Drinking vessel with spill-proof lid

Abstract

Described herein are embodiments of an apparatus that include and/or consist of a spill-proof lid for a drinking container. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a lid, where the lid is configured to include a straw having a leak-proof engagement with the lid and a one-way valve disposed in a portion of the straw that only allows liquid to exit the container (through the straw) when the pressure inside the container is sufficiently greater than the pressure outside the container.

1 . A lid for a container, comprising:
 a straw-hole in the lid;   a straw mounted substantially leak-proof in the straw-hole such that a portion of the straw extends above the straw-hole and a portion of the straw extends below the straw-hole; and   a molded, one-way valve in the straw such that a liquid only flows through the valve when a pressure differential exists across the one-way valve, wherein the molded, one-way valve is located in the portion of the straw that extends above the straw-hole.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein the straw includes a lip substantially around a circumference of the portion of the straw that extends above the straw-hole. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2  wherein the straw further includes a buttress substantially around a circumference of the portion of the straw that extends below the straw-hole. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 3  further including a seal disposed substantially around a circumference of the straw between the lip and the buttress and through the straw-hole. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 4  wherein the straw further includes a rigid retainer substantially around a circumference of the portion of the straw that extends below the straw-hole. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 5  wherein the retainer includes a span substantially around a circumference of the portion of the straw that extends below the straw-hole. 
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 6  wherein the span connects an outside diameter of the retainer to a surface of the buttress. 
     
     
         8 . The lid of  claim 7  wherein the buttress abuts a lower surface of the seal. 
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 8  wherein the outside diameter of the retainer abuts a lower surface of the lid. 
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 9  wherein a top surface of the buttress forms a first plane, and a top surface of the outside diameter of the retainer forms a second plane. 
     
     
         11 . The lid of  claim 10  wherein the first plane and the second plane are the same plane. 
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 11  wherein the straw further includes an insert region for receiving another straw. 
     
     
         13 . The lid of  claim 12  including at least one seal retainer groove for receiving at least one tab on the seal. 
     
     
         14 . The lid of  claim 13  assembled on a container. 
     
     
         15 . A drinking cup, comprising:
 a container for containing a liquid;   a lid removably attached to the container;   the lid including a straw-hole and a plurality of seal retainer grooves around a perimeter of the straw-hole;   a seal having a plurality of tabs around a perimeter of the seal such that each one of the plurality of tabs is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of seal retainer grooves to removably attach the seal to the lid, wherein the seal further includes a central bore that extends through the straw-hole;   a straw removably attached to the lid, where the straw extends through the central bore of the seal so as to assist in securely maintaining the straw in the lid and to seal liquid in the container from escaping an interface between the straw and the seal;   the straw including a lip around a perimeter of the straw wherein a bottom surface of the lip interfaces with a top surface of the seal to assist in securely maintaining the straw in the lid;   the straw further including a buttress around a perimeter of the straw wherein a top surface of the buttress interfaces with a bottom surface of the seal to assist in securely maintaining the straw in the lid;   the straw further including a retainer around a perimeter of the straw wherein a top surface of the retainer interfaces with a bottom surface of the lid to assist in securely maintaining the straw in the lid;   wherein the top surface of the buttress forms a first plane and the top surface of the retainer forms a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second plane are the same plane;   the straw further including a span between a lower surface of the buttress and the retainer to maintain the retainer a distance from the buttress; and   a molded, one-way valve in the straw such that the liquid in the container only flows through the valve when a pressure differential exists across the one-way valve, wherein the molded, one-way valve is located in a portion of the straw that extends above the straw-hole.