Non-spillable lid and straw for a beverage container

Abstract

The present invention is a non-spillable beverage container. The container includes a conventional lid attached to the container. The lid includes a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw and a vent opening. A conventional straw is inserted within the straw opening. A reinforcing strip is attached to the conventional straw and the conventional lid. The reinforcing strip has a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through the vent opening. A second selectably closing means is provided for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening. The vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and the first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw. In addition, the present invention includes an actuating device actuated by the mouth of the user. Providing force to the actuating device opens a closeable opening, thereby allowing the passage of liquid through the opening.

1 . A non-spillable container, the container comprising: 
 a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;    a lid attached to the container, said lid having: 
 a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw; and  
 a vent opening having a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through said opening, the first selectably closing means attachable to said lid;  
   a straw inserted within the straw opening; and    a second selectably closing means for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening, said second selectably closing means attachable to said straw;    whereby the vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.    
   
   
       2 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing means for preventing seepage of the liquid from exiting between an exterior portion of the inserted straw and the straw opening.  
   
   
       3 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  wherein the closing means includes a diaphragm attached to the vent opening.  
   
   
       4 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the diaphragm includes a slit providing the first selectably closing means to vent opening.  
   
   
       5 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the diaphragm includes a plurality of small holes providing the first selectably closing means to vent opening.  
   
   
       6 . The non-spillable container of  claim 3  wherein the diaphragm includes a porous material providing the first selectably closing means to vent opening.  
   
   
       7 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  wherein the second selectably closing means is a sheath attachable to the top of said straw.  
   
   
       8 . The non-spillable container of  claim 7  wherein the sheath includes at least one slit at a top portion of the sheath.  
   
   
       9 . The non-spillable container of  claim 7  wherein the sheath includes a plurality of holes located at a top portion of the sheath.  
   
   
       10 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  further comprising a reinforcing strip attachable to said straw, the reinforcing strip having a diaphragm attachable to the vent opening.  
   
   
       11 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  wherein the lid includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the lid to adhere to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.  
   
   
       12 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  wherein an upper portion of the container includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the upper portion which provides a means for adhering the lid to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.  
   
   
       13 . The non-spillable container of  claim 1  wherein: 
 the second selectably closing means is a sheath attachable to the top of said straw, the sheath having at least one slit at a top portion of the sheath;    the sheath includes a plurality of longitudinally rigid segments; and    whereby force placed on the sheath moves the segments Which open the slit.    
   
   
       14 . A non-spillable container, the container comprising: 
 a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;    a conventional lid attached to the container, said lid having: 
 a straw opening sized to accommodate a straw; and  
 a vent opening;  
   a conventional straw inserted within the straw opening;    a reinforcing strip attachable to said conventional straw and said conventional lid, said reinforcing strip having a first selectably closing means for preventing the passage of liquid and air through said vent opening; and    a second selectably closing means for preventing passage of liquid and air through the straw opening, said second selectably closing means attachable to said straw;    whereby the vent opening and straw opening are biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user inhales through the straw causing the vent opening and the first and second selectably closing means to be opened and liquid to pass through the straw.    
   
   
       15 . A non-spillable container, the container comprising: 
 a beverage container holding a liquid within an interior of the container;    a conventional lid attached to the container;    an opening in the lid, the opening closed when not in use;    a selectable closing means for preventing passage of liquid and air through the venting opening and the opening;    whereby the opening is biased closed when a user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user actuates the selectable closing means causing the opening to be opened and liquid to pass through the opening.    
   
   
       16 . The non-spillable container of  claim 15  wherein the selectable closing means is an actuating device which opens the opening when the user's mouth is pressed against the actuating device.  
   
   
       17 . The non-spillable container of  claim 15  wherein the lid includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the lid to adhere to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.  
   
   
       18 . The non-spillable container of  claim 15  wherein an upper portion of the container includes an adhesive on a peripheral portion of the upper portion which provides a means for adhering the lid to the container, thereby preventing liquid from spilling from the container.  
   
   
       19 . The non-spillable container of  claim 15  further comprising a vent opening affixed to the lid, whereby the vent is biased closed when the user is not drinking from the container and opens when the user actuates the selectable closing means causing the vent opening to be opened and liquid to pass through the opening.  
   
   
       20 . The non-spillable container of  claim 19  wherein the opening on the lid is located within a spout, the spout being moveable to allowing the opening and vent opening to open when force is applied to the spout.  
   
   
       21 . The non-spillable container of  claim 15  wherein the selectable closing means is actuated by providing an upward force to the closing means to open the opening.  
   
   
       22 . The non-spillable container of  claim 15  further comprising a straw with the opening, the opening biased closed when a user is not drinking.