Spill-proof lid for container

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a lid that has a design that is configured to enable drinking from any point along the perimeter of the lid while at the same time preventing liquid to escape from the lid when a user is not drinking (i.e., spill proof). The lid has a plurality of slits around at least a portion of the lid.

Claims

1. A container lid configured to engage with a container, the lid comprising: a top planar surface; a lip positioned around the circumference of the top planar surface; a cylindrical mounting base extending from an outer edge of the top planar surface, wherein the cylindrical mounting base includes a cylindrical wall, wherein the cylindrical wall is substantially perpendicular to the top planar surface, wherein an outer surface of the cylindrical wall is configured to engage with a portion of an inner surface of an opening of the container, wherein the top planar surface and the cylindrical mounting base form an interior cavity of the lid; and a plurality of slits extending through the thickness of the lip, wherein a first end of the slit is located on an outer surface of the lip, wherein a second end of the slit is located on an inner surface of the lip, wherein the slit is in fluid communication with the interior cavity, wherein, absent negative pressure applied to the slits, the slits remain closed.

2. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the cylindrical wall includes a plurality of ribs extending along at least a portion of the circumference of the outer surface.

3. The container lid of claim 1, wherein engagement between the outer surface of the cylindrical wall and the inner surface of the container forms a waterproof seal.

4. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the lip is raised relative to the top planar surface of the lid.

5. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits within the lip extend radially from an inner edge of the lip to an outer edge of the lip.

6. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of slits are linear.

7. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the lid is made of silicone.

8. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the lid is one piece of material.

9. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the lip has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example of the lid disclosed herein.

(3) FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an example of the lid disclosed herein.

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example of the lid engaged with a container.

(5) FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of an example of the lid disclosed herein engaged with a container.

(6) FIG. 4B is a side view of an example of the lid disclosed herein.

(7) FIG. 5 is a top view of an example of the lid disclosed herein illustrating a plurality of slits.

(8) FIG. 6 is a top view of an example of the lid disclosed herein illustrating a plurality of slits from an inner edge to an outer edge of the lip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present disclosure is directed to a lid 10 for a container 30. Specifically, the lid 10 can include a lid body 12 including a top planar surface 14, a cylindrical mounting base 16 configured to attach to a container 30, and a lip 18 extended from the top planar surface 14, wherein the lid 10 is one-piece. It should be understood the top planar surface 14 does not need to be planar, or perfectly planar. In an example,

(10) In an example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, the lip 18 is raised relative to the top planar surface 14. Alternatively, the lip 18 can be co-planar with the top planar surface 14. In an example, the raised lip 18 can exist continually around the circumference of the lid body 12 (i.e., a circumferential lip). Alternatively, the raised lip 18 can exist on a portion of the upper circumference of the lid body 12. The top planar surface 14 and cylindrical mounting base 16 can define an interior cavity 26 of the lid 10 that can be in fluid communication with an inner chamber of a container 30 when the lid 10 is engaged with the container 30.

(11) The lip 18 can include a plurality of slits 20. The slits 20 extend throughout the thickness of the lip, wherein the slits allow fluid to flow through the slits. For example, fluid can pass from the interior cavity 26 of the lid 10 through the slits 20. In other words, the slits 20 can create an opening between the inner cavity 26 of the lid 10 and a user's mouth. The slits 20 can be linear slits or any suitable shape including non-linear shapes, zig-zag, curves, circular, pin holes, among others. In an example, the plurality of slits 20 prevents a vacuum to be created within the container when a user is drinking from the lid.

(12) The slits 20 can be positioned within the raised lip 18 of the lid 10. As shown in FIG. 5, a first end 50 of the slits can be positioned on a top surface of the lip 18, wherein the second end 52 of the slit is positioned on the top surface of the lip 18 closer to the top planar surface 14. In an example (not shown), the first end 50 of the slits can be positioned on a top surface of the lip 18, wherein the second end 52 of the slit is positioned on an inner edge 62 of the lip 18. In an example, shown in FIG. 6, the first end 50 of the slits 20 can be positioned on an external edge 60 of the lip 18, wherein the second end 52 of the slit 20 is positioned on an inner edge 62 of the lip 18. The slits 20 can be positioned radially out from the center of the top planar surface. Alternatively, the slits 20 can be curved such that the slits 20 are relatively concentric with the curvature of the raised lip 18.

(13) The slits 20 can remain closed until a user drinks from the slits 20 wherein liquid from the container 30, via the inner cavity 26, can be accessed through the slits 20. For example, a user can drink from the slits 20 by drawing the liquid through the slits by making a partial vacuum. However, in an example, liquid cannot flow out of the slits 20 without the pressure drop from drinking, even when the container engaged with the lid 10 is tilted or inverted. In other words, the lid 10 is a no-spill lid that prevents liquid from emerging out of the lid when the liquid flow is not desired, i.e., when the user is not drinking.

(14) In an example, a user can place his or her mouth against the lip 18 of the lid to slightly bite down on the lip to drink liquid out when desired. The act of biting down on the lip 18 and/or compression of the lip 18 with the tongue causes the slits 20 to partially open to provide access to the liquid. When not in use, the slits 20 rest in a closed position in which fluid is securely blocked from passage out of the lid. Only when a user provides negative pressure and/or biting the lip 18 can a user access the liquid through the slits 20.

(15) The closed slit position provides a secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills or even deliberate attempts to force liquid outside of the container via the lid, such as by turning the container upside down, or shaking the container, are ineffective. At the same time, the lid is designed to make it very easy for toddlers, children, or adults to comfortably extract the desired amount of liquid.

(16) As a result, the lid provides very secure protection against fluid leakage in drinking products that can be used by individuals of all ages, while still providing a comfortable drinking product. The invention can be used by babies, children of all ages, and adults, and prevents messes whether from an accidentally knocked over product, or other spillage.

(17) The cylindrical mounting base 16 extending from the lip 18 can be configured to attach to a container 30, wherein the cylindrical mounting base 16 can include an outer wall 22 to be inserted within an inner surface 28 of a container 30. The outer wall can fit within the inner surface 28 by a pressure fit. Alternatively, or in addition to, the outer wall 22 can include a plurality of ribs 24 (e.g., parallel ribs around the outer surface of the outer wall 22) to aid in a pressure fit to the inner surface 28 of the container 30. Alternatively, or in addition to, the outer wall 22 can include a threading to engage with the inner surface 28 of the container 30, wherein the inner surface 28 contains compatible threading to receive the lid 10.

(18) The lid 10 can be made of any flexible material, including, but not limited to silicone. Alternatively, a variety of other suitable materials may be utilized as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. In an example, the entire one-piece lid can be made of silicone.

(19) The lip 18 including the slits 20 can have a thickness that enables enough flexibility for the liquid to release upon drinking, but not so thin to allow tearing of the slits. In an example, the thickness of the lip can be between and including 0.3-0.7 mm, 0.5-0.6 mm, 0.45-0.55 mm, among others.

(20) In an example, an outer wall 70 of the lip 18 creates structure to allow the silicon to be 0.4-0.6 mm (0.5 mm) at the top for the slits, wherein the thickness does not compromise the flow when a user drinks from the lid. An inner portion 72 of the lip 18 can be 0.2-0.5 mm (e.g., 0.3 mm) thick to create structure and integrity.

(21) It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.