Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
BEVERAGE CONTAINER WITH A STRAW STORAGE COMPARTMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to beverage containers with a
canister and a lid, and
more particularly to beverage containers with storage compai intents.
BACKGROUND
[0002] With increased demand for new environmentally-friendly hydration
products over
single-use plastic ones, there has been a push in the market towards dual-
function lids which
provide options for both lid sipping (primarily for hot beverages, such as
coffee) and straw
drinking (typically for colder beverages or water), as this design option
provides a greater
product value. However, these dual-lidded products have a fundamental issue:
where to put
the reusable straw when it is not in use, either because the customer is using
the sip lid function
or simply transporting the tumbler. Placing the straw in a bag or purse would
require thorough
cleaning before use and the straw can easily get misplaced or forgotten when
packing up to
leave the house, when moving around quickly on public transport, or even
during routine
cleaning.
SUMMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An object of the present invention is to address consumer
problems which have
arisen due to the increased use of reusable straw tumblers and other such
hydration items.
[0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide a straw
storage solution in wich
a straw may be stored within a handle of the hydration item so as to allow all
parts of the
product to remain in one place for easy access and transportation.
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Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
[0005]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hydration item that
has straw
storage in addition to a dual-functioning lid, which provides a potential
customer with greater
value, as they are purchasing a 2-in-1 item which can seamlessly pivot from a
hot beverage
functionality to a cold beverage one without having to keep track of the
straw.
[0006] In
exemplary embodiments, the beverage container of the present invention
provides a sleek, new solution to this growing consumer issue within the
hydration sphere. The
handle not only provides a comfortable grip and support, but also includes a
compartment for
a collapsible stainless-steel straw to be securely stored into when not in
use. This recessed
compai ___________________________________________________________________
anent is deep enough so that one's hand won't touch the straw when normally
gripping
the handle and also features a clip which the straw snaps into so that the
straw is secured into
place. The straw itself can be easily extracted from the handle and then
pulled to its full length
for quick-and-easy sipping.
[0007] A
container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
comprises: a canister comprising: a side wall; and a handle extending from the
side wall, the
handle comprising a compaitment configured for storage of a drinking straw;
and a lid disposed
on the canister.
[0008] In
an exemplary embodiment, the handle comprises a bottom portion, a top portion,
and a side portion extending between the bottom and top portions, and the
compai anent is
disposed in the side portion.
[0009] In
an exemplary embodiment, the compartment comprises extending elements
configured to releasably hold a straw within the compartment.
[0010] In
an exemplary embodiment, a front surface of the side portion comprises a slot
in
communication with the compartment.
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Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the slot has a length that is less
than the entire length
of the compai __ anent.
[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, a rear surface of the side portion
comprises an
opening in communication with the compartment.
[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, 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.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, 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.
[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, 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.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the cover comprises an access opening
aligned with
the straw opening when the cover is in the closed configuration.
[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the top surface comprises a raised
rim.
[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the raised rim comprises a protruding
portion with a
height that is larger than that of remaining portions of the rim.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the sip opening is disposed directly
adjacent to the
protruding portion of the rim.
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[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the straw opening is diposed at the
center of the lid.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the canister is cylindrical shaped.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the lid comprises a threaded side
surface that mates
with a threaded interior surface of the canister.
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;
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Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
[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
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-15
Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
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
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Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
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
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Atty. Dkt. No. 14207-351
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.
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[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] FIG. 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.
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[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.
Date Recue/Date Received 2023-09-15
