U.S. patent application number 13/463552 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for reclosable container lid.
The applicant listed for this patent is TSUNG MING CHEN. Invention is credited to TSUNG MING CHEN.
Application Number | 20130292381 13/463552 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49511753 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130292381 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEN; TSUNG MING |
November 7, 2013 |
Reclosable Container Lid
Abstract
A reclosable container lid includes a top cover and a lid
arrangement. The top cover has a top ceiling, a sealing rim for
sealing at a container, and a drinking opening formed at the top
ceiling. The lid arrangement includes a through elongated guiding
slot formed at the top ceiling of the top cover, a lid panel
rotatably coupled at a bottom side of the top cover, and a lid
actuator upwardly extended from the lid panel above the top ceiling
of the top cover through the guiding slot to move the lid panel.
When the lid actuator is moved to a first end of the guiding slot,
the lid panel is moved to cover at the drinking opening. When the
lid actuator is moved to a second end of the guiding slot, the lid
panel is moved away from the drinking opening.
Inventors: |
CHEN; TSUNG MING; (Hsin Chu
Tsen, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHEN; TSUNG MING |
Hsin Chu Tsen |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
49511753 |
Appl. No.: |
13/463552 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00046
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.4 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A reclosable container lid for a container, comprising: a top
cover having a top ceiling, a sealing rim adapted for sealing at an
upper rim of said container, and a drinking opening formed at said
top ceiling; and a lid arrangement which comprises a through
elongated guiding slot formed at said top ceiling of said top
cover, a lid panel rotatably coupled at a bottom side of said top
cover, and a lid actuator upwardly extended from said lid panel
above said top ceiling of said top cover through said guiding slot
to move said lid panel, wherein when said lid actuator is moved to
a first end of said guiding slot, said lid panel is moved to cover
at said drinking opening, wherein when said lid actuator is moved
to a second end of said guiding slot, said lid panel is moved away
from said drinking opening for opening up said drinking
opening.
2. The reclosable container lid of claim 1 wherein said top cover
has a circular shape and said lid panel is rotatably coupled at
said bottom side of said top cover, wherein said top cover has a
center slot formed at a center of said top cover, wherein said lid
panel has a center shaft coupled at said center slot to allow said
lid panel being rotated under said top cover.
3. The reclosable container lid of claim 2 wherein said lid panel
has an arc-shape and defines an angle of about 120.degree. between
two side edges.
4. The reclosable container lid of claim 2 wherein said top cover
further has an annular raised portion which defines a sliding
channel therewithin and extended from said sealing rim of said top
cover, wherein said lid panel has a raised guiding portion formed
at a peripheral portion of said lid panel and slidably engaged with
said sliding channel of said top cover, so that said lid panel is
stably slid under said top cover.
5. The reclosable container lid of claim 4 wherein said top cover
further has an annular first locking rail extended between said
annular raised portion and said sealing rim, wherein said lid panel
further has a second locking rail formed at a peripheral edge of
said lid panel to engage with said first locking rail, wherein when
said first and second locking rails are engaged, said lid panel is
allowed to rotate under said top cover and is prevented being
detached from said top cover.
6. The reclosable container lid of claim 1 wherein said guiding
slot has an arc-shaped and defines an arc-length between said first
and second ends of said guiding slot, wherein said arc-length of
said guiding slot is larger than a length of said drinking opening,
wherein said first and second ends of said guiding slot are two
stopper ends that when said lid actuator is stopped at said first
end of said guiding slot, said lid panel is moved to cover at said
drinking opening, and when said lid actuator is stopped at said
second end of said guiding slot, said lid panel is moved away from
said drinking opening for opening up said drinking opening.
7. The reclosable container lid of claim 5 wherein said guiding
slot has an arc-shaped and defines an arc-length between said first
and second ends of said guiding slot, wherein said arc-length of
said guiding slot is larger than a length of said drinking opening,
wherein said first and second ends of said guiding slot are two
stopper ends that when said lid actuator is stopped at said first
end of said guiding slot, said lid panel is moved to cover at said
drinking opening, and when said lid actuator is stopped at said
second end of said guiding slot, said lid panel is moved away from
said drinking opening for opening up said drinking opening.
8. The reclosable container lid of claim 1 further comprising a
positioning unit for notifying a position of said lid panel,
wherein said positioning unit comprises first and second
positioning notches formed at said top cover and a positioning
protrusion formed at said lid panel, wherein when said positioning
protrusion is engaged with said first positioning notch, said lid
panel is moved to cover at said drinking opening, wherein when said
positioning protrusion is engaged with said second positioning
notch, said lid panel is moved away from said drinking opening for
opening up said drinking opening.
9. The reclosable container lid of claim 7 further comprising a
positioning unit for notifying a position of said lid panel,
wherein said positioning unit comprises first and second
positioning notches formed at said top cover and a positioning
protrusion formed at said lid panel, wherein when said positioning
protrusion is engaged with said first positioning notch, said lid
panel is moved to cover at said drinking opening, wherein when said
positioning protrusion is engaged with said second positioning
notch, said lid panel is moved away from said drinking opening for
opening up said drinking opening.
10. The reclosable container lid of claim 9 wherein said first and
second positioning notches are spacedly formed at said annular
raised portion of said top cover adjacent to said guiding slot.
11. The reclosable container lid of claim 9 wherein a distance
between said first and second positioning notches matches with said
arc-length of said guiding slot.
12. The reclosable container lid of claim 10 wherein a distance
between said first and second positioning notches matches with said
arc-length of said guiding slot.
13. The reclosable container lid of claim 1 wherein said lid panel
is made of transparent material, wherein said top cover further has
a window formed at said top ceiling and covered by said lid panel
for allowing an interior of said container being seen-through when
said top cover couples at said container.
14. The reclosable container lid of claim 12 wherein said lid panel
is made of transparent material, wherein said top cover further has
a window formed at said top ceiling and covered by said lid panel
for allowing an interior of said container being seen-through when
said top cover couples at said container.
15. The reclosable container lid of claim 14 wherein said lid panel
always cover said window at said bottom side of said top panel no
matter said drinking opening is opened or closed.
16. The reclosable container lid of claim 14 wherein said window is
formed at said top ceiling of said top cover and is misaligned with
said drinking opening with respect to said center of said top
cover.
17. The reclosable container lid of claim 1 wherein said top cover
further comprises a raised mouthpiece extended from said top
ceiling to define said drinking opening.
18. The reclosable container lid of claim 14 wherein said top cover
further comprises a raised mouthpiece extended from said top
ceiling to define said drinking opening.
19. The reclosable container lid of claim 1 wherein said top cover
and said lid arrangement are made of disposable and recycling
material.
20. The reclosable container lid of claim 18 wherein said top cover
and said lid arrangement are made of disposable and recycling
material.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a lid of a container. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a reclosable
container lid for a container, especially for a disposable cup,
which allows the user to selectively close the drinking opening of
the reclosable container lid for preventing unwanted spillage.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] Container lids are well-known in the beverage industry. Fast
food restaurant or coffee shop will generally distribute beverages
in disposable drinking cups and lids to cover thereat. Generally
speaking, a straw opening is formed at the lid for cold beverage
cup, wherein the user is able to insert a straw into the straw
opening to drink the cold beverage without opening the lid.
However, the lid with the straw opening cannot be used for the
drinking cup to contain hot beverage, such as hot coffee, hot tea,
or hot chocolate.
[0005] The conventional lid for hot beverage cup generally
comprises a top wall covering at the opening of the cup, a
surrounding rim sealed at the upper rim of the cup, and a drinking
opening formed at the top wall. However, the drinking opening of
the lid cannot be closed and can result in a significant heat loss
from the drinking opening. The user will also suffer from unwanted
spillage through the drinking opening.
[0006] An improved lid further comprises a fold-back tab to
initially seal at the drinking opening. However, once the fold-back
tab is torn to open up the drinking opening, the drinking opening
cannot be perfectly closed by the fold-back tab again. As a result,
the lid with the fold-back tab cannot prevent the existing problems
of heat loss and unwanted spillage.
[0007] Another advanced lid is designed to have a double-wall
structure, which comprises an inner lid wall is sealed to the cup
and an outer lid wall rotatable mounted to the inner lid wall,
wherein the inner lid wall and the outer lid wall are identical.
The user rotates the outer lid wall to align an outer opening
thereof with an inner opening of the inner lid wall for opening up
the drinking opening. When the outer lid wall is rotated to
misalign the outer opening with the inner opening, the drinking
opening is closed. However, the design requires two hands
operation, wherein the user must hold the cup tight by one hand and
must rotate the outer lid wall by the other hand. The user must
intentionally view the corrected alignment between the outer
opening and the inner opening. Otherwise, the drinking opening
cannot be fully opened up. The id is difficult to manufacture due
to the complex double wall design. Therefore, the lid is difficult
to operate and the effectiveness of the lid is compromised.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention overcomes the above mentioned
drawbacks and limitation by incorporating a reclosable container
lid, which is a simple, compact and inexpensive device.
[0009] The primary objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid allows the user to selectively close the
drinking opening of the reclosable container lid for preventing
unwanted spillage.
[0010] Another objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid, which can be operated by one hand of the
user.
[0011] Another objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid is designed to be user-friendly. The
reclosable container lid is readily available, and inexpensive in
manufacturing cost. Advantages include a requirement of very small
storage area, ease of use, and instant sealing at the drinking
opening when it is closed.
[0012] Another objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid having a window so that the user is able
to see through the interior of the container through the
window.
[0013] Another objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid is compatible with any cup made of paper
or foam.
[0014] Another objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid is disposable.
[0015] Another objective of the present invention is that the user
is able to notify the position of the lid panel by a "click" sound
and/or a feel of engagement between notch and protrusion.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is that the
reclosable container lid comprises a raised mouthpiece, so that the
user is able to easily drink the beverage in the container through
the mouthpiece
[0017] The reclosable container lid of the instant invention
comprises a top cover and a lid arrangement.
[0018] The top cover has a top ceiling, a sealing rim adapted for
sealing at an upper rim of a container, and a drinking opening
formed at the top ceiling.
[0019] The lid arrangement comprises a through elongated guiding
slot formed at the top ceiling of the top cover, a lid panel
rotatably coupled at a bottom side of the top cover, and a lid
actuator upwardly extended from the lid panel above the top ceiling
of the top cover through the guiding slot to move the lid panel,
wherein when the lid actuator is moved to a first end of the
guiding slot, the lid panel is moved to cover at the drinking
opening, wherein when the lid actuator is moved to a second end of
the guiding slot, the lid panel is moved away from the drinking
opening for opening up the drinking opening.
[0020] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
with its objectives and distinctive features and advantages,
reference is now made to the following specification and to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclosable container lid
in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is side view of the reclosable container lid in
accordance with the present embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a top cover of the
reclosable container lid in accordance with the present embodiment
of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lid panel of the
reclosable container lid in accordance with the present embodiment
of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the reclosable container lid
in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a reclosable
container lid in accordance with the present embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows the lid panel moved to close the drinking
opening of the top cover in accordance with the present embodiment
of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows the lid panel moved to open up the drinking
opening of the top cover in accordance with the present embodiment
of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the reclosable container lid
in accordance with a second present embodiment of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 10 shows the lid panel moved to close the drinking
opening of the top cover in accordance with the second present
embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 11 shows the lid panel moved to open up the drinking
opening of the top cover in accordance with the second present
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the present invention provides a reclosable container
lid for a container, which can be a disposable cup made of paper or
foam material. The reclosable container lid is embodied to be a
disposable lid for one time use that the container and the lid will
be disposed after the one time usage. In FIGS. 1 to 6, the
reclosable container lid comprises a top cover 10 and a lid
arrangement 20.
[0033] The top cover 10 has a top ceiling 11, a sealing rim 12
adapted for sealing at an upper rim of a container, and a drinking
opening 13 formed at the top ceiling 11.
[0034] The lid arrangement 20 comprises a through elongated guiding
slot 21 formed at the top ceiling 11 of the top cover 10, a lid
panel 22 rotatably coupled at a bottom side of the top cover 10,
and a lid actuator 23 upwardly extended from the lid panel 22 above
the top ceiling 11 of the top cover 10 through the guiding slot 21
to move the lid panel 22. When the lid actuator 23 is moved to a
first end of the guiding slot 21, the lid panel 22 is moved to
cover at the drinking opening 13, as shown in FIG. 7. When the lid
actuator 23 is moved to a second end of the guiding slot 21, the
lid panel 22 is moved away from the drinking opening 13 for opening
up the drinking opening 13, as shown in FIG. 8.
[0035] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the top cover 10, which is formed in a
circular shape, has a center slot 101 formed at a center of the top
cover 10. The center slot 101 is formed by a hollow protrusion at
the center of the top cover 10, wherein the center slot 101 is
defined within the hollow protrusion at the bottom side of the
cover 10.
[0036] In FIGS. 4 and 6, the lid panel 22 has an arc-shape
rotatably coupled at the bottom side of the top cover 10, wherein
lid panel 22 has two side edges defining an angle therebetween. The
angle of the lid panel 22 between the two side edges is smaller
than 180.degree.. Preferably, the angle of the lid panel 22 between
the two side edges is about 120.degree.. Therefore, the material
cost of the lid arrangement 20 will be minimized. The diameter of
the lid panel 22 is smaller than the diameter of the top cover 10.
According to the present embodiment, when the top cover 10 is
coupled with the container, the top cover 10 will be retained and
cannot be moved. Only the lid panel 22 will be rotatably moved to
selectively open and close the drinking opening 13.
[0037] The lid panel 22 further comprises a center shaft 221
coupled at the center slot 101 to allow the lid panel 22 being
rotated under the top cover 10. Therefore, the lid panel 22 is
coaxially coupled at the top panel 10 and is rotated under the top
panel 10 with respect to the center of the top panel 10.
[0038] In FIGS. 2 and 3, the top cover 10 further has an annular
raised portion 14 and an annular first locking rail 15 extended
between the annular raised portion 14 and the sealing rim 12. The
first locking rail 15 encircles around the annular raised portion
14. The top ceiling 11 is defined at the annular raised portion 14.
A sliding channel 141 is further formed within the annular raised
portion 14 as shown in FIG. 6. The diameter of the annular raised
portion 14 is smaller than the diameter of the annular first
locking rail 15. The diameter of the annular first locking rail 15
is smaller than the diameter of the sealing rim 12. The width of
the annular raised portion 14 is larger than the width of the
annular first locking rail 15. The sealing rim 12 forms a double
rim structure and comprises an upper first rim portion 121 and a
lower second rim portion 122 having a diameter larger than the
diameter of the first rim portion 121. The first and second rim
portions 121, 122 of the sealing rim 12 can securely couple and
water-seal with the upper rim of the container. Therefore, the
surrounding wall of the top cover 10 forms a step-shouldering
configuration as shown in FIG. 2, wherein the surrounding wall of
the top cover 10 includes the first and second rim portions 121,
122 of the sealing rim 12, the annular first locking rail 15, and
the annular raised portion 14, which are integrated to form a one
piece structure of the top cover 10.
[0039] In the present embodiment, the lid panel 22 is double-locked
with the top cover 10 to ensure the lid panel 22 being retained
under the top panel 10 and to prevent any unwanted spillage once
the drinking opening 13 is closed by the lid panel 22.
[0040] The lid panel 22 has a raised guiding portion 222 formed at
a peripheral portion of the lid panel 22 and slidably engaged with
the sliding channel 141 of the top cover 10, so that the lid panel
22 is stably slid under the top cover 10. The raised guiding
portion 222 of the lid panel 22 is formed in an arc-shape to fit
into the sliding channel 14. Because the center shaft 221 of the
lid panel 22 is coupled at the center slot 101 of the top cover 10,
the engagement between the raised guiding portion 222 of the lid
panel 22 and the sliding channel 141 of the top cover 10 will
ensure the stably arc-shaped sliding movement of the lid panel 22
under the top cover 10. The engagement between the raised guiding
portion 222 and the sliding channel 141 further ensures the sealing
effect between the lid panel 22 and the top cover 10 for preventing
unwanted spillage when the drinking opening 13 is closed.
[0041] The lid panel 22 further has an arc-shaped second locking
rail 223 formed at a peripheral edge of the lid panel 22 to engage
with the first locking rail 15, wherein the second locking rail 223
is radially and outwardly extended from the raised guiding portion
222. The second locking rail 223 is engaged with the first locking
rail 15 to prevent the lid panel 22 being detached from the top
cover 10 accidentally. Therefore, when the first and second locking
rails 15, 223 are engaged, the lid panel 22 is allowed to rotate
under the top cover 10 and is prevented being detached from the top
cover 10.
[0042] As it is mentioned, the lid panel 22 is double-locked with
the top cover 10. The first locking mechanism is the engagement
between the raised guiding portion 222 and the sliding channel 14.
The second locking mechanism is the engagement between the first
and second locking rails 15, 223. The double-locked mechanism will
ensure the sealing effect between the lid panel 22 and the top
cover 10 for preventing unwanted spillage when the drinking opening
13 is closed. On the other hand, the sliding movement of the
arc-shaped lid panel 22 will not be blocked by the double-locked
mechanism.
[0043] The lid actuator 23 is integrally formed with the lid panel
22 to pass through the guiding slot 21 at the top cover 10. A
protruded portion of the actuator 23, i.e. the portion above the
guiding slot 21, is tall enough for the user to actuate by the
finger. Importantly, the user is able to use one hand to open or
close the drinking opening 13 by the lid actuator 23.
[0044] The guiding slot 21 has an arc-shaped and defines an
arc-length between the first and second ends of the guiding slot
21, wherein the arc-length of the guiding slot 21 is larger than a
length of the drinking opening 13. Preferably, the drinking opening
13 is an elongated arc-shaped opening.
[0045] The first and second ends of the guiding slot 21 are two
stopper ends that when the lid actuator 23 is stopped at the first
end of the guiding slot 21, the lid panel 22 is moved to cover at
the drinking opening 13, as shown in FIG. 7. When the lid actuator
23 is stopped at the second end of the guiding slot 21, the lid
panel 22 is moved away from the drinking opening 13 for opening up
the drinking opening 12, as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the user is
able to precisely move the lid actuator 23 between two ends of the
guiding slot 21 to selectively open or close the drinking opening
13. Preferably, the lid panel 22 is rotated about 22.degree.
between the two ends of the guiding slot 21.
[0046] For enhancing the practical use of the present embodiment,
the reclosable container lid further comprises a positioning unit
30 for notifying a position of the lid panel 22. As shown in FIGS.
3 to 5, the positioning unit 30 comprises first and second
positioning notches 31, 32 formed at the top cover 10 and a
positioning protrusion 33 formed at the lid panel 22. When the
positioning protrusion 33 is engaged with the first positioning
notch 31, as shown in FIG. 7, the lid panel 22 is moved to cover at
the drinking opening 13. When the positioning protrusion 33 is
engaged with the second positioning notch 32, the lid panel 22 is
moved away from the drinking opening 13 for opening up the drinking
opening 13.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second positioning notches
31, 32 are spacedly formed at the annular raised portion 14 of the
top cover 10, wherein the first and second positioning notches 31,
32 are located adjacent to the guiding slot 21. The first
positioning notch 31 is positioned closer to the guiding slot 21
and the second positioning notch 32 is positioned away from the
guiding slot 21. The distance between the first and second
positioning notches 31, 32 matches with the arc-length of the
guiding slot 21.
[0048] The positioning protrusion 33 is formed at the raised
guiding portion 222 of the lid panel 22 to selectively engage with
one of the first and second positioning notches 31, 32. A "click"
sound is preferably made when the positioning protrusion 33 is
selectively engaged with one of the first and second positioning
notches 31, 32, wherein the "click" sound is a notifying sound to
let the user know the position of the lid panel 22. Further, the
user is able to feel the engagement when the positioning protrusion
33 is engaged with one of the first and second positioning notches
31, 32. The feel of the engagement also notifies the user the
position of the lid panel 22.
[0049] The top cover 10 further has a window 16 formed at the top
ceiling 11, wherein the window 16 is a through arc-shaped aperture
formed at the top ceiling 11, so that when the top cover 10 covers
at the upper rim of the container, the interior of the container
can be seen through the window 16.
[0050] The lid panel 22 is made of transparent material, wherein
the lid panel 22 covers the window 16 at the bottom side of the top
cover 10 for allowing the interior of the container being
seen-through when the top cover 10 couples at the container.
Importantly, the lid panel 22 will always cover the window 16 at
the bottom side of the top panel 10 no matter the drinking opening
13 is opened or closed. Therefore, the user is able to see how much
beverage left in the container through the window 16 and is able to
see the flow of beverage in the container toward the drinking
opening 13. Because the window 16 is covered and sealed by the lid
panel 22 at all time, the beverage in the container will not be
spilled or leaked through the window 16.
[0051] In FIG. 3, the window 16 is formed at the top ceiling 11 of
the top cover 10 and is misaligned with the drinking opening 13 in
a radial direction with respect to the center of the top cover 10.
Therefore, when the beverage flows towards the drinking opening 13,
the beverage will not be accidentally leaked at the window 16.
Preferably, the window 16 is aligned with the guiding slot 21 in a
radial direction with respect to the center of the cover 10.
[0052] In FIG. 1, the top cover 10 further comprises a raised
mouthpiece 17 extended from the top ceiling 11 to define the
drinking opening 13 at the top end of the mouth piece 17. The
mouthpiece 17 forms a drinking channel upwardly extended from the
top ceiling 11 so that the user is able to easily drink the
beverage in the container through the mouthpiece 17.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the top cover 10 is formed in a
one piece structure and is made of disposable and recycling
material such as plastic. The lid arrangement 20 is also formed in
a one piece structure and is made of disposable and recycling
material such as plastic. Therefore, the reclosable container lid
is constructed by two pieces of components and the engagement
therebetween does not involve any adhesive or complex structure.
The top cover 10 and the lid arrangement 20 are preferably made of
mold injection that when the lid arrangement 20 is placed under the
top cover 10, the lid arrangement 20 will be automatically coupled
with the top cover 10 by coupling the center shaft 221 at the
center slot 101, by engaging the raised guiding portion 222 with
the sliding channel 14, and by engaging the second locking rail 223
with the first locking rail 15. The lid arrangement 20 will be slid
under the top cover 10 to selectively open and close the drinking
opening 13.
[0054] In order to use the reclosable container lid, the user is
able to fill the beverage, especially hot beverage, into the
container first and then to cover the top cover 10 at the container
by engaging the sealing rim 12 to the upper rim of the container.
The double rim structure of the sealing rim 12 will seal around and
securely engage with the upper rim of the container to prevent the
top cover 10 being detached from the container. The top cover 10
cannot be rotated with respect to the container 10 once the sealing
rim 12 is engaged with the upper rim of the container.
[0055] In order to close the drinking opening 13, the user is able
to move lid actuator 23 to the first end of the guiding slot 21.
Therefore, the lid panel 22 will be driven to slide to close the
drinking opening 13 at the bottom side of the top cover 10. The
double-locked mechanism will seal the drinking opening 13 by the
lid panel 22 for preventing any unwanted spillage and for
preventing any dirt or dust entering into the interior of the
container through the drinking opening 13.
[0056] For opening up the drinking opening 13, the user is able to
move lid actuator 23 to the second end of the guiding slot 21, so
that the lid panel 22 will be driven to slide away from the
drinking opening 13. At any position, the user is able to see
through the interior of the container through the window 16.
[0057] FIG. 9 shows the second embodiment of the reclosable
container lid as a modification of the above embodiment, wherein
the top cover 10A, which is formed in a circular shape, has a top
ceiling 11, a sealing rim 12 adapted for sealing at an upper rim of
a container, and a drinking opening 13 formed at the top ceiling
11.
[0058] The top cover 10 further has an annular raised portion 14A
extended from the sealing rim 12 to the top ceiling 11, wherein the
top cover 10A has a ring shape defining a window 16A at a center
portion of the top cover 10A.
[0059] The lid arrangement 20A comprises a through elongated
guiding slot 21, a lid panel 22A, and a lid actuator 23.
[0060] The lid panel 22A is formed in a circular shape, wherein the
raised guiding portion 222A of the lid panel 22A forms an annular
shape to engage with the sliding channel 141A of the top cover 10A
respectively.
[0061] The lid panel 22A is made of transparent material, wherein
the lid panel 22A covers the window 16A at the bottom side of the
top cover 10A for allowing the interior of the container being
seen-through when the top cover 10A couples at the container.
Importantly, the lid panel 22A will always cover the window 16A at
the bottom side of the top panel 10A no matter the drinking opening
13 is opened or closed. Therefore, the user is able to see how much
beverage left in the container through the window 16A and is able
to see the flow of beverage in the container toward the drinking
opening 13.
[0062] In this case, a secondary drinking opening 131A will be
formed at the circular lid panel 22A, wherein the circular lid
panel 22A is moved to align the secondary drinking opening with the
drinking opening 13A for opening up the drinking opening 13A, as
shown in FIG. 10. The circular lid panel 22A is moved to misalign
the secondary drinking opening 131A with the drinking opening 13A
for closing the drinking opening 13 as shown in FIG. 11. The
secondary drinking opening is shaped and sized matching with the
drinking opening 13 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0063] It should be appreciated that the reclosable container lid
can be used for any thermo cup such as traveling mug by configuring
the sealing rim 12 to rotatably engage with the upper rim of the
container. Therefore, the threaded portion of the sealing rim 12
will engage with the threaded portion of the upper rim of the
container to couple the reclosable container lid with the
container.
[0064] While the embodiments and alternatives of the invention have
been shown and described, it will be apparent to one skilled in the
art that various other changes and modifications can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *