Lids for beverage containers

Abstract

The invention relates to lids for beverage containers and related methods, for example, a lid to fit within the screw on compression assembly found on standard canning jars to adapt the container to improve a user's ability to consume liquids directly from the vessel. Lids according to certain embodiments of the invention can be used with a wide range of containers like jars, so that the containers can be conveniently used to consume a beverage while avoiding spilling and facilitating extended use and recycling of the containers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid for a beverage container comprising a circular lid of a size that is sufficient to cover the opening of a beverage container, and an opening for removing liquid from the beverage container; wherein said lid may be attached to the beverage container so that the edges of the lid form a seal with the beverage container to prevent spillage of liquid along the seal. 
     
     
         2 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal and a plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid fits on the opening of a container selected from the group consisting of a Mason jar, a Kilner jar, a fruit jar, a mouth-blown canning jar with a ground rim, a mouth-blown canning jar without a ground rim, a bead sealed jar, a shoulder sealed jar, a continuous external screw thread jar, a quart jar, a half-gallon jar, a groove-ring type jar, a Hemingray jar, an improved Masons, a rim sealing jar, a straddle-lip top seal jar, a jar with a screw thread finish, a narrow mouth jar, and an external screw cap jar. 
     
     
         4 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid has a thickness of 0.5 to 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         5 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is round. 
     
     
         6 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid has a diameter of 1 to 100 centimeter. 
     
     
         7 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening for removing liquid from the beverage container has a diameter of 0.5 to 3 centimeters. 
     
     
         8 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises an opening for allowing air to enter the beverage container. 
     
     
         9 . The lid according to  claim 8 , wherein the opening has a diameter of 0.1 to 2 millimeters. 
     
     
         10 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a protrusion. 
     
     
         11 . The lid according to  claim 10 , wherein the protrusion is up to 5 centimeters in height. 
     
     
         12 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a pouring spout. 
     
     
         13 . The lid according to  claim 12 , wherein the pouring spout is 1 to 11 centimeters in length. 
     
     
         14 . The lid according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a protrusion in a shape selected from the group consisting of a baby nipple and a fruit juicer. 
     
     
         15 . A method for sealing a beverage container comprising placing a lid according to  claim 1  on an opening in the beverage container and sealing contact area between the lid and the beverage container. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the lid is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal and a plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the lid fits on the opening of a container selected from the group consisting of a Mason jar, a Kilner jar, a fruit jar, a mouth-blown canning jar with a ground rim, a mouth-blown canning jar without a ground rim, a bead sealed jar, a shoulder sealed jar, a continuous external screw thread jar, a quart jar, a half-gallon jar, a groove-ring type jar, a Hemingray jar, an improved Masons, a rim sealing jar, a straddle-lip top seal jar, a jar with a screw thread finish, a narrow mouth jar, and an external screw cap jar. 
     
     
         18 . A bento box separator for a beverage container comprising a circular container with a body of a diameter that fits into the opening of a beverage container, and an annular region that is capable of resting on the wall of the beverage container. 
     
     
         19 . The bento box separator according to  claim 18 , wherein said annular region allows closing the beverage container with a screw-on lid. 
     
     
         20 . The bento box separator according to  claim 18 , wherein said bento box separator is capable of being used with a lid according to  claim 1 .