LEVER ACTUATED LID AND CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR USING SAME

Abstract

A device for transporting and drinking liquids includes a body having a sidewall extending longitudinally between an upper surface and a lower surface. The sidewall has an inner surface that defines at least part of an aperture through the body and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface. The device also includes a sealing surface projecting from the inner surface of the body and a seal actuator including a linkage engaged with a seal. The seal is engaged with the inner surface of the body; the linkage is adapted to translate rotational displacement of the linkage into a linear displacement of the seal towards and away from the sealing surface of the body between closed and open positions. A lever engaged with the linkage is adapted to impart a rotational force onto the linkage to rotate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present disclosure is generally related to liquid travel containers, and more particularly, to a lid with a lever actuated seal for a travel cup.

Description of the Related Art

Devices and methods for use in transporting and drinking liquids that resist spills, yet are easily openable can aid in preventing spills. A variety of devices have been developed over the years in an attempt to reduce spills associated with traveling with liquids.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to devices and methods for use in transporting and drinking liquids. In one particular embodiment, a device includes a body that has a sidewall extending longitudinally between an upper surface and a lower surface. The sidewall having an inner surface that defines at least part of an aperture through the body and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface. The device also including a sealing surface projecting from the inner surface of the body and a seal actuator including a linkage engaged with a seal. The seal being engaged with inner surface of the body, the linkage configured to translate rotational displacement of the linkage into a linear displacement of the seal. The linear displacement being towards and away from the sealing surface of the body and between respective closed and open positions. A lever engaged with the linkage and configured to impart a rotational force onto the linkage to rotate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a lever actuated thermal lid, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, in a closed configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the seal assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the closed configuration.

FIG. 6A is the cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 4 in an open configuration.

FIG. 6B is a top perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the open configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the seal assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in the open configuration.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the seal assembly of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a locked open configuration.

FIG. 9 is a right side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a back view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled to a cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is directed toward apparatus and methods for making a lid with a lever actuated seal for a travel cup. The detailed description and corresponding figures are intended to provide an individual of ordinary skill in the art with enough information to enable that individual to make and use embodiments of the invention. Such an individual, however, having read this entire detailed description and reviewed the figures, will appreciate that modifications can be made to the illustrated and described embodiments, and/or elements removed therefrom, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. It is intended that all such modifications and deviations fall within the scope of the invention, and the invention is limited only by construction of following claims.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed structures and/or methods. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

FIGS. 1-14 illustrate one particular embodiment of a device 10 for use in transporting and drinking liquids that resist spills. FIG. 15 shows the device 10 coupled to a cup for carrying a beverage or the like. The illustrated device 10 primarily comprises a body 12, a rim 14, and a lever actuated seal assembly 16. The device 10 can be sized and shaped to comfortably fit in a user's hand when attached to a cup, such as the thermal cups shown in FIGS. 15-34. The user can use the device with a single hand by holding the device and attached cup in one hand and then pressing down on the lever 18.

Pressing down on the lever 18 actuates the seal assembly 16 (see, for example, FIG. 4) to displace the seal 20 of the seal assembly 16 away from the rim 14 and the sealing surface 22 (see, for example, FIGS. 4-7) of the body 12. When the seal 20 is displaced away from the sealing surface 22 of the body 12 an annular opening 24 forms between the perimeter of the seal 20 and the sealing surface 22. The annular opening 24 places the interior of a thermal cup in fluid communication with an environment external to the thermal cup. This allows liquid to flow from the interior of the thermal cup, through the annular opening 24 in the device 10, and into the environment external to the thermal cup, for consumption by the user.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the components of the device 10. These components work together to operably open and close the device 10, which may also be referred to as a lid. The body 12 of the lid 10 includes a coupling 23 for coupling the lid 10 to a cup. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the coupling 23 is a threaded coupling for screwing into corresponding threads on a cup, such as the threads 302 of the cup 300, shown in FIG. 28.

The rim 14 may slide over and around the upper portion of the body 12. In some embodiments, the rim 14 may press fit onto the body 12. In some embodiments, the rim 14 and the body 12 may be combined in a single part. In other embodiments, the lid may be held in place by the lever 18 and a linkage 26.

In such an embodiment, a stud 28 is placed through the aperture 30 of the body 12, and opposing keys 32 of the lever 18 are inserted through apertures 36 on either side of the rim 14 and into keyholes 34 of the respective linkages 26. In this way, the linkages 26 and lever 18 hold the rim 14 to the body 12.

The gasket 38 is seated on the seal 20, at the outer perimeter of the seal 20. The gasket aids in forming a fluid tight seal between the seal 20 and the sealing surface 22 of the body 12. During assembly, the seal 20 is inserted into an interior cavity 42 of the body 12. In some embodiments, the gasket 38 may be integrated into the seal 20 or the body 12. In some embodiments, the gasket 38 may form at least a portion of the sealing surface of the body.

The body includes tracks 44 that project inwardly from an inner surface 46 of the body 12. The inner surface 46 defines at least a portion of the interior cavity 42 of the body 12. The guide arms 48 project from a bottom surface of the seal 20 and engage between parallel projections of respective tracks 44. The guide arms 48 and the tracks 44 cooperate to allow the seal 20 to translate axially towards and away from the sealing surface 22 of the body 12.

The linkage 26 couples the seal 20 to the lever 18 such that when the lever is pressed, the linkage 26 rotates and translates the rotational force imparted by the lever 18 into linear movement of the seal 26, causing the seal 26 to move linearly along a central axis of the body 12. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lid 10 along the line 4-4 shown in FIG. 3, with the seal in the closed position against the sealing surface 22. FIG. 4 shows how the linkage 26 engaged with the seal 20. The linkage 26 includes a stud 50 that engages with an aperture 55 in the seal 20.

With reference to the exploded view, FIG. 2, and the view of the seal assembly 16 in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 5, the linkage 26 also includes an arm 52 that extends from an end of the linkage 26 opposite the end of the linkage 26 from which the stud 28 projects. The arm 52 includes a projection 54 that extends from an end of the arm 52. The projection 54 engages with a recess 56 of the seal 20.

When the lever 18 is pressed downwards, the linkage 26 rotates about the stud 28 in a direction indicated by arrow A. As the linkage 26 rotates in the direction A, the stud 50 pushes on an inner perimeter of the aperture 55 of the seal 20 causing the seal to translate linearly away from the sealing surface 22 of the body 12.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7 show an embodiment of the lid 10 and seal assembly 16 in the partially open position, also referred to as a sipping or drinking position. In the sipping position, the projection 54 on the arm 52 of the linkage 26 is pressed against a stud 60 that is within the recess 56 of the seal 20.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the annular opening 24 is formed between the seal 20 and the sealing surface 22 of the body 12 when the seal 20 is in the sipping position. Thus, in this configuration, the interior of a cup is in fluid communication with an environment external to the interior of the cup. One flow path of fluid through the lid 10 is shown by arrows B.

When the user releases the lever 14, springs 63 act to rotate the linkage 26 in a direction opposite direction A, such that the seal 20 translates linearly towards the sealing surface 22 of the body 12 causing the lid 10 to close.

The lid 10 may also include a configuration in which the seal 20 is locked in an open position, for example, as shown in FIG. 8. A user may engage the locked open position of seal 20 by pressing on the lever with greater force, causing the projection 54 to slide over the stud 60 within the recess 56 and into the detent 58. The detent 58 holds the linkage 26 in place and thus holds the seal 20 in an open position. The detent 58 and the projection 54 are configured such that when the seal assembly 16 is locked in the open position, they cooperate to resist the closing force imparted by the springs 63 onto the linkage 26. A user may place the lid 10 in the locked open position to facilitate cleaning of the lid 10.

To release the seal 20 from the locked open position, the user presses upward on the lever 18 with enough force to overcome the resistance between the projection 54 and the stud 60 such that the stud 54 is moved out of the detent 58. With the stud out of the detent 58, the springs 63 can then act on the linkage 26 to translate the seal 20 upwards towards the ceiling surface 22 of the body 12 and closed the lid 10.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the lid 10 may also include a gasket 62. The gasket 62 can aid in sealing the body 12 of the lid 10 to, for example, a cup 200, as shown in FIG. 15.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lever actuated lid, comprising:

a body including a sidewall extending longitudinally between an upper surface and a lower surface, the sidewall having an inner surface that defines at least part of an aperture through the body and an outer surface that is opposite the inner surface;

a sealing surface projecting from the inner surface of the body;

a seal actuator including a linkage engaged with a seal, the seal being engaged with inner surface of the body, the linkage configured to translate rotational displacement of the linkage into linear displacement of the seal, the linear displacement being towards and away from the sealing surface of the body and between respective closed and open positions; and

a lever engaged with the linkage and configured to impart a rotational force onto the linkage to rotate.

2. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 further comprising:

a recess formed in the seal; and

an arm extending from an end of the linkage, the arm including a projection configured to move within the recess when the linkage rotates.

3. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 further comprising:

the lever including a first keyed end; and

the linkage includes a first stud configured to receive the first keyed end of the lever.

4. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 further comprising:

a spring engaged with the linkage and configured to impart a closing force on the seal to hold the seal against the sealing surface of the body.

5. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 wherein the rim and the body are a single unitary structure.

6. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 further comprising:

a track projecting from the inner surface of the body; and

guide arms projecting from the seal, the guide arms configured to engage with the track.

7. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 wherein the body includes:

a coupling configured to couple the body to a container.

8. The lever actuated lid of claim 7 wherein the coupling is a threaded coupling.

9. The lever actuated lid of claim 1 further comprising:

a gasket configured to aid in sealing the seal to the sealing surface of the body.

10. The lever actuated lid of claim 9 wherein the gasket forms at least a portion of the sealing surface of the body.

11. A method of actuating a lid, the method comprising:

coupling a lid to a fluid container, the lid including an actuated seal that is positionable between an open position in which an interior of the fluid container is in fluid communication with an environment external to the fluid container and a closed position in which the interior of the fluid container is not in fluid communication with the environment external to the interior of the fluid container;

applying a force on a lever;

rotating a linkage about a stud that is coupled to the lever; and

translating the rotation of the linkage into a linear displacement of a seal away from a sealing surface to form an annular opening