic container, as described above and as will be described in more detail below, and a beverage container seal that remains sealed under high pressure, as described above and as will be described in more detail below. However, the closure assembly that can reduce the reduction of the pressure inside the hermetic container and the beverage container seal that remains sealed under high pressure are independently beneficial, and some embodiments may include one or not the other in addition to embodiments that include both.

[0015] These and other embodiments will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 2 show an exploded view of a drinking vessel 10 according to some embodiments. 3 to 4 are cross-sectional views showing the relative positions of specific components of the drinking vessel 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the drinking vessel 10 may include a beverage container 100 and a closure assembly 200 attachable to the beverage container 100.

[0017] The beverage container 100 may include a container body 102 and a drinking opening 104. In some embodiments, the drinking opening 104 is formed as a separate component from the container body 102. In other embodiments, the drinking opening 104 may be integrally formed with the container body 102.

[0018] The beverage container 100 may define a drinking opening 106 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2) through which a user can drink the beverage contained within the beverage container 100. In some embodiments, the beverage container 100 may define two or more drinking openings 106 through which a user can drink the beverage contained within the beverage container 100. In embodiments where the beverage container 100 includes a drinking spout, the drinking spout 104 may define a drinking opening 106 through which a user can drink the beverage contained within the beverage container 100. In some embodiments, a user may drink the beverage contained within the beverage container 100 by tilting the beverage container 100 and pouring the beverage from the beverage container 100 through the drinking opening 106 into the user's mouth. In other embodiments, the drinking opening 106 may be in fluid communication with a straw, and a user may drink the beverage within the beverage container 100 by sucking the beverage through the straw, through the drinking opening 106, and into the user's mouth.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the closure assembly 200 may include a closure 300 and a seal 400. The closure 300 may selectively close the drinking opening 106, and when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the seal 400 may seal the drinking opening 106.

[0020] In some embodiments, the closure 300 may include a shaft 302 that extends downwardly from an interior 304 of the closure 300, and the seal 400 may include a portion 404 configured to cover the shaft 302 when the closure 300 and the seal 400 are assembled.

[0021] In some embodiments, the seal 400 may include a slit 402 that extends through the seal 400. The slit 402 may be formed by cutting (e.g., slicing) the seal 400. When the slit 402 is cut, material may not be removed from the seal 400. Thus, the slit 402 may not form a gap.

[0022] In some embodiments, the closure 300 may include a shaft 302 extending downwardly from the interior 304 of the closure 300, and the slit 402 may extend through a portion 404 of the seal 400. In some such embodiments, when the closure 300 and the seal 400 are assembled, the slit 402 may be disposed on the shaft 302.

[0023] In some embodiments, the slit 402 extends circumferentially 40 with respect to the shaft 302. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, for example, the slit 402 extends only circumferentially with respect to the shaft 302 (i.e., the slit 402 does not extend at an angle with respect to the circumferential direction). However, in other embodiments, the slit 402 may extend only partially circumferentially with respect to the shaft 302. For example, the slit 402 may extend at an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the circumferential direction.

[0024] In some embodiments, the slit 402 may have a length of about 0.5 mm to 4 mm. For example, the slit 402 may be larger than 0.5 mm in order to be large enough to vent (e.g., as opposed to a pinhole) under the expected pressure, and less than 4 mm so as not to cause leakage. In some embodiments, the slit 402 may have a length of about 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0025] FIGS. 3-4 are cross-sectional views showing the relative positions of certain components of the drinking container 10. In FIG. 3, the drinking container 10 is shown in a state where the closure assembly 200 is assembled and the closure 300 is removed from the beverage container 100 (i.e., the closure 300 is in the open position). In FIG. 4, the drinking container 10 is shown with the closure assembly 200 assembled and the closure 300 attached to the beverage container 100 (i.e., the closure 300 is in the closed position).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the seal 400 may seal the drinking opening 106. With the drinking opening 106 sealed, the pressure inside the beverage container 100, within the interior 108, may decrease over time relative to the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100 (e.g., when the beverage container 100 is used to carry cold beverages or when the user moves to a lower altitude with the beverage container 100 sealed).

[0027] When the pressure difference between the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 and the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100 rises above a threshold pressure difference, air from the atmosphere 500 can enter the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 through the slit 402 (as indicated, for example, by arrow 20). This may occur, for example, until the pressure difference between the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 and the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100 is below the threshold pressure difference.

[0028] In some embodiments, air from the atmosphere 500 may enter the interior of the closure 300, pass between the closure 300 and the seal 400, and then enter the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 by passing through the slit 402.

[0029] In some embodiments, the shaft 302 may have a hollow interior and an open end covered by the seal 400. In some such embodiments, air from the atmosphere 500 may enter the interior of the closure 300, enter the hollow interior of the shaft 302, pass through the open end of the shaft 302, pass between the closure 300 and the seal 400, and then enter the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 by passing through the slit 402. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the hollow interior and the open end of the shaft 302 are partially blocked by threads. However, in other embodiments where the partial blockage may still allow air to pass through the hollow interior and the open end, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hollow interior and the open end may not be blocked.

[0030] The configuration of the closure assembly 200 may not allow air or liquid to flow in opposite directions. That is, when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, air may not be able to pass from the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 to the atmosphere 500 through the slit 402, whether the pressure difference between the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 and the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100 exceeds or falls below the threshold pressure difference.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 1, additional details for implementing some of the features described above are explained. (Here and elsewhere in this document) The specific structures and mechanisms shown and described may not be the only way to achieve the described functions, and each element may be implemented using a shape, structure, and appearance other than those specifically shown and described.

[0032] As described above, the beverage container 100 may include a container body 102 and a drinking spout 104. The container body 102 may be any suitable type of container body. The container body 102 may be, for example, substantially cylindrical (as shown in FIG. 2), or may have another external or internal shape. In some embodiments, the container body 102 may be double-walled to enhance the insulating properties of the container body 102. In some embodiments, the region between the double walls of the beverage container body 102 may be sealed and may form at least a partial vacuum. In some embodiments, the container body 102 may be formed from stainless steel. In some embodiments, the container body 102 may be formed from another food-grade material such as food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, a copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan® (registered trademark), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or another metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0033] As described above, the drinking spout 104 may be formed as a separate component from the container body 102 or may be integrally formed with the container body 102. In an embodiment where the drinking spout 104 is formed as a separate component from the container body 102, the drinking spout 104 may be attachable to the container body 102. For example, the drinking spout 104 may include an attachment mechanism 110 on the lower sidewall of the drinking spout 104, and the container body 102 may include an attachment mechanism 112 corresponding to near the upper edge of the container body 102. The attachment mechanism 110 may be configured to engage with the attachment mechanism 112 to removably attach the drinking spout 104 to the container body 102. The attachment mechanisms 110 and 112 may be a screw-type connector, a friction fit connector, a snap fit connector, or any other suitable releasable attachment mechanism (such as shown in FIG. 2). The attachment of the drinking spout 104 to the container body 102 is not limited to the arrangement shown in the figure. For example, in some embodiments, the drinking spout 104 may be attached covering the container body 102 instead of inside the container body 102.

[0034] The type of attachment mechanism used to attach the drinking spout 104 to the container body 102 may be the same or a different type from the attachment mechanism used to attach the closure assembly 200 to the beverage container 100.

[0035] The drinking spout 104 may be formed of food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, a copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan (registered trademark), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0036] As described above, the drinking container 10 may include a closure assembly 200 for selectively closing the drinking opening 106. The closure assembly 200 may include a closure 300 and a seal 400.

[0037] Closure 300 can be any suitable type of closure. For example, closure 300 can be a cap-type closure that can be attached to beverage container 100 to close the drinking opening 106 (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-4). As another example, closure 300 can be a flip-type closure that rotates to open and close (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5-8).

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, closure 300 can include an upper portion 306 and a sidewall 308 that define an interior 304. When closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, sidewall 308 can at least partially surround the drinking spout 104 to prevent dirt or debris from contacting the upper surface of the drinking spout 104, which is likely to be contacted when a user drinks from beverage container 10. In some embodiments, sidewall 308 can extend around shaft 302. This can, for example, help to conceal shaft 302 from the user's view.

[0039] In some embodiments, closure 300 can include an attachment mechanism 310, and beverage container 100 can include a corresponding attachment mechanism 114 for removably attaching closure 300 to beverage container 100. In some embodiments, for example, the attachment mechanism can be a thread, friction fit connector, snap fit connector, magnetic connector, or any other suitable releasable attachment mechanism (such as located on the outer surface of the drinking spout 104 and the inner surface of closure 300), or can include the same.

[0040] When the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the closure assembly 200 can seal the drinking opening 106, but it does not have to completely seal the interior 304 of the closure 300 from the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100. For example, the closure assembly 200 may leave the area outside the drinking spout 104 open to the atmosphere 500. This can, for example, allow air from the atmosphere 500 to flow into the interior 304 of the closure 300 between the drinking spout 104 and the closure sidewall 308, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] As described above, the closure 300 may include a shaft 302 that extends downward from the interior 304 of the closure 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the shaft 302 is integrally formed as part of the closure 300. However, in some embodiments, the shaft 302 is a separate component from the closure 300. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shaft 302 extends vertically from the upper portion 306 of the closure 300. However, in other embodiments, the shaft 302 may extend at an angle to the upper portion 306 of the closure 300.

[0042] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shaft 302 has a frustoconical shape. This allows, for example, the portion 404 of the seal 400 to be more easily positioned on the shaft 302. However, in other embodiments, the shaft 302 may have another suitable shape (e.g., cylindrical or dome-shaped).

[0043] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shaft 302 has a circular cross-section. This allows, for example, the portion 404 to be positioned on the shaft 302 in various orientations. However, the cross-sectional shape of the shaft 302 is not limited to the shape shown. The shaft 302 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including, for example, square, elliptical, or stadium-shaped, or may have a cross-sectional shape that varies along the length of the shaft 302.

[0044] The shaft 302 and / or the closure 300 may be formed of food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, a copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan™, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium). The shaft 302 may be formed of the same material or a different material than the other parts of the closure 300.

[0045] The seal 400 may be coupled to the closure 300 and configured such that when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the seal 400 seals the drinking opening 106. The seal 400 may include a sealing portion 408 configured to seal the drinking opening 106 and a portion 404 configured to cover the shaft 302 when the closure 300 and the seal 400 are assembled.

[0046] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the sealing portion 408 contacts the upper surface of the drinking spout 104 around the drinking opening 106 so as to seal the drinking opening 106 when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, the sealing portion 408 elastically flexes and deforms such that the sealing portion 408 is pressed against the upper surface of the drinking spout 104, thereby sealing between the sealing portion 408 and the upper surface of the drinking spout 104. In other embodiments, the sealing portion 408 may elastically deform without flexing, or the drinking spout 104 may elastically flex to seal between the sealing portion 408 and the upper surface of the drinking spout 104. In other embodiments, the sealing portion 408 may instead extend downward into the drinking spout 104 and seal by pressing against the inner surface of the drinking spout 104.

[0047] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the sealing portion 404 has an annular shape. However, the shape of the sealing portion 404 is not limited to the illustrated shape. Rather, the sealing portion 404 may have any shape sufficient to seal the drinking opening 106 when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the drinking spout 104a has an upper surface that curves from the rear portion of the drinking spout 104a to the front portion of the drinking spout 104a, and the sealing portion 404a has a shape corresponding to the upper surface of the drinking spout 104a (i.e., the lower surface of the sealing portion 404a curves from the rear portion of the sealing portion 404a to the front portion of the sealing portion 404a).

[0048] As described above, the seal 400 may include a portion 404 that covers the shaft 302 when the closure assembly 200 is assembled. The portion 404 may be 0.5 mm to 2 mm thick at the slit 402. A thickness within this range can provide a thickness sufficient, for example, to keep the slit 402 closed (i.e., sealed) when it is not necessary to allow air to flow into the interior 108.

[0049] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the portion 404 has a circular cross-section. Thereby, for example, the portion 404 can be placed on the shaft 302 in various orientations. However, the cross-sectional shape of the portion 404 is not limited to the illustrated shape. The portion 404 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, including, for example, a square, an ellipse, or a stadium shape, or may have a cross-sectional shape that varies along the length of the portion 404.

[0050] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4, the seal 400 completely covers the shaft 302 below the slit 402 and completely covers the shaft 302 above the slit 402. This can serve, for example, to keep the slit 402 closed (i.e., sealed) and / or to limit openings through which liquid or air within the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 can leak when it is not necessary to allow air to flow into the interior 108. In some embodiments, the seal 400 completely covers the shaft 302 above the slit 402 but leaves the bottom of the shaft 302 at least partially open. In some embodiments, the seal 400 completely covers the shaft 302 below the slit 402 but leaves the top of the shaft 302 at least partially open.

[0051] In some embodiments, the slit 402 may be the only opening through the seal 400. This can serve, for example, to prevent liquid or air within the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 from leaking. In some embodiments, two or more slits 402 may be provided and the slit 402 may be the only opening through the seal 400 In some embodiments, the portion 404 may be less rigid than the shaft 302. For example, the shaft 302 may be formed from polypropylene and the portion 404 may be formed from silicone. This difference in rigidity can provide a structure sufficient to allow the slit 402 to bend and open when it is necessary to allow air to flow into the interior 108, while allowing the slit 402 to remain closed (i.e., sealed) when it is not necessary to allow air to flow into the interior 108.

[0052] Portion 404 may be configured to fit tightly around shaft 302 when assembled. For example, in some embodiments, when closure assembly 200 is assembled and the interior 304 of closure 300 is open to the atmosphere, the inner surface of portion 404 may be aligned with shaft 302. As another example, in some embodiments, when closure assembly 200 is assembled and the interior 304 of closure 300 is open to the atmosphere, portion 404 may press inwardly against shaft 302 (e.g., in a press fit). Pressing portion 404 tightly around shaft 302 when closure assembly 200 is assembled can help keep slit 402 closed (i.e., sealed), for example, when it is not necessary for air to flow from atmosphere 500 into interior 108 of beverage container 100 through slit 402 to reduce low pressure.

[0053] In some embodiments, when closure assembly 200 is assembled, seal 400 may be disposed on the inner surface of closure 300 (e.g., along the inner surfaces of upper portion 306 and / or sidewall 308). In some embodiments, seal 400 may be less rigid than the inner surface of closure 300. For example, the inner surface of closure 300 may be formed of polypropylene and seal 400 may be formed of silicone. This difference in rigidity may allow seal 400 to be pushed away from the inner surface of closure 300 (e.g., due to low pressure within interior 108 of beverage container 100), thereby allowing air to flow from atmosphere 500 between closure 300 and seal 400, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0054] Sealing portion 408 of seal 400 may be formed of a food-grade material suitable for sealing drinking aperture 106. Portion 404 of seal 400 may be formed of a food-grade material suitable for sealing with a slit. Sealing portion 408 and portion 404 may be formed from the same material or different materials.

[0055] Some of the above-described embodiments function to reduce the low pressure inside the airtight container. However, under some circumstances (for example, when the drinking container 10 is sealed and used to transport warm beverages), the pressure can instead increase inside the drinking container 10. Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a beverage container seal that remains sealed under high pressure. These and other embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the drinking container 10 may include a beverage container 100 having a drinking opening 106 and a closure assembly 200 having a seal 400 configured to seal the drinking opening 106 when the closure assembly 200 closes the drinking opening 106.

[0057] As can be seen from FIG. 3, for example, the seal 400 may include a seal body 410 and a flap 412 coupled to the seal body 410. In some embodiments, the flap 412 may be inclined radially inwardly and downwardly with respect to the seal body 410. Thus, the lower surface 414 of the seal body 410 and the upper surface 416 of the flap 412 may define a gap 418 therebetween. In some embodiments, the flap 412 and the seal body 410 are integrally formed (e.g., molded as a single component).

[0058] As described above and as shown in FIG. 4, the closure 300 may be configured to close the drinking opening 106 (e.g., by being attached to the beverage container 100). When the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the lower surface 420 of the flap 412 can contact the upper surface of the spout 104 around the drinking opening 106 to seal the drinking opening 106. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the flap 412 may bend upwardly toward the seal body 410, and the flap 412 and / or the spout 104 may deform elastically such that the flap 412 is pressed against the upper surface of the spout 104, thereby sealing between the lower surface 420 of the flap 412 and the upper surface of the spout 104. However, even when the flap 412 is bent upwardly, a gap 418 may remain between the lower surface 414 of the seal body 410 and the upper surface 416 of the flap 412.

[0059] When the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the gap 418 may be in fluid communication with the interior 108 of the beverage container 100. Thus, air within the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 can extend into the gap 418 and press against the flap 412 (as indicated by arrow 30 in FIG. 4). Accordingly, when the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 is at a higher pressure relative to the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100, the pressure exerted on the flap 412 presses the flap 412 downwardly toward the upper surface of the spout 104, thereby more strongly sealing the lower surface 420 of the flap 412 against the upper surface of the spout 104 surrounding the drinking opening 106.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the free end of the flap 412 extends radially inwardly beyond the upper peripheral edge of the drinking opening 106 when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106. This serves, for example, to position the flap 412 above the upper portion of the spout 104 (rather than outside the spout 104) when the closure 300 is in the closed state.

[0061] In some embodiments, the seal 400 may include a flange 422. The flange 422 may extend downward along the perimeter of the seal 400. In use, when the closure 300 closes the drinking opening 106, the flange 422 may extend downward outside the drinking spout 104. This can, for example, provide additional stability to the seal 400 and / or prevent the seal 400 from collapsing into the drinking opening 106 when the interior 108 of the beverage container 100 is at a low pressure.

[0062] Figures 5-8 show a drinking container 10a according to another embodiment. Figures 5-6 show an exploded view of the drinking container 10a according to some embodiments. Figures 7-8 are cross-sectional views showing the relative positions of certain components of the drinking container 10a.

[0063] The drinking container 10a may include some or all of the features, structures, or characteristics described above with respect to the drinking container 10. For example, the drinking container 10a may include a beverage container 100a, a container body 102a, a drinking spout 104a, a drinking opening 106a, an interior 108a, an attachment mechanism 110a, a closure assembly 200a, a closure 300a, a shaft 302a, an interior 304a, an upper portion 306a, a sidewall 308a, a seal 400a, a slit 402a, a portion 404a, a sealed portion 408a, a seal body 410a, a flap 412a, a lower surface 414a of the seal body 410a, an upper surface 416a of the flap 412a, a gap 418a, and a lower surface 420a of the flap 412a, which may include some or all of the features, structures, or characteristics described above with respect to the beverage container 100, the container body 102, the drinking spout 104a, the drinking opening 106a, the interior 108a, the attachment mechanism 110, the closure assembly 200, the closure 300, the shaft 302a, the interior 304, the upper portion 306a, the sidewall 308, the seal 400, the slit 402, the portion 404, the sealed portion 408, the seal body 410, the flap 412, the lower surface 414 of the seal body 410, the upper surface 416 of the flap 412, the gap 418, and the lower surface 420 of the flap 412.

[0064] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the beverage container 100a includes a first drinking opening 106a and a second drinking opening 107a (e.g., shown in FIG. 6), through which a user may drink the beverage stored in the beverage container 100a. The user can drink the beverage contained in the beverage container 100a by tilting the beverage container 100a and pouring the beverage into the user's mouth through the first drinking opening 106a, or by sucking the beverage into the user's mouth through the straw 116a and through the second drinking opening 107a. The second drinking opening 107a is in fluid communication with the straw 116a. In some embodiments, the second drinking opening 107a may be offset from the first drinking opening 106a towards the front of the drinking mouth 104a. This can, for example, facilitate the user to drink comfortably from the first drinking opening 106a and / or the second drinking opening 107a.

[0065] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the closure 300a is a flip-top closure that pivots from an open position to a closed position so as to seal the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening 107a. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, when the closure 300a closes the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening 107a, the seal 400a may seal the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening 107a. With the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening 107a sealed, the pressure inside the interior 108a of the beverage container 100a can decrease over time with respect to the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100a (e.g., when the beverage container 100a is used to carry a cold beverage, or when the user moves to a lower altitude with the beverage container 100a sealed).

[0066] When the pressure difference between the interior 108a of beverage container 100a and the atmosphere 500 outside beverage container 100a rises beyond the threshold pressure difference, air from the atmosphere 500 can enter the interior 108a of beverage container 100a through slit 402a (as indicated by arrow 20a in FIGS. 7 - 8). This may occur, for example, until the pressure difference between the interior 108a of beverage container 100a and the atmosphere 500 outside beverage container 100a falls below the threshold pressure difference.

[0067] In some embodiments, for example, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 5 - 8, closure 300a and seal 400a may define channel 312a. Channel 312a may at least partially define a fluid path and may make it easier for air to enter the interior 108a of beverage container 100a from the atmosphere 500 outside beverage container 100a. For example, when the pressure difference between the interior 108a of beverage container 100a and the atmosphere 500 outside beverage container 100a rises above the threshold pressure difference, air from the atmosphere 500 may enter the interior of closure 300a, pass through channel 312a, pass between closure 300a and seal 400a, and then enter the interior 108a of beverage container 100a by passing through slit 402a (as indicated by arrow 20a in FIGS. 7 - 8).

[0068] As described above, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the beverage container 100a may include a first drinking opening 106a and a second drinking opening 107a, through which a user can drink the beverage stored in the beverage container 100a. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, when the closure 300a closes the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening 107a, the lower surface 420a of the flap 412a may contact the upper surface of the drinking mouth 104a around the first drinking opening 106a and / or the second drinking opening 107a so as to seal the first drinking opening 106a and / or the second drinking opening 107a. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 8, for example, the flap 412a may bend upward toward the seal body 410a. The flap 412a and / or the discharge port 104a may be elastically deformed such that the flap 412a is pressed against the upper surface of the discharge port 104a, thereby creating a seal between the lower surface 420a of the flap 412a and the upper surface of the discharge port 104a.

[0069] In some embodiments where the beverage container 100a includes a first drinking opening 106a and a second drinking opening 107a, the flap 412a of the seal 400a may seal the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening together (i.e., such that the first drinking opening 106a is not sealed independently of the second drinking opening 107a). Thereby, for example, the pressure can be equalized between the internal volume 108a of the beverage container 100a and the internal volume of the straw 116a. This avoids or reduces the possibility that the pressure increase is released through the straw 116a. If the pressure increase is released through the straw 116a, confusion can occur due to the liquid being pushed out through the second drinking opening 107a before the user is ready to drink.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 7-8, when the closure 300a closes the first drinking opening 106a and the second drinking opening 107a, the gap 418a may be in fluid communication with the interior 108a of the beverage container 100a. Thus, air within the interior 108a of the beverage container 100a may extend into the gap 418a and push the flap 412a (as shown by arrow 30a in FIGS. 7-8). Accordingly, when there is a high pressure within the interior 108a of the beverage container 100a relative to the atmosphere 500 outside the beverage container 100a, the pressure exerted on the flap 412a can push the flap 412a toward the upper surface of the drinking spout 104a, thereby more tightly sealing the lower surface 420a of the flap 412a against the drinking opening 106a.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the sealing portion 408a may have a different shape than the sealing portion 408 shown in FIGS. 1-4. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the sealing portion 408 is located in a substantially horizontal plane. However, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, the drinking spout 104a has an upper surface that curves from a rear portion of the drinking spout 104a to a front portion of the drinking spout 104a, and the sealing portion 404a has a corresponding shape (i.e., the lower surface of the sealing portion 404a curves from a rear portion of the sealing portion 404a to a front portion of the sealing portion 404a).

[0072] As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the seal 400a does not include a flange on its outer periphery (as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4). As described above, a flange is not necessary to achieve some of the functions as described above.

[0073] It should be understood that the section on the mode for carrying out the invention, rather than the section on the summary and abstract of the invention, is intended to be used for interpreting the claims. The section on the means for solving the problems and the summary may describe one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention contemplated by the inventors, but do not describe all exemplary embodiments, and thus are not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments sufficiently discloses the general nature of the present invention, so that others, by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art, can easily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments for various uses without departing from the general concept of the present invention and without undue experimentation. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the disclosed embodiments based on the teachings and guidance presented herein. The expressions or terms herein are for the purpose of description and not for the purpose of limitation. Therefore, it should be understood that the terms or expressions herein should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0074] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

**Claim 1** A beverage container comprising a drinking opening, a closure configured to selectively close the drinking opening, and a seal coupled to the closure and configured to seal the drinking opening when the closure closes the drinking opening. The closure comprises a shaft extending downwardly from inside the closure, the seal covers the shaft, and a slit extends through a portion of the seal covering the shaft. A beverage container. **Claim 2** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the slit extends circumferentially with respect to the shaft. **Claim 3** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the seal completely covers the shaft below the slit. **Claim 4** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the seal completely covers the shaft above the slit. **Claim 5** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the slit is the only opening passing through the seal. **Claim 6** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the shaft is more rigid than the portion of the seal covering the shaft. **Claim 7** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein when the inside of the closure is open to the atmosphere, the seal is pressed inwardly against the shaft. **Claim 8** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein when the closure closes the drinking opening and the pressure difference between the inside of the beverage container and the atmosphere outside the beverage container rises beyond a threshold pressure difference, air from the atmosphere enters the inside of the beverage container through the slit. **Claim 9** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein when the closure closes the drinking opening and the pressure difference between the inside of the beverage container and the atmosphere outside the beverage container rises beyond a threshold pressure difference, air from the atmosphere enters the inside of the beverage container through the slit until the pressure difference is below the threshold pressure difference. **Claim 10** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein when the closure closes the drinking opening, air does not pass from the inside of the beverage container through the slit to the atmosphere outside the beverage container, whether the pressure difference between the inside of the beverage container and the atmosphere outside the beverage container exceeds or is less than the threshold pressure difference. **Claim 11** The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein when the closure closes the drinking opening and the pressure difference between the inside of the beverage container and the atmosphere outside the beverage container rises beyond a threshold pressure difference, air from the atmosphere enters the inside of the beverage container by passing through the hollow interior of the shaft, the open end of the shaft, and the slit.

12. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the shaft has a frustum shape.

13. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the slit is formed by cutting.

14. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the slit does not form a gap.

15. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the seal covering the shaft has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm at the slit.

16. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the slit has a length of less than 4 mm.

17. A seal for a beverage container, comprising: a seal body; and a flap coupled to the seal body, wherein a lower surface of the flap is configured to seal a drinking opening of the beverage container, a lower surface of the seal body and an upper surface of the flap define a gap therebetween, and the gap is configured to be in fluid communication with an internal volume of the beverage container when the lower surface of the flap seals the drinking opening of the beverage container.

18. The seal according to claim 17, wherein the flap and the seal body are integrally formed.

19. The seal according to claim 17, wherein the flap is inclined radially inward and downward with respect to the seal body.

20. A beverage container, comprising: a drinking opening; a closure configured to selectively close the drinking opening; and the seal according to claim 17, wherein the seal is configured to seal the drinking opening when the closure closes the drinking opening.

21. The beverage container according to claim 20, wherein a free end of the flap extends radially inward beyond an upper peripheral edge of the drinking opening when the closure closes the drinking opening.

22. When the closure closes the drinking opening, the flap deflects upward, and a gap is left between a lower surface of the seal body and an upper surface of the flap. The beverage container according to claim 20.

23. A beverage container, A drinking mouth defining a drinking opening, a closure configured to selectively close the drinking opening, a seal according to claim 17, comprising: the seal is configured to seal the drinking opening when the closure closes the drinking opening; the seal comprises a flange coupled to the seal body; when the closure closes the drinking opening, the flange extends downwardly outside the drinking mouth, a beverage container.

24. A beverage container having a drinking opening, a closure configured to selectively close the drinking opening, the closure comprising a shaft extending downwardly from within the closure; a seal coupled to the closure, the seal body, a portion coupled to the seal body and covering the shaft, a slit extending through the portion of the seal covering the shaft, a flap coupled to the seal body, comprising: a seal; the lower surface of the flap is configured to seal the drinking opening of the beverage container when the closure closes the drinking opening; a gap is formed between the lower surface of the seal body and the upper surface of the flap; the gap is configured to be in fluid communication with the internal volume of the beverage container when the lower surface of the flap seals the drinking opening of the beverage container, a beverage container.

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