Container with combination lid and handle

Abstract

Described herein are embodiments of an apparatus that include and/or consist of a spill-proof lid for a drinking container. In an embodiment, the apparatus may include a lid, where the lid is configured to include a straw having a leak-proof engagement with the lid and may also include 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. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a handle attached to the spill-proof lid that moves between an open and a closed position and that makes carrying the apparatus easier.

1 . A container having a removable lid, comprising:
 a straw-hole in the lid;   a straw mounted substantially leak-proof in the straw-hole;   a sunken surface at least partially around an outer circumference of the lid; and   a handle attached to the lid to move between an open and a closed position, wherein at least part of the handle rests in the sunken surface in its closed position such that a top surface of the handle is flush with a top surface of the lid and a side surface of the handle is flush with a side surface of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the handle is attached to the lid by a hinged axis. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the straw includes a one-way valve such that a liquid only flows through the valve when a pressure differential exists across the one-way valve. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  including a lock to lock the lid in its closed position. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the lock includes a lid tab and a handle receptacle, wherein the lid is in its closed and locked position when the lid tab resides in the handle receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the hinged axis is formed by the handle having at least one handle prong inserted into at least one lid prong receptacle on the lid. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the handle includes at least one axel receptacle, where each axel receptacle includes a bore through an outer surface of the handle and extends through a handle prong. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the hinged axis includes an axel and the axel extends through at least one axel receptacle and at least one handle prong. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the straw includes a lip. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein the straw further includes a buttress. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the lid further includes a seal, where the seal is disposed between the lip and the buttress on the straw. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the straw further includes a retainer. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the retainer includes a span. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13  wherein the span connects an outside diameter of the retainer to a surface of the buttress. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14  wherein the buttress abuts a lower surface of the seal. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the outside diameter of the retainer abuts a lower surface of the lid. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16  wherein a top surface of the buttress forms a first plane and a top surface of the retainer forms a second plane. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein the first plane and the second plane are the same plane. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the straw further includes an insert region for receiving another straw. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19  wherein the lid includes at least one seal retainer groove for receiving at least one tab on the seal.