U.S. patent application number 13/075544 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for apparatus and method for sealing a beverage container lid.
Invention is credited to Jason O. Germany, David A. Holcomb.
Application Number | 20110174818 13/075544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37453026 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110174818 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holcomb; David A. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2011 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING A BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID
Abstract
An apparatus for sealing a cover of a beverage container
comprises a body having an opening therethrough and a ball disposed
in an elongated depression in the body, the ball being movable
along the depression between first and second positions to expose
at least a portion of the opening to allow fluid flow to and from
the container when in the first position and sealingly occlude the
opening to prevent spillage when in the second position.
Inventors: |
Holcomb; David A.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Germany; Jason O.; (Seattle, WA) |
Family ID: |
37453026 |
Appl. No.: |
13/075544 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11482543 |
Jul 7, 2006 |
7950541 |
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13075544 |
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60697894 |
Jul 7, 2005 |
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60711797 |
Aug 26, 2005 |
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60725935 |
Oct 11, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/26 20130101;
A47G 19/2272 20130101; A47G 2200/106 20130101; B65D 2313/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A lid used with a container for manually sealing or unsealing
the container, the lid comprising: a body having a rim and a top,
the rim being sealingly engageable with the container, the top
having an opening therein adapted to be in fluid communication with
the container, the top also having an elongated depression therein,
the opening in the top being positioned along the elongated
depression, the elongated depression having a maximum width at a
widest location and terminating at its upper end in a pair of edges
positioned closer to each other than the maximum width; and a ball
positioned within the elongated depression, the ball having an
outside diameter less than the maximum width and greater than the
distance between the edges of the elongated depression such that
the ball cannot be easily removed from the body, the ball being
movable and selectively positionable along a length of the
elongated groove between at least first and second positions, the
ball in the first position exposing at least a portion of the
opening to allow the fluid communication, and the ball in the
second position sealingly occluding the opening to prevent the
fluid communication.
2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the ball is perfectly spherical.
3. The lid of claim 1 wherein the elongated depression is linear
when viewed from directly above.
4. The lid of claim 1 wherein the elongated groove has an arcuate
cross section.
5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the elongated groove has an arcuate
cross section with a radius slightly larger than a radius of the
ball.
6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the ball has a resilient external
surface.
7. The lid of claim 1 wherein the ball comprises a resilient
material.
8. The lid of claim 1 wherein the ball is made entirely from a
resilient material.
9. A beverage receptacle comprising: a container adapted to retain
a fluid therein; a lid in fluid communication with the container,
the lid having a rim and a top, the rim being sealingly engaged
with the container, the top having an opening therein adapted to be
in fluid communication with the container, the top also having an
elongated depression therein, the opening in the top being
positioned along the elongated depression, the elongated depression
having a maximum width at a widest location and terminating at its
upper end in a pair of edges positioned closer to each other than
the maximum width; and a ball positioned within the elongated
depression, the ball having an outside diameter less than the
maximum width and greater than the distance between the edges of
the elongated depression such that the ball cannot be easily
removed from the lid, the ball being movable and selectively
positionable along a length of the elongated groove between at
least first and second positions, the ball in the first position
exposing at least a portion of the opening to allow the fluid
communication, and the ball in the second position sealingly
occluding the opening to prevent the fluid communication.
10. A method for alternatingly sealing and unsealing a lid of a
drinking container, the method comprising: rolling a ball along an
elongated depression in the lid into a first position to obstruct
an opening in the lid and prevent spillage from the container; and
rolling the ball along the elongated depression in the lid out of
the first position to remove the obstruction from the opening in
the lid and allow a fluid to be poured from the container.
11. The method of claim 10 further wherein rolling the ball into
the first position comprises rolling the ball in a first direction
and rolling the ball out of the first position comprises rolling
the ball in a second direction opposite the first direction.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/697,894
filed Jul. 7, 2005; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/711,797 filed Aug. 26, 2005; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/725,935 filed Oct. 11, 2005, where these (three)
provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is generally related to container
lids, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for sealing
beverage containers, for example lids for portable coffee mugs.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Modern-day lifestyles are increasingly mobile, especially in
urban communities. Individuals are often on the go regardless of
financial status, marital status, sex, and parental status. Since
such individuals are typically stretched for time, they typically
accomplish certain tasks while they are in route between
activities, errands and avocations and/or while they are attending
to their activities, errands and/or avocations. This trend has led
to products designed to suit such lifestyles.
[0006] One example of a category of tasks that contemporary
individuals accomplish while in route or during their activities is
mobile communications. Another category is replenishments and
consumables, for example, drinking beverages and eating foods in
portable containers in the car, at work, during sports activities
or other activities. In particular, beverages, such as coffee, tea
and sports drinks are often consumed on the go. For example, often
individuals either buy or make their beverages to take with them so
they can consume their beverage wherever, for example, in a
vehicle, in a meeting, during sports activities, or any other place
where traditional beverage containers such as ceramic mugs or glass
cups are not suitable due to the user being in motion or having
limited capabilities to handle and/or manipulate the beverage
container.
[0007] Existing solutions include disposable cups with plastic lids
having an opening. However, these cups contribute to environmental
pollution and do not sufficiently retain contents of the cup. For
example, typically when the cup is full, if a user drops the cup or
aggressively manipulates the cup while driving, the plastic lid is
generally not structurally capable of retaining the contents, which
consequently spill. Other solutions include reusable cups with
sealable lids having an opening and that are sealed either
threadedly or via mating surfaces of the lid and the container.
Lids of many such cups may include a removable member to block the
opening in the lid when the user is not drinking. However, many
such members compromise partial spillage for removability and do
not substantially prevent spillage, especially when the cup is
aggressively handled or dropped, such as during driving or sports
activities. Yet other solutions include removable members that may
substantially seal the opening in the lid and prevent spillage;
however, these lids typically include sealing devices that are
difficult and time consuming to open and close, such as rubber or
threadedly engaged seals.
[0008] Accordingly there is a need for an apparatus and a method to
seal containers that is easy to manufacture, substantially prevents
spillage and is selectively and rapidly manipulable between sealed
and open positions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one embodiment, an apparatus used with a
container for manually sealing or unsealing the container,
comprises a body being sealingly engageable with the container, the
body having an opening therein adapted to be in fluid communication
with the container, and a magnetic closure coupled to the body and
having at least one magnetically motivated member selectively and
magnetically positionable in at least first and second positions on
the body, the magnetically motivated member exposing at least a
portion of the opening to allow the fluid communication when in the
first position and sealingly occluding the opening to prevent the
fluid communication when in the second position.
[0010] According to another embodiment, a container comprises a lid
having an opening adapted to be in fluid communication with the
container, and means for magnetically retaining a magnetically
motivated member, independent of mechanical assistance, in at least
first and second positions disposed on the lid, the magnetically
motivated member exposing at least a portion of the opening to
allow the fluid communication when in the first position and
sealingly occluding the opening to prevent the fluid communication
when in the second position.
[0011] According to yet another embodiment, a container lid
comprises an opening, at least a first magnetic member of a first
polarity disposed on at least a first portion of the lid and a
second magnetic member of a second polarity, substantially opposite
the first polarity, disposed on at least a second portion of the
lid, the first magnetic member magnetically retaining the second
magnetic member in first and second positions, independent of
mechanical assistance, to expose at least a portion of the opening
to allow fluid communication between the opening and the container
when in the first position and sealingly occlude the opening to
prevent spillage when in the second position.
[0012] According to still another embodiment, a method for sealing
a lid of a container comprises magnetically attracting a first
magnetic member of a first polarity toward a first portion of a
second magnetic member of a second polarity proximate an opening in
the lid to substantially occlude the opening and prevent spillage
from the container, and retaining the first magnetic member on the
opening independent of mechanical assistance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0013] FIG. 1A is a top plan view of an apparatus for magnetically
sealing a cover of a beverage container, according to one
embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
1A, viewed across section 1B-1B.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an apparatus for magnetically
sealing a cover of a beverage container, according to another
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
2A, viewed across section 2B-2B.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an apparatus for magnetically
sealing a cover of a beverage container, according to yet another
embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 4A is an isometric view of the apparatus of FIG.
2A.
[0019] FIG. 4B is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 4A engaged
with a container.
[0020] FIG. 5A is a bottom isometric view of an apparatus for
magnetically sealing a cover of a beverage container according to
still another embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5B is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 5A engaged
with a container.
[0022] FIG. 6A is a top plan view of an apparatus for magnetically
sealing a cover of a beverage container, according to a further
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG.
6A, viewed across section 6B-6B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The following detailed description is directed toward
apparatus and methods for covering a beverage container.
Illustrated and described embodiments of the present invention
allow an individual to selectively seal the beverage container to
prevent liquid from spilling therefrom, and unseal the beverage
container to drink therefrom, both actions being accomplished by
merely rolling a ball or similar member between respective
locations on a cover for the beverage container. The following
detailed description and associated figures are intended to provide
an individual of ordinary skill in the art with enough information
to enable the individual to make and use embodiments of the
invention. Such an individual, however, having read this detailed
description and reviewed the figures, will appreciate that
modifications can be made from the illustrated and described
embodiments without deviating from the spirit of the invention. It
is the inventors' intention that all such modifications fall within
the scope of the invention, to the extend any such deviation is
within the scope of the associated claims.
[0025] 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 methods and
structures. 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.
[0026] FIG. 1A illustrates an apparatus 100 for magnetically
sealing a cover of a beverage container according to one particular
embodiment, comprising a body 102 having an opening 104 adapted to
communicate fluid flow to and from the container. The apparatus 100
further comprises a magnetic closure 106 having at least one
magnetically motivated member 108 that may be selectively moved
between first and second positions 110, 112, exposing at least a
portion of the opening 104 when in the first position 110 and at
least substantially occluding the opening 104 to magnetically seal
the cover and prevent the fluid flow when in the second position
112.
[0027] The magnetic closure 106 may further comprise at least a
first magnetic member 114 of a first polarity disposed on at least
a portion of the body 102 and/or first and/or second surfaces 118,
120 (FIG. 1B) of an intermediate member 116 thereof. The
magnetically motivated member 108 may comprise a second magnetic
member of a second polarity, opposite the first polarity, or a
magnetically attracted metallic material, such as for example,
steel, nickel or any other ferromagnetic metal or material
attracted to the first magnetic member 114. A user may apply a
slight force to the magnetically motivated member 108, selectively
moving it between the first and second positions 110, 112,
respectively. As the magnetically motivated member 108 moves toward
the first position 110, the first magnetic member 114 magnetically
attracts the magnetically motivated member 108, maintaining the
magnetically motivated member 108 in the first position 110 without
manual and/or mechanical assistance and exposing at least a portion
of the opening 104 to allow fluid flow. As the magnetically
motivated member 108 moves toward the second position 112, the
second magnetic member 114 magnetically attracts the magnetically
motivated member 108, maintaining the magnetically motivated member
108 in the second position 112, without manual and/or mechanical
assistance, to sealingly occlude the opening 104.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the magnetically motivated member
108 may be disposed on a first surface 118 of the intermediate
member 116 and the first magnetic member 114 may disposed on the
first and/or second surfaces 118, 120 of the intermediate member
116. The intermediate member 116, or at least one of the first and
second surfaces 118, 120 thereof, may comprise a dimension and/or a
material that allows the first magnetic member 114 to magnetically
interact with the magnetically motivated member 108. For example,
the intermediate member 116 may comprise plastics, silicone,
elastics, films or foils, or any other suitable material that
allows the first magnetic member 114 to magnetically interact with
the magnetically motivated member 108.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in another embodiment, an
apparatus 200 for magnetically sealing a cover of a beverage
container may comprise a first recess 222 (see FIG. 4A), such as
for example a concavity formed in at least a portion of the first
surface 218 of the intermediate member 216 of the body 202 of the
apparatus 200. The first recess 222 can approximately conform to a
shape of at least a portion of the magnetically motivated member
208, guiding the magnetically motivated member 208 between the
first and second positions 210, 212, further promoting the
efficient movement of the magnetically motivated member 208 and
making it easier and less time-consuming for the user to switch
between the first and second positions 210, 212. In some
embodiments, the first recess 222 may extend from the first
position 210 to the second position 212. In some embodiments, the
first recess 222 may comprise an optional second recess 224 formed
in a portion of the first recess 222 and at least partially
circumscribing the opening 204 proximate the second position 212.
An upper portion of the recess 224 can project inwardly, preventing
the magnetically motivated member 208 from being separated from the
cover, while providing sufficient access to the magnetically
motivated member 208 to allow a user to roll the magnetically
motivated member 208 with, for example, a thumb, between the open
and sealed configurations.
[0030] In some embodiments, the second recess 224 may comprises a
frustoconical shape having a first terminal end 226 open to the
recess 222 and/or the first surface 218 of the intermediate member
216 of the body 202, and a second terminal end 228 open to the
opening 204. In still other embodiments, the second recess 224 may
form and/or be the opening 204.
[0031] In any of the embodiments, the magnetically motivated member
208 may comprise any shape that may have aesthetic and/or
functional quality. For example, the magnetically motivated member
208 may comprise a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 4A,
where the magnetically motivated member 208 rollingly and/or
slidably moves between the first and second positions 210, 212. As
illustrated in FIG. 2B, in some embodiments, at least a portion of
the first magnetic member 214 can be disposed within a molding that
may form the intermediate member 216.
[0032] In yet another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, an
apparatus 300 for magnetically sealing a cover of a beverage
container may comprise a magnetically motivated member 308 having a
parallelogram and/or rectangular shape, where the magnetically
motivated member 308 slidably translates between the first and
second positions 310, 312 to at least partially expose and
sealingly occlude an opening 304, respectively. At least one
magnetic member 314 can retain the magnetically motivated member in
the first and second positions 310, 312, without any manual and/or
mechanical assistance.
[0033] The magnetically motivated member 108, 208, 308 may have any
other shape, such as elliptical, cylindrical, frustoconical or any
combination thereof or any other suitable shape. In some
embodiments, the apparatus 300 may comprise more than one
magnetically motivated member 308, which can have a consistent same
shape and/or material, or they may comprise different shapes and/or
materials.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the apparatus 200, discussed
above, may comprise an optional first portion 230, extending in a
first direction from the intermediate member 216 of the body 202
and adapted to deliver the fluid flow when the magnetically
motivated member 208 is in the first position 210. Furthermore, the
apparatus 200 may comprise a second portion 232, extending in a
second direction, opposite the first direction, and adapted to form
a fluid-tight seal with the container 40 (FIG. 4B) about its
periphery 234, the intermediate member 216 being interposed between
the first and second portions 232, 234. For example, the second
portion 234 may comprise at least one protrusion 236 extending
about at least a portion of the periphery 234. For example, in some
embodiments the protrusions 236 may extend at an angle with respect
to an axis substantially parallel to a plane that can be
substantially normal to a longitudinal extension of the container
40. Accordingly, the protrusions 236 may threadedly engage at least
a portion of the container 40 adjacent the periphery 234 and having
at least one recess threadedly receiving the protrusions 236 to
form the fluid-tight seal. Additionally, or alternatively, the
protrusions 236 may comprise a resilient material, such as for
example, silicone and/or plastics, the portion of the container 40
captively receiving the periphery 234, forming an interference fit
with the protrusions 236 to form the fluid-tight seal. In other
embodiments forming the interference fit fluid-tight seal, the
angle may be substantially 0 degrees.
[0035] The configuration of the periphery 234 and/or the
protrusions 236 may be adapted to form the fluid-tight seal with
existing containers, the user being able to use the apparatus 200
with various beverage containers, for example with standard small,
medium large and/or short, tall, grande and/or vente configured
cups and/or mugs. FIG. 4B illustrates the second portion 232
captively received in a portion of the container 40 adjacent the
periphery 234 (FIG. 4A).
[0036] As shown in FIG. 5A, still other embodiments of an apparatus
400 for magnetically sealing a cover of a beverage container 50
(FIG. 5B) may comprise a second portion 432 comprising a resilient,
flexible, elastic and/or stretchable material such as silicone,
flexible plastics, elastics and/or natural or synthetic rubbers
and/or any combination thereof, to captively receive a periphery of
an open end of the container 50 and form the fluid-tight seal.
[0037] In a further embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, an
apparatus 500 for magnetically sealing a cover of a beverage
container may comprise a magnetically motivated member 508
magnetically engaged with at least a portion of the intermediate
member 516 of the body 502 and selectively moveable, for example,
rollable and/or slidable, between a first position 510 (FIG. 6B) in
which the magnetically motivated member 508 is at least partially
spaced apart from the opening 504, and a second position 512 (FIG.
6B) in which the magnetically motivated member 508 can be seated in
at least a portion of the opening 504 to prevent fluids from
passing through the opening 504. As shown in FIG. 6B, at least a
portion of the intermediate member 516, the body 502 of the
apparatus 500 and/or the magnetically motivated member 508 can be
coated with a coating 540, for example with a silicone and/or
plastic overmold or other suitable coating, to facilitate the seal
between the magnetically motivated member 508 and the opening 504,
and/or to provide at least one feature 542, such as for example,
contours, channels or other features to direct the magnetically
motivated member 508 between the first and second positions 510,
512. The feature and/or features 542 can include a detent,
depression, recess, curb, gutter, and/or any other feature that
retains the magnetically motivated member 508 in the first position
510 without any manual and/or mechanical assistance, and/or
facilitates a movement of the magnetically motivated member 508
between the first and second positions 510, 512.
[0038] The apparatus 500 may include at least a first magnetic
member 514 having a concavity, recess, or opening to retain the
magnetically motivated member 508 in both the first and second
positions 510, 512, and/or multiple magnetic members 514, arranged
throughout the body 502 to collectively retain the magnetically
motivated member 508 in the first and second positions 510, 512.
The opening 504 and/or the first magnetic member 514, which in some
embodiments can form the opening 504, may comprise a cylindrical
shape having a tapering periphery surface 544, such as a
frustonical shape, to further facilitate preventing the
magnetically motivated member 508 from passing through the opening
504 and/or the opening of the first magnetic member 514, into an
interior of the container.
[0039] Although the apparatus 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 have been
described primarily in conjunction with sealing a cover of a
beverage container, one of ordinary skill in the art having
reviewed this disclosure will appreciate the apparatus 100, 200,
300, 400, 500 can be used with any container storing and
selectively dispensing fluids such as tea, coffee, soft drinks,
sports drinks, bubble tea, frozen drinks and shakes, or any other
liquid or fluid and solids, such as herbs, ground goods such as
ground coffee, salt, pepper, or any other solids.
[0040] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application
publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign
patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this
specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0041] 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.
* * * * *