Lid for a container

Abstract

A lid that enhances the olfactory experience of a user while providing safeguards against accidental spills and splashes is contemplated. The lid comprises a projection having at least one slit. The projection can extend above a valley of the lid in a first configuration, and extend below the valley in a second configuration. It is contemplated that at least one slit of the projection widens in the second configuration to create a larger opening for aroma to be received by the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid for a container, comprising:
 a ridge that at least partially surrounds a valley;   a projection disposed on the valley and that extends above the valley in a first configuration; and   wherein the projection comprises a first slit having first and second endpoints disposed on the projection.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the projection is deformable to reversibly transition between the first configuration and a second configuration in which the projection extends below the valley. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein two opposing surfaces of the first slit extend away from each other to widen the first slit in the second configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the first slit extends between a top surface of the projection and the valley. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 4 , wherein the top surface is flat. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the projection comprises a second slit, and wherein the first and second slits extend vertically. 
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second slits widen horizontally in the second configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the projection comprises a spherical body with a flat top surface. 
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the projection is deformable to irreversibly transition from the first configuration to a second configuration in which the projection extends below the valley. 
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 9 , wherein two opposing surfaces of the first slit extend away from each other to widen the first slit in the second configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The lid of  claim 9 , wherein the projection comprises a second slit, and wherein the first and second slits extend vertically. 
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second slits widen horizontally in the second configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A lid for a container, comprising:
 a valley;   a projection that extends (i) above the valley in a first configuration and (ii) below the valley in a second configuration;   first and second surfaces on the projection that define a slit; and   wherein the first and second surfaces extend away from one another as the projection transitions from the first configuration to the second configuration to widen the slit in the second configuration.   
     
     
         14 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the projection is deformable to reversibly transition between the first and second configurations. 
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the projection is deformable to irreversibly transition from the first configuration to the second configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the slit extends between a top surface of the projection and the valley. 
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second surfaces extend vertically. 
     
     
         18 . The lid of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second surfaces extend away from each other in a horizontal direction to widen the slit in the second configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the projection comprises a spherical body with a flat top surface. 
     
     
         20 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the valley comprises an opening suitable for drinking a beverage from the container, and wherein the projection is positioned on the valley to allow aroma of the beverage to escape through the slit to a user's nose when drinking the beverage.