Container with multifunction lid and straw

Abstract

The present invention includes a drinking container with a multifunction lid. The lid can be configured to engage an opening of the container to retain liquid within the container. The lid may further include a first opening for dispensing liquid. Additionally, the lid may include a second opening for receiving a straw. The lid may also include a first cover for covering the first opening in a first position and for allowing access to the first opening in a second position. The lid may also include a second cover for covering the second opening in a first position and for allowing access to the second opening in a second position.

1 . A drinking cup, comprising:
 a container that retains a liquid within the container;   a lid that engages an opening of the container;   a drinking opening in the lid sized and configured to allow a user to drink from the drinking opening;   a drinking straw opening in the lid including a straw mounted in the drinking straw opening in a sealed yet removable manner, where the drinking straw opening is spaced laterally apart and separate from the drinking opening, such that the drinking opening and the drinking straw opening provide independent drinking openings in the lid;   a first cover attached to the lid to move between a first position and a second position relative to the drinking opening, whereby the first cover is configured to preclude liquid from being dispensed from the drinking opening in the first position and to allow liquid to be dispensed from the drinking opening in the second position; and   a second cover attached to the lid to move between a first position and a second position relative to the drinking straw opening, whereby the second cover is configured to preclude liquid from being dispensed from the drinking straw opening in the first position and to allow liquid to be dispensed from the drinking straw opening in the second position,   whereby the first cover and the second cover are attached to the lid such that movement of the first cover between its first and second position is independent of movement of the second cover between its first and second position, and movement of the second cover between its first and second position is independent of movement of the first cover between its first and second position.   
     
     
         2 . The drinking cup of  claim 1  further comprising a rim on a periphery of the lid having a raised edge around at least a portion of the periphery of the lid, wherein the rim is sized and configured to engage a user's lips. 
     
     
         3 . The drinking cup of  claim 2  further comprising a first lock for locking the first cover in its first position. 
     
     
         4 . The drinking cup of  claim 3  further comprising a second lock for locking the first cover in its second position. 
     
     
         5 . The drinking cup of  claim 4  wherein the straw is spill-proof. 
     
     
         6 . The drinking cup of  claim 5  wherein at least a portion of the straw is flexible. 
     
     
         7 . The drinking cup of  claim 6  wherein the first cover is attached to the lid to move between its first position and its second position while the straw is mounted in the drinking straw opening. 
     
     
         8 . The drinking cup of  claim 7  wherein the first cover includes a cutout in which the second cover nests when the first cover is in its first position and the second cover is in its first position. 
     
     
         9 . The drinking cup of  claim 8  wherein the straw extends through the cutout in the first cover when the first cover is in its first position. 
     
     
         10 . The drinking cup of  claim 9  wherein the straw does not extend through the cutout in the first cover when the second lock locks the first cover in its second position. 
     
     
         11 . The drinking cup of  claim 10  wherein the straw is configured to pass through the cutout in the first cover when the first cover moves from its first position to its second position or from its second position to its first position. 
     
     
         12 . The drinking cup of  claim 11  wherein the first cover rotates between its first position and its second position on a first axis. 
     
     
         13 . The drinking cup of  claim 12  wherein the second cover rotates between its first position and its second position on a second axis. 
     
     
         14 . The drinking cup of  claim 13  wherein the first lock for locking the first cover in its first position includes a flange on the drinking opening cover interfacing with the rim on the periphery of the lid. 
     
     
         15 . The drinking cup of  claim 14  wherein the second lock for locking the first cover in its second position includes the drinking opening cover interfacing with a cutout in the rim on the periphery of the lid. 
     
     
         16 . The drinking cup of  claim 15  wherein the lid includes a vent for pressure equalization when the liquid is dispensed through at least one of the drinking opening or the drinking straw opening. 
     
     
         17 . The drinking cup of  claim 16  wherein the second cover covers the vent when the second cover is in its second position. 
     
     
         18 . The drinking cup of  claim 17  wherein the first axis extends through a first pair of pivot points on the lid, and the second axis extends through a second pair of pivot points on the first cover. 
     
     
         19 . The drinking cup of  claim 18  wherein the first and the second axis are located slightly offset from a center of the lid. 
     
     
         20 . The drinking cup of  claim 19  wherein the first axis and the second axis are the same axis. 
     
     
         21 . The drinking cup of  claim 20  wherein the first axis is located in a depressed surface of lid. 
     
     
         22 . The drinking cup of  claim 21  wherein the first cover includes a recess for accessing the second cover when the second cover is nested in the cutout in the first cover. 
     
     
         23 . The drinking cup of  claim 22  wherein the container includes a handle.