Lid

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a lid assembly for a beverage container including a lid body having a central channel formed therein and defining a first aperture that extends longitudinally therethrough. The lid assembly further includes a lower flipper rotatably coupled to the lid body, the lower flipper defining a second aperture and a third aperture which extend longitudinally therethrough. A plug is coupled to the lower flipper and defines a fourth aperture that extends longitudinally therethrough. A seal is disposed within and covers the fourth aperture.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A lid assembly for a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising:
 a lid body having a central channel formed therein and defining a first aperture that extends longitudinally therethrough;   a lower flipper rotatably coupled to the lid body, the lower flipper defining a second aperture and a third aperture which extend longitudinally therethrough;   a plug coupled to the lower flipper and defining a fourth aperture that extends longitudinally therethrough; and   a seal disposed within and covering the fourth aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The lid assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture, the second aperture, and the fourth aperture are concentrically aligned when the lower flipper is rotated to a first position in the central channel. 
     
     
         3 . The lid assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plug further includes a fastening pin that extends therefrom, and wherein the fastening pin is configured to fit into the third aperture of the lower flipper to couple the plug to the lower flipper. 
     
     
         4 . The lid assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lower flipper includes a first alignment flange that extends downwardly therefrom and concentric to the second aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The lid assembly of  claim 4 , wherein a bearing gap is formed in the plug between a bearing surface and a second alignment flange which extend concentrically around the fourth aperture, and wherein the first alignment flange is configured to be fastened within the bearing gap when the plug is coupled to the lower flipper. 
     
     
         6 . The lid assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first aperture defines an elliptical shape. 
     
     
         7 . The lid assembly of  claim 6 , wherein a third alignment flange extends downward from the plug concentrically and corresponds to the elliptical shape of the first aperture, and wherein the third alignment flange is configured to be seated within the first aperture when the plug is rotated to a first position in the central channel. 
     
     
         8 . The lid assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lower flipper includes a lower flipper body with a front end and a rear end, a lower tab that extends upwardly from the front end of the flipper body, and a hinge joint that extends rearwardly from the lower flipper body. 
     
     
         9 . A lid assembly for a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising:
 a lid body including a head and a base that extends downward from the head along a longitudinal axis, the head defining a front end, a rear end, and a diameter therebetween;   a transverse axis that intersects the front end and the rear end of the head;   a central channel that is formed in the head and extends along the transverse axis between the front end and the rear end; and   sidewalls that extend upward on either side of the central channel and define a width of the central channel therebetween,   wherein the width of the central channel is between about 20% and about 30% of the diameter of the head.   
     
     
         10 . The lid assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the lid body further includes an outer rim that extends circumferentially around the head and defines a top-most edge of the lid body. 
     
     
         11 . The lid assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a slot is formed in the outer rim at the rear end of the head, and wherein the central channel is formed between the outer rim at the front end of the head and the slot. 
     
     
         12 . The lid assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the central channel defines a concavely shaped first segment that extends rearwardly from the front end of the head, a linear second segment that extends rearwardly from the first segment, and a planar third segment that extends between the second segment and the rear end of the head. 
     
     
         13 . The lid assembly of  claim 12 , wherein a first aperture extends longitudinally through the first segment of the central channel. 
     
     
         14 . The lid assembly of  claim 12 , wherein hinge recesses are formed in each of the sidewalls adjacent to a junction between the second segment and the third segment of the central channel. 
     
     
         15 . A lid assembly for a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising:
 a lid body including a first aperture that extends longitudinally therethrough;   a central channel formed in the lid body;   an upper flipper rotatably coupled to the lid body within the central channel;   a lower flipper rotatably coupled to the upper flipper within the central channel, the lower flipper defining a second aperture and a third aperture which extend longitudinally therethrough; and   a plug coupled to the lower flipper, the plug defining a fourth aperture which extends longitudinally therethrough,   wherein the first aperture, the second aperture, and the fourth aperture are axially aligned when the lower flipper is rotated to a first position in the central channel.   
     
     
         16 . The lid assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the upper flipper and the lower flipper are coupled to the lid body along a hinge axis formed across the central channel. 
     
     
         17 . The lid assembly of  claim 16 , wherein sidewalls extend upward on either side of the central channel, and wherein each sidewall includes one or more retainers which protrude inwardly therefrom into the central channel. 
     
     
         18 . The lid assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the upper flipper and the lower flipper are capable of being rotated about the hinge axis between the first position and a second position. 
     
     
         19 . The lid assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more retainers contact the upper flipper and the lower flipper when the lower flipper is rotated to the second position. 
     
     
         20 . The lid assembly of  claim 15 , wherein an alignment ring extends downward from the upper flipper, and wherein the alignment ring extends into the second aperture and contact an inner wall of the second aperture when the upper flipper is rotated to the first position.