Beverage Container Having Non-Circular Shape

Abstract

A beverage container having an oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape is provided. The beverage container comprises a beverage receptacle comprising a cavity surrounded by a container wall configured to store a liquid and an open top portion. The beverage container further comprises a lid configured to be attached to the open top portion of the beverage receptacle to cover the open top portion of the beverage receptacle and comprising an opening formed through the lid configured to dispense the liquid. The lid and at least the open top portion of the beverage receptacle comprise an oval or elliptical shape to provide the beverage container with its oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape. The oval or elliptical shape of the beverage container is configured to improve visibility of a user during use of the beverage container.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A beverage container comprising:
 a beverage receptacle comprising:
 a cavity surrounded by a container wall configured to store a liquid and, an open top portion; and 
   a lid configured to be attached to the open top portion of the beverage receptacle to cover the open top portion of the beverage receptacle and comprising an opening formed therethrough configured to dispense the liquid;   wherein the lid and at least the open top portion of the beverage receptacle comprise an oval shape to provide the beverage container with an oval cross-sectional shape configured to improve visibility of a user during use of the beverage container.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plate configured to seal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container to prevent liquid from being dispensed from the beverage container. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage container according to  claim 2 , wherein the lid further comprises a slot configured to receive a first end of a bar,
 wherein the bar comprises a second end affixed to a trigger, and   wherein actuating the trigger is configured to unseal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container.   
     
     
         4 . The beverage container according to  claim 3 , wherein the first end of the bar is a beveled end and the plate comprises a raised surface positioned adjacent to the beveled end of the bar; and
 wherein the actuation of the trigger causes the beveled end to slide over the raised surface of the plate and depress the plate towards the cavity to unseal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container.   
     
     
         5 . The beverage container according to  claim 4 , further comprising a spring arranged between a wall in the slot and the first end of the bar, wherein the spring is configured to exert a biasing force against the bar and trigger when the trigger is released to seal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage container according to  claim 5 , wherein the lid comprises a base section; and
 wherein the plate is configured to be received within the base section of the lid and comprises one or more sealing gaskets arranged around the plate.   
     
     
         7 . The beverage container according to  claim 6 , wherein the plate further comprises a cover portion configured to be received in the opening of the lid when the plate is in a closed position sealing the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , further comprising a valve configured to seal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container to prevent the liquid from being dispensed from the beverage container. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage container according to  claim 8 , wherein the valve comprises:
 a flexible valve dome configured in a first position to seal the opening in the lid from the cavity;   a valve stem affixed to the valve dome; and   a valve actuator affixed to the valve stem.   
     
     
         10 . The beverage container according to  claim 9 , wherein the lid further comprises a lever having a first end with a slot or opening configured to receive the valve stem and a second end affixed to a trigger. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage container according to  claim 10 , wherein actuating the trigger is configured to cause the lever to lift the valve actuator, inverting the valve dome to a second position to unseal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage container according to  claim 11 , wherein releasing the trigger is configured to cause the valve dome to return to the first position to seal the opening in the lid from the cavity of the beverage container. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage container according to  claim 12 , wherein the valve is made of a rubber material. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container wall comprises an outer wall and an inner wall with an insulation layer formed therebetween, and wherein the cavity is formed within the inner wall. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage container according to  claim 14 , wherein at least a top portion of the outer wall and at least a top portion of the inner wall comprise an oval shape. 
     
     
         16 . The beverage container according to  claim 15 , wherein the lid comprises a base section comprising one or more sealing gaskets configured to be received in the top portion of the inner wall to attach the lid to the beverage receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the beverage container is made of a paper material and wherein the lid comprises one or more ribs molded into the lid. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein a base portion of the beverage receptacle has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         19 . The beverage container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid and at least the open top portion of the beverage receptacle comprise an elliptical shape to provide the beverage container with an elliptical cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         20 . The beverage container according to  claim 3 , wherein the trigger is arranged to the left or right side of an axis of symmetry of the lid passing through the opening in the lid.