U.S. patent application number 14/810830 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for lid for a drinking container and the drinking container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gustav Paulig Ltd. Invention is credited to Daniel JULIER, Umberto ONZA.
Application Number | 20170027350 14/810830 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56567430 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170027350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ONZA; Umberto ; et
al. |
February 2, 2017 |
LID FOR A DRINKING CONTAINER AND THE DRINKING CONTAINER
Abstract
A lid for a drinking container includes a circular upper portion
including a bayonet fastening device, and a circular lower portion
including a counterpart bayonet fastening device. The circular
upper portion includes a first and second openings and the circular
lower portion includes corresponding first and second openings. The
bayonet fastening device of the circular upper portion and the
counterpart bayonet fastening device of the circular lower portion
are configured to be coupled with each other so to guide the
circular upper portion and the circular lower portion to be turned
in relation to each other around a common axis in a manner enabling
the first openings being aligned and the second openings being
aligned in an opening position, and enabling the first openings
being un-aligned and the second openings being un-aligned in a
closing position.
Inventors: |
ONZA; Umberto; (Helsinki,
FI) ; JULIER; Daniel; (Helsinki, FI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gustav Paulig Ltd |
Helsinki |
|
FI |
|
|
Family ID: |
56567430 |
Appl. No.: |
14/810830 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/265 20130101;
B65D 2251/009 20130101; B65D 2251/0015 20130101; B65D 51/18
20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101; B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D
2251/0078 20130101; B65D 2251/0028 20130101; B65D 41/04 20130101;
B65D 41/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 41/16 20060101 B65D041/16; B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 41/04 20060101 B65D041/04 |
Claims
1. A lid for a drinking container, wherein the lid comprises: a
circular upper portion comprising a bayonet fastening device, and a
circular lower portion comprising a counterpart bayonet fastening
device, wherein: said circular upper portion comprises a first and
second openings and said circular lower portion comprises
corresponding first and second openings, wherein: said bayonet
fastening device of the circular upper portion and said counterpart
bayonet fastening device of the circular lower portion are
configured to be coupled with each other so to guide the circular
upper portion and the circular lower portion to be turned in
relation to each other around a common axis in a manner enabling
said first openings being aligned and said second openings being
aligned in an opening position, and enabling said first openings
being un-aligned and sealed; and said second openings being
un-aligned and sealed in a closing position.
2. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular upper portion comprises a
guiding member and the circular lower portion comprises a
counterpart guiding member, where said guiding members are
configured to guide said circular upper and lower portions to be
attached to and detach from each other in predefined position, when
said guiding members are aligned with each other in same line.
3. A lid of claim 1, wherein said circular upper or lower portions
comprises tactile providing mechanics for providing tactile
feedback, when said circular upper portion is turned in relation to
said circular lower portion to said opening or closing
positions.
4. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular upper portion comprises a
tactile feedback member and the circular lower portion comprises a
counterpart tactile feedback member, where said tactile feedback
member and said counterpart tactile feedback member are configured
to provide tactile feedback and guide said first openings being
aligned to stop and said second openings being aligned to stop in
an opening position, closed positions, when said circular upper
portion is turned in relation to said circular lower portion.
5. A lid of claim 4, wherein the tactile feedback member comprises
a snap member and the counterpart tactile feedback member comprises
a half-cut.
6. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular upper portion comprises a
stop member, comprising as a protruding lip member and the circular
lower portion comprises a counterpart stop member, comprising a
counterpart protruding lip member, where said stop member and said
counterpart stop member are configured to: guide said first
openings to stop in an un-aligned and closing position and said
second openings to stop in an un-aligned and closing position,
guide the bayonet fastening device and the counterpart bayonet
fastening device to stop in a detaching or attaching position, or
preventing any additional mutual turning of said circular upper and
lower portions when said circular upper portion is turned in
relation to said circular lower portion, and preventing any
additional mutual turning of said circular upper and lower
portions.
7. A lid of claim 2, wherein at least one of said guiding members,
said tactile providing mechanics or said stop members are arranged
in at least one of said bayonet fastening device.
8. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular upper portion is
additionally provided with a sealing member, comprising a silicon
sealing member or elastomer, said sealing member arranged to be
positioned between said circular upper and lower portions, when
said circular upper and lower portions are coupled to each other,
and whereupon said sealing member is configured to seal any
conduits between first openings as well as between said second
openings, when said openings are un-aligned in said closing
position.
9. A lid of claim 8, wherein the sealing member is configured to be
manually detachable from the circular upper portion.
10. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular lower portion comprises
fastening thread arranged to fasten and unfasten said lid to and
from said drinking container, when said circular lower portion is
turned in relation to said drinking container.
11. A lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is configured, in the lock
position, to further tighten the fastening of the thread between
the drinking container and the lid when applied an additional
turning force.
12. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular lower portion is
provided with a sealing member, comprising a silicon sealing member
or elastomer, said sealing member arranged to be positioned between
said circular lower portion and the drinking container, when said
circular lower portion and the drinking container are coupled to
each other and sealed.
13. A lid of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the circular upper
portion comprises an asymmetrically shaped portion or is
asymmetrically shaped for better user drinking experience.
14. A lid of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the circular upper
portion comprises a matte or rough outer surface for increasing
turning grip.
15. A lid of claim 1, wherein said first and second openings of the
circular upper or lower portion are provided with sealing members,
wherein said sealing members are arranged to be pressed against the
circular upper or lower portion in a non-opening position in a
liquid-tightly sealing manner.
16. A lid of claim 1, wherein the circular lower portion comprises
two structural portions, one of which comprises hard material and
one of which comprises softer portion functioning as a sealing
member.
17. A lid of claim 1, wherein said circular upper portion comprises
two structural portions, one of which comprises hard material and
another portion of which comprises softer portion functioning as a
sealing member.
18. A lid of claim 1, wherein said circular upper portion and said
circular lower portion are configured to be coupled with each other
in a releasable manner via said bayonet fastening devices.
19. A drinking container comprising a lid wherein the lid
comprises: a circular upper portion comprising a bayonet fastening
device, and a circular lower portion comprising a counterpart
bayonet fastening device, wherein: said circular upper portion
comprises a first and second openings and said circular lower
portion comprises corresponding first and second openings, wherein:
said bayonet fastening device of the circular upper portion and
said counterpart bayonet fastening device of the circular lower
portion are configured to be coupled with each other so to guide
the circular upper portion and the circular lower portion to be
turned in relation to each other around a common axis in a manner
enabling said first openings being aligned and said second openings
being aligned in an opening position, and enabling said first
openings being un-aligned and sealed; and said second openings
being un-aligned and sealed in a closing position.
20. A manufacturing method of a lid for a drinking container,
wherein the lid comprises: a circular upper portion comprising a
bayonet fastening device, and a circular lower portion comprising a
counterpart bayonet fastening device, wherein: said circular upper
portion comprises a first and second openings and said circular
lower portion comprises corresponding first and second openings,
wherein: said bayonet fastening device of the circular upper
portion and said counterpart bayonet fastening device of the
circular lower portion are configured to be coupled with each other
so to guide the circular upper portion and the circular lower
portion to be turned in relation to each other around a common axis
in a manner enabling said first openings being aligned and said
second openings being aligned in an opening position, and enabling
said first openings being un-aligned and said second openings being
un-aligned in a closing position.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a lid for a drinking container,
such as especially a lid for a coffee or tea mug for preventing any
leaking or spilling of liquid contained the mug in use. In addition
the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the lid for the
drinking container as well as to a drinking container comprising or
using the lid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Numbers of different lid for drinking containers are known,
where one of the simplest one is a plastic flat lid having a small
drinking hole on the top cover area and a bent rim portion, which
is to be settled around the rim portion of a cardboard coffee mug.
Also rubber lids are known, where the drinking hole is sealed with
a sealing member. The sealing member has typically a small arm and
is hinged so that it can be turned away from the drinking hole for
drinking the liquid inside the mug, and again it can be turned over
the drinking hole for a sealing purpose. The sealing member is
pressed against the drinking hole in sealing position by spring
force of the arm. Furthermore more complex structures are also
known, such as lids with inner sealing members having e.g. springs
and sealing balls, where the balls are pushed by the springs into
and away from the drinking hole for example when the lid is turned
around.
[0003] There are however some disadvantages relating to the known
prior art, such as the plastic flat lid having a small drinking
hole does not have any sealing function for the drinking hole. In
addition the rubber lid with the sealing member is not tight enough
because the spring force of the arm is often loosen and especially
because the small arm is easily bent or even swing away from the
hole area, for example when the mug is put into a bag. Furthermore
lids with inner sealing members having e.g. springs and sealing
balls are very complex to manufacture and additionally extremely
difficult to keep clean, and often there is also no clear feedback
or indication to the user when the lid is in an open or closed
position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the
problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of
the invention is to provide a lid for a drinking container, which
is easy to use and keep clear and additionally seals the drinking
hole in liquid tightly and reliable way so that any unwanted
opening of the drinking hole is prevented. In addition an object is
to provide a lid, which provides a clear indication to the user
whether the lid is in an open or closed position.
[0005] The object of the invention can be achieved by the features
of independent claims.
[0006] The invention relates to a lid according to claim 1. In
addition the invention relates to a drinking container according to
claim 19, and to a manufacturing method of the lid according to
claim 20.
[0007] According to an embodiment of the invention a lid for a
drinking container comprises upper and lower portions. The upper
portion is a circular upper portion, and it comprises a bayonet
fastening device. The lower portion is a circular lower portion and
it comprises a counterpart bayonet fastening device, which is
suitable for receiving the bayonet fastening device of the upper
portion and thereby enabling easy attaching/detaching between said
two portions. As an example the bayonet fastening device of the
upper portion is male bayonet fastening device, and the counterpart
bayonet fastening device of the lower portion is female bayonet
fastening device, or vice versa. The circular upper portion
comprises additionally first and second openings, namely one for
drink outlet and one for compensation air inlet. In addition the
circular lower portion comprises corresponding first and second
openings, one for drink outlet and one for compensation air
inlet.
[0008] The bayonet fastening device of the circular upper portion
and the counterpart bayonet fastening device of the circular lower
portion are advantageously configured so that they can be coupled
with each other in use, and in more particularly so that said
circular upper and lower portions are coupled with each other in a
releasable manner via said bayonet fastening devices.
[0009] The coupling is advantageously implemented so to guide the
circular upper portion and the circular lower portion in the manner
where they can be turned in relation to each other around a common
axis. When turning the portions, they enable the first openings
being aligned and the second openings being aligned in an opening
position and thereby allowing liquid flow through via the first
openings and compensation air inlet via the second openings. In
addition the portions enable the first openings being un-aligned
and said second openings being un-aligned in a sealing manner in a
closing position, so when the portions are turned in the manner
where the openings are not aligned. In the closing position the
openings of the drinking container are sealed in a liquid tightly
manner and thereby any leaking or spilling of liquid contained the
mug or the drinking container coupled to the lid can be
prevented.
[0010] According to an embodiment the lid, advantageously the
circular lower portion, comprises a fastening thread, which is
arranged to fasten and unfasten the lid to and from the drinking
container when the lid (circular lower portion) is turned in
relation to said drinking container. This confirms safe and
reliable fastening so that the lid construction remain closed to
the drinking container.
[0011] According to an embodiment the circular upper portion
comprises a first guiding member, such as a lip or tongue and the
circular lower portion comprises a counterpart first guiding
member, such as a slot. When the lip of the upper portion is
aligned with the slot of the lower portion, the circular upper and
lower portions can be attached to and detach from each other. When
the circular upper portion is then turned (after attaching) an
opening and closing positions can be achieved. In addition, when
said first and second guiding members are un-aligned with each
other, the guiding members (such as groove and counterpart groove)
of the bayonet fastening devices of the upper and lower portions
guide the turning of the upper and lower portions in relation to
each other around the common axis so that the upper and lower
portions are kept tightly together.
[0012] The circular upper and/or lower portions may also comprise
feedback providing mechanics for providing haptic, tactile and/or
audible feedback, when said circular upper portion is turned in
relation to said circular lower portion to the opening (drinking)
and/or closing positions. The feedback may also be generated when
the upper portion is turned in relation to said circular lower
portion to the detaching position. The tactile providing mechanics
is advantageously implemented by snaps or half-cuts. In addition
the lid comprises advantageously markings in the rim area of the
circular upper and lower portions denoting "open", "close" and
"detach" positions. The markings may be implemented by color dots
or notch or engravings in the structure of upper and lower portions
to be turned in relation to each other.
[0013] According to an embodiment the lid comprises a stop member
for guiding the first and second openings of the upper and lower
portions to stop in the un-aligned, so the closing (un-leaking)
position, when said circular upper portion is turned in relation to
the circular lower portion. The stop member is also configured to
prevent any additional mutual turning of said circular upper and
lower portions. If the upper portion is still tried to turned in
relation to the lower portion (e.g. in clock-wise), the stop member
forces also lower portion to be turned thereby just tightening the
possible thread connection between the lid (lower portion) and the
drinking container. In addition said stop member is advantageously
configured to guide the circular upper and lower portions to stop
in the detaching position, when said circular upper portion is
turned in relation to the circular lower portion advantageously in
another direction. If the upper portion is still tried to turned in
relation to the lower portion (e.g. in counter clock-wise), the
stop member forces also lower portion to be turned thereby just
loosening the possible thread connection between the lid (lower
portion) and the drinking container.
[0014] The stop member is advantageously implemented by mechanical
structures in the circular upper and lower portions, such as a
protruding lip member in the upper portion and a counterpart
protruding lip member in the circular lower portion.
[0015] According to an embodiment said guiding members, said
tactile providing mechanics and/or said stop members are arranged
in at least one of said bayonet fastening device. It is to be noted
that said guiding members, said tactile providing mechanics and/or
said stop members can be positioned freely into the circular upper
and lower portions or bayonet devices thereby enabling number or
different positions to be locked, attach, guide the circular upper
and lower portions and/or provide feedbacks. In addition they may
be implemented so that they provide haptic, tactile and/or audible
feedback for the user when closing or opening the lid or turned
into the detaching position, such as snap sound and clear
mechanical resistance change felt before snapping into closed or
opened position, for example. Additionally or alternatively the lid
(upper and lower portions) may comprise also visual alignment or
indication for the closed or opened positions, as well as also for
the attaching/detaching position.
[0016] In addition according to an embodiment the first and second
openings of the circular lower portion are provided with sealing
members, which are arranged to be pressed against the circular
upper portion in a non-opening position in a liquid-tightly sealing
manner. The sealing members are advantageously arranged around the
opening areas so to prevent any leakage into the space between
circular upper and lower portions.
[0017] According to an embodiment the lid or circular upper portion
comprises a sealing member, which is configured to locate between
said circular upper and lower portions, when said circular upper
and lower portions are coupled to each other. In addition the
circular lower portion is provided with a sealing member, said
sealing member being arranged to be positioned between said
circular lower portion and the drinking container, when said
circular lower portion and the drinking container are coupled to
each other and sealed.
[0018] The sealing members are advantageously soft rubber or
silicone members or any other elastomer (e.g. TPE--thermoplastic
elastomers, TPV--thermoplastic vulcanizate, TPU--thermoplastic
polyurethane), which are suitable for providing effective liquid
sealing. In addition the sealing members are advantageously
configured to be manually detachable e.g. for cleaning
purposes.
[0019] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment the
circular lower portion comprises two structural portions, one of
which comprises hard material, like plastic, and one of which
comprises softer portion, which can functioning as said sealing
member. Also the circular upper portion may plastic, and another
portion of which comprises softer portion, which can functioning as
said sealing member. In addition the top surface of the circular
upper portion comprises advantageously an asymmetrically shaped
portion or is asymmetrically shaped for better user drinking
experience. Further the top surface of the circular upper portion
may comprise a matte or rough outer surface for increasing turning
grip.
[0020] The present invention offers advantages over the known prior
art, such as an easy and liquid-tight manner to close the drinking
hole of the lid and an easy and hygienic way to open it for
drinking. The drinking hole can be closed in a reliable way so that
any unwanted opening of the drinking hole is effectively prevented.
In addition the invention provides the lid, which is easy to couple
with the drinking container in a liquid-tight manner. The lid
according to the invention can be implemented without any springs
or sealing balls, which makes the structure and manufacturing
process quite simple. In addition the lid of the invention is easy
to use and keep clear. Moreover the lid provides a clear indication
to the user whether the lid is in an open or closed position or
position enabling attaching/detaching the circular upper and lower
portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Next the invention will be described in greater detail with
reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a principle of an exemplary drinking
container with a lid according to an advantageous embodiment of the
invention,
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary lid according to an
advantageous embodiment of the invention,
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary circular upper and lower
portions of the lid according to an advantageous embodiment of the
invention,
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary structural parts of the
circular upper and lower portions of the lid according to an
advantageous embodiment of the invention,
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a cross section of an
exemplary lid structure according to an advantageous embodiment of
the invention,
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary operation of the lid according
to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,
[0028] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate another exemplary operation of the
lid according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention
[0029] FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate exemplary circular upper and lower
portions with bayonet devices according to an advantageous
embodiment of the invention, and
[0030] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exemplary drinking container with an
example lid according to an advantageous embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a principle of an exemplary drinking
container 100 with a lid 200 according to an advantageous
embodiment of the invention. The typical drinking container 100 is
e.g. a coffee or tea mug, but can of course be any drinking
container capable of carrying liquid inside and with which the lid
200 can be used for preventing any leakage or spilling of the
liquid.
[0032] FIGS. 2-8B illustrate different views of an exemplary lid
200 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where
in FIGS. 2 and 6 the lid is assembled for use mode, and where in
FIG. 3 the lid is divided into the circular upper portion 201 and
circular lower portion 202 from which the lid is formed. In
addition FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary lid structure, where the
circular upper portion comprises two parts 201a, 202b and the
circular lower portion 202 comprises two parts 202a, 202b. FIG. 5
illustrates a cross section figure of the circular upper portion
201 of an exemplary lid structure 200.
[0033] As can be seen e.g. in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and especially 8A and
8B the circular upper portion 201 comprises a male bayonet
fastening device 203, and the circular lower portion 202 comprises
a counterpart female bayonet fastening device 204. The circular
upper portion 201 comprises additionally first opening 205a and
second opening 206a, namely one for a drink outlet 205a and one
206a for a compensation air inlet. In addition the circular lower
portion 202 comprises corresponding first opening 205b and second
opening 206b, one 205b for the drink outlet and one 206b for the
compensation air inlet. When the lid is assembled, as is the case
in FIGS. 2 and 6, the lid comprises in the drinking mode the first
opening as said drink outlet 205 and the second opening 206 as for
a compensation air inlet.
[0034] The bayonet device 203 of the circular upper portion 201 and
the counterpart bayonet device 204 of the circular lower portion
202 are configured so that they can be coupled with each other in a
releasable manner. The bayonet devices enable easy
attaching/detaching between the circular upper and lower portions.
In addition the bayonet devices guide the circular upper portion
201 and the circular lower portion 202 so that they can be turned
in relation to each other around a common axis 207 between the
opening, closing and detaching positions, as can be seen especially
in FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C.
[0035] As can be seen in FIG. 4 the circular lower portion 202
comprises two structural portions, one 202a of which comprises hard
material, like plastic and one 202b of which comprises softer
portion functioning e.g. as a sealing member. The circular upper
portion 201 comprises also two structural portions, one 201a of
which comprises hard material, like plastic, and another portion
201b, which comprises softer portion functioning e.g. as a sealing
member. The sealing member 201b is advantageously arranged to be
pressed against the circular upper and/or lower portion 202 in a
non-opening position in a liquid-tightly sealing manner. In
addition the sealing member 202b is arranged to be positioned
between the circular lower portion 202 and the drinking container
100, when said circular lower portion and the drinking container
are coupled to each other and sealed.
[0036] The sealing member is advantageously configured to seal any
conduits between first openings 205a, 205b as well as between said
second openings 206a, 206b, when said openings are un-aligned in
said closing position. According to an embodiment the sealing
member 239, 240 may be inserted into the circular upper portion
from the bottom also to ensure sealing between upper portion and
lower portion while in the drinking and locking position (pressure
seal). The sealing member area is advantageously kept to a minimum
to reduce turning friction. There might also be a recess(es) in the
sealing member in order to enable user removal for cleaning and
re-attaching (pulling out with finger). In addition the sealing
members 239, 240 may comprise also small protruded area 239a, 240a,
which are configured to further press the sealing member against
the drinking and air holes 206a, 205b, when the circular upper
portion is turned into the closed position. The sealing member
comprises or is for example soft rubber, silicon or any other
elastomer (e.g. TPE--thermoplastic elastomers, TPV--thermoplastic
vulcanizate, TPU--thermoplastic polyurethane).
[0037] As can be seen e.g. in FIGS. 8A and 8B the circular upper
portion 201 comprises a guiding member 231 and the circular lower
portion 202 comprises a counterpart guiding member 232. The guiding
members are configured to guide the circular upper and lower
portions 201, 202 to be attached to and detach from each other in
predefined position. The guiding members 231, 232 are
advantageously arranged into the bayonet devices 203, 204. In
addition the guiding members are advantageously implemented by a
lip or tongue 232 and the corresponding groove 231.
[0038] In addition the lid 200 comprises a stop members 236, 237a,
237b for guiding the first and second openings 205, 206 of the
upper and lower portions 201, 202 to stop in the un-aligned, so the
closing (un-leaking) position (237a), when said circular upper
portion 201 is turned 207 in relation to the circular lower portion
202. In addition said stop members 236, 237a, 237b are
advantageously configured to guide the circular upper and lower
portions 201, 202 to stop in the detaching position (237b), when
said circular upper portion is turned 207 in relation to the
circular lower portion 202 advantageously in another direction than
previously. The stop members are advantageously implemented by
mechanical structures in the circular upper and lower portions,
such as a protruding lip member 236 in the upper portion and a
counterpart protruding lip members 237a, 237b in the circular lower
portion.
[0039] The lid is additionally configured, in the lock position
(237A), to further tighten the fastening of the thread 238 between
the drinking container 100 and the lid 200, if an additional
turning force is applied so the stop members 236, 237A are forced
against each other (e.g. in clock-wise). Additionally the lid may
also be configured, in the detach position (237B), to loosen the
fastening of the thread 238 between the drinking container 100 and
the lid 200, when applied an additional turning force so the stop
members 236, 237B are forced against each other (e.g. in counter
clock-wise). The further tighten or loosening is achieved by the
stop members 236, 237a, 237b so that the stop member 236 of the
circular upper portion forces also the lower portion to be turned
via said stop member 237A, 237B thereby just further tightening or
loosening (depending on the rotation direction) the possible thread
connection between the lid (lower portion) and the drinking
container.
[0040] In addition, according to an example there are arranged
stopper ribs between stop members 237A and 237B, which is
configured to prevent accidental detachment of the circular upper
portion 201 from the lower portion, so that user has to apply force
to move from "open" to "detach" position. The stopper ribs are not
shown in the Figures.
[0041] FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C illustrate the operation of the lid 200
according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, where the
lid 200 has three different positions, namely open, closed and
attaching/detaching positions.
[0042] The circular upper portion is advantageously provided with a
marking member 233, and the circular lower portion is also provided
with marking members 233A, 233B, and 233C denoting different
positions (open, closed, attach/detach) of the lid. According to an
embodiment, when turning the portions 201, 202 so that the marking
members 233, 233A are aligned, then also said guiding members 231,
232 are aligned in same line thereby allowing attaching/detaching
of the circular upper and lower portions (as is the case in FIG.
7A).
[0043] When turning the portions 201, 202 so that the marking
members 233, 233B are aligned, then also the first openings 205a,
205b are aligned and the second openings 206a, 206b are aligned in
an opening position (FIG. 7B) thereby allowing liquid flow through
via the first openings 205 and compensation air inlet via the
second openings 206.
[0044] In addition, when turning the portions 201, 202 so that the
marking members 233, 233C are aligned, then the portions 201, 202
arrange the first openings 205a, 206b being un-aligned and said
second openings 205b, 206b being un-aligned in a sealing manner in
a closing position (FIG. 7C), so when the portions are turned in
the manner where the openings are not aligned. In the closing
position the openings of the drinking container are sealed in a
liquid tightly manner and thereby any leaking or spilling of liquid
contained the mug can be prevented.
[0045] According to an example, once the circular upper portion is
attached to the lower portion, the central bayonet mechanics 203,
204 enable the upper portion to be turned (e.g. 60.degree. in
clock-wise) into a drinking position. An additional turning (e.g.
45.degree. turning in clock-wise) locks the upper and lower
portions to prevent leakage. Once the locking position is reached a
stop feature prevents additional turning. Additional turning force
(clock wise) applied in the lock position will lead to further
fastening of the thread fastening between cup and lid, as is
discussed elsewhere in this document.
[0046] The circular upper and/or lower portions 201, 202 may also
comprise feedback providing mechanics 234, 235A, 235B, 235C for
providing haptic, tactile and/or audible feedback, when said
circular upper portion 201 is turned in relation to said circular
lower portion 202 to said opening or closing (drinking and locking)
positions or to the attaching/detaching position. The feedback
members are implemented for example by snaps or half-cuts 234,
235A, 235B, 235C so that they are configured to provide haptic,
tactile and/or audible feedback and to further help and guide said
first openings 205a, 205b being aligned to stop and said second
openings 206a, 206b being aligned to stop in an opening (drinking)
position, closed position, and/or attaching/detaching position,
when said circular upper portion 201 is turned in relation to said
circular lower portion 202.
[0047] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exemplary drinking container 100 with
an example lid 100 according to an advantageous embodiment of the
invention, where the circular lower portion 202 of the lid
comprises fastening thread 238 arranged to fasten and unfasten said
lid to and from said drinking container 100, when said circular
lower portion 202 (or the lid) is turned in relation to said
drinking container.
[0048] The invention has been explained above with reference to the
aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention
to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within
the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following
patent claims. In addition it is to be noted that the features
recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless
otherwise explicitly stated.
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