U.S. patent application number 14/283008 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-11 for splash-resistant lids, container assemblies including such lids and related methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joel Chrisman. Invention is credited to Joel Chrisman.
Application Number | 20140251996 14/283008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42980229 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140251996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chrisman; Joel |
September 11, 2014 |
SPLASH-RESISTANT LIDS, CONTAINER ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING SUCH LIDS AND
RELATED METHODS
Abstract
In some embodiments, a lid may include a valve chamber
comprising a hollow chamber, a valve flap and a hinge. The hollow
chamber may be defined by one or more sidewalls and have a first
opening at a first longitudinal end and a second opening at an
opposing, second longitudinal end. The valve flap may be positioned
at least proximate to the second longitudinal end and have a shape
and size substantially the same as a shape and size of the second
opening. The hinge may couple the valve flap to a sidewall of the
one or more sidewalls and may be sized and configured to enable the
rotation of the valve flap from an open position to a substantially
closed position. Container assemblies and methods of forming lids
are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Chrisman; Joel; (Tacoma,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chrisman; Joel |
Tacoma |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42980229 |
Appl. No.: |
14/283008 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12762189 |
Apr 16, 2010 |
8727163 |
|
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14283008 |
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61169811 |
Apr 16, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.3 ;
29/890.122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2272 20130101;
B65D 47/04 20130101; Y10T 29/49 20150115; Y10T 29/49409
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.3 ;
29/890.122 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 47/04 20060101 B65D047/04 |
Claims
1. A lid, comprising: a valve chamber, the valve chamber
comprising: a hollow chamber defined by one or more sidewalls
having a first opening at a first longitudinal end and a second
opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end; a valve flap
positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal end, the
valve flap having a shape and size substantially the same as or
smaller than a shape and size of the second opening; and a hinge
coupling the valve flap to the lid, the hinge sized and configured
to enable rotation of the valve flap from an open position to a
substantially closed position and to bias the valve flap to the
substantially closed position; wherein the lid is shaped and
configured to nest with a substantially identical lid with the
valve flap positioned fully within a valve chamber of the
substantially identical lid and with the lid positioned at a
parallel orientation to the substantially identical lid.
2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the valve flap is configured to
inhibit the flow of liquid through the second opening in the
substantially closed position.
3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the valve chamber further comprises
a drain positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal
end, the drain configured to flow residual fluid therethrough when
the valve flap is in the substantially closed position.
4. The lid of claim 3, wherein the valve flap is angled from the
hinge downward between about 1.degree. and about 10.degree.
relative to a horizontal position when the valve flap is in the
substantially closed position.
5. The lid of claim 4, wherein the drain is positioned at a lowest
side of the valve flap.
6. The lid of claim 3, wherein the drain comprises at least one of:
a notch formed in the valve flap and a corresponding notch formed
in the one or more sidewalls of the valve chamber; and a slit-like
opening between the valve flap and a portion of the hollow chamber
defining the second opening.
7. A lid for a container assembly, comprising: a channel configured
to engage a rim of a container to form a seal between the lid and
the rim of the container, and to cover a peripherally outermost
surface of the rim of the container; and a valve chamber, the valve
chamber comprising: a hollow chamber defined by one or more
sidewalls having a first opening at a first longitudinal end and a
second opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end; a valve
flap positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal end,
the valve flap having a shape and size smaller than a shape and
size of the second opening; and a hinge coupling the valve flap to
the lid, the hinge sized and configured to enable rotation of the
valve flap from an open position to a substantially closed position
and to bias the valve flap to the substantially closed position;
wherein the lid is a monolithic structure.
8. The lid of claim 7, wherein the channel is configured to engage
a rim of a container selected from the group consisting of an
insulated disposable coffee cup, a non-insulated disposable coffee
cup, and a disposable soft-drink cup.
9. The lid of claim 7, wherein the one or more sidewalls comprise a
first sidewall and an opposing second sidewall.
10. The lid of claim 7, wherein the first sidewall has an angle
between about 2.degree. and about 20.degree. relative to the
opposing second sidewall.
11. The lid of claim 10, wherein the first sidewall has an angle of
about 10.degree. relative to the opposing second sidewall.
12. The lid of claim 7, wherein the valve chamber comprises a
cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of
circular, square, rectangular, and oval.
13. The lid of claim 7, wherein the valve chamber has a height from
the first opening to the second opening of between about 3/16 of an
inch and about 3/8 of an inch.
14. A method of forming a lid, comprising: forming a single,
monolithic structure, comprising: forming a channel configured to
engage and seal around a rim of a container; and forming a valve
chamber comprising: a hollow chamber defined by one or more
sidewalls having a first opening at a first longitudinal end and a
second opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end; a valve
flap positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal end,
the valve flap having a shape and size substantially the same as or
smaller than a shape and size of the second opening; and a hinge
coupling the valve flap to the lid, the hinge sized and configured
to enable rotation of the valve flap from an open position to a
substantially closed position and to bias the valve flap to the
substantially closed position, wherein the lid is formed to nest
with a substantially identical lid with the valve flap of the lid
positioned fully within a valve chamber of the substantially
identical lid and with the lid positioned at a parallel orientation
to the substantially identical lid.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming the lid with
a thermal vacuum forming process.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising forming the valve
flap by cutting the formed valve chamber.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein forming a single, monolithic
structure comprises forming the lid from a plastic material.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the valve flap is formed at an
angle relative to horizontal when the lid is oriented
horizontally.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the valve flap is formed at an
angle of between about 5.degree. and about 7.degree. relative to
horizontal when the lid is oriented horizontally.
20. The method of claim 14, further comprising removing material
from the single, monolithic structure proximate the valve flap to
form a drain for draining residual fluid from the valve chamber.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/762,189, filed Apr. 16, 2010, which will
issue as U.S. Pat. No. 8,727,163 on May 20, 2014, which application
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/169,811,
filed Apr. 16, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein, in their entirety, by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to lids for
beverage containers and beverage container assemblies including
such lids.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fast food restaurants, coffee shops, convenience stores, and
the like, often distribute beverages in disposable drinking cups.
These cups are often provided with drink-through lids having
reversible openings, which permit the consumption of liquids
contained therein, while at the same time preventing unwanted
spillage. Drink-through lids with reversible openings are
especially desirable when distributing hot beverages, such as
coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and the like.
[0004] Various drink-through lid designs incorporating reversible
openings conventionally comprise a lid having a drinking opening
and a hinged closure member integrally formed therewith. According
to at least one example, the hinged closure member has a radial
dimension greater than that of the drinking opening to permit an
outward marginal edge portion of the hinged closure member to be
trapped between the rim of the drinking cup and an overlying part
of the lid. The hinged closure member further includes a raised tab
that is received in a complementary recess formed in the lid, when
the hinged closure member is rotated outward one-hundred-eighty
degrees (180.degree.) about its integral hinge to expose the
drinking opening. However, a user must manually move the hinged
closure member each time the user wishes to open or close the
opening.
[0005] Other cup lid designs incorporate reversible openings
providing a downwardly depressible tab portion. According to at
least one example of such a lid design, the tab portion includes a
hollow lip-engaging corrugated buttress to insulatively engage a
user's upper lip pressed thereagainst. The buttress also acts to
bias the tab portion back into its normally closed position, within
a horizontal plane of the lid, when lip pressure is removed
therefrom.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] In some embodiments, a lid may include a valve chamber
comprising a hollow chamber, a valve flap and a hinge. The hollow
chamber may be defined by one or more sidewalls and have a first
opening at a first longitudinal end and a second opening at an
opposing, second longitudinal end. The valve flap may be positioned
at least proximate to the second longitudinal end and have a shape
and size substantially the same as a shape and size of the second
opening. The hinge may couple the valve flap to a sidewall of the
one or more sidewalls and may be sized and configured to enable the
rotation of the valve flap from an open position to a substantially
closed position. Additionally, the hinge may bias the valve flap to
the substantially closed position, wherein the valve flap inhibits
the flow of liquid through the second opening in the substantially
closed position.
[0007] In additional embodiments, a container assembly may include
a container configured to hold a liquid therein and a lid. The lid
may include a valve chamber comprising a hollow chamber, a valve
flap and a hinge. The hollow chamber may be defined by one or more
sidewalls and have a first opening at a first longitudinal end and
a second opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end. The valve
flap may be positioned at least proximate to the second
longitudinal end and have a shape and size substantially the same
as a shape and size of the second opening. The hinge may couple the
valve flap to a sidewall of the one or more sidewalls and may be
sized and configured to enable the rotation of the valve flap from
an open position to a substantially closed position. Additionally,
the hinge may bias the valve flap to the substantially closed
position, wherein the valve flap inhibits the flow of liquid
through the second opening in the substantially closed
position.
[0008] In further embodiments, a method of forming a lid may
include forming a channel to engage and seal around a rim of a
container. The method may further include forming a valve chamber,
the valve chamber comprising a hollow chamber, a valve flap and a
hinge. The hollow chamber may be defined by one or more sidewalls
and have a first opening at a first longitudinal end and a second
opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end. The valve flap may
be positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal end and
have a shape and size substantially the same as a shape and size of
the second opening. The hinge may couple the valve flap to a
sidewall of the one or more sidewalls and may be sized and
configured to enable the rotation of the valve flap from an open
position to a substantially closed position. Additionally, the
hinge may bias the valve flap to the substantially closed position,
wherein the valve flap inhibits the flow of liquid through the
second opening in the substantially closed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a beverage
container assembly including a container and a lid, according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top detail view of a valve chamber of the lid
shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front detail view of the valve chamber of FIG.
2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side detail view of the valve chamber of FIG.
2.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the beverage container assembly of FIG. 1
in use by a user drinking a fluid through the lid.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a valve chamber of the lid of
FIG. 5 showing a valve in an open position and fluid flowing
therethrough.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a detail view of the valve chamber of the lid of
FIG. 5 showing the valve in a closed position and a fluid in the
valve chamber draining from the valve chamber into a container.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a detail view of the valve chamber of the lid of
FIG. 5 showing the valve in a closed position and with a fluid
splashing in the inside of the container.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a beverage
container assembly including a container and a lid, according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a top detail view of a valve chamber of the lid
shown in FIG. 9.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a front detail view of the valve chamber of FIG.
10.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side detail view of the valve chamber of FIG.
10.
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates the beverage container assembly of FIG.
9 in use by a user drinking a fluid through the lid.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a detail view of the valve chamber of the lid of
FIG. 13 showing a valve in an open position and fluid flowing
therethrough.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a detail view of the valve chamber of the lid of
FIG. 13 showing the valve in a closed position and a fluid in the
valve chamber draining from the valve chamber into the
container.
[0024] FIG. 16 is a detail view of the valve chamber of the lid of
FIG. 13 showing the valve in a closed position and with a fluid
splashing in the inside of the container.
[0025] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of lids, such as shown in
FIG. 9, in a stacked and nested configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of
any particular lids or beverage container and lid assemblies, but
are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe
embodiments of the present invention. Additionally, elements common
between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
[0027] As shown in partial cross-sectional views in FIGS. 1 and 9,
a beverage container assembly 100 may include a container 110, such
as a cup, having an opening configured to receive a lid 120.
Containers 110 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art
and various conventional disposable or reusable containers may be
employed. By way of example and not limitation, the container 110
may comprise a conventional disposable coffee cup, insulated or not
insulated, a conventional disposable soft-drink cup, such as those
used in most fast-food restaurants, or another beverage
container.
[0028] The lid 120 may be configured to receive a portion of the
container 110 and to at least substantially enclose the opening of
the container 110. For example, the lid 120 may include a channel
130 configured to engage a rim of the container 110 to form a seal
around the opening of the container 110, as is known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The lid may also include a spout with a
valve, which may also be characterized as a valve chamber 140.
[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and 10-12, the valve chamber 140
may comprise a hollow chamber having an opening 150 at first
longitudinal end 160 thereof (i.e., a top end) and a valve flap 180
at an opposing, second longitudinal end 170 (i.e., a bottom end).
The valve chamber 140 may be defined by one or more sidewalls that
extend downward from the opening 150 (i.e., from an upper surface
of the lid 120). The valve chamber 140 may be configured such that
the first longitudinal end 160 may be relatively larger than the
second longitudinal end 170. Additionally, the sidewalls of the
valve chamber 140 may be sloped at an angle of between about
1.degree. and about 10.degree. relative to vertical (i.e., vertical
with respect to an orientation of the lid coupled to a cup resting
on a level surface) (e.g., having and angle between about 2.degree.
and about 20.degree. relative to an opposing sidewall). In other
words, the sidewalls may define a hollow chamber that is tapered
from the first longitudinal end 160 to the second longitudinal end
170. By way of example and not limitation, the sidewalls of the
valve chamber 140 may be sloped at an angle of about 5.degree. from
vertical (e.g., about 10.degree. relative to an opposing sidewall).
The valve chamber 140 may comprise any suitable shape conducive to
the flow of a fluid therethrough. By way of example and not
limitation, the valve chamber 140 may comprise a cross-section that
is substantially circular, square, rectangular, oval, etc.
Additionally, the valve chamber 140 may comprise a height 210, a
width 220 and a depth 230 which may be selected according to the
specific application. As a non-limiting example, the valve chamber
140 may comprise a height 210 of about 3/8 of an inch (about 9.5
mm), a width 220 of about 3/8 of an inch (about 9.5 mm), and a
depth of about 3/16 of an inch (about 4.8 mm), such as shown in
FIGS. 2-4. As another non-limiting example, the valve chamber 140
may comprise a height 210 of about 3/16 of an inch (about 4.8 mm),
a width 220 of about 3/8 of an inch (about 9.5 mm), and a depth of
about 1/4 of an inch (about 6.4 mm), such as shown in FIGS.
10-12.
[0030] The valve flap 180 may be positioned at, or at least
proximate to, the second longitudinal end 170 of the valve chamber
140 and comprise, at least substantially, the same size and shape
as an opening at the second longitudinal end 170 of the valve
chamber 140. The valve flap 180 may be coupled to a portion of a
sidewall of the valve chamber 140 along at least a portion of one
side of the valve flap 180. The remaining sides of the valve flap
180 may be free from the sidewalls of the valve chamber 140. In
view of this, the side of the valve flap 180 coupled to the
sidewall of the valve chamber 140 may form a hinge 190 (which has a
general location indicated by a dashed line) configured to enable
the valve flap 180 to rotate between a substantially closed
position (as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7-12 and 15-17) and an open
position (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 13 and 14).
[0031] Although the hinge 190 may be a single portion of the side
of the valve flap 180 coupled to the sidewall of the valve chamber
140, as shown, in additional embodiments, the hinge 190 may be
comprised of a plurality of portions of the side of the valve flap
180 coupled to the sidewall of the valve chamber 140. The hinge 190
is configured to enable the valve flap 180 to move about the hinge
190. In at least some embodiments, the valve flap 180 may be
integrally formed with the lid 120. Additionally, the structure and
geometry of the hinge 190 may be configured to bias the valve flap
180 to the substantially closed position.
[0032] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2-8, the valve
chamber 140 may include a discrete drain 200 positioned at least
proximate to the second longitudinal end 170. The drain 200 may
comprise one or more apertures and/or notches disposed in a portion
of the valve flap 180, a sidewall of the valve chamber 140 or both.
As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the drain 200 may comprise an aperture
defined by a notch formed in the valve flap 180 and a corresponding
notch formed in a sidewall of the valve chamber 140, the notches
being aligned to form the aperture. In some embodiments, the valve
chamber 140 may comprise only a single drain 200, while in other
embodiments the valve chamber 140 may comprise a plurality of
drains 200.
[0033] In additional embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9-17, the valve
flap 180 may not form a complete fluid seal with the opening at the
second longitudinal end 170 of the valve chamber 140 when the valve
flap 180 is in the substantially closed position. In view of this,
the drain 200 may be defined by a slit-like opening between the
valve flap 180 and the opening in the second longitudinal end 170
of the valve chamber 140 when the valve flap 180 is biased to the
substantially closed position, as shown in FIGS. 10-12.
[0034] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7 and 8,
the valve flap 180 may be angled with respect to the horizontal
(i.e., horizontal to an intended position when the lid is coupled
to a cup and the cup is set on a level surface) when in the
substantially closed position, with the drain 200 positioned in a
portion of the valve flap 180, or near the valve flap 180, at a
lowest side, to direct the fluid toward the drain 200. By way of
example and not limitation, the valve flap 180 may be sloped from
the hinge 190 downward at an angle between about 1.degree. and
10.degree. relative to horizontal, with the drain 200 positioned
proximate the side of the valve flap 180 opposite the hinge 190,
when the valve flap 180 is biased to the substantially closed
position. In at least some embodiments, the valve flap 180 may be
sloped downward from the hinge 190 at an angle between about
5.degree. and 7.degree. relative to horizontal, when the valve flap
180 is biased to the substantially closed position. In additional
embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 9-12 and 15-17, the valve flap
18 may not be sloped relative to horizontal when biased to the
substantially closed position. In view of the foregoing, the drain
200 may allow liquid inside the valve chamber 140 to flow back into
the container 110 through the drain 200.
[0035] Additionally, the lid 120 may be shaped and configured to be
stacked in a nested configuration. For example, multiple lids 120
may be stacked with the valve chambers 140 thereof aligned in a
nesting configuration, such that a valve chamber of a first lid 120
may be positioned partially within a valve chamber of a second lid
120 when nested, as shown in FIG. 17. In view of this, a plurality
of lids 120 including valve chambers 140 may be stacked and nested
for storage, shipping and for dispensing from conventional
disposable lid dispensers.
[0036] In operation, the lid 120 and valve chamber 140 may enable
the flow of a liquid from the container 110 to a user's mouth,
while inhibiting the flow of the liquid through the valve chamber
140 when the user is not drinking from the container 110. FIGS. 5
and 13 illustrate a container 110 with a lid 120 in operation as a
user drinks a liquid from the container 110 and FIGS. 6 and 14
illustrate detail views of embodiments of the valve chamber 140,
when a user drinks from the container 110.
[0037] For example, a user may place their mouth over the valve
chamber 140 and apply suction to the opening 150 at the first
longitudinal end 160 of the valve chamber 140. In view of this, the
user may create a pressure difference between the inside of the
user's mouth and the interior of the container 110. The pressure
difference caused by the suction may result in the valve flap 180
moving upward into the valve chamber 140, rotating about the hinge
190, to the open position. With the valve flap 180 rotated upward,
in the open position, a fluid path through the valve chamber 140 is
opened and liquid contained within the container 110 may flow
substantially uninhibited from the container 110 and into the
user's mouth through the valve chamber 140.
[0038] When the pressure is substantially equalized between inside
and outside the container 110, the valve flap 180 may be biased by
the hinge 190 to return to the substantially closed positioned.
When the valve flap 180 is in the substantially closed position,
any liquid in the valve chamber 140 may drain back into the
container 110 through the drain 200, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and
15. Furthermore, with the valve flap 180 in the substantially
closed position, any splashing of the liquid within the container
110 may be retained substantially inside the container 110, as is
illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 16. In other words, the valve flap 180
in the substantially closed position inhibits splashing liquid
inside the container 110 from escaping the container 110.
[0039] The lid 120 may be formed from conventional materials. By
way of example and not limitation, the lid 120 may comprise a
plastic material (i.e., a polymer) formed by conventional
techniques, such as one or more of thermal forming (i.e.,
thermoforming), vacuum forming (i.e., vacuforming), injection
molding, and other forming processes. In at least some embodiments,
the lid 120, including the valve chamber 140, may be formed with
the valve flap 180 attached to every side of the valve chamber 140.
The sides of the valve flap 180 where there is no hinge 190 may be
cut free from the valve chamber 140 using a punch or other known
process, resulting in a hinge 190 where the valve flap 180 is not
cut free from the valve chamber 140. In view of this, the entire
lid 120, including the valve chamber 140 and valve flap 180, may be
a single, monolithic structure.
[0040] While certain embodiments have been described and shown in
the accompanying drawings, such embodiments are merely illustrative
and not restrictive of the scope of the invention, and the
invention is not limited to the specific constructions and
arrangements shown and described, since various other additions and
modifications to, and deletions from, the described embodiments
will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the
scope of the invention is only limited by the literal language, and
equivalents, of the claims which follow.
* * * * *