Importance

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Abstract

An improved beverage container for preventing spills comprising a walled vessel, into which is formed a hingable tab. The tab can obtain closed, narrow-opened, and wide-opened positions through a tab pressing element pivotably mounted on the container. In the opened positions, the tab defines an aperture through which the beverage can flow. One end of a compliant flap is mounted on the inside of the container such that the other end, in a preferred primary position, completely covers the aperture, thereby preventing the beverage from flowing through the aperture. The flap obtains a secondary position when the tab is set in a narrow-open position and thereby forcing the flap away from the aperture, allowing fluid to flow therethrough. A person's upper lip may also press the flap away from the aperture during the process of drinking from the vesseel, thereby permitting the beverage to flow through the aperture. Should the flap be in the primary position, blocking beverage flow through the aperture, and the container inadvertently tipped onto its side, the beverage will not flow through the aperture.

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First Claim