Container lid with anti-spill spout

Abstract

A container lid with an anti-spill spout includes a domed top, an annular locking and sealing ridge on the inside diameter of the rim and a spout with at least one aperture the area of which is such that the surface tension of a liquid in contact with the spout is greater than atmospheric pressure to limit unintentional dispensing of the liquid in the container.

1 . A lid for use with a beverage container having an open top, said lid comprising: 
 a top portion conforming in shape to the open top of the container;    a rim portion around the periphery of said top portion, said rim portion having an annular ridge extending radially inwardly to said top portion, said annular ridge for engaging the lip of the container and sealing said lid to the container; and    a drinking spout formed in said lid portion and extending outwardly therefrom, said spout having a thin slot in communication with the inside of said container;    whereby liquid in said container may be withdrawn through said slot when a vacuum is applied to said spout.    
   
   
       2 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said top portion is generally dome-shaped.  
   
   
       3 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said rim portion snaps over the lip of the container to seal said lid to the container.  
   
   
       4 . The lid as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said annular ridge latches under the lip of the container when said rim portion snaps over the lip of the container.  
   
   
       5 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the width of said slot is approximately in the range of 0.020 inches to 0.060 inches.  
   
   
       6 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the length of said slot is approximately in the range of 0.3 inches to 0.7 inches.  
   
   
       7 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said slot includes an external opening area greater than an internal opening area of said slot.  
   
   
       8 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the length of said slot is approximately in the range of 5 to 35 times the width of said slot.  
   
   
       9 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of slots in said spout.  
   
   
       10 . The lid as set forth in  claim 1  wherein dimensions of said slot are such that the surface tension pressure of a liquid in the container in contact with said slot is greater than atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       11 . A lid for use with a beverage container having an open top, said lid comprising: 
 a generally dome-shaped top portion having a periphery conforming in shape to the open top of the container;    a rim portion around said periphery of said top portion, said rim portion having a means to seal said rim portion to the lip of the container; and    a drinking spout formed in said lid and extending outwardly therefrom, said spout having an at least one aperture in communication with the inside of the container, said aperture having a shape and area wherein the surface tension of a liquid in the container in contact with the aperture is greater than or equal to atmospheric pressure.    
   
   
       12 . The lid as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said means to seal said rim portion to the lip of the container includes an annular inwardly extending ring adapted to latch under the lip of the container.  
   
   
       13 . The lid as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said rim portion snaps over the lip of the container to seal said lid to the container.  
   
   
       14 . The lid as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said aperture is an elongated slot.  
   
   
       15 . The lid as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said slot has a width of approximately in the range of 0.02 inches to 0.06 inches.  
   
   
       16 . The lid as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said slot has a length of approximately in the range of 0.3 inches to 0.7 inches.  
   
   
       17 . The lid as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the length of said slot is approximately in the range of 5 to 35 times the length of said slot.  
   
   
       18 . The lid as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said spout includes a plurality of slots.  
   
   
       19 . The lid as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said spout includes a plurality of apertures.