U.S. patent application number 11/161453 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-22 for spill-resistant reclosable closure assembly for a lid.
Invention is credited to Jorg Pawlik.
Application Number | 20070039960 11/161453 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37766524 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070039960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pawlik; Jorg |
February 22, 2007 |
Spill-Resistant Reclosable Closure Assembly for a Lid
Abstract
A closure assembly comprising a multi-function closure tab
cooperatively mated to a lid wherein said closure assembly provides
a selectively reclosable spill-proof closure device and a
spill-resistant vent device, and wherein said closure tab provides
an integral means to allow said closure tab to be securely locked
to itself in an alternative open position. The lid includes a
drinking hole of arbitrary size, shape and placement, and includes
a means for attaching the closure tab to said lid. The closure tab
includes a plug for sealing and resealing the drinking hole, a
means for attaching the closure tab to the lid, a lifting tab to
manipulate the closure tab to open and close the lid, and provides
a plug holder to secure the plug to the closure tab itself when in
the open position. The mating of the closure tab to the lid
cooperates to provide said spill-resistant vent device. While the
invention has many potential applications, it is especially
suitable for use in a disposable beverage cup lid.
Inventors: |
Pawlik; Jorg; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jorg Pawlik
239 Kenilworth Ave
Toronto
M4L 3S7
CA
|
Family ID: |
37766524 |
Appl. No.: |
11/161453 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.7 ;
220/791 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.7 ;
220/791 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 39/00 20060101 B65D039/00 |
Claims
1. A closure device comprising: (a) a closure tab comprising: (i) a
plug for selectively sealing an aperture in a lid by cooperatively
mating said plug to said aperture to form a fluid-tight seal; (ii)
a vent cap means provided with a vent hole, formed for
cooperatively mating to a vent base means of a lid whereby a
spill-resistant vent device is provided; (iii) a connecting member
for flexibly attaching the plug to the vent cap means; and (iv) a
plug holder means for selectively engaging and securing said plug,
and (b) parts of a lid that cooperate with said closure tab, said
parts of a lid comprising: (i) a vent base means provided with a
vent hole, formed in a container lid for providing a
spill-resistant vent device when mated cooperatively to said vent
cap means; and (ii) an aperture, wherein said aperture may be
selectively sealed by cooperatively mating said plug to said
aperture to form a fluid-tight seal, wherein said closure device
selectively seals said lid aperture, and provides said
spill-resistant vent device, and provides said plug holder means
for selectively securing said plug away from said lid aperture.
2. A closure device of claim 1 wherein the connecting member
includes a living hinge means for inducing said connecting member
to articulate such that the plug is brought into close proximity
with the plug holder means when the closure tab is manipulated to
an alternative position wherein the plug is mated to the plug
holder means, said hinge means being selected from the group
consisting of: a narrowing of the connecting member, a thinning of
the connecting member, a hole in the connecting member, a slit in
the connecting member, and a transverse groove formed in the
connecting member.
3. A closure device of claim 1 wherein the plug has an attached
lifting tab for manipulating the closure tab whereby a user can
selectively open and close the aperture of the lid.
4. A vent device comprising: (a) a vent base means provided with a
vent hole, formed in a lid for providing said vent device when
mated cooperatively to a vent cap means; and (b) a vent cap means
provided with a vent hole, formed for cooperatively mating to a
vent base means to form a fluid-tight seal, thereby forming a
spill-resistant vent device between them, said vent device
comprising a fluid-tight vented reservoir chamber, a vent hole in
the vent base means and a vent hole in the vent cap means, whereby
a sealed container may be placed briefly on its side without
spilling any liquid contents of the container through said vent
device.
5. A vent device of claim 4 wherein a portion of the vent base
means is concave with respect to a mated vent cap means or a
portion of the vent cap means is convex with respect to a mated
vent base means or both, whereby the volume of the vent device is
increased, thereby increasing the spill-resistance of the vent
device.
6. A vent device of claim 4 wherein an alignment means is provided
for facilitating the cooperative mating of a vent cap means to a
vent base means.
7. A vent device of claim 4 wherein a fastening means is provided
for facilitating the cooperative mating of a vent cap means to a
vent base means by snap-fit.
8. A vent device of claim 4 wherein a plug is flexibly attached to
the vent cap means by a connection member.
9. A vent device of claim 4 wherein the vent cap means provides a
plug holder means for selectively securing a plug to said vent cap
means.
10. A closure tab comprising: (a) a plug for sealing an aperture in
a lid by cooperatively mating said plug to said aperture to form a
fluid-tight seal; (b) a vent cap means provided with a vent hole,
formed to provide a spill-resistant vent device when mated
cooperatively to a vent base means of a lid; (c) a connecting
member for flexibly attaching said plug to said vent cap means; and
(d) a plug holder means for selectively engaging the plug to
restrain said plug in an alternative position away from the
original position of the plug, wherein the closure tab when
cooperatively mated to a lid comprising a vent base means and
aperture, provides a plug to seal said lid aperture, and in an
alternative position of said closure tab, to restrain the plug away
from said lid aperture by mating the plug to the plug holder means,
and provides a spill-resistant vent device that allows a sealed
container to be placed briefly on its side without spilling any
liquid contents from said container.
11. A closure tab of claim 10 wherein the connecting member
includes hinge means for inducing said connecting member to
articulate such that the plug is brought into proximity with the
plug holder means of the closure tab when said closure tab is
manipulated to an alternative position wherein the plug is mated to
the plug holder means, said hinge means being selected from the
group consisting of: a narrowing of the connecting member, a
thinning of the connecting member, a hole in the connecting member,
a slit in the connecting member, and a transverse groove formed in
the connecting member.
12. A closure tab of claim 10 wherein the plug or a portion thereof
is elongated with respect to the plug holder means to facilitate
the mating of the plug to the plug holder means.
13. A closure tab of claim 10 wherein the plug includes an attached
lifting tab for manipulating the plug between the open and closed
positions.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention is a closure assembly for a container lid
wherein said closure assembly provides a selectively reclosable
spill-proof closure device and a spill-resistant vent device.
[0003] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0004] The prior art shows many designs for container lids that
might be used as disposable beverage cup lids. The dominant
commercially viable designs are known as "tear-back" lids, for
example as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,927, and "always open"
lids, for example as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,569. Said designs
are variously embodied as essentially "flat" lids, for example as
shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,961, or "domed" lids, for example as
shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,601.
[0005] While some known designs such as "tear-back" lids are
initially sealed, the prior art shows few practical lids that have
a completely and reliably reclosable drinking hole. It is well
known that it is extremely desirable to be able to easily and
reliably reclose beverage containers to prevent spillage of
container contents (such as hot coffee), particularly in
circumstances such as consuming a beverage while operating a motor
vehicle or while walking. Furthermore, it is desirable that such
reclosable lids be easy to open and close with one hand, strictly
by feel without visual reference. Some known designs have attempted
to fulfill these objectives, for example as shown by U.S. Pat. No.
6,679,397, U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,902 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,490. In
this regard, all known designs have proven to be unsatisfactory for
various reasons.
[0006] As shown by U.S. Pat. Application No. 20030089714, it is
possible to provide a reclosable beverage cup lid by incorporating
a separate closure tab device. The functional elements of said
closure tab device, namely a plug, a flexible stem, and a means for
mounting the tab to a lid, are well known from many other closure
designs. In this particular design the plug lock-back means (plug
holder) is provided by a separate means on the lid body
diametrically opposite to the drinking aperture. This design
requires a long tab to reach the plug holder that makes it
difficult to manipulate the closure tab to open and close the lid
with one hand because of the distance that the plug has to be
moved. Additionally, because of the flexibility of the long stem of
the tab, it is difficult to align the plug with the plug holder
without visual reference. The embodiment of a plug holder opposite
the drinking hole furthermore greatly reduces the clear area of the
lid body that might otherwise be used for advertising or branding
purposes. This design incorporates a spill-resistant vent device
that operates by the inherent surface tension of liquid constrained
between two closely spaced surfaces. While this may be adequate for
minor splashing, there is no provision for constraining significant
volumes of liquid if a cup is placed on its side for more than an
instant.
[0007] It is well known that to prevent the excessive generation of
foam or froth during the consumption of carbonated beverages such
as beer, there exists a requirement that the drinking hole in a lid
be substantially larger than that found in most lid designs. Most
known reclosable lids designs cannot be embodied with arbitrary
drinking hole placement, size and shape to suit various liquids or
user preferences.
[0008] It is a common deficiency that most lids that incorporate
vent holes are subject to leakage through said vent holes.
[0009] While some known lid designs are in some aspects
functionally adequate, said designs require non-standard beverage
cups, for example as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,144, thus
rendering said lids commercially impractical.
[0010] Many known reclosable lids are relatively complex, and are
consequently difficult and expensive to manufacture, for example as
shown by U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,972.
[0011] Many known lids don't nest or stack well for efficient
packaging.
[0012] It is clearly shown from the prior art that all known lids
suffer from many shortcomings, including those set out above.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0013] The invention is a closure assembly comprising a closure tab
mated to cooperating parts of a lid, wherein said closure assembly
provides a selectively reclosable spill-proof closure device and a
spill-resistant vent device, and wherein said closure tab provides
an integral means for securing one part of said closure tab to
another part of said closure tab. The cooperating parts of the lid
comprise: a means for cooperatively mating the said lid to the
closure tab; and an aperture of arbitrary size, shape and
placement. The closure tab comprises: a plug for sealing the lid
aperture; an attachment means for cooperatively mating said closure
tab to the lid; a lifting tab to manipulate said closure tab
between an open and closed position; and a plug holder means for
securing the plug to another part of said closure tab to hold the
plug away from the lid aperture. The spill-resistant vent device is
provided by the cooperative mating of the attachment means of the
closure tab and lid. While the invention has many potential
applications, it is especially suitable for use in a disposable
beverage cup lid.
[0014] Note: The section headings below are provided for
convenience only and do not limit the content or meaning of said
sections. Text that is emphasized relates to defined parts of the
invention. If the meaning of an emphasized item is not obvious,
then generally the first occurrence of said item defines its
meaning or its relationship to other previously defined terms. The
term cup refers generically to any type of cup or container for
liquids. The terms horizontal and vertical are used with respect to
a cup and lid in the normal upright position.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is an object of the invention is to provide, without
functional or economic compromise, a practical reclosable closure
assembly for a lid that is suitable and cost-effective for use in a
disposable beverage cup lid. As is shown by the prior art, and as
is shown in current commercial practice, no known closure
satisfactorily fulfills this objective.
The Closure Assembly
[0016] It is an object of the invention to provide a closure
assembly that is easily, completely, and reliably reclosable, thus
making said closure assembly spill-resistant or spill-proof.
[0017] It is an object of the invention to provide a closure
assembly that is easy to operate, and that can be safely opened and
closed with one hand, strictly by feel without visual reference,
thus facilitating the safe transport and consumption of beverages,
especially hot beverages, by persons operating a motor vehicle or
walking, or by visually-impaired persons.
[0018] It is a further object of the invention to provide a
spill-resistant vent device to allow a closed cup to be knocked
over or temporarily placed on its side without spilling any of its
contents.
[0019] It is an object of the invention to provide a closure
assembly with a footprint of minimum size on a lid to maximize the
unobstructed area available for advertising or branding
purposes.
[0020] Note: The major functional elements of the invention are
described in some detail below to facilitate a complete
understanding of the objects and advantages of the invention.
[0021] The invention provides a closure assembly that comprises a
multi-function closure tab and cooperating parts of a lid.
The Lid
[0022] The lid comprises: a lid body of arbitrary topology that
substantially seals the opening of a cup; a means for attaching
said lid to said cup; an aperture for drinking or pouring the
contents of said cup (herein called the drinking hole); a means for
attaching the closure tab to said lid (herein called the vent
base); and a vent hole (herein called the inner vent hole).
[0023] The lid is mated to a cup by a means appropriate for the
cup. In the preferred embodiment, the lid is mated by snap-fit to
an industry-standard beverage cup by means of an annular locking
bead and flared skirt disposed below the lid body.
[0024] The lid may be embodied such that the lid body is
essentially level with the top rim of the cup or alternatively such
that the lid body is disposed above the top rim of the cup. The
freedom to embody said lid as a "flat" or "domed" lid to
accommodate various beverages and user preferences is an
improvement over many known designs.
[0025] In the preferred embodiment of the lid, the vent base is
positioned in the center of the lid to allow lids to be stacked
efficiently without requiring any specific alignment. This is an
improvement over other known reclosable lid designs wherein
efficient stacking requires precise alignment of lids.
[0026] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment of the lid, the
central position of the vent base leaves the side of the lid
opposite the drinking hole unobstructed so that said portion of the
lid body is available for advertising or branding purposes. This is
an improvement over known designs wherein a closure device
significantly obstructs the surface of a lid.
[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the lid, the inner vent hole
is included in the vent base.
[0028] It should be noted that the invention may be embodied in
conjunction with any lid, and that the invention requires only a
vent base and a drinking hole.
The Closure Tab
[0029] The closure tab comprises: a means for sealing the drinking
hole (herein called the plug); a means for manipulating said
closure tab to open and close the drinking hole (herein called the
lifting tab); a means for attaching said closure tab to the lid
(herein called the vent cap); a flexible means for joining the plug
to the vent cap (herein called the connecting member); and a means
for securing the plug away from the drinking hole when in the open
position (herein called the plug holder).
[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure
tab is secured to the lid by cooperatively mating the vent cap to
the vent base. Said mating parts are so shaped and dimensioned
that, in conjunction with the elasticity of the lid material, said
parts are mechanically assembled and securely held together by
press-fit. Said mating parts may have portions thereof shaped to
induce proper alignment during the mating operation.
[0031] In another embodiment of the invention, the vent cap
includes an annular bead or an annular groove that mates to a
cooperating annular groove or annular bead of the vent base to
securely assemble said parts by snap-fit.
[0032] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the closure tab
is secured to the lid by bonding the vent cap to the vent base.
The Plug
[0033] The lid is provided with a drinking hole of arbitrary size,
shape and placement to suit the nature of the liquid being
contained. Said drinking hole is typically embodied on the lid body
but may alternatively be embodied in a recessed portion of the lid
body or in a raised portion of the lid body. This flexibility in
providing a drinking hole is an improvement over many known designs
wherein the size, shape and position of a drinking hole is
constrained.
[0034] The plug has two alternative positions with respect to the
drinking hole: namely the closed position wherein the plug seals
the drinking hole, and the open position wherein the plug is
secured away from the drinking hole by the plug holder.
[0035] In the closed position, the plug seals the drinking hole by
cooperatively mating the plug to the drinking hole. The mating
parts are so shaped and dimensioned that, in conjunction with the
elasticity of the lid material, said parts when pressed together
provide a fluid-tight seal.
[0036] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plug is
embodied as a downwardly convex part that seals the drinking hole
by being mated into the drinking hole. In said embodiment, the plug
may be tapered, or may incorporate an annular groove or annular
bead to facilitate the secure mating of the plug into the drinking
hole to provide a fluid-tight seal.
[0037] In another embodiment of the invention wherein the drinking
hole is raised above the lid body in the form of a spout, the plug
may be embodied as a downwardly concave cap that seals the drinking
hole by being mated over the said spout.
The Vent Device
[0038] The mating parts of the vent cap and vent base cooperate to
provide a vented reservoir chamber between them (herein called the
vent device).
[0039] A portion of the top surface of the vent base is concave or
indented, and includes an inner vent hole. A portion of the vent
cap may be convex or extended upwards, and includes an outer vent
hole.
[0040] The vent reservoir is provided by the height differential
between a portion of the top surface of the vent base and a portion
of the bottom surface of the vent cap.
[0041] While steam or vapor may pass freely through the vent
device, any liquid that splashes out of the inner vent hole will be
contained in the vent reservoir, and will be induced by gravity and
capillary action to fall back into the cup below, thus making the
vent device spill-resistant. In the case of a cup placed
temporarily on its side, any drops of the contained liquid that
dribble out of the inner vent hole will be constrained in the vent
reservoir until the vent reservoir is filled to the height of the
outer vent hole, thus providing adequate time to return the cup to
an upright position without any spillage of the contents. This
functionality is not taught by the prior art and is an important
improvement over all known designs.
[0042] The shape and volume of the vent reservoir and the size of
the inner and outer vent holes will vary to suit the liquid being
contained, and the degree of splashing produced in a specific
application of the invention.
[0043] In another embodiment, the vent device is formed by mating
of a separate part, formed in the manner of a vent cap, to a
separate part of the lid formed in the manner of a vent base.
The Lifting Tab
[0044] The closure tab includes a lifting tab for manipulating said
closure tab to open and close the drinking hole.
[0045] The lifting tab is provided by an outward extension of the
closure tab beyond the plug.
[0046] The lifting tab is so shaped and positioned as to be easily
grasped for the purpose of opening the drinking hole when in the
closed position, or unlocking the closure tab when in the open
position. This facilitates opening and closing the closure assembly
strictly by feel without visual reference. This is an improvement
over designs wherein the lifting tab lies on or close to the
surface of the lid.
[0047] To facilitate efficient stacking of lids, the lifting tab
may be induced to bend downward at the point where said lifting tab
passes over the peripheral edge of the lid body. Said bending of
the lifting tab is induced by a transverse "U" shaped groove, or by
a thinned or narrowed portion of said lifting tab, or by a hole or
slit punched in the lifting tab. This is an improvement over other
known designs wherein a lifting tab must be formed close to a lid
surface to allow efficient stacking, thus making it difficult to
grasp such a tab.
The Plug Holder
[0048] The plug, when in the open position, is securely held away
from the drinking hole by mating a suitably formed part of the plug
to the plug holder. Said parts of the plug and the plug holder are
of arbitrary placement, size and shape
[0049] The plug is secured to the plug holder in the open position
by press-fit or snap-fit, by mating cooperating parts of the plug
or a portion thereof to the plug holder.
[0050] In the preferred embodiment, the plug holder is provided by
a suitably formed part of the vent cap. This provides a closure tab
of minimum size and material, while providing a closure tab that is
extremely easy to manipulate with one hand, without visual
reference. The embodiment of the plug holder as part of the closure
tab is not taught by the prior art and is a significant improvement
over all known designs wherein a plug holder is embodied in the lid
body or elsewhere.
[0051] In another embodiment, said plug holder is provided by a
suitably formed part of the connecting member.
[0052] In the preferred embodiment, the part of the plug that mates
with the plug holder is elongated with respect to the lengthwise
dimension of the closure tab, or is otherwise shaped to facilitate
mating said part of the plug to the plug holder. This ease of
operation is an improvement over known designs wherein a plug
holder requires precise alignment to function correctly.
[0053] The connecting member of the closure tab is induced to bend
at a point such that the mating parts of the plug and the plug
holder are brought into close proximity when the closure tab is
manipulated from the closed position to the open position. Said
bending of the connecting member is induced by a transverse groove
formed in said connecting member, or by a thinned or narrowed
portion of said connecting member, or by a hole or slit in the
connecting member. This guided mating of the plug to the plug
holder is a significant improvement over known designs wherein a
connecting member is long, narrow and torsionally unstable, thus
making alignment of a plug to plug holder difficult.
General
[0054] The main functions of the closure tab: namely to provide a
spill-proof plug and to provide a spill-resistant vent device, may
be embodied as separate components. In said embodiment, the
separate components may be mechanically attached to the lid by
means of suitably formed parts, or by thermal or adhesive
bonding.
[0055] To suit esthetic and manufacturing preferences, the various
mating parts described above can be embodied such that when any two
parts are formed to mate with each other, that the first part is
convex with respect to the second part, and the second part is
concave with respect to the first part, or alternatively the first
part is concave with respect to the second part, and the second
part is convex with respect to the first part. This flexibility of
embodiment has significant advantage over known designs wherein the
topology of the functional elements is constrained.
[0056] The lid and closure tab are formed from suitable plastic
material. Single-use disposable lids are typically vacuum
thermoformed in a sheet of plastic material of essentially uniform
thickness, while reusable lids or permanent lids are typically
formed by injection molding.
[0057] A lid and closure tab may be formed separately or
simultaneously. If formed simultaneously, said lid and closure tab
may be formed such that when they are cut or punched out, they
remain connected at one or more points. The lid and closure tab are
then easily separated by the user for assembly by tearing them
apart.
[0058] The invention provides a closure assembly that is easy and
inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. The lid may be vacuum
thermoformed as a nested array in a wide continuous sheet of
suitable thermoplastic material. The closure tab may be
simultaneously formed in the interstices of the lid array in areas
that are normally scrap or "regrind". The ability to simultaneously
form lids and closure tabs, with very little additional material
requirement, results in negligible incremental manufacturing cost
over known simple lids. This provides a significant economic
advantage over many known designs.
[0059] In the preferred embodiment of the lid, the parts of the lid
that come into proximity when multiple lids are stacked together,
are so shaped and positioned as to provide clearance between each
other. Specifically, the locking bead and skirt for mating the lid
to a cup, and the vertical projection of the vent device, and the
vertical projection of the plug are such that the corresponding
parts have clearance when stacked. Thus the closure assembly of the
invention nests very well for efficient packaging.
[0060] In the preferred embodiment of the closure assembly the
central position of the plug holder facilitates the single handed
opening and closing operation of the closure assembly. Said
operation is easily accomplished by grasping the lifting tab
between one's thumb and index finger while grasping the cup rim
using the base of one's thumb, palm and remaining fingers. This
ease and flexibility of operation is not taught by the prior art
and is an important improvement over all known designs.
[0061] While some of the individual improvements and advantages of
the invention may be satisfactorily provided by known designs, the
prior art does not teach any design that simultaneously provides
all the numerous improvements and advantages recited.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0062] The invention will be described in greater detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals
refer to like parts and in which different embodiments of the same
parts are indicated by the same reference numeral with an
alphabetic suffix.
[0063] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the closure
assembly embodied in a lid illustrating the unassembled components
of the closure assembly. FIG. 1 also illustrates the major named
components of the closure assembly in the context of the preferred
embodiment as:
[0064] The closure assembly is 1 and comprises 12. 13 and 20
[0065] The lid is 10 and comprises 11, 12 and 13,
[0066] The lid body is 11
[0067] The vent base is 12
[0068] The drinking hole is 13
[0069] The closure tab is 20 and comprises 21, 22, 23 and 24
[0070] The connecting member is 21
[0071] The vent cap is 22
[0072] The plug is 23
[0073] The lifting tab is 24
[0074] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure assembly 1
illustrating the closure tab 20 in the closed position
(sealed).
[0075] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closure assembly 1
illustrating the closure tab 20 in the open position
(locked-back).
[0076] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid 10.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a cross section exploded view along the line 2-2
of the closure assembly 1 of FIG. 6 illustrating the unassembled
lid 10 and closure tab 20.
[0078] FIG. 6 is a top view of the closure assembly 1 with the
closure tab 20 in the closed position.
[0079] FIG. 7 is a cross section view along the line 2-2 of the
closure assembly 1 of FIG. 6 illustrating the closure tab 20 in the
closed position.
[0080] FIG. 8 is a top view of the closure assembly 1 with the
closure tab 20 in the open position.
[0081] FIG. 9 is a cross section view along the line 2-2 of the
closure assembly 1 of FIG. 8 illustrating the closure tab 20 in the
open position.
[0082] FIG. 10 is a detailed cross section view along the line 2-2
of FIG. 8 of the vent reservoir 30 through the closure tab 20 in
the open position.
[0083] FIG. 11 is a detailed cross section view along the line 3-3
of FIG. 8 of the vent reservoir 30 across the closure tab 20 in the
open position.
[0084] In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are
illustrated by way of example. Other further advantages and
features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description thereof and the
accompanying drawings.
[0085] It is expressly understood that the description and drawings
are illustrative of certain embodiments of the invention, but the
invention itself is defined by the accompanying claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0086] Referring to FIG. 1, the closure assembly 1 comprises a
closure tab 20 and cooperating parts of a lid 10, namely a vent
base 12 and a drinking hole 13, said cooperating parts being formed
in the lid body 11.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 10 comprises a lid body 11 in
the form of an essentially planar disk that substantially seals a
cup, and a drinking hole 13 for drinking or pouring out the
contents of a cup, and a vent base 12 that cooperatively mates the
closure tab 20 to said lid 10.
[0088] The lid 10 is mated to a cup by a means appropriate for the
cup. In the preferred embodiment, the lid 10 is mated by snap-fit
to an industry-standard beverage cup by means of an annular locking
bead 18 and flared skirt 17 that project below the lid body 11.
Said locking bead 18 and flared skirt 17 are sized and shaped for
efficient stacking of lids 10.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 7, the lid 10 may be embodied such that the
horizontal surface of the lid body 11 is essentially level with the
rim of a mated cup, or alternatively such that said horizontal
surface is embodied above the rim of a mated cup in the manner of a
"dome" style lid.
[0090] The lid body 11 is provided with a drinking hole 13 of
arbitrary size, shape and placement to suit the liquid being
contained, and to suit aesthetic and manufacturing preferences. In
the preferred embodiment, said drinking hole 13 is formed in a
recessed portion of the lid body 11. In other embodiments, the
drinking hole 13 is formed in the lid body 11, or in a raised
portion of the lid body 11 thus forming a spout.
[0091] The lid 10 is provided with a vent base 12 of arbitrary
size, shape and placement. In the preferred embodiment, the vent
base 12 is formed by a vertical protrusion positioned in the center
of the lid body 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the vent base 12 is
generally cylindrical in form and in the preferred embodiment is
tapered to facilitate mating with the vent cap 22. Said mating
parts may have portions thereof shaped to induce proper alignment
during the mating operation. The vent base 12 may be provided with
an annular ring 16 or an annular groove for mating with a
corresponding annular groove 26 or annular ring of the vent cap 22
to ensure the secure engagement of said mating parts.
[0092] The top surface of the vent base 12 is provided with a
downwardly concave vent indentation 14. As shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and
11, said vent indentation 14 in conjunction with the mated vent cap
22 provides the vent reservoir 30 between them.
[0093] The lid body 11 includes an inner vent hole 15 located in
the top surface of the vent base 12 at the bottom of the vent
indentation 14.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 1, the closure tab 20 comprises: a plug 23
that selectively seals the drinking hole 13; a lifting tab 24 that
is used to manipulate the closure tab 20; a vent cap 22 for
attaching said closure tab 20 to the lid 10; and a connecting
member 21 that connects the plug 23 to the vent cap 22.
[0095] The closure tab 20 is provided with a vent cap 22 that mates
to the vent base 12 of the lid 10. As shown in FIG. 5, the mating
surfaces of the vent cap 22 are shaped to cooperate with the
corresponding surfaces the vent base 12. Said mating parts may have
portions thereof shaped to induce proper alignment during the
mating operation. The surface of the vent cap 22 may be provided
with an annular groove 26 or an annular bead for mating with a
corresponding annular bead 16 or annular groove of the vent base 12
to ensure the secure engagement of said mating parts.
[0096] As shown in FIGS. 7, 10 and 11, a portion of the horizontal
surface of the vent cap 22 is shaped to provide a space between
said surface and a portion of the horizontal surface of the vent
base 12 when said parts are mated, thus creating the vent reservoir
30 between them.
[0097] The upper surface of the vent cap 22 is provided with the
outer vent hole 25.
[0098] The vent reservoir 30 together with the inner vent hole 15
and the outer vent hole 25 comprise the spill-resistant vent
device.
[0099] The shape and volume of the vent reservoir 30, and the size,
shape and placement of the inner vent hole 15 and the outer vent
hole 25 suit the liquid being contained and the degree of splashing
produced by a specific application of the closure assembly 1.
[0100] The closure tab 20 is provided with a plug 23 for mating to
the drinking hole 13. The plug 23 may be tapered or may be provided
with an annular groove or annular bead that cooperates with a
corresponding annular bead or annular groove of the drinking hole
13 to ensure secure engagement of said mating parts to provide a
fluid-tight seal.
[0101] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper or outer surface of
the plug 23 or a portion thereof, is shaped for securely engaging
the plug holder that in the preferred embodiment is provided by the
upper or outer surface of the vent cap 22. The mating parts of the
plug 23 and plug holder may be elongated with respect to each
other, or be otherwise shaped to facilitate the mating of said
parts.
[0102] The closure tab 20 is provided with a flexible connecting
member 21 for connecting the plug 23 to the vent cap 22. Said
connecting member 21 is induced to bend at a point such that the
mating parts of the plug 23 and plug holder are brought into close
proximity when the closure tab 20 is manipulated from the closed
position to the open position. As shown in FIG. 5, said bending of
the connecting member 21 is induced by providing in the connecting
member 21 one of: a narrowed portion 27, a thinned portion, a
transverse groove, a hole, and a slit.
[0103] The closure tab 20 is provided with a lifting tab 24 for
manipulating the closure tab 20 to open and close the drinking hole
13.
[0104] The lifting tab 24 is formed by an outward extension of the
closure tab 20 beyond the plug 23. Said lifting tab 24 is so shaped
and positioned as to be easily grasped for the purpose of opening
the drinking hole 13 when in the closed position as shown in FIG.
2, or unlocking the closure tab 20 when in the open position as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0105] To facilitate efficient stacking of lids 10, the lifting tab
24 may be induced to bend downward at the point where said lifting
tab 24 passes over the peripheral edge of the lid body 11. Said
bending of the lifting tab 24 is induced by providing in the
lifting tab 24 one of: a narrowed portion 27, a thinned portion, a
transverse groove, a hole, and a slit.
[0106] In another embodiment, the vent device is provided by
cooperatively mating a separate part, formed in the manner of a
vent cap 22, to a separate part of the lid body 11 formed in the
manner of a vent base 12.
[0107] To suit aesthetic and manufacturing preferences, the various
mating parts described above can be embodied such that when any two
parts are formed to mate with each other, that the first part is
convex with respect to the second part, and the second part is
concave with respect to the first part, or alternatively the first
part is concave with respect to the second part, and the second
part is convex with respect to the first part.
[0108] The lid 10 and closure tab 20 are thermoformed from suitable
plastic material. Single-use disposable lids are typically vacuum
thermoformed in a continuous sheet of plastic of essentially
uniform thickness, while reusable lids or permanent lids are
typically formed by injection molding.
[0109] The lid 10 and closure tab 20 may be formed simultaneously
or separately. If formed simultaneously, the lid 10 and closure tab
20 may be formed such that when they are cut or punched out, they
remain connected at one or more points. The lid 10 and closure tab
20 are then easily separated for assembly by tearing them
apart.
[0110] In the preferred embodiment of the closure assembly 1, the
parts of the closure assembly 1, which come into proximity when
multiple lids are stacked together, are so shaped and positioned as
to provide clearance between each other. The locking bead 18 and
skirt 17 for mating the lid 10 to a cup, and the vertical
projection of the vent reservoir 30, and the vertical projection of
the plug 23, and the central placement of the vent device are
shaped such that the corresponding parts nest efficiently.
* * * * *