BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A lid assembly including a lower lid, a plug element movable relative to the lower lid between a plugged position and an unplugged position, and an upper lid rotatably movable relative to the lower lid between an open position in which the plug element is in the unplugged position and a closed position in which the plug element is in the plugged position. The lid assembly further includes a rotational interface adapted to couple the upper lid to the lower lid, the rotational interface including a resilient cleat, a ledge, and a backstop. One of the lower lid and upper lid includes the resilient cleat and an other of the lower lid and upper lid includes the ledge. The resilient cleat engages the ledge to secure the upper lid in rotational engagement with the lower lid. The backstop is positioned to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cleat from the ledge.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of beverage containers and specifically to closable lids for beverage containers.

Beverage container assemblies are commonly used to carry cold and/or warm liquid beverages (e.g., water, soda, coffee, etc.). Beverage container assemblies typically include a hollow main container, and a lid coupled to an upper end of the container. The lid, or a portion thereof, can be movable between open and closed positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, assembled view of a beverage container assembly embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the beverage container assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating a container and a lid assembly.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, upper perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2, illustrating a lower lid, a plug element, and an upper lid.

FIG. 3A is an exploded, bottom perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the lower lid of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upper lid of FIG. 3, illustrating a resilient cleat.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2 in an open position with the plug element omitted.

FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2 in the open position with the plug element omitted.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7, illustrating a rotational interface where the cleat engages a ledge of the lower lid, and where the cleat is further restrained by a backstop of the lower lid.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section view of the cleat engaging the ledge.

FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2 in a closed position with the plug element omitted.

FIG. 11 is a lower perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 2 in the closed position with the plug element omitted.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the upper lid of FIG. 3, illustrating a resilient cleat, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded section view of the upper lid and lower lid, with an additional resilient cleat along an upper lip of the upper lid that engages an upper lip of the lower lid.

FIG. 14 is an assembled view of the upper and lower lid of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments, a lid assembly can include a lower lid, a plug element movable relative to the lower lid between a plugged position and an unplugged position, and an upper lid rotatably movable relative to the lower lid between an open position in which the plug element is in the unplugged position and a closed position in which the plug element is in the plugged position. The lid assembly further can include a rotational interface adapted to couple the upper lid to the lower lid, the rotational interface including a resilient cleat, a ledge, and a backstop. One of the lower lid and the upper lid can include the resilient cleat, and an other of the lower lid and upper lid can include the ledge. The resilient cleat can engage the ledge to secure the upper lid in rotational engagement with the lower lid. The backstop can be positioned to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cleat from the ledge

In another embodiment, a beverage container assembly can include a container and a lid assembly coupled to a container. The lid assembly can include a lower lid, a plug element movable relative to the lower lid between a plugged position and an unplugged position, and an upper lid rotatably movable relative to the lower lid between an open position in which the plug element is in the unplugged position and a closed position in which the plug element is in the plugged position. The beverage container further can include a rotational interface adapted to couple the upper lid to the lower lid, the rotational interface including a resilient cleat, a ledge, and a backstop. One of the lower lid and upper lid can include the resilient cleat, and an other of the lower lid and upper lid can include the ledge. The resilient cleat can engage the ledge to secure the upper lid in rotational engagement with the lower lid. The backstop can be positioned to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cleat from the ledge.

Other elements of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates a beverage container assembly 10 having a container 14 and a lid assembly 18 removably coupled to the container 14. In some embodiments, the beverage container assembly 10 may be used to hold liquids, such as, for example, beverages (e.g., water, soda, coffee, etc.). In further embodiments, the beverage container assembly 10 may be used to hold and contain hot liquids (e.g., beverages). For example, hot liquids can include liquids that generate steam and/or liquids having a temperature greater than or equal to approximately 71.1 degrees Celsius or greater than or equal to approximately 85 degrees Celsius.

Referring to FIG. 2, the container 14 is a hollow body sized and shaped to hold liquids (e.g., beverages). In some embodiments, the container 14 can have a generally elongated, cylindrical shape, although, in other embodiments, the container 14 can have other shapes (e.g., an hourglass-shape, etc.). The container 14 can extend generally symmetrically about a central axis 22. The container 14 can have an open top region 26, a closed lower region 30, and a central region 34 defined between the top region 26 and the lower region 30 along the central axis 22. The top region 26 can include a series of internal container threads 38, and an upper opening 42 for providing access to an interior of the container 14. The container 14 may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), plastic, or any other suitable material. Further, the container 14 can comprise a double-walled, vacuum-formed vessel. In some embodiments, the container 14 can comprise a double-walled, vacuum-formed, stainless steel vessel.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lid assembly 18 includes a lower lid 46, a plug element 50, and an upper lid 54. When fully assembled, the upper lid 54 is coupled to the lower lid 46, and the plug element 50 is generally disposed within the combined lower and upper lids 46, 54. The assembled lid assembly 18 can be generally cylindrical, and along with the container 14, can define the central axis 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower lid 46 can include an outer wall 58, and an upper lip region 62 that extends above the outer wall 58. The outer wall 58 can be generally circumferential. The lower lid 46 further can include external lower lid threads 66 that extend along the outer wall 58. The external lower lid threads 66 can be sized and shaped to matingly thread with the internal container threads 38 of the container 14, so that the lower lid 46 may be securely tightened and held firmly onto the top region 26 of the container 14. In some embodiments, at least one O-ring, gasket, or other seal can be provided between the lower lid 46 and the top region 26 of the container 14, so that the lower lid 46 is sealed tightly against the container 14.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower lid 46 can include a central projection 70 that extends vertically within an interior of the lower lid 46. The central projection 70 can have a generally oval, or elongate shape when viewed from above (FIG. 4), although, in other embodiments, the central projection 70 can have different shapes.

The lower lid 46 further can include an internal support structure 74 that extends radially away from the central projection 70 to the outer wall 58. In some embodiments, the internal support structure 74 can include a generally cylindrical ring 78 that extends around the central projection 70, and three rotational interface regions 82 extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical ring 78 to the outer wall 58. The three rotational interface regions 82 are spaced (e.g., equally spaced) apart from one another around the interior of the lower lid 46. As illustrated in FIG. 4, various openings, or spaces 86, are formed between the internal support structure 74 and the outer wall 58. As described further herein, the rotational interface regions 82 can serve as rotational interfaces between the lower lid 46 and the upper lid 54. Other embodiments can include different shapes, numbers, and/or arrangements of rotational interface regions 82.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, a ledge 90 can be secured to (e.g., integrally formed as a single piece with or separately attached to) the outer wall 58 and can extend radially inwardly. The ledge 90 can be circumferential. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the rotational interface regions 82 can include an open rotational stop 94 (e.g., arm) extending radially inwardly from the ledge 90, and an open backstop 98 (e.g., arm) extending away (e.g., circumferentially) from the open rotational stop 94. The open rotational stop 94 and the open backstop 98 both can extend vertically downward from a main, generally horizontal wall 102 of the rotational interface region 82, and together can define a generally L-shaped structure when viewed from below. In some embodiments, the open rotational stop 94 can be formed integrally (e.g., in a single piece) with and can at least partially support the open backstop 98. In some embodiments, the open rotational stop 94 and/or the open backstop 98 can be omitted.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, each of the rotational interface regions 82 can include a closed rotational stop 106 (e.g., arm) extending radially inwardly from the ledge 90, and a closed backstop 110 (e.g., arm) extending away (e.g., circumferentially) from the closed rotational stop 106. The closed rotational stop 106 and the closed backstop 110 both can extend vertically downward from the main, generally horizontal wall 102, and together can define a generally L-shaped structure when viewed from below. In some embodiments, the closed rotational stop 106 can be formed integrally (e.g., in a single piece) with and can at least partially support the closed backstop 110. In some embodiments, the closed rotational stop 106 and/or the closed backstop 110 can be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the open backstop 98 and the closed backstop 110 can extend away from one another in opposite directions, giving the rotational interface regions 82 a generally “T” shape when viewed from above or from below. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8, the open backstop 98 and the closed backstop 110 each can be radially offset from the ledge 90, such that a radial space, or gap, exists between the backstops 98, 110 and the ledge 90.

Referring to FIG. 3, the plug element 50 can include a top, generally flat, horizontal wall 114, as well as a circumferential side wall 118 having a plurality of external plug followers 122 disposed thereon. The plug element 50 further can include a guide 124 (FIG. 3A) or other structure below the top wall 114 that extends vertically down and around the central projection 70 of the lower lid 46. This guide 124 can be sized and shaped to slidably correspond, or mate, with the central projection 70 of the lower lid such that when the plug element 50 is coupled to the lower lid 46 and the lower lid 46 has been secured to the container 14, the plug element 50 can slide vertically but is prevented from rotating relative to the lower lid 46.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the upper lid 54 includes an outer wall 126, and a upper lip region 130 that extends from a top of the outer wall 126. The outer wall 126 and the upper lip region 130 can be circumferential. In some embodiments, the upper lip region 130 can fold back down over the outer wall 126 radially outwardly from the outer wall 126, so as to partially overlap the outer wall 126. In other embodiments, the upper lip region 130 can have a different shape than that illustrated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the upper lid 54 further can include a series of internal upper lid threads 134 that are sized and shaped to matingly thread with the external plug followers 122. As a result of this coupling of the external plug followers 122 with the upper lid threads 134, rotation of the upper lid 54 relative to the plug element 50 can result in axial movement of the plug element 50 relative to both the upper lid 54 and the lower lid 46. In other embodiments, other structures (e.g., grooves, rails, etc.) can be implemented on the upper lid 54 and/or plug element 50 to facilitate and/or guide axial movement of the plug element 50 relative to the upper lid 54 and the lower lid 46.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, the upper lid 54 further can include at least one resilient cleat 138 extending below the outer wall 126. In some embodiments, the upper lid 54 can include three cleats 138 spaced (e.g., equally spaced) about the upper lid 54, although, in other embodiments, the upper lid 54 can include different numbers, sizes, shapes, and/or locations of cleat(s) 138 than that illustrated. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8, each cleat of cleat(s) 138 can include a generally thin, flexible region (e.g., spring region) 142, as well as an engagement region 146. The flexible region 142 is configured to flex, and rotate radially relative to the outer wall 126, and the engagement region 146 is configured to snap onto or otherwise physically engage a portion of the ledge 90. In some embodiments, the cleat(s) 138 can face away from the central axis 22, and the ledge 90 can face toward the central axis 22.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the engagement region 146 of each cleat of cleat(s) 138 includes at least one overhang (e.g., arm) extending away from the flexible region 142. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in some embodiments, each cleat of cleat(s) 138 can include an open overhang 150 and a closed overhang 154. As illustrated in FIG. 12, in other embodiments, one or more cleats of cleat(s) 138 can include only a single overhang (e.g., closed overhang 154), though, in some of these embodiments, one or more other cleats of cleat(s) 138 can include multiple overhangs.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 8, and 9, the upper lid 54 can be coupled to the lower lid 46 by pressing the upper lid 54 down vertically (i.e., axially along the central axis 22) into the lower lid 46 until the cleat(s) 138 snap onto the ledge 90 of the lower lid 46. For example, referring to FIG. 9, the ledge 90 can include an inclined upper surface 158, as well as a lower surface 162. The engagement region 146 of the cleat(s) 138 can include an upper surface 166. As the cleat(s) 138 are pressed down vertically, the engagement region 146 contacts the inclined upper surface 158, causing the engagement region 146 to temporarily be deflected radially inwardly. As the cleat(s) 138 are pressed down farther vertically, the engagement region 146 snaps back out radially, such that the upper surface 166 of the engagement region 146 can be located underneath and adjacent to the lower surface 162 of the ledge 90 as illustrated in FIG. 9, thereby axially coupling or locking the upper lid 54 to the lower lid 46. This axial coupling or locking can occur when the cleat(s) 138 are circumferentially spaced from the backstop 98 illustrated in FIG. 9, such that there is room for the cleat(s) 138 to flex radially inwardly. After the upper lid 54 has been coupled to the lower lid 46 in this manner, the upper lid 54 can be free to rotate relative to the lower lid 46 about the central axis 22 between an open position (such as illustrated in FIG. 9) and a closed position. As the upper lid 54 is rotated, the engagement region 146 slides and rotates along the circumferential ledge 90, until, for example, the cleat(s) 138 slide into the radial gap between the ledge 90 and one of the backstops 98, 110 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in the open position, the upper lid 54 has been rotated until one of the cleat(s) 138 has moved between the open backstop 98 and the ledge 90. In this position, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the open overhang 150 can extend over the open rotational stop 94, thus blocking the cleat 138 from being pulled vertically upwards away from the lower lid 46 (e.g., in an axial direction). Further, the open rotational stop 94 can inhibit or prevent further rotational movement of the upper lid 54 (e.g., relative to lower lid 46) in a rotational direction the open rotational stop 94. Additionally, in this position the open backstop 98 can inhibit or prevent the engagement region 146 of the cleat 138 from flexing radially inwardly and disengaging from the ledge 90.

Referring to FIG. 9, the open backstop 98 (and similarly the closed backstop 110) each may include an outer engagement surface 170, and each cleat of the cleat(s) 138 may include an inner engagement surface 174. The outer engagement surface 170 may be inclined relative to the inner engagement surface 174, as well as to the central axis 22, at a nonzero angle (e.g., an angle of 0.5 degrees, 1 degree, 1.5 degrees, 2 degrees, 2.5 degrees, or other suitable angles).

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in the closed position, the upper lid 54 can be rotated in an opposite direction until one of the cleat(s) 138 has moved between the closed backstop 110 and the ledge 90. In this position, and as illustrated in FIG. 11, the closed overhang 154 extends over the closed rotational stop 106, thus blocking the cleat(s) 138 from being pulled vertically upwards away from the lower lid 46 (e.g., in an axial direction). Further, the closed rotational stop 106 can inhibit or prevent further rotational movement of the upper lid 54 (e.g., relative to lower lid 46) in a rotational direction of the closed rotational stop 106. Additionally, in this position the closed backstop 110 can inhibit or prevent the engagement region 146 of the cleat(s) 138 from flexing radially inwardly and disengaging from the ledge 90.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the lid assembly 18 may additionally or alternatively include one or more cleats 178 forming part of or extending from the upper lip region 130 of the upper lid 54, and may include one or more corresponding ledges 182 secured to the upper lip region 62 of the lower lid 46 that receive and engage the cleat(s) 178. Similar to the cleat(s) 138 described above in FIGS. 1-12, the cleat(s) 178 in FIGS. 13 and 14 may snap onto the ledge(s) 182. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the cleat(s) 178 snap radially inwardly onto the ledge(s) 182 (i.e., the cleat(s) 178 face toward the central axis 22 and the ledge(s) 182 face away from the central axis 22).

Referring to FIGS. 1-14, and as described above, the upper lid 54 may be rotated between the open position and the closed position. The open position allows liquid to exit the container 14 so that a user may drink from the container 14, whereas the closed position inhibits or prevents liquid from exiting the container 14. For example, and as described above, the plug element 50 is threaded to the upper lid 54 via the external plug followers 122 and the internal upper lid threads 134. Additionally, the plug element 50 is rotationally locked relative to the lower lid 46 via the projection 70. Thus, when the upper lid 54 is rotated about the central axis 22 between the open and closed positions, the plug element 50 is forced to move linearly (e.g., axially), and vertically up and down along the central axis 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top wall 114 of the plug element 50 can be initially pressed up against the upper lid 54 in the closed (i.e., plugged) position. To move from the closed position to the open (i.e., unplugged) position, the upper lid 54 can be rotated about the central axis 22 (e.g., by grasping and turning the upper lip region 130 of the upper lid 54). When the upper lid 54 is rotated, the plug element 50 can be forced to move vertically down (i.e., toward the container 14). This movement can create a circumferential opening or gap between the upper lip region 130 and the plug element 50, allowing liquid from the container 14 to pass out of the beverage container assembly 10. To close the lid assembly 18, the upper lid 54 can be rotated in the opposite direction about the central axis 22, causing the plug element 50 to rise back up into the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, one or more 0-rings, gaskets, or other seals are provided between the upper lip region 130 and the plug element 50, to facilitate a tight seal when the plug element 50 is in the closed position.

In many embodiments, implementing the closed overhang 154 and/or the closed backstop 110 can be advantageous to prevent or inhibit upper lid 54 from decoupling from lower lid 46, thereby preventing or inhibiting liquid from leaking out of container 14. For example, when plug element 50 is in the closed (i.e., plugged) position, and when container 14 is holding and containing a hot liquid, pressure can build up in container 14, such as, for example, as a result of steam or other gas generated by the hot liquid, and put pressure on lid assembly 18. Pressure acting on lid assembly 18 can induce cleat(s) 138 to disengage ledge 90. The closed overhang 154 and/or the closed backstop 110 can inhibit or prevent cleat(s) 138 from disengaging ledge 90 as a result of the pressure acting on lid assembly 18. As a result, leaking of the liquid held in container 14 can be prevented or inhibited. Preventing leaking of the liquid can be particularly desirable for hot liquids (e.g., for safety) because hot liquids can cause burns or damage materials.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A lid assembly adapted to be coupled to a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising:

a lower lid;

a plug element movable relative to the lower lid between a plugged position and an unplugged position;

an upper lid rotatably movable relative to the lower lid between an open position in which the plug element is in the unplugged position and a closed position in which the plug element is in the plugged position; and

a rotational interface adapted to couple the upper lid to the lower lid, the rotational interface including: a resilient cleat, wherein one of the lower lid and the upper lid includes the resilient cleat; a ledge, wherein an other of the lower lid and the upper lid includes the ledge, and the resilient cleat engages the ledge to secure the upper lid in rotational engagement with the lower lid; and a backstop positioned to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cleat from the ledge.

2. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper lid assembly is configured such that rotational movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid causes the plug element to move relative to the lower lid.

3. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other of the lower lid and the upper lid includes the backstop and defines a space between the backstop and the ledge, the space adapted to receive the resilient cleat.

4. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid assembly is generally cylindrical and defines a central axis, and wherein the backstop includes an engagement surface positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to the central axis.

5. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper lid includes the resilient cleat and the lower lid includes the ledge.

6. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid assembly is generally cylindrical and defines a central axis, and wherein the resilient cleat faces away from the central axis and the ledge faces toward the central axis.

7. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotational interface further includes a closed rotational stop positioned to inhibit rotational movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in a first rotational direction when the upper lid is in the closed position, and wherein the resilient cleat includes a closed overhang that axially overlaps the closed rotational stop to inhibit axial movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in an axial direction.

8. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotational stop is formed integrally with and at least partially supports the backstop.

9. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotational stop and the backstop are cooperatively arranged in an L-shape.

10. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rotational interface further includes an open rotational stop positioned to inhibit rotational movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in a second rotational direction when the upper lid is in the open position, and wherein the resilient cleat further includes an open overhang that axially overlaps the open rotational stop to inhibit axial movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in the axial direction.

11. A beverage container assembly comprising:

a container; and

a lid assembly coupled to the container, the lid assembly comprising: a lower lid; a plug element movable relative to the lower lid between a plugged position and an unplugged position; an upper lid rotatably movable relative to the lower lid between an open position in which the plug element is in the unplugged position and a closed position in which the plug element is in the plugged position; and a rotational interface adapted to couple the upper lid to the lower lid, the rotational interface including: a resilient cleat, wherein one of the lower lid and upper lid includes the resilient cleat; a ledge, wherein an other of the lower lid and the upper lid includes the ledge, and the resilient cleat engages the ledge to secure the upper lid in rotational engagement with the lower lid; and a backstop positioned to inhibit disengagement of the resilient cleat from the ledge.

12. A lid assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the upper lid assembly is configured such that rotational movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid causes the plug element to move relative to the lower lid.

13. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the other of the lower lid and the upper lid includes the backstop and defines a space between the backstop and the ledge, the space adapted to receive the resilient cleat.

14. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lid assembly is generally cylindrical and defines a central axis, and wherein the backstop includes an engagement surface positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to the central axis.

15. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the upper lid includes the resilient cleat and the lower lid includes the ledge.

16. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lid assembly is generally cylindrical and defines a central axis, and wherein the resilient cleat faces away from the central axis and the ledge faces toward the central axis.

17. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotational interface further includes a closed rotational stop positioned to inhibit rotational movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in a first rotational direction when the upper lid is in the closed position, and wherein the resilient cleat includes a closed overhang that axially overlaps the closed rotational stop to inhibit axial movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in an axial direction.

18. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rotational stop is formed integrally with and at least partially supports the backstop.

19. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rotational stop and the backstop are cooperatively arranged in an L-shape.

20. A beverage container assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the rotational interface further includes an open rotational stop positioned to inhibit rotational movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in a second rotational direction when the upper lid is in the open position, and wherein the resilient cleat further includes an open overhang that axially overlaps the open rotational stop to inhibit axial movement of the upper lid relative to the lower lid in the axial direction.