BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH A STRAW STORAGE COMPARTMENT

Abstract

A container including a canister having a a side wall and a handle extending from the side wall. The handle includes a compartment configured for storage of a drinking straw. A lid is disposed on the canister and includes a straw opening and a sip opening. A cover on the lid is moveable between a closed configuration in which the sip opening is blocked by the cover while allowing for insertion of a straw into the straw opening and an open configuration in which the sip opening is exposed for use.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a canister comprising: a side wall; and a handle extending from the side wall, the handle comprising a compartment; a lid disposed on the canister; and a collapsible straw the entirety of which is stored in the compartment of the handle.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a bottom portion, a top portion, and a side portion extending between the bottom and top portions, and the compartment is disposed in the side portion.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the compartment comprises extending elements configured to releasably hold a straw within the compartment.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein a front surface of the side portion comprises a slot in communication with the compartment.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the slot has a length that is less than the entire length of the compartment.

6. The container of claim 2, wherein a rear surface of the side portion comprises an opening in communication with the compartment.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a top surface, and a straw opening and a sip opening disposed in the top surface and through the entire thickness of the lid.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the lid further comprises a cover hingedly attached to the top surface, wherein the cover is pivotable between a closed configuration in which the cover is disposed over the sip opening and an open configuration in which the sip opening is exposed for use.

9. The container of claim 7, wherein the lid comprises a bottom surface and a flap disposed on the bottom surface, wherein the flap is biased into a closed configuration in which the flap covers the straw opening and further wherein the flap is configured to be pushed out of the closed configuration to allow for passage of a straw through the straw opening.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises an access opening aligned with the straw opening when the cover is in the closed configuration.

11. The container of claim 7, wherein the top surface comprises a raised rim.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the raised rim comprises a protruding portion with a height that is larger than that of remaining portions of the rim.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the sip opening is disposed directly adjacent to the protruding portion of the rim.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein the straw opening is disposed at the center of the lid.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the canister is cylindrical shaped.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a threaded side surface that mates with a threaded interior surface of the canister.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with references to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conainer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the container taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIGS. 5A-5E are perspective views showing removal of a straw from a container in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a top planar view of a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views showing a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in different configurations;

[0031] FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a lid according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 9A is a side view of a collapsible drinking straw in an extended configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] FIG. 9B is a cross sectional view taken along the line K-K in FIG. 9A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 10A is a side view of a collapsible drinking straw in a collapsed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view taken along the line L-L in FIG. 10A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the present invention is directed to a hydration item with a dual-function lid that can work as both a straw lid and a sip lid. The item may also include a side handle configured to store a collapsible straw when the straw is not in use. In exemplary embodiments, the hydration item is a container for holding a beverage (e.g., water, juice, soda, etc.) for drinking. Examples of such containers include tumblers and mugs. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of container as long as the container includes a handle.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container, generally designated by reference number 1, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The container 1 may be configured to store a volume liquid, such as, for example, water or other beverages for drinking. The container 1 includes a canister 10 and a lid 30 disposed on the canister 10. In this regard, the lid 30 may include a threaded outer surface that engages with a corresponding threaded inner surface of the canister 10 so that the lid 30 may be placed on and removed from the canister 10 by twisting the lid 30 in opposite directions.

[0039] In one example, the canister 10 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, however, it is contemplated that the canister 10 may be embodied with any shape, such as a cuboidal shape, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The canister 10 has an open top and a closed bottom to allow for filling the canister 10 with liquid. In exemplary embodiments, the canister 10 may have side wall 12 with a single or multiple wall construction, and in a specific exemplary embodiment may have a double-wall construction, to provide the container 1 with insulative properties.

[0040] The canister 10 includes a handle 20 made up of a bottom portion 24, a top portion 26 and a side portion 22 extending between the bottom and top portions 24, 26. The handle 20 may be made of plastic, a specific example being polypropylene. The bottom and top portions 24, 26 are directly attached to and extend outwardly from the side wall 12 of the canister 10 so that the side portion 22 is spaced from the side wall of the canister 10. The space between the side portion 22 of the handle 20 and the side wall 12 of the canister 10 allows a user to grasp the handle 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance that the bottom portion 24 of the handle 20 extends from the side wall 12 is larger than the distance that the top portion 26 extends so that the side portion 22 of the handle 20 is angled outwardly from the top to the bottom of the container 1. However, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this construction, and in other exemplary embodiments the side portion 22 may extend parallel to a center axis of the container 1.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2, the rear of the side portion 22 of the handle 20 includes an opening 29. As explained in further detail below, the opening 29 allows a user to push a collapsible straw previously stored in the handle 20 out of the handle 20 so that the straw can be used to drink from the container 1.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle 20 has a generally hollow construction, and in particular the side portion 22 of the handle 20 includes a hollow compartment that allows for storage of drinking straw 100. In this regard, the front of the side portion 22 of the handle 20 includes a slot 23 configured for insertion of the straw 100 into the hollow interior of the side portion 22. In exemplary embodiments, a pair of flexible extending elements 25A, 25B protrude outwards into the hollow interior of the side portion 22 of the handle 20. The extending elements 25A, 25B are appropriately spaced to allow the straw 100 to be inserted between the extending elements 25A, 25B. Accordingly, the straw 100 may be clipped into the handle 20 by friction fit between the extending elements 25A, 25B. In this regard, the extending elements 25A, 25B may be made of flexible material, such as, for example, plastic or metal.

[0043] In exemplary embodiments, the length L of the slot 23 is less than the length of the straw 100 in the collapsed configuration so that the sipping portion of the straw 100 intended for direct contact with the mouth of a user is covered by an outer wall 27 of the side portion 22. In exemplary embodiments, the outer wall 27 prevents the sipping portion of the straw 100 from exposure to usanitary conditions. Further, the depth of the hollow compartment in the side portion 22 of the handle 20 is large enough so that a user's hand is prevented from contacting the straw 100 when the user is normally gripping the handle 20.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, a user may remove the straw 100 from the handle 20 by inserting his/her finger (or a separate item) into the opening 29 at the rear of the side portion 22 of the handle 20. Specifically, FIG. 5A shows the straw 100 clipped into the hollow side portion 22, and FIG. 5B shows the straw 100 as it is being ejected from the handle 20 due to exertion of pressure to the straw 100 through the opening 29. As further shown in FIGS. 5C-5E, the straw 100 can then be completely removed from the handle 20 and extended for use with the container 1, as further explained below.

[0045] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, and also as shown in FIG. 6, the lid 30 has a generally circular profile and includes a top surface 31. The outer perimeter of the top surface 31 is raised from the inner portion of the top surface 31 so as to form a rim 33. In exemplary embodiments, the rim 33 has the same height around the perimeter of the top surface 31 except for a raised portion 37 (FIG. 1) that is in line with a sip opening 39 (FIG. 7A). The top surface 31 also includes a straw opening 35 that extends through the lid 30 into communication with the interior of the canister 10. As shown in the figures, the sip opening 39 is arranged directly adjacent to the raised portion 37 of the rim 33, while the straw opening 35 is arranged at or close to the center of the lid 30.

[0046] The lid 30 further includes a cover 32 the is hingedly attached to the top surface 31 of the lid 30. As explained in detail below, the cover 32 may be flipped back and forth via the hinged connection to either block or allow access to the sip opening 39. This allows for drinking from the canister 1 either by sipping directly from the sip opening 39 or by using a straw through the straw opening 35 while preventing unwanted spillage from the lid 30.

[0047] As best shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the lid 30 also includes a bottom surface 41. A flap 42 disposed on the bottom surface is biased in the closed portion over the straw opening 35 by, for example, a spring. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the straw 100 is inserted into the straw opening 35, the straw 100 pushes the flap 42 open so that the straw can be further inserted into the canister 10 to the depth of the liquid. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the straw 100 is removed, the flap 42 snaps back into position over the straw opening 35, creating a seal to prevent liquids from exiting and any substance from entering the straw opening 35.

[0048] Turning to FIGS. 7A-7B, as previously explained, the lid 30 provides a dual function in that it allows for drinking with a straw and allows for sipping directly from the canister 10. In this regard, FIG. 7A shows the cover 32 in the open configuration in which the sip opening 39 is exposed for use. In exemplary embodiments, the cover 32 may include an outer raised ridge portion 44 that rests against the rim 33 of the lid 30 when the cover 32 is in the open configuration.

[0049] FIGS. 7B and 7C show the cover 32 in the closed configuration in which the sip opening 39 is completely sealed by the cover 32. The cover 32 may be locked into the closed position by a snap fit between the ridge portion 44 of the cover 32 and the rim 33 of the lid 30. The cover 32 has an access opening 46 in alignment with the straw opening 35 so that when the cover 32 is closed, the straw 100 may be inserted into the access opening 46 of the cover 32 and also through the straw opening 35 of the lid 30. In the closed configuration, the cover 32 prevents unwanted leakage from the sip opening 39 while allowing for use of a straw to drink from the container 1.

[0050] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B show a collapsible straw 100 that may be used with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The straw 100 may have telescoping sections to allow for transitioning of the straw 100 between extended and contracted configurations. FIGS. 9A and 9B show the straw 100 in an extended configuration, while FIGS. 10A and 10B show the straw 100 in a contracted configuration. When in the contracted configuration, the straw 100 may be placed for storage in the handle 20, as described herein. In exemplary embodiments, the straw 100 may be made of stainless steel.

[0051] FIGS. 11A and 11B show various dimensions of the container 1 in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The dimensions shown in the figures (which are in mm) are merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting.

[0052] Now that embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon can become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The spirit and scope of the present invention is to be construed broadly.