Straw Lid Assembly

Abstract

The straw lid valve assembly includes a cap, a spout, and a valve member. The cap connects to a beverage container and has a valve-receiving passage. The spout connects to the cap and rotates between a drinking position and a closed position. The spout is in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and is closed when in the closed position. The spout has an internal passage. The valve member is receivable within the cap and has a beverage passage and a vent passage that are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is received within the cap. The valve member is receivable within the valve-receiving passage such that the top surface of the valve member is exposed to the surroundings when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is received within the cap.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a straw lid assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Beverage containers with straw lid caps often have spouts that pivot relative to the cap. Traditionally, the seal on these straw lids is typically an O-ring gasket that is compressed between a ball at one end of the spout and the cap when the spout is in the closed position to create a seal. These seals are prone to leaking if this compression is insufficient. Additionally, wear on the O-ring over time can cause leaks.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 3,568,895 discloses a supply closure cap having a pivoting spout that cooperates with an insert, but the supply closure cap lacks a vent and does not describe cooperation with a straw. The insert has a main disk body formed with a hemispherical socket formation with an outlet hole. The spout has a spherical base from which arm portions extend. An outlet passage extends through the base and arm portions. The outlet hole in the insert is sealed by a plug whose lower end is attached inside a recess in the base of the spout. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 3,568,895 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above, a straw lid valve assembly includes a cap, a spout, and a valve member. The cap is configured to connect to a beverage container and has a valve-receiving passage. The spout connects to the cap and rotates about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position. The spout has an internal passage that is in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and is closed off from the beverage container when in the closed position. The valve member is receivable within the cap. The valve member has a beverage passage and a vent passage, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is received in the cap in an actuated position. The valve member is receivable within the valve-receiving passage such that an uppermost surface of the valve member is exposed to the surroundings when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is received in the cap in an actuated position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a straw lid cap assembly removed from a beverage container. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the straw lid cap assembly with the spout in a closed position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the straw lid cap assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the straw lid cap assembly shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the straw lid cap assembly shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the straw lid cap assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the spout in a closed position. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the straw lid cap assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a drinking position, showing cooperating pivot features for pivotally connecting the spout to the cap. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view of the straw lid cap assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a closed position, showing cooperating pivot features for pivotally connecting the spout to the cap. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of the spout and valve member of the straw lid cap assembly with the valve member in the actuated position and the spout in the drinking position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a straw lid valve assembly 20 having a cap 22, a spout 24, and a valve member 26. The cap 22 is configured to connect with a beverage container 28 to close an upper opening 30 of the beverage container 28. The spout 24 is pivotally connected to the cap 22. The spout 24 is pivotable between a drinking position, shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position, shown in FIG. 2. The valve member 26 is receivable within the cap 22 to cooperate with the spout 24 to provide selective fluid communication between the beverage container 28 and the environment through the spout 24 and the valve member 26.

[0008] Referring to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the cap 22 is an assembly having an upper cap 32, a lower cap 34, and an insulating insert 36. When assembled, the upper cap 32 connects with the lower cap 34, with the insulating insert 36 disposed between the upper cap 32 and the lower cap 34. When assembled, the cap 22 has a valve-receiving passage 38 ( FIG. 4 ) configured to selectively receive the valve member 26. FIG. 4 shows the straw lid valve assembly 20 disassembled in a manner that a person may accomplish in order to clean the straw lid valve assembly 20. While FIG. 3 shows the cap 22 in an exploded view, however, after the cap 22 is finally assembled, for example, in a manufacturing facility, the cap 22 is not intended to be disassembled as shown in FIG. 3 .

[0009] Referring back to FIG. 3 , the upper cap 32 has an upper wall 42, which in the illustrated embodiment is circular in plan view. An outer wall 44, which in the illustrated embodiment is cylindrical, depends downwardly from the periphery of the upper wall 42. The upper cap 32 also has a spout-receiving recess 46, which in the illustrated embodiment is rectangular in plan view. The spout-receiving recess 46 is defined by opposed recess sidewalls 48, 52 that depend vertically downwardly from the upper wall 42. The spout-receiving recess 46 is also defined by a recess floor 54, which in the illustrated embodiment is planar and horizontally oriented. The spout-receiving recess 46 also has a distal end wall 56 and a proximal end wall 58 ( FIG. 5 ), which depend downwardly from the upper wall 42. The upper cap 32 also has a downwardly depending valve-receiving wall 62 that defines the valve-receiving passage 38.

[0010] The spout 24 and cap 22 have cooperating pivot features for pivotally connecting the spout 24 to the cap 22. In the embodiment shown, the upper cap 32 has pivots 68, 72 extending inwardly from respective opposing recess sidewalls 48, 52. The pivots 68, 72 define a pivot axis 74 ( FIG. 5 ) about which the spout 24 pivots relative to the cap 22. The upper cap 32 also has recesses 78, 82 located on either side of the valve-receiving passage 38 when the cap 22 is assembled. The recesses 78, 82 substantially follow radii emanating from the pivot axis 74.

[0011] The lower cap 34 has a lower wall 92, which in the illustrated embodiment is circular in plan view. The lower wall 92 has a valve receiving opening 94 that defines a portion of the valve receiving passage 38. An inner wall 96 extends upwardly from the lower wall 92. The lower cap 34 also has an upper wall 98 that extends radially outward from the inner wall 96. The lower cap 34 also has an outer wall 102, which in the illustrated embodiment is cylindrical and extends upwardly and downwardly from the upper wall 98. Referring to FIG. 5, the outer wall 102 below the upper wall 98 is provided with internal threads 104 to facilitate connecting the cap 22 to the beverage container 28 (FIG. 1). The outer wall 102 of the lower cap 34 is received within the outer wall 44 of the upper cap 32 when the cap 22 is assembled.

[0012] 3, insulating insert 36 has a U-shaped lower body portion 116 having a recess 118 that corresponds to valve-receiving passage 38 when cap 22 is finally assembled. Insulating insert 36 further has opposing segments 122, 124 on either side of recess 118. Each opposing segment 122, 124 has a respective inner wall 126, 128 that defines a respective elongated cavity 132, 134.

[0013] The spout 24 has a base 150 and an extension 152 extending from the base 150. An internal passageway 154 extends through the base 150 and the extension 152. The internal passageway 154 is in fluid communication with the beverage container 28 when the spout 24 is in the drinking position (FIG. 1) and is closed off from the beverage container 28 when the spout 24 is in the closed position (FIGS. 2 and 6).

[0014] The base 150 is rounded in the illustrated embodiment. The base 150 has a convex outer surface 156. When the spout 24 is connected to the cap 22, the convex outer surface 156 follows a radius emanating from the pivot axis 74 about which the spout 24 rotates relative to the cap 22.

[0015] An extension 152 extends from the base 150. A flange 158 extends away from the extension 152 in a direction generally perpendicular to the longest dimension of the interior passageway 154. A finger recess 162 is provided in the flange 158 to accommodate a finger or thumb to facilitate pivotal movement of the spout 24 relative to the cap 22. Additionally, a bump 164 extends from the extension 152 in a direction generally opposite the extension of the flange 158 from the extension 152. The bump 164 acts as a vent closure when the spout 24 is in the closed position (see FIG. 6).

[0016] As mentioned above, the spout 24 and cap 22 have cooperating axis features for pivotally connecting the spout 24 to the cap 22. The axis features include axis 68, 72 and circular recesses 168, 172, which, in the illustrated embodiment, are located on the base 150 of the spout 24. Each axis 68, 72 is received within a respective circular recess 168, 172, allowing the spout 24 to pivot relative to the cap 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the spout 24 further includes flow channels 174, 176. Each flow channel 174, 176 exits a respective circular recess 168, 172. Each flow channel 174, 176 has a width slightly larger than the diameter of the respective axis 68, 72 and approximately equal to the diameter of the circular recess 168, 172 from which it exits. Each shaft 68,72 is receivable within a respective passage 174,176 such that when pulled in a direction parallel to the length of each passage 174,176, the spout 24 can be selectively removed from the cap 22.

[0017] Each of the channels 174, 176 is oriented to prevent removal of the spout 24 from the cap 22 when the spout 24 is in the drinking position. As can be seen by comparing Figures 7 and 8, when the spout 24 is in the closed position (Figure 8), a user can grasp the flange 158 and pull the spout 24 relative to the cap 22 in a direction (arrow 180) aligned with the length (longest dimension) of each channel 174, 176. Doing so pulls the shafts 68, 72 out of the circular recesses 168, 172 and into the channels 174, 176 until the spout 24 is removed from the cap 22. 7, with the spout 24 in the drinking position, each channel 174, 176 is oriented to prevent the spout 24 from being pulled relative to the cap 22 in a direction (arrow 182) aligned with the length of each channel 174, 176 because the spout 24 is in contact with the cap 22 and preventing removal in that direction. With the spout 24 removed from the cap 22, the axes 68, 72 can be aligned with the channels 174, 176, and the spout 24 can be pushed toward the cap 22 in the direction aligned with the length of each channel 174, 176 until the axes 68, 72 are received in the circular recesses 168, 172.

[0018] The axis features shown in the illustrated embodiment can be reversed in that axes similar to axes 68, 72 can be provided on spout 24 and circular recesses and channels can be provided on cap 22.

[0019] Both the cap 22 and spout 24 can be made from a relatively more rigid plastic compared to the plastic from which the valve member 26 is made. In the embodiment shown, the valve member 26 is made from a resilient material such as silicone. The valve member 26 has a main valve body 210 that is an integrally formed solid piece of silicone. The main valve body 210 fills and seals the interior of the valve housing passage 38. The valve housing passage 38 extends through the cap 22 from the lower wall 92 to the recess floor 54 of the spout-receiving recess 46. This allows for a large opening in the cap 22 that is relatively easy to clean compared to straw-lid cap assemblies in which the straw connects with a relatively permanent feature on the cap.

[0020] The valve member 26 has a top surface 212, which is planar in the embodiment shown. The valve member 26 also has a bottom surface 214, which is also planar in the embodiment shown. An air passage 216 extends from a lower vent opening 218 in the bottom surface 214 to an upper vent opening 222 in the top surface 212. As shown in Figure 6, the upper vent opening 222 is blocked by the bump 164 when the spout 24 is in the closed position. When the spout 24 is in the drinking position, the air passage 216 is open to the ambient.

[0021] A beverage passageway having a lower passageway 224 and an upper passageway 226 extends through the main valve body 210. The beverage passageway has a shoulder 228 between the lower passageway 224 and the upper passageway 226, the shoulder 228 having a smaller diameter than the lower passageway 224. The lower passageway 224 begins at a lower beverage opening 232 in the lower surface 214. The beverage passageway also has an upper beverage opening 234 surrounded by a flexible sealing ring 236, which will be described in more detail below. The shoulder 228 is axially offset from the flexible sealing ring 236, which allows the flexible sealing ring 236 to flex toward the shoulder 228 and provide a suitable seal to prevent liquid from leaking from the straw-lid valve assembly 20. The lower passageway 224 is configured to receive a straw 240 therein. When the straw 240 is inserted, the straw 240 is inserted so that it contacts the shoulder 228 and the flexible sealing ring 236 is axially offset above the upper end of the straw 240, which allows for desired movement of the flexible sealing ring 236.

[0022] The valve member 26 is received within the valve-receiving passage 38 of the cap 22 such that the valve member 26 is in an actuated position (shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 9) in which the valve member 26 can cooperate with the spout 24 to provide selective communication between the inner passage 154 of the spout 24 and the straw 240. The valve member 26 has a concave abutment surface 246. In the embodiment shown, the concave abutment surface 246 follows a radius emanating from the pivot axis 74 when the valve member 26 is received in the actuated position within the cap 22. In the embodiment shown, an outer convex surface 248 surrounds the upper beverage opening 234 when the flexible sealing ring 236 is not in contact with the concave abutment surface 246. As seen in FIG. 6, the flexible sealing ring 236 and the no longer convex outer convex surface 248 are biased toward the concave configuration to provide a proper seal when they come into contact with the convex outer surface 156 of the spout 24. Additionally, the outer convex surface 248 of the flexible sealing ring 236 deforms toward a concave configuration when in contact with the convex outer surface 156 of the spout 24, such that the bottom edge 252 of the flexible sealing ring 236 is spaced apart from the shoulder 228 when the flexible sealing ring 236 is in the concave configuration. In that manner, the flexible sealing ring 236 provides a self-adjusting seal under light pressure that can conform to the shape of the convex outer surface 156 of the spout, thereby allowing for some misalignment of the convex outer surface 156 relative to the concave abutment surface 246 of the valve member 26. In this manner, the likelihood of leakage in the straw lid valve assembly 20 is reduced. While the drawings show the outer convex surface 248 surrounding the upper beverage opening 234, the flexible sealing ring 236 could function similarly in that its outer surface follows the contour of the concave abutment surface 246. In this configuration, it is still desirable to have the bottom edge 252 of the flexible seal ring 236 spaced from the shoulder 228 when the flexible seal ring 236 is in a concave configuration similar to that shown in FIG.

[0023] Valve member 26 has a downwardly depending flange 260 depending downwardly from lower surface 214. A recess 262 is provided in downwardly depending flange 260 to allow a user to grip downwardly depending flange 260 when removing valve member 26 from cap 22. Valve member 26 also has a lower outer flange 264 defining an outer recess 266 that cooperates with lower cap 34 when valve member 26 is received within cap 22 in the actuated position.

[0024] The valve member 26 is receivable within and removable from the cap 22, allowing for easy cleaning. The spout 24 is also removable from the cap 22, allowing for easy cleaning. The valve member 26 further includes beverage passages 224, 226 and a vent passage 216, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container 28 through the straw 240 when the cap 22 is connected to the beverage container 28 and the valve member 26 is received in the operative position within the cap 22. The valve member 26 is receivable within the valve receiving passage 38 such that the top surface 212 of the valve member 26 is exposed to the environment when the spout 24 is in the drinking position and the valve member 26 is received in the operative position within the cap 22. In many conventional straw valve assemblies, the vent opening is located in a more rigid cap.

[0025] The straw lid valve assembly has been described in detail above. Modifications and alterations will occur upon reading and understanding the foregoing detailed description. However, the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. Instead, the present invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It will be appreciated that the various features and functions, or alternatives or modifications, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Furthermore, various presently unforeseen or unanticipated substitutions, modifications, variations, or improvements may subsequently occur to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the following claims. The present disclosure also includes the following inventions. The first aspect is In the straw lid valve assembly, The straw lid valve assembly comprises: a cap configured to connect to a beverage container, the cap having a valve-receiving passage; a spout pivotally connected to the cap and pivotable about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position, the spout having an internal passageway in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and closed from the beverage container when in the closed position; a valve member receivable within the cap, the valve member having a beverage passageway and an air passageway, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is received in an operative position within the cap; The valve member is a straw lid valve assembly that is receivable within the valve receiving passage so that a top surface of the valve member is exposed to the surroundings when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is received in the operating position within the cap. The second aspect is A straw lid valve assembly in a first aspect, wherein the valve member is an integrally formed piece of resilient material that fills and seals against the inside of the valve receiving passage when the valve member is received in the actuated position within the cap. The third aspect is The straw lid valve assembly of a first aspect, wherein the beverage passage has a shoulder between a lower passage and an upper passage, the shoulder having a smaller diameter than the lower passage, and the lower passage is configured to accommodate an associated straw within the lower passage. The fourth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly according to a third aspect, wherein the valve member has a flexible sealing ring surrounding an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage, the flexible sealing ring deforming toward a concave shape when the spout is in the drinking position, and when the flexible sealing ring is in the concave shape, a lowermost edge of the sealing ring is spaced apart from the shoulder. The fifth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly in a first aspect, wherein the valve member has a flexible sealing ring surrounding an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage, the flexible sealing ring being a self-adjusting seal that can conform to a convex outer surface of the spout. The sixth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly according to a fifth aspect, wherein the flexible sealing ring has an outer convex surface when not in contact with the convex outer surface of the spout, and the outer convex surface of the flexible sealing ring deforms towards a concave configuration when the flexible sealing ring is in contact with the convex outer surface of the spout. A seventh aspect is A straw lid valve assembly in a first aspect, wherein the spout has a convex outer surface offset from the top surface, and the valve member has a concave abutment surface against which the convex outer surface abuts when the valve member is accommodated in the operative position within the cap. The eighth aspect is The valve member is a straw lid valve assembly in a seventh aspect, having an upper ventilation opening of the ventilation passage located within the top surface and an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage located within the concave abutment surface. A ninth aspect is The straw lid valve assembly of an eighth aspect, wherein the spout has a vent closure that closes the upper vent opening when the spout is in the closed position. A tenth aspect is 10. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the vent closure is a bump extending from the spout. An eleventh aspect is A straw lid valve assembly in a first aspect, wherein the spout and the cap have cooperating axis features for pivotally connecting the spout to the cap, the cooperating axis features having an axis and a circular recess that accommodates the axis, one of the spout and the cap having a flow path leading from the circular recess, the axis being receivable within the flow path so that the spout can be selectively removed from the cap. A twelfth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly according to an eleventh aspect, wherein the flow path is oriented to prevent the spout from being removed from the cap when the spout is in the drinking position and the spout is pulled away from the cap in a direction aligned with the length of the flow path. A thirteenth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly in a twelfth aspect, wherein when the spout is in the closed position, the flow path is oriented to pull the spout away from the cap in a direction aligned with the length of the flow path, thereby allowing the spout to be removed from the cap. A fourteenth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly according to an eleventh aspect, wherein the circular recess and the flow path are provided in the spout, and the stem is provided in the cap. A fifteenth aspect is A straw lid valve assembly in a first aspect, wherein the valve member has an upper vent opening for the vent passage, and the spout has a vent closure that closes the upper vent opening when the spout is in the closed position.

Claims

1. In the straw lid valve assembly, The straw lid valve assembly comprises: a cap configured to connect to a beverage container, the cap having a lower wall with a valve receiving opening defining a portion of a valve receiving passageway, and a spout receiving recess having a recess floor, the valve receiving passageway extending from the lower wall to the recess floor; a spout pivotally connected to the cap and pivotable about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position, the spout having an internal passageway in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and closed from the beverage container when in the closed position; a valve member receivable within the cap, the valve member having a beverage passageway configured to receive a straw and an air passageway, both of the beverage passageway and the air passageway being in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is received in an operative position within the cap; The straw lid valve assembly, wherein the valve member is receivable within the valve accommodating passage through the valve accommodating opening such that a top surface of the valve member is exposed to the surroundings when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is accommodated in the operating position within the cap.

2. 2. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member is an integrally formed piece of resilient material that fills and seals against the interior of the valve receiving passage when the valve member is received in the actuated position within the cap.

3. 2. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the beverage passage has a shoulder between a lower passage and an upper passage, the shoulder having a smaller diameter than the lower passage, and the lower passage configured to accommodate an associated straw within the lower passage.

4. 4. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve member has a flexible sealing ring surrounding an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage, the flexible sealing ring deforming from a convex shape toward a concave shape when the spout is in the drinking position, and a lowermost edge of the flexible sealing ring spaced apart from the shoulder when the flexible sealing ring is in the concave shape.

5. 2. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member has a flexible sealing ring surrounding an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage, the flexible sealing ring being a self-adjusting seal that can conform from its convex shape to a convex outer surface of the spout.

6. In the straw lid valve assembly, The straw lid valve assembly comprises: a cap configured to connect to a beverage container, the cap having a valve-receiving passage; a spout pivotally connected to the cap and pivotable about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position, the spout having an internal passageway in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and closed from the beverage container when in the closed position; a valve member receivable within the cap, the valve member having a beverage passageway and an air passageway, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is received in an operative position within the cap; the valve member is receivable within the valve receiving passage such that an uppermost surface of the valve member is exposed to the environment when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is received in the operating position within the cap; the valve member has a flexible sealing ring surrounding an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage, the flexible sealing ring being a self-adjusting seal that can conform to a convex outer surface of the spout; the flexible seal ring has an outer convex surface when not in contact with the convex outer surface of the spout, and the outer convex surface of the flexible seal ring deforms toward a concave configuration when the flexible seal ring is in contact with the convex outer surface of the spout; the beverage passage has a shoulder between a lower passage and an upper passage, the shoulder having a smaller diameter than the lower passage, the shoulder being axially offset from the flexible sealing ring, and the lower passage configured to accommodate an associated straw within the lower passage.

7. 7. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 6, wherein the spout has a convex outer surface and the valve member has a concave abutment surface against which the convex outer surface abuts when the valve member is accommodated in the operative position within the cap.

8. 8. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the valve member has an upper vent opening of the vent passage disposed within the top surface and an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage disposed within the concave abutment surface.

9. 9. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 8, wherein the spout has a vent closure that closes the upper vent opening when the spout is in the closed position.

10. 10. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the vent closure is a bump extending from the spout.

11. In the straw lid valve assembly, The straw lid valve assembly comprises: a cap configured to connect to a beverage container, the cap having a valve-receiving passage; a spout pivotally connected to the cap and pivotable about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position, the spout having an internal passageway in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and closed from the beverage container when in the closed position; a valve member receivable within the cap, the valve member having a beverage passageway and an air passageway, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is received in an operative position within the cap; the valve member is receivable within the valve receiving passage such that an uppermost surface of the valve member is exposed to the environment when the spout is in the drinking position and the valve member is received in the operating position within the cap; the spout and the cap have cooperating axis features for pivotally connecting the spout to the cap, the cooperating axis features having an axis and a circular recess for receiving the axis, one of the spout and the cap having a flow passage leading from the circular recess, the axis being receivable within the flow passage to selectively remove the spout from the cap; the flow channel is oriented to prevent removal of the spout from the cap when the spout is in the drinking position by pulling the spout away from the cap in a direction aligned with the length of the flow channel; When the spout is in the closed position, the flow path is oriented to pull the spout away from the cap in a direction aligned with the length of the flow path, thereby allowing the spout to be removed from the cap.

12. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 11, wherein the circular recess and the flow channel are provided on the spout, and the stem is provided on the cap.

13. In the straw lid valve assembly, The straw lid valve assembly comprises: a cap configured to connect to a beverage container, the cap having a valve-receiving passage; a spout pivotally connected to the cap and pivotable about a pivot axis between a drinking position and a closed position, the spout having an internal passageway in fluid communication with the beverage container when in the drinking position and closed off from the beverage container when in the closed position, the spout having a base with a convex outer surface and an extension extending from the base, the internal passageway extending through the base and the extension; a valve member accommodated within the cap, the valve member having a beverage passage and an air passage, both of which are in fluid communication with the beverage container when the cap is connected to the beverage container and the valve member is accommodated in the cap in an operative position, the air passage extending to an upper vent opening in a top surface of the valve member, the valve member being accommodated within the valve accommodating passage such that when the valve member is accommodated in the operative position within the cap, the top surface of the valve member is exposed to the environment when the spout is in the drinking position and the extension portion covers the upper vent opening in the top surface when the spout is in the closed position; a straw received in the beverage passage, the valve member having a flexible sealing ring surrounding an upper beverage opening of the beverage passage, the flexible sealing ring being axially offset above an upper end of the straw when the straw is inserted into the beverage passage.

14. 14. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 13, wherein the cap has a lower wall having a valve accommodating opening defining a portion of the valve accommodating passage and a spout accommodating recess having a recess floor, the valve accommodating passage extending from the lower wall to the recess floor, and the valve member being accommodated within the valve accommodating passage through the valve accommodating opening.

15. 14. The straw lid valve assembly of claim 13, wherein the flexible sealing ring is a self-adjusting seal that is convex and can conform to the convex outer surface of the spout.

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