RELATED APPLLICATION

This International Application claims priority to US Utility Patent Application No. 14/137,505 and is incorporated by reference herewith.

BACKGROUND

Some conventional drink bottles or containers that house water or other potable beverages can include a lid. Some lids may include a spout, a nozzle or an opening to fit, for example, a tube or straw, and allow a user to access or drink the liquids contained within the bottle without removing the lid. However, such spouts, nozzles and/or openings are susceptible to leaks, particularly as the bottle is jostled during every day travels.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved lids for bottles that possess leak resistance while allowing access contents of the bottle without removing the lid.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a lid having a base that defines a channel and a cover or cap in communication with a top of the channel. The lid includes a lid-latch configured to releasably engage the cover and hold the cover proximate the top of the channel in the closed position. The lid also includes a tube that defines a conduit. The tube is housed in the channel of the lid and coupled to its base. The tube permits access to contents (e.g., liquids) of a corresponding container via the conduit. At least a portion of the tube is collapsible so as to bias the cover away from the top of the channel. In addition, the tube, when collapsed, restricts fluid flow through the conduit.

In certain embodiments, the lid further includes a nipple coupled to the tube. The nipple is configured to restrictively allow fluid flow through the conduit.

According to some embodiments, the nipple is coupled to a proximal end of the tube. Operatively, the nipple, when moved toward a distal end of the tube (e.g., when the tube is compressed), causes a middle portion of the tube is resiliently collapsed thereby restricting fluid flow through the conduit, as discussed above.

In other embodiments, the channel of the lid (which houses the tube) also defines a path of movement for the nipple. In some embodiments, the lid further includes a hinge attaching the cover to the lid. In such embodiments, the cover is biased away from the top of the channel via the hinge (e.g., in addition to the compressed tube). The hinge is typically formed, at least in part, from silicone.

According to other embodiments, the cover includes a cover-latch that engages the lid-latch of the lid. Operationally, the cover pivots about the hinge into open and closed positions. In the closed position, the cover-latch engages the lid- latch thereby holding the cover proximate the top of the channel. To open the lid, the lid-latch is disengaged (e.g., via a release member) thereby allowing the cover to pivot open or away from the top of the channel (e.g., via a bias from the compressed tube and/or a bias from the cover hinge, discussed above). The release member is actuated toward the tube to cause the lid-latch to release the cover.

In certain other embodiments, the lid further includes a nipple coupled to the tube. The nipple is configured to restrictively allow fluid flow through the conduit. Similarly, the tube, when compressed, also restricts fluid flow through the conduit.

Notably, as discussed herein, the lid is configured to couple to a drink container, e.g., a bottle. The above discussed embodiments can be implemented alone or in combination, as is understood by those skilled in the art.

These and other features of the lid of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the various embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the figure wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid arranged on a bottle according to one representative embodiment of the present invention, showing the lid in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid arranged on the bottle of FIG. 1 , showing the lid in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the lid shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the lid taken at cut lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the lid shown in FIG. 1 , showing the lid between the open and the closed position; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the lid taken at cut lines 6-6 of FIG. 2. DEFINITIONS

The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to the following definitions:

As used in the specification and claims, the singular form "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used in the specification and claims, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"

"containing," "having," and the like can have the meaning ascribed to them in U.S. patent law and can mean "includes," "including," and the like.

Unless specifically stated or obvious from context, as used herein, the term "or" is understood to be inclusive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the invention provide lids and containers. Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject invention. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a lid in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other aspects of the lid are provided in FIGS. 2-6, as will be described herein. The lids of this disclosure can be used in with various containers, bottles, canisters, or other suitable applications.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a lid 100 can include a base portion 105, which can be coupled to a container or body portion 1 10, and together can be referred to as a "bottle." Container 1 10 can be sized to hold a volume of liquid and can include a neck portion having an opening that can releasably couple to base portion 105. For example, the neck portion and base portion 105 can be coupled by complimentary threading (e.g., a screw on configuration), a snap closure, etc. Lid 100 can also include a spout or tube 1 15 defining a conduit 120 therein, where the spout or tube defines a straw. As shown, tube 1 15 can be coupled to an extension portion 1 18 so as to access liquid housed within container 1 10 (e.g., a person can draw liquid up through extension tube 1 18 through conduit 120 of tube 1 15). In other embodiments, tube 1 15 can be formed integral (e.g., via a single mold) with the extension tube 1 18. Alternatively, extension tube 1 18 may not be present, thus requiring a user to tilt and pour liquid out of container 1 10 via tube 1 15. Additionally, as shown, tube 1 15 can be formed or coupled with a nipple 1 17 (e.g., a one way valve, a bite valve, etc.).

Still referring to FIG. 1 , lid 100 includes a cover 125 that pivots about a hinge 130 to open and close the lid. Lid 100 also includes a lid-latch 127 that releasably mates or releasably engages with a corresponding cover-latch 128. In operation, I id - latch 127 holds cover 125 proximate to tube 1 15 causing lid 100 to maintain a closed position as depicted in FIG. 2. Lid-latch 127 disengages cover-latch 128 via actuating a release member 135 toward tube 1 15. As shown, lid-latch 127 is formed integral with release member 135. Release member 135 (and thus, lid-latch 127) is biased away from tube 1 15 via a spring. In this fashion, lid-latch 127 catches or engages with cover-latch 128 and hold cover-latch 128 proximate a top of tube 1 15 when cover 125 is closed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of lid 100 is shown in a closed position. Operatively, as discussed above, cover 125 pivots about hinge 130 into a closed position, which causes tube 1 15 to resiliently collapse about itself. In the closed position, conduit 120 (not shown) is restricted (e.g., the walls of tube 1 15 collapse or fold on each other). In other words, tube 1 15 can include a flexible material such as silicone that folds over itself thereby restricting or compressing the inner walls of tube 1 15 to prevent liquid from escaping container 1 10, when tube 1 15 is collapsed. In some embodiments, tube 1 15 is biased against collapse such that tube 1 15 pushes against or resists cover 125 as cover 125 rotates into the closed position. Further, as shown, lid-latch 127 is engaged or mated with corresponding cover-latch 128 thereby holding cover 125 in the closed position.

With reference now to FIG. 3, components of lid 100 are shown in an exploded perspective view. Notably, each of these components can be individually constructed (e.g., via known molding techniques), constructed in various

combinations, or constructed as a one piece design (e.g., via 3-D printing or other similar molding techniques).

As shown, lid 100 includes a channel 305, which receives tube 1 15 and nipple 1 17. Channel 305 is configured to provide a path of movement for nipple 1 17 (and tube 1 15). Notably, in some embodiments, channel 305 and/or nipple 1 17 are configured to prevent tube 1 15 and nipple 1 17 from being removed from lid 100. For example, nipple 1 17 can be fixed to tube 1 15 and tube 1 15 can be configured to attach to a bottom of channel 305 thereby preventing tube 1 15 and nipple 1 17 from being removed from channel 305. Further, channel 305 can include a tapered design whereby the channel becomes narrow at the opening that nipple 1 17 exits. Similarly, nipple 1 17 can include a complimentary tapered design whereby nipple 1 17 is thicker at a base portion so as to prevent nipple 1 17 from being pulled through a top of channel 305. Additional configurations are also appreciated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention (e.g., protrusions and complimentary receiving orifices, etc.).

FIG. 3 also illustrates a spring 310 that biases release member 135 away from tube 1 15 and channel 305. As discussed above, cover 125 pivots about hinge 130 to open and close the lid while release member 135 acts to releasably

engage/disengage lid-latch 127 to/from cover-latch 128. In particular, when release member 135 is actuated toward tube 1 15 thereby compressing spring 310, lid-latch 127 disengages cover-latch 128.

FIGS. 4-6 provide cross-sectional side elevation views of lid 100 when operated to open and close tube 1 15. Particularly, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view taken at cut lines 4-4 of FIG. 1 and showing tube 1 15 in the open position. As shown, cover 125 pivots about hinge 130 to begin closing the lid 100. Notably, FIG. 4 illustrates tube 1 15 in an open position with a middle portion 405 fully extended.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the lid 100, showing cover 125 approaching tube 1 15 (and nipple 1 17). Nipple 1 17 actuates or moves in a path defined by channel 305 (i.e., perpendicularly upward and downward relative to lid 100). When cover 125 approaches tube 1 15, nipple 1 15 actuates or moves down channel 305 thereby causing tube 1 15 to begin to collapse about middle portion 405. That is, middle portion 405 of tube 1 15 begins to fold or collapse on itself when nipple 1 17 traverses down channel 305. When middle portion 405 collapses, inner walls 505 begin compress thereby restricting restrict conduit 120.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the lid 100 taken at cut lines 6-6 of FIG. 2, showing tube 1 15 in the closed position with lid-latch 127 releasably engaging cover 125 (via cover latch 128) and holding cover 125 proximate the top of channel 305. As shown, nipple 1 17 is retai

thereby causing tube 1 15 to collapse about middle portion 405. When tube 1 15 is collapsed, inner walls 505 compress to restrict fluid flow through conduit 120 thereby preventing liquids from escaping lid 100. The progression shown in FIGS. 4-6 can be reversed to open lid 100 as discussed above. Upon opening lid 100, cover 125 rotates about hinge 130, nipple 1 17 traverses channel 305 to exit conduit 120 and middle portion 405 of tube 1 15 extends.

The embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings, provide for a lid that can be opened and closed without removal of the lid. In particular, a user can easily move the tube 1 15 between an open and a closed position via the actuating release member 135 and consume a liquid (e.g., a beverage) in the container. While these embodiments have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.