Lid Assembly

Abstract

A lid assembly includes a lid and a cooling element. The lid is made with a space in an upper face thereof and an exit in communication with the space. The cooling element is placed in the space. The lid assembly is rotatable between two modes. In the first mode, the cooling element is placed near a user's mouth. In the second mode, the exit is placed near the user's mouth. The beverage travels into the user's mouth from the exit via the cooling element in the space in the first mode. The beverage travels into the user's mouth from the exit without traveling over the cooling element in the second mode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a cup and, more particularly, to a lid assembly for a cup.

2. Related Prior Art

Lids can be used to keep beverage in cups. Such a lid can be attached to such a cup by fitting or engagement of threads.

As disclosed in Taiwanese Patents M420265, M458384, M4591991 or M460845 for example, a coffee cup can be used with a lid that is made with an exit and formed with or connected to a cover for covering the exit.

Such a coffee cup is often used to contain coffee. A user lifts the cover from the lid and then drinks the coffee from the coffee cup via the exit of the lid. It takes a very short period of time for the coffee to reach the user's mouth from the coffee cup. It is difficult to cool the coffee to a comfortable temperature for the user to drink in such a short period of time. The user might get burnt by the coffee.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a cup with an effective and safe lid assembly.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the lid assembly includes a lid and a cooling element. The lid is made with a space in an upper face thereof and an exit in communication with the space. The cooling element is placed in the space. The lid assembly can be switched between two modes by rotation. In the first mode, the cooling element is placed near a user's mouth. In the second mode, the exit is placed near the user's mouth. The beverage travels into the user's mouth from the exit via the cooling element in the space in the first mode. The beverage travels into the user's mouth from the exit without traveling over the cooling element in the second mode.

In an alternative aspect, the cooling element includes a communication portion formed on a lower face, a spout formed on an upper face, and a channel made in the spout. The cooling element is pivotally connected to the lid between an active position where the communication portion is inserted into the exit and an idle position where the communication portion is placed out of the exit.

In an alternative aspect, the lid further includes a cavity. The cooling element includes an exit, a communication portion formed on a lower face, a spout formed on an upper face, and a channel made in the spout. The cooling element is rotationally connected to the lid between an active position where the communication portion is inserted into the exit of the lid and an idle position where the exit of the cooling element is placed at least near the exit of the lid while the communication portion is inserted into the cavity.

Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of several embodiments referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a lid assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly in another position than shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a lid assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a lid assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a lid assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a lid assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a lid assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective 1 view of a lid assembly according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a lid assembly according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a lid assembly shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is a lid assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The lid assembly includes a cooling element 10 and a lid 20. The cooling element 10 is pivotally connected to the lid 20 between an active position and an idle position by an upper connection unit 30.

The cooling element 10 is a substantially semi-circular metal plate that includes a rectilinear edge 11, a spout 14 located opposite to the rectilinear edge 11, and a communication portion 12 located near the spout 14. The communication portion 12 is a continuous wall that extends downwards from the cooling element 10. The communication portion 12 extends around a slot or aperture 13 made in the cooling element 10.

The spout 14 includes a curved edge 16 extending upwards from the cooling element 10, thus making a channel 17. Moreover, the spout 14 is formed with at least one protrusion 15 between the curved edge 16 and the communication portion 12.

The lid 20 includes a plate 21 and a wall 23 extending around the plate 21. The plate 21 includes an exit 22. The wall 23 includes a skid-proof unit 24 formed thereon and a lower connection unit 25 formed below the skid-proof unit 24. The skid-proof unit 24 includes a plurality of ribs for example. The lower connection unit 25 includes a thread for example. There is an upper space 26 above the plate 21 and a lower space 27 below the plate 21. Through an opening 28 made in a lower end of the wall 23, the lower space 27 is in communication with a space made in a cup 40 when the lid 20 is attached to the cup 40.

The upper connection unit 30 includes two lugs 32 extending upwards from the plate 21 and two axles 34 laterally extending from the cooling element 10. Each axle 34 is inserted into a corresponding lug 32 to pivotally connect the cooling element 10 to the lid 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the thread of the lower connection unit 25 of the lid 20 is engaged with a thread (not numbered) made on an internal face of the cup 40 to firmly connect the lid 20 to the cup 40. The cooling element 10 is placed in the active position when beverage contained in the cup 40 is hot immediately after the beverage is served. The communication portion 12 is inserted into the exit 22 so that the channel 17 is in communication with the space made in the cup 40. The protrusion 15 is directed upwards and the channel 17 is visible.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage into the spout 14 from the cup 40 through the communication portion 12 and the exit 22. Then, the beverage enters a user's mouth from the spout 14. The beverage is cooled as it travels in the spout 14. The protrusion 15 helps the radiation of heat from the beverage. Furthermore, the protrusion 15 divides the beverage into two currents so that it takes a longer time for the beverage to reach a user's mouth.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cooling element 10 is placed in the idle position when the beverage becomes cool some time after the beverage is served. The communication portion 12 is pulled from the exit 22. The cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage into the user's mouth from the cup 40 via the exit 22. The beverage does not travel in the cooling element 10.

Referring to FIGS. 6 through 10, there is a lid assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is like the first embodiment except several things. Firstly, a cooling element 50 is used instead of the cooling element 10. The cooling element 50 is like the cooling element 10 except that it further includes a handle 52 and an aperture 54. The handle 52 is in the form of a boss.

Secondly, the lid 20 is made with a cavity 29. The cavity 29 does not extend through the plate 21.

Thirdly, the upper connection unit 30 includes an aperture 62 made in the cooling element 50 and an axle 64 formed on the plate 21. The axle 64 is inserted into the aperture 62 to rotationally connect the cooling element 50 to the lid 20. Preferably, the axle 64 is shaped like a mushroom that includes a slit 66 to increase the flexibility thereof to facilitate the insertion of the axle 64 in the aperture 62.

Fourthly, there are additionally a plug 70, a strip 72 and a ring 74. The plug 70, the strip 72 and the ring 74 are elastic elements that are preferably made of silicone. The strip 72 connects the plug 70 to the ring 74. The ring 74 is placed around the lower portion of the wall 23 of the lid 20 to connect the plug 70 to the lid 20. The ring 74 is located between the lid 20 and the cup 40 to seal a gap between the lid 20 and the cup 40 when the lid 20 is connected to the cup 40.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cooling element 50 can be rotated between the active position and idle position. The handle 52 is operated to rotate the cooling element 50 on the lid 20.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cooling element 50 is in the active position. The communication portion 12 is inserted into the exit 22 so that the channel 17 is in communication with the space made in the cup 40.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cooling element 50 is in the idle position. The communication portion 12 is inserted into the cavity 29 while the aperture 54 is placed at least near the exit 22. The aperture 54 and the exit 22 can be closed by the plug 70.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is a lid assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like the first embodiment except several things. Firstly, a cooling element 56 is used instead of the cooling element 10. The cooling element 56 is formed with protrusions 58. The lid 20 is made with a shallow cavity 51 for receiving the cooling element 56. Secondly, the wall 23 includes an upper portion extending upwards from the plate 21. The upper space 26 is located in the upper portion of the wall 23.

When the beverage is hot, the cooling element 56 is placed at least near the user's mouth. The cup 40 is rotated and tilted to pour the beverage into the upper space 26 from the space made in the cup 40 via the exit 22. The beverage travels onto the cooling element 56 from the exit 22. The beverage is cooled as it travels on the cooling element 56. The protrusions 58 facilitate the radiation of heat from the beverage. Finally, the beverage enters the user's mouth from the upper space 26.

When the beverage is cool, the exit 22 is placed at least near the user's mouth. The cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage into the user's mouth from the space made in the cup 40 via the exit 22. The beverage does not travel across the cooling element 56.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is a lid assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is like the third embodiment except two things. Firstly, the lid 20 does not include the shallow cavity 51. Secondly, the cooling element 56 is attached to the lid 20 by adhesion.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is a lid assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is like the third embodiment except two things. Firstly, the cooling element 56 includes two apertures 55. Secondly, the lid 20 includes two stems 53 inserted in the apertures 55 to attach the cooling element 56 to the lid 20.

The cooling element 56 can be attached to the lid 20 in different ways shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, respectively. The cooling element 56 can however be attached to the lid 20 by any other proper means.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is a lid assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The sixth embodiment is like the third embodiment except that the lower connection unit 25 is formed with a stepped profile instead of the thread. That is, the lower connection unit 25 includes several sections of different external diameters so that they can be fit in various cups made with different internal diameters.

The lid 20 can be attached to the cup 40 in the various ways shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, respectively. The lid 20 can however be attached to the cup 40 by any other proper means.

Referring to FIG. 16, there is a lid assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The seventh embodiment is like the fourth embodiment except that the cooling element 56 is made with a bent or arched configuration that includes a portion attached to the upper portion of the wall 23 and another portion attached to the plate 21.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is a lid assembly according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth embodiment is like the third embodiment except that the cooling element 56 is a C-shaped plate with two ends. The cooling element 56 is attached to the lid 20 so that the aperture 22 is almost entirely encircled by the cooling element 56. A cavity 36 is made in a portion of the lid 20 between the aperture 22 and the cooling element 56. The cavity 36 is used to confine and guide the beverage. The cavity 36 is shaped like a triangle. A corner of the cavity 36 is used as a first duct directed to the cooling element 56 and another corner of the cavity 36 is used as a second duct directed to a portion of the edge of the lid 20 not intervened by the cooling element 56.

When the beverage is hot, the cooling element 56 is placed at least near the user's mouth. The cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage onto the cooling element 56 from the space made in the cup 40 via the exit 22 and the first duct of the cavity 36. The beverage is cooled as it travels on the cooling element 56.

When the beverage is cool, the exit 22 is placed at least near the user's mouth. The cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage into the user's mouth from the space made in the cup 40 via the exit 22 and the second duct of the cavity 36. During the travel into the user's mouth from the exit 22, the beverage travels via a portion of the lid 20 between the ends of the cooling element 56, i.e., the beverage does not travel across the cooling element 56.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, there is a lid assembly according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The ninth embodiment is like the third embodiment except several things. Firstly, there is an additional cover 90. The cover 90 includes an aperture 92, a handle 94 formed on an upper face, an indicator 96 formed on the upper face, and an axle 60 formed on a lower face. The handle 94 is in the form of a rib. Secondly, the upper portion of the wall 23 is made with two marks 98. Thirdly, the plate 21 is centrally made with an aperture 62. The axle 60 is inserted into the aperture 62 to rotationally connect the cover 90 to the lid 20. Preferably, the axle 60 is in shaped like a mushroom that includes a slit to increase the flexibility thereof to facilitate the insertion of the axle 60 in the aperture 62.

The handle 94 is operated to rotate the cover 90 on the lid 20 between the active position and the idle position. In the active position, the cooling element 56 is placed at least near the aperture 92. In the idle position, the exit 22 is placed at least near the aperture 92. The indicator 96 is directed to one of the marks 98 to represent the active or idle position.

When the beverage is hot, the lid assembly is placed in the active position. The cooling element 56 and the aperture 92 are placed at least near the user's mouth. The cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage into the upper space 26 from the space made in the cup 40 via the exit 22. Then, the beverage travels into the user's mouth via the aperture 92.

When the beverage is cool, the lid assembly is placed in the idle position. The exit 22 and the aperture 92 are placed at least near the user's mouth. The cup 40 is tilted to pour the beverage into the user's mouth from the space made in the cup 40 through the exit 22 and the aperture 92.

The present invention has been described via the detailed illustration of the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A lid assembly comprising:

a lid comprising a space in an upper face thereof and an exit in communication with the space; and

a cooling element placed in the space, wherein the lid assembly is switchable, by rotation, between a first mode wherein the cooling element is placed near a user's mouth and a second mode wherein the exit is placed near the user's mouth.

2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element is attached to the lid by adhesion.

3. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid includes a cavity for receiving the cooling element.

4. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element includes at least two apertures, wherein the lid includes at least two stems inserted in the apertures to attach the cooling element to the lid.

5. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element includes a portion attached to a horizontal portion of the lid and another portion attached to a vertical portion of the lid.

6. The lid assembly according to claim 5, wherein the cooling element is selected from the group consisting of a bent plate and an arched plate.

7. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cooling element includes at least one protrusion for facilitating dissipation of heat from the beverage.

8. The lid assembly according to claim 1 including a stepped connection unit formed with sections of different external diameters so that they can be fit in cups made with different internal diameters.

9. The lid assembly according to claim 1 including a threaded connection unit for engagement with a threaded cup.

10. The lid assembly according to claim 1, comprising a cover made with an aperture and rotationally connected to the lid between an active position where the aperture is in communication with the exit and an idle position where the cooling element is aligned to the aperture of the cover.

11. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a cavity made in a portion between the aperture and the cooling element, wherein the cavity includes a first duct directed to the cooling element and a second duct directed to a portion of the edge of the lid not intervened by the cooling element, wherein the beverage travels into the user's mouth from the exit through the cooling element and the first duct of the cavity in the first mode, wherein the beverage travels into the user's mouth from the exit through the second duct of the cavity in the second mode.

12. A lid assembly comprising:

a lid comprising an exit; and

a cooling element comprising a communication portion formed on a lower face, a spout formed on an upper face, and a channel made in the spout, wherein the cooling element is pivotally connected to the lid between an active position where the communication portion is inserted into the exit and an idle position where the communication portion is placed out of the exit.

13. The lid assembly according to claim 12, wherein the lid includes two lugs formed thereon, wherein the cooling element includes two axles inserted into the lugs.

14. The lid assembly according to claim 12, wherein the communication portion is a tubular element.

15. A lid assembly comprising:

a lid comprising an exit and a cavity; and

a cooling element comprising an aperture, a communication portion formed on a lower face, a spout formed on an upper face, and a channel made in the spout, wherein the cooling element is rotationally connected to the lid between an active position where the communication portion is inserted into the exit and an idle position where the aperture is in communication with the exit while the communication portion is inserted into the cavity.