U.S. patent application number 15/451339 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-07 for travel mug with a twist lid.
The applicant listed for this patent is BRUMIS IMPORTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Steven Bram, Sean Fogarty.
Application Number | 20170253389 15/451339 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59723392 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170253389 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fogarty; Sean ; et
al. |
September 7, 2017 |
TRAVEL MUG WITH A TWIST LID
Abstract
A drinking vessel having a container with a hollow interior and
a lid. The lid is connectable to the container and having an upper
lid portion and a lower lid portion. The upper lid portion has a
top surface and a drinking aperture located at the top surface. The
lower lid portion includes a twist ring rotatable with respect to
the upper lid portion. The lid also includes a sealing mechanism
mechanically coupled to the twist ring so as to move between a
closed position in which the sealing mechanism seals the drinking
aperture and an open position in which the sealing mechanism
unseals the drinking aperture. Further, the lid includes a spring
mechanism mechanically coupled to the twist ring. When the twist
ring is in its initial position, the sealing mechanism is
positioned in the closed position sealing the drinking aperture,
and when the twist ring is rotated into a first open position, the
sealing mechanism is positioned in its open position and the spring
mechanism is biased to return the twist ring into its initial
position.
Inventors: |
Fogarty; Sean; (New York,
NY) ; Bram; Steven; (Brooklyn, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRUMIS IMPORTS, INC. |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59723392 |
Appl. No.: |
15/451339 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62303461 |
Mar 4, 2016 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/32 20130101;
B65D 51/1683 20130101; B65D 55/02 20130101; B65D 2547/063 20130101;
B65D 43/0229 20130101; B65D 2555/02 20130101; A45F 3/18 20130101;
B65D 47/265 20130101; B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D 2543/0049
20130101; B65D 47/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/04 20060101
B65D041/04; B65D 55/02 20060101 B65D055/02; B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02; A45F 3/18 20060101 A45F003/18; B65D 47/06 20060101
B65D047/06 |
Claims
1. A drinking vessel comprising: a container having a hollow
interior; and a lid configured to be connected to the container and
having an upper lid portion and a lower lid portion, the upper lid
portion having a top surface and a drinking aperture located at the
top surface, the lower lid portion including a twist ring rotatable
with respect to the upper lid portion, the lid further comprising a
sealing mechanism mechanically coupled to the twist ring so as to
move between a closed position in which the sealing mechanism seals
the drinking aperture and an open position in which the sealing
mechanism unseals the drinking aperture, the lid further comprising
a spring mechanism mechanically coupled to the twist ring, wherein
when said twist ring is in its initial position, said sealing
mechanism is positioned in the closed position sealing said
drinking aperture; and wherein said twist ring is configured to
rotate into a first open position in which the sealing mechanism is
positioned in its open position and said spring mechanism is biased
to return said twist ring into said initial position.
2. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein said twist
ring is configured to rotate into a second open position in which
the twist ring is prevented from rotating unless additional force
is applied, and said sealing mechanism is locked in its open
position.
3. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein said twist
ring further comprises a notch extending from an outer surface of
the twist ring and configured to accommodate a user's finger.
4. The drinking vessel according to claim 3, wherein said upper lid
portion further comprises a second notch extending from an outer
surface of said upper lid portion, and wherein in said initial
position of said twist ring, said notch and said second notch are
vertically aligned.
5. The drinking vessel according to claim 3, wherein said twist
ring further comprises a locking mechanism located at said notch,
and wherein, when said locking mechanism is activated, said twist
ring is blocked from twisting.
6. The drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the upper lid
portion comprises a lip extending from said top surface, said lip
being ergonomically shaped to allow liquid to flow from said
drinking aperture into a user's mouth.
7. A drinking vessel comprising: a container having a hollow
interior; and a lid configured to be connected to the container and
having a first lid portion and a second lid portion, the first lid
portion having a drinking aperture, the second lid portion being at
least partially rotatable with respect to the first lid portion,
the lid further comprising a sealing mechanism mechanically coupled
to the second lid portion so as to move between a closed position
in which the sealing mechanism seals the drinking aperture and an
open position in which the sealing mechanism unseals the drinking
aperture, the lid further comprising a spring mechanism
mechanically coupled to the second lid portion, wherein when said
second lid portion is in its initial position, said sealing
mechanism is positioned in the closed position sealing said
drinking aperture; and wherein said second lid portion is
configured to rotate into a first open position in which the
sealing mechanism is positioned in its open position and said
spring mechanism is biased to return said second lid portion into
said initial position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application and its disclosure generally relate to the
field of sealable drinking containers.
[0002] Drinking containers, including travel mugs, are well known
in the art. Many conventional travel mugs provide a sealable
drinking aperture. However, many of such conventional sealable
travel mugs have certain limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In its general aspect, the invention is a drinking vessel
having a container with a hollow interior and a lid. The lid is
connectable to the container and having an upper lid portion and a
lower lid portion. The upper lid portion has a top surface and a
drinking aperture located at the top surface. The lower lid portion
includes a twist ring rotatable with respect to the upper lid
portion. The lid also includes a sealing mechanism mechanically
coupled to the twist ring so as to move between a closed position
in which the sealing mechanism seals the drinking aperture and an
open position in which the sealing mechanism unseals the drinking
aperture. Further, the lid includes a spring mechanism mechanically
coupled to the twist ring. When the twist ring is in its initial
position, the sealing mechanism is positioned in the closed
position sealing the drinking aperture, and when the twist ring is
rotated into a first open position, the sealing mechanism is
positioned in its open position and the spring mechanism is biased
to return the twist ring into its initial position.
[0004] In a more specific aspect, the twist ring is configured to
rotate into a second open position in which the twist ring is
prevented from rotating unless additional force is applied, and the
sealing mechanism is locked in its open position.
[0005] The above aspects, advantages and features are of
representative embodiments only. It should be understood that they
are not to be considered limitations on the invention as defined by
the claims. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will become apparent in the following description, from the
drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention is illustrated by way of examples which are
not a limitation, and the figures of the accompanying drawings in
which references denote corresponding parts, and in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective rear view of the travel
mug with a twist lid with the drinking aperture being closed.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective rear view of the travel
mug with a twist lid with the drinking aperture being open.
[0009] FIG. 3 is another elevated perspective rear view of the
travel mug with a twist lid with the drinking aperture being
open.
[0010] FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of the travel mug with a
twist lid.
[0011] FIG. 5 is another exploded front view of the travel mug with
a twist lid.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an exploded rear view of the travel mug with a
twist lid.
[0013] FIG. 7 is another exploded rear view of the travel mug with
a twist lid.
[0014] FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of the travel mug with a
twist lid.
[0015] FIG. 9 is another exploded rear view of the travel mug with
a twist lid.
[0016] FIG. 10 is an elevated perspective front view of the travel
mug with a twist lid with the drinking aperture being closed.
[0017] FIG. 11 is an elevated perspective front view of the travel
mug with a twist lid with the drinking aperture being open.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As illustrated in the attached FIGS. 1-11, the invention is
a travel mug 10 having a container 20 and a lid 30. As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 7, the container has a hollow interior 22 for holding a
liquid and a threaded inner neck 24. A corresponding outer threaded
surface 36 is formed on the lid allowing the lid to be twisted into
the container so as to enclose the hollow interior.
[0019] The lid 30 preferably includes an upper lid portion 32 and a
lower lid portion 34, the lower lid portion being rotatable with
respect to the upper lid portion and the container 20. The lid also
includes a top surface 38 with a drinking aperture 40 located
thereon. When the drinking aperture 40 is open, liquid from the
hollow interior 22 flows freely through the drinking aperture.
Correspondingly, when the drinking aperture 40 is closed, liquid is
precluded from flowing from the hollow interior 22 of the container
20.
[0020] The lower lid portion 34 is preferably formed as a twist
ring 44 with a notch 46. Notch 46 extends from an outer surface of
the twist ring and is configured to accommodate a user's finger.
Twist ring 44 is preferably mechanically coupled to a drinking
aperture sealing mechanism 42 via a ramp 48. Sealing mechanism 42
preferably includes a sealing arm 54 with a first seal 50 for
sealing the drinking aperture 40 and a second seal 52 for sealing a
ventilation opening. When the user turns the twist ring 44 slightly
by, for example, pressing a finger against the notch 46, ramp 48
presses against the sealing arm 54 of the sealing mechanism 42 such
that its seal 50 is moved away from the drinking aperture, thus
opening the aperture for drinking.
[0021] The twist ring 44 is also mechanically coupled to a spring
mechanism 56 biased to return the twist ring into the original,
i.e., closed position. When the user is done drinking, he/she
releases the twist ring from the above-described open position, by,
for example, releasing the notch 46, and the spring mechanism 56
springs the twist ring 44 back into the initial position thereby
returning the sealing arm 54 with its seals into their initial
position and closing the drinking aperture. The above-described
open position of the twist ring 44 is hereafter referred to as a
first open position. At this position, the drinking aperture is
open, and the user can drink the liquid located within the
container, as long as the user maintains the slight pressure
against the notch 46 to keep the twist ring 44 slightly
rotated.
[0022] By rotating the twist ring 44 further, i.e., beyond the
first open position, the twist ring can be positioned into a second
open position, in which the twist ring and, correspondingly, the
sealing mechanism 42, is locked in a continuously open position
without requiring the user to hold his/her finger on the twist
ring. Thus, unless an additional force is applied to the twist
ring, the drinking aperture will remain open. A locking means is
provided to lock the twist ring 44 and the sealing mechanism 42 in
the second open position and to prevent the spring mechanism from
returning the twist ring and the sealing mechanism into the
initial, i.e., closed, position.
[0023] The upper lid portion 32 preferably includes a lip 58 and a
notch 60. Lip 58 preferably extends from the top surface 38 and is
ergonomically shaped to allow liquid to flow from the drinking
aperture 40 into the user's mouth. Notch 60 preferably corresponds
in shape to the notch 46 of the lower lid portion 34. As shown in
FIG. 1, notches 60 and 46 are preferably vertically aligned when
the twist ring 44 is in its closed position. Notches 60 and 46 are
preferably radially distanced (as shown, for example in FIGS. 2 and
3) when the twist ring is in its first and/or second open position.
The notches facilitate the twisting movement of the twist ring 44
relative to the upper lid portion 32.
[0024] To facilitate the ease of movement of the twist ring 44 with
respect to the upper lid portion 32, a ball bearing mechanism 62 is
provided between the upper lid portion and the lower lid
portion.
[0025] The lid is further provided with a locking mechanism
including a lock switch 64 and a locking shaft 66. Lock switch 64
is preferably located at the notch 46 of the twist ring 44. When
the lock switch 64 is activated, locking shaft 66 locks the upper
lid portion 32 to the lower lid portion 34 thereby preventing the
twist ring from rotating. Thus, the locking mechanism locks the
twist ring in the initial, i.e., closed, position and prevents the
drinking aperture from being opened.
[0026] The internal components of the lid 30, for example, the
sealing mechanism 42, the spring mechanism 56, the ramp 48 and the
bearing mechanism 62 are preferably enclosed within a housing 68
secured at the bottom with a detachable bottom screw 70. When lid
30 is detached from the container 20, bottom screw 70 can be
unscrewed fully opening the inside mechanisms for cleaning.
[0027] The surface of the twist ring is preferably provided with a
textured silicone grip to make it easier fur the user to rotate the
twist ring.
[0028] The travel mug of the present invention allows a user to
easily twist the twist ring of the lid with an index finger to
unseal the drinking aperture and to allow liquid to flow. When the
user lets go, the ring will automatically return into its initial
position re-sealing the drinking aperture to prevent any spills
when not in use. If the user wants to continually drink the liquid
without unsealing the aperture every time, he/she can simply twist
the twist ring a bit further and it will click into place leaving
the drinking aperture open.
[0029] The notch on the back of the twist ring allows a surface for
the user to push, opening the drinking aperture. Additionally, this
notch holds the locking mechanism for the lid. When the locking
switch is in the up position the twist ring is blocked from
twisting, keeping the drinking aperture sealed. When the locking
switch is in the down position, the twist ring is free to rotate
allowing the user to drink. Having the locking switch on the back
of the mug allows the user to easily reach and toggle the lock with
one hand.
[0030] In the preceding specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The
specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an
illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *