U.S. patent application number 12/115377 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-06 for button actuated spill-proof lid for travel mug.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey T. Rohe.
Application Number | 20080272134 12/115377 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39938837 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080272134 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rohe; Jeffrey T. |
November 6, 2008 |
BUTTON ACTUATED SPILL-PROOF LID FOR TRAVEL MUG
Abstract
A lid assembly for a travel mug, comprising a top shell portion
having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending
downwardly therefrom; a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion
of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that
receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom
drink aperture through a bottom end; a valve member having a
portion that normally closes the bottom drink aperture; and an
actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve
member away from the bottom drink aperture to open the bottom drink
aperture.
Inventors: |
Rohe; Jeffrey T.; (Lake
Mary, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
One GOJO Plaza, Suite 300
AKRON
OH
44311-1076
US
|
Family ID: |
39938837 |
Appl. No.: |
12/115377 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60915860 |
May 3, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/713 ;
220/367.1; 220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/16 20130101; A47G
19/2272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/713 ;
220/714; 220/367.1 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 51/16 20060101 B65D051/16 |
Claims
1. A lid assembly for a travel mug, comprising: a top shell portion
having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending
downwardly therefrom; a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion
of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that
receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom
drink aperture through a bottom end; a valve member having a
portion that normally biases against the bottom drink aperture to a
closed position; and an actuator assembly comprising a camming
member that biases the valve member away from the bottom drink
aperture to an open position.
2. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly
further comprises a push button.
3. The lid assembly of claim 2, wherein the push button is located
on a sidewall of the lid assembly.
4. The lid assembly of claim 3, wherein when the push button is
fully pressed and released a first time, the valve member is biased
to and remains in the open position.
5. The lid assembly of claim 4, wherein when the push button is
fully pressed and released a second time, the valve member returns
to the closed position biased against the bottom drink
aperture.
6. The lid assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve member comprises
a central shaft that extends upward and contacts the camming
member.
7. The lid assembly of claim 6, wherein the central shaft
terminates in a bulbous camming surface.
8. The lid assembly of claim 7, wherein the camming member has a
camming surface that contacts the bulbous camming surface of the
central shaft, the camming member camming surface having a notch
therein to provide an intermediate position for the bulbous camming
surface between the open position and the closed position.
9. The lid assembly of claim 6, wherein the valve member further
comprises a bottom drink aperture plug.
10. The lid assembly of claim 6, wherein the bottom member further
comprises a vent aperture through the bottom end.
11. The lid assembly of claim 10, wherein the valve member further
comprises a vent aperture plug.
12. The lid assembly of claim 11, wherein the valve member further
comprises a bottom drink aperture plug.
13. The lid assembly of claim 3, wherein the valve member comprises
a plurality of base flow passages.
14. The lid assembly of claim 13, wherein the plurality of base
flow passages comprises at least four passages.
15. The lid assembly of claim 3, further comprising an indicator
visible from an outer portion of the lid assembly that indicates
whether the valve is open or closed.
16. The lid assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuator assembly
further comprises, a retaining collar, a spinner, a multi-shafted
hub, and a biasing member.
17. The lid assembly of claim 3, wherein when the push button is
pressed and released a first time, the valve member is biased away
from the bottom drink aperture.
18. The lid assembly of claim 3, wherein the push button is
round.
19. A method of operating a lid assembly attached to a travel mug
at least partially filled with liquid, comprising the steps of:
providing a lid assembly attached to a travel mug, the lid assembly
comprising a drink aperture through which liquid can selectively
flow, and a push button on an outer sidewall of the lid assembly,
the push button actuating a valve that opens and closes the drink
aperture; pressing and releasing the push button a first time to
open the valve; dispensing at least some of the liquid in the
travel mug through the drink aperture; and pressing and releasing
the push button a second time to close the valve.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the lid assembly comprises: a
top shell portion having a top drink aperture and top drink passage
extending downwardly therefrom; a bottom member engaged with a
bottom portion of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a
wall that receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a
bottom drink aperture through a bottom end; a valve member having a
portion that normally closes the bottom drink aperture; and an
actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve
member away from the bottom drink aperture to open the bottom drink
aperture.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent application 60/915,860, filed May 3, 2007, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to lids for beverage
containers, and more specifically, in one embodiment, to a lid for
a travel mug.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many types of beverage containers and travel mugs are known
in the art. A typical travel mug may comprise an insulated beverage
container and an attachable lid. The lid is particularly useful in
travel mugs to prevent spillage of the contents while the user is
traveling.
[0004] Many travel mug lids include a drinking aperture, latch, or
valve that can be opened or closed. When the aperture, latch, or
valve is open, the liquid in the container can be drunk by the
user. When the aperture, latch, or valve is closed, liquid ideally
will not escape from the container. The user presumably closes the
aperture until he or she is ready to drink from the mug, and then
opens the aperture when he or she is ready to drink. However, these
apertures or latch mechanisms also include one or more
disadvantages. For example, the latches are typically located on
the top of the lid, which makes one-handed operation of the mug
difficult. Additionally, the latch or valve mechanism may be of the
type that is open so long as the user is actuating the mechanism,
and closes when the user disengages his or her hand from the
mechanism. In an effort to overcome one or more limitations of the
prior art, one or more embodiments of the present invention are
hereby presented.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A lid assembly for a travel mug, comprising a top shell
portion having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending
downwardly therefrom; a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion
of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that
receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom
drink aperture through a bottom end; a valve member having a
portion that normally closes the bottom drink aperture; and an
actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve
member away from the bottom drink aperture to open the bottom drink
aperture. The actuator assembly may further comprises a push button
that located on a sidewall of the lid assembly. When the push
button is pressed and released a first time, the valve member may
be biased to an open position away from the bottom drink aperture.
When the push button is pressed and released a second time, the
valve member may return to a closed position against the bottom
drink aperture.
[0006] In another embodiment, a method of operating a lid assembly
attached to a travel mug at least partially filled with liquid is
disclosed that comprises the steps of providing a lid assembly
attached to a travel mug, the lid assembly comprising a drink
aperture through which liquid can selectively flow, and a push
button on an outer sidewall of the lid assembly, the push button
actuating a valve that opens and closes the drink aperture;
pressing and releasing the push button a first time to open the
valve; dispensing at least some of the liquid in the travel mug
through the drink aperture; and pressing and releasing the push
button a second time to close the valve.
[0007] Another embodiment of a lid for a beverage container may
comprise an upper and/or outer shell that receives a lid bottom
that houses a valve. The outer shell may comprise an actuator
assembly that operates the valve that opens and closes a drinking
aperture. The valve assembly may be located on a radially outward
side of the lid. In one embodiment, the actuator assembly operates
similarly to a ball point pen mechanism. For example, the actuator
assembly may comprise a button whereby the button is pressed and
released a first time to open the valve. When the user wishes to
close the valve to provide, for example, a spill-proof container,
the button is again pressed and released to close the valve. Any
such mechanism as is known in the art is contemplated for use as
the actuator assembly. One embodiment of an actuator assembly will
be described in more detail in the Detailed Description
section.
[0008] The valve assembly may comprise a disk member having a
sealing surface that engages a drink aperture. The disk may
normally be biased toward the drink aperture during a resting state
to close the aperture, and may be forced downward to disengage from
the drink aperture by the actuator assembly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a mug lid
assembly attached to a mug, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mug lid assembly
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an actuator assembly.
[0012] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the biasing slider of
the actuator assembly.
[0013] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the retainer collar of
the actuator assembly.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mug lid assembly of FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the
upper shell.
[0016] FIG. 5B is a magnified perspective view of the bottom
surface of the upper shell.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the
mug lid bottom.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a lid
assembly.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a
biasing slider of the actuator assembly.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a second embodiment of a valve
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] An exemplary embodiment of a mug lid assembly, hereinafter
referred to as a mug lid, generally identified by reference numeral
10, is illustrated in the Figures. The mug lid 10 may comprise a
top shell 20, a bottom member 50, an actuator assembly 70, and a
valve assembly 100.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the bottom 50 may include an outer
cylindrical wall 52 having an outer thread 53, closed at one end by
a bottom wall 54, and an upper flange 55 extending from open end of
the outer cylindrical wall 52. A flexible gasket 57 may be
deformably mounted over a lip 58 extending from the bottom wall 54,
which forms a water-tight seal when engaged with an appropriate
mug. An intermediate cylindrical wall 60 and an inner cylindrical
wall 62 joined to the bottom wall 54 encircle a valve shaft
aperture 64 located in the central region of the bottom wall 54. An
oval wall 66 spaced between the intermediate cylindrical wall 60
and the outer cylindrical wall 52 defines a drink passage seat 68,
upon which an oval gasket 69 may be located. A bottom drink
aperture 21 may be formed through the bottom wall 54 within the
perimeter of the oval wall 66. A vent aperture 23 may be also
formed through the bottom wall 54 at a position spaced between the
intermediate cylindrical wall 60 and the outer cylindrical wall
52.
[0023] The top shell 20 may typically comprise an integral or
monolithic plastic construction having a cylindrical sidewall 22
having a flat upper edge 24 joined to an upper wall 26 comprising a
flat central portion 27 and a curved outer portion 28. A top drink
aperture 30 may be formed through the upper wall 26 at the junction
of the flat central portion 27 and curved outer portion 28, the top
drink aperture in communication with an oval drink passage 32
shaped to be received by the oval wall 66 and engaged with the oval
gasket 69 located on the drink passage seat 68 of the lid bottom
50. An indicator aperture 34 may be disposed through the flat
central portion 27 and through a securing mechanism 29 extending
from the bottom of the flat central portion 27 at a location spaced
from the upper drink aperture 30. Located at a position in the
sidewall 22 one hundred eighty (180) degrees opposite the upper
drink aperture 30 is a button recess 36, through which a button
aperture 38 is formed.
[0024] The top shell 20 and the bottom 50 are assembled by aligning
the drink passage 32 with the oval wall 66 and inserting the bottom
50 inside the cylindrical sidewall 22 until the upper flange 55
snaps into locking engagement with a sidewall groove 40 about the
inner surface of top shell 20, forming a unitary lid 10.
[0025] The valve assembly 100 may comprise a circular base 102,
with a central shaft 104, a vent aperture plug 106, and a bottom
drink aperture plug 108 extending upward therefrom. A flexible
gasket 110 may be disposed around either or both the vent aperture
plug 106 and the drink aperture plug 108 to ensure a tight seal
with the vent aperture 23 and the bottom drink aperture 21,
respectively, when the valve assembly 100 is in the closed
position. The central shaft 104 terminates at the end opposite the
circular base 102 with a bulbous camming surface 112. In assembly,
the central shaft 104 is inserted through the bottom of the valve
shaft aperture 64. A coiled spring 120 may be seated on the bottom
wall 54 at a location spaced between the intermediate cylindrical
wall 60 and the inner cylindrical wall 62. A retaining cap 130
having four semi-rigid tabs 132 may snap fit over the bulbous
camming surface 112, and in combination with the bottom wall 54 and
intermediate cylindrical wall 60, retain the coiled spring 120.
[0026] The actuator assembly 70 may comprise a push button 72, a
retaining collar 74, a spinner 76, a multi-shafted hub 78, a
camming member 80, and a biasing member 82. In the assembled state,
the push button 72 is inserted into button recess 36. The spinner
ball 76a is inserted partially through the retaining collar 74 and
the button aperture 38 and received by the push button socket 72a.
The multi-shafted hub 78 comprises a first diameter shaft 78a,
which is received by the spinner recess 76b, and a second diameter
shaft 78b, which is at least partially inserted into the first
recess 80a of the camming indicator 80. The securing member 29
extending below the flat central portion 27 of the upper wall 26
comprises a longitudinal groove 29a having extended flange voids
29b and demonstrating a T-shaped cross-section, into which the
flanged raised portion 80b of the camming member 80, also having a
T-shaped cross-section, is inserted. Additionally, a first end 82a
of the biasing member 82 is received by a bias aperture in the
camming member. The biasing member 82 is provided in such a shape
that the second end 82b of the biasing member is tensionally
engaged with the oval drink passage 32. After assembly of the
actuator mechanism 70, the retaining collar 74 is secured to the
top shell 20 by two screws 74a, which are inserted through the
screw apertures 74b extending from the retaining collar 74 and
threadingly engaged in the fastener apertures 29c extending
downwardly from the upper wall 26.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the valve assembly 100 and
the actuator assembly 70 cooperate to open and close the lid. The
actuator assembly 70 is a toggle mechanism similar to that of a
ball point pen. When a user presses the push button 72, the spinner
76, the multi-shafted hub 78, and the camming member 80 slide
linearly toward the drink passage 32, compressing the biasing
member 82. The spinner 76 and the multi-shafted hub 78 extend
beyond the grooves 74c inside the stationary retaining collar 74,
whereupon the camming engagement of the camming surfaces 78c of the
hub 78 and the camming surfaces 76c of the spinner rotates the hub
78 60.degree., so that when the button 72 is released, the arms 78d
of the hub 78 are out of alignment with the grooves 74c and the
biasing member 82 cannot return the hub 78 and the camming member
80 to their initial positions. In this open position, the camming
surface 80c of the camming member 80 engages the bulbous camming
surface 112, thereby driving the valve assembly 100 downward,
compressing the coiled spring 120 and spacing the drink aperture
plug 108 and corresponding gasket 100 apart from the bottom drink
aperture 21, creating a pathway for liquid to flow through the lid
10 and into a user's mouth. At all times, the upper surface 81 of
the camming member 80 is visible through the indicator aperture
34.
[0028] When a user desires to close the lid, the push button 72 is
again depressed, the spinner 76 slides linearly toward the drink
passage 32, compressing the biasing member 82. The spinner 76
extends beyond the grooves 74c inside the stationary retaining
collar 74, whereupon the camming engagement of the camming surfaces
78c of the hub 78 and the camming surfaces 76c of the spinner
rotates the hub 78 60.degree., so that when the button 72 is
released, the arms 78d of the hub 78 are again in alignment with
the grooves 74c and the biasing member 82 biases the hub 78 and the
camming member 80 to their initial positions. Furthermore, the
camming surface 80c of the camming member 80 disengages the bulbous
camming surface 112, and the coiled spring 120 biases the valve
assembly 100 upward, thereby closing the valve.
[0029] Furthermore, the proximal half 81a of the upper surface 81
may be colored red, so that when the actuator mechanism 70 is in
the closed position, the user sees the color red through the
indicator aperture 34, indicating the lid is closed. Conversely,
the distal half 81b of the upper surface 81 is colored green, so
that when the actuator mechanism 70 is in the open position, the
user sees the color green through the indicator aperture 34,
indicating the lid 10 is open and the user may drink therefrom.
[0030] In a further embodiment, it is envisioned that the mug lid
110 may comprise a round push button 172, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0031] In another embodiment, it is envisioned that camming member
180 may comprise a first recess 180a, a flanged raised portion
180b, a camming surface 180c, and a camming surface notch 180d, as
shown in FIG. 8. As such, when a user presses the push button 72,
the bulbous camming surface 112 is temporarily engaged in camming
surface notch 180d, whereby steam may escape from the mug lid 10
through the drink passage 32 without burning the user. A subsequent
increase in force upon the push button 72 may cause the bulbous
camming surface 112 to disengage the camming surface notch 180d,
thereby creating a pathway for liquid to flow through the lid 10
and into a user's mouth.
[0032] In still another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9, it is
envisioned that valve assembly 1100 may comprise a base 1102, a
central shaft 1104, vent aperture plug 106 (not shown), drink
aperture plug 108 (not shown), and a plurality of base flow
apertures or passages 1114. In such an embodiment, liquid may flow
through base flow passages 1114 and subsequently through drink
passage 32, thereby increasing liquid flow rate, as liquid does not
have to flow around base 1100 in order to enter drink passage 32.
Furthermore, it should be noted that base 1100 is elongated rather
than round or circular, eliminating extra material and allowing
liquid to flow around the base 1100 more efficiently than the base
100.
[0033] In use, the user would fill the container with liquid and
screw or otherwise attach the lid to the container. When the user
wishes to drink a portion of the liquid, the user depresses and
releases button 72. When the user has at least temporarily finished
drinking, the user may press and release the button 72 again to
close the container such that it is spill resistant or spill
proof.
[0034] Other embodiments of a lid for are contemplated. For
example, any shape of lid may be used in conjunction with
embodiments of the present invention. Other actuators as are known
in the art could also be used.
[0035] While the invention has been described with reference to
certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment
disclosed.
* * * * *