Splash-resistant drinking device

Abstract

A splash-resistant drinking device for use with a lid of a cup. The device includes a stem that insertably engages an outlet opening of the lid. The stem has upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent the upper end, a bottom opening adjacent the lower end, and a cavity extending between the top and bottom openings. The stem is sized and shaped so as to be insertable into the outlet opening of the lid such that the lower end, and hence the bottom opening, are immersed in liquid contained in the cup. A column of the liquid is contained within the cavity, thereby inhibiting the splashing of the liquid through the outlet opening.

1 . A splash-resistant device for a lid of a cup containing liquid therein, comprising a stem having upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent said upper end, a bottom opening adjacent said lower end, and a cavity extending between said top and bottom openings, said stem being sized and shaped so as to be insertable into an outlet opening of the lid of the cup such that when the cup is tilted, the liquid can flow through said cavity of said stem and through the outlet opening to flow outside of the cup, said stem having a length such that when said stem is positioned through the outlet opening of the lid, said lower end and hence said bottom opening are immersed in the liquid, and such that a column of the liquid is contained within said cavity of said stem, whereby the column of the liquid within said cavity inhibits the splashing of the liquid through the outlet opening. 
     
     
         2 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein said stem includes at least one lateral opening positioned at a location intermediate said upper and lower opposed ends. 
     
     
         3 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one lateral opening is positioned proximate said top opening. 
     
     
         4 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one deflector proximate said at least one lateral opening, said at least one deflector protruding at least partially into said cavity, and said at least one deflector being sized and shaped so as to redirect the liquid flowing into said cavity to flow in a direction away from said top opening. 
     
     
         5 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one deflector surrounds said at least one lateral opening. 
     
     
         6 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 4 , wherein said at least one lateral opening includes an upper lateral opening positioned proximate said top opening, and said bottom opening is positioned directly below said upper lateral opening so as to form a lower lateral opening in said stem. 
     
     
         7 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 4 , wherein said bottom opening is offset, and said bottom opening is positioned directly below said lateral opening. 
     
     
         8 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 1 , further comprising a spout which engages said upper end of said stem, said spout including an orifice and a channel which extends between said orifice and said top opening of said stem. 
     
     
         9 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein said stem is tapered such that said upper end has a first circumference and said lower end has a second circumference that is less than said first circumference. 
     
     
         10 . The splash-resistant device of  claim 1 , wherein said stem includes a flange-shaped lip extending radially outward from said upper end of said stem, said lip having a lower surface that engages a top surface of the lid of the cup. 
     
     
         11 . In combination, a cup for containing liquid therein, said cup having a lid with an outlet opening formed therein, and
 a splash-resistant device including a stem, said stem having upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent said upper end, a bottom opening adjacent said lower end, and a cavity extending between said top and bottom openings, said stem being sized and shaped so as to be insertable into said outlet opening of said lid of said cup such that when said cup is tilted, the liquid can flow through said cavity of said stem and through said outlet opening to flow outside of said cup, said stem having a length such that when said stem is positioned through said outlet opening of said lid, said lower end and hence said bottom opening are immersed in the liquid, and such that a column of the liquid is contained within said cavity of said stem, whereby the column of the liquid within said cavity inhibits the splashing of the liquid through said outlet opening.