Lid for a container

Abstract

A lid may include first and second openings disposed within a spout. The first opening may provide a first fluid pathway to a fluid disposed in an attached container and the second opening may provide a second fluid pathway to a fluid disposed in the container. The lid may also include a spout at least partially defined by an outer wall. First and second openings may be disposed within the spout and the openings may be at least partially defined by the outer wall of the spout. A conduit, such as a straw, may be coupled to an opening. If desired, a closure may be connected to the lid and the closure may selectively close one or more of the openings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with one or more fluids, the lid comprising:
 a body including an upper portion and a downwardly extending sidewall;   a spout disposed in the upper portion;   a first opening disposed within the spout, the first opening providing a first fluid pathway to a fluid disposed in an attached container; and   a second opening disposed within the spout, the second opening providing a second fluid pathway to a fluid disposed in the container.   
     
     
         2 . The lid as in  claim 1 , further comprising a common wall separating the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         3 . The lid as in  claim 2 , further comprising a first surface of the common wall that defines at least a portion of the first opening and a second surface of the common wall that defines at least a portion of the second opening. 
     
     
         4 . The lid as in  claim 2 , wherein the first opening, the second opening and the common wall are each entirely disposed within the spout. 
     
     
         5 . The lid as in  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit connected to the second opening, the first opening providing a fluid pathway to a first portion of the container, the second opening and the conduit providing a fluid pathway to a second portion of the container. 
     
     
         6 . The lid as in  claim 5 , wherein when the lid is connected to a container and the container is filled with a fluid, the fluid disposed within the container can be poured through the first opening and the fluid disposed within the container may be sucked through the conduit and the second opening. 
     
     
         7 . The lid as in  claim 1 , wherein the second opening circumscribes at least a portion of the first opening. 
     
     
         8 . The lid as in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is at least partially defined by an outer wall of the spout; and
 wherein the second opening is at least partially defined by the outer wall of the spout.   
     
     
         9 . The lid as in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening has a size that is at least twice a size of the second opening; and
 wherein a rate at which fluid can flow through the first opening is at least twice the rate at which fluid can flow through the second opening.   
     
     
         10 . The lid as in  claim 1 , further comprising a closure connected to the lid, the closure providing controlled access to the first opening and the second opening, the closure comprising:
 an activator pivotally attached to the lid in a fixed position, the activator including an outwardly extending handle;   a cover pivotally attached to the lid in a fixed position, the pivotal attachment of the activator to the lid spaced apart from the pivotal attachment of the cover to the lid by a fixed distance, the cover movable between an open position in which the first opening and the second opening are open and a closed position in which the first opening and the second opening are closed; and   a connecting member pivotally attached to the activator and pivotally attached to the cover.   
     
     
         11 . The lid as in  claim 10 , wherein the activator, the cover and the connecting member form at least a portion of an over center latching mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The lid as in  claim 10 , wherein the activator is pivotally attached to the lid about a first axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being disposed in a fixed position relative to the lid;
 wherein the cover is pivotally attached to the lid about a second axis of rotation, the second axis of rotation being disposed in a fixed position relative to the lid;   wherein the connecting member is pivotally connected to the activator about a third axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation movable within an arc about the first axis of rotation as the cover is moved between the open and the closed positions; and   wherein the connecting member is pivotally connected to the closure about a fourth axis of rotation, the fourth axis of rotation movable within an arc about the second axis of rotation as the cover is moved between the open and the closed positions.   
     
     
         13 . The lid as in  claim 10 , wherein the cover simultaneously closes the first opening and the second opening when the cover is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with a fluid, the lid comprising:
 a body;   a spout disposed in the body, the spout at least partially defined by an outer wall;   a first opening disposed within the spout and at least partially defined by the outer wall of the spout; and   a second opening disposed within the spout and at least partially defined by the outer wall of the spout.   
     
     
         15 . The lid as in  claim 14 , further comprising a common wall disposed between the first opening and the second opening, the first opening providing a first fluid pathway to a fluid disposed in an attached container, the second opening providing a second fluid pathway to a fluid disposed in the container. 
     
     
         16 . The lid as in  claim 15 , wherein the outer wall of the spout and the common wall define the first opening and the second opening. 
     
     
         17 . The lid as in  claim 14 , further comprising a conduit that is removably attached to the second opening. 
     
     
         18 . The lid as in  claim 14 , wherein the first opening is sized and configured to allow a first rate of fluid flow, the second opening is sized and configured to allow a second rate of fluid flow, and the first rate of fluid flow is at least twice the second rate of fluid flow. 
     
     
         19 . The lid as in  claim 14 , wherein the second opening circumscribes at least a portion of the first opening. 
     
     
         20 . The lid as in  claim 14 , further comprising a closure coupled to the lid, the closure providing controlled access to the first opening and the second opening, the closure comprising:
 an activator pivotally attached to the lid in a fixed position, the activator including an outwardly extending handle;   a cover pivotally attached to the lid in a fixed position, the pivotal attachment of the activator to the lid spaced apart from the pivotal attachment of the cover to the lid by a fixed distance, the cover movable between an open position in which the first opening and the second opening are open and a closed position in which the first opening and the second opening are closed; and   a connecting member pivotally attached to the activator and pivotally attached to the cover;   wherein the activator, the cover and the connecting member form at least a portion of an over center latching mechanism.