U.S. patent application number 15/726663 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-11 for tiltable lid assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lifetime Brands, Inc.. Invention is credited to Steven C. Cozzolino, Lyndon Treacy.
Application Number | 20190106255 15/726663 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63762407 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190106255 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cozzolino; Steven C. ; et
al. |
April 11, 2019 |
TILTABLE LID ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A tiltable lid assembly includes a base that is secured to a cup
that holds a liquid substance. The base has an opening that is
aligned with an opening on the cup. A cap assembly is secured to
the base and includes a first seal for sealing the opening of the
base and a second seal for sealing an air vent on the base. The cap
assembly is tiltable along an axis, wherein in a first position,
the cap assembly is in a level, non-inclined position and the first
and second seals seal the opening and the air vent, respectively.
In a second position, the cap assembly is inclined and the first
and second seals are displaced from the opening and air vent.
Releasable locking means secures the cap assembly in the first and
second position.
Inventors: |
Cozzolino; Steven C.; (New
York, NY) ; Treacy; Lyndon; (New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lifetime Brands, Inc. |
Garden City |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
63762407 |
Appl. No.: |
15/726663 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 45/16 20130101;
B65D 47/32 20130101; B65D 53/04 20130101; B65D 43/0202 20130101;
B65D 47/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 53/04 20060101
B65D053/04; B65D 43/02 20060101 B65D043/02; B65D 45/16 20060101
B65D045/16; B65D 47/32 20060101 B65D047/32 |
Claims
1. A tiltable lid assembly, comprising: a base configured to be
secured to a cup that holds a liquid substance, said cup including
an opening for release of the liquid substance; said base including
a first end having an opening that is aligned with the opening in
the cup to permit release of the liquid substance from the cup
portion; a cap assembly secured to the base, said cap assembly
including a first end having a first seal that is configured to be
positioned over the opening of the base to seal the liquid
substance within the cup and a second end opposite said first end;
said cap assembly is configured to be tiltable along an axis,
wherein in a first position on the axis the first seal is
positioned within the opening on the base to prevent the liquid
substance from flowing out of the opening and in a second position
on the axis the first seal is displaced from the opening on the
base to permit the liquid substance to flow out of the opening.
2. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the tiltable lid
assembly includes releasable locking means that secures the cap
assembly in the first and second position.
3. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 2, wherein the releasable
locking means comprises: a latch connected to the cap assembly,
said latch having a distal end portion; biasing means connected to
the cap assembly that is configured to exert force on the latch;
and a locking member secured to the base, said locking member
having an aperture configured to receive the distal end portion of
the latch; wherein in the first position, the biasing means is
configured to force the distal end portion of the latch into the
aperture of the locking member to secure the first seal within the
opening of the base to prevent the liquid substance from flowing
out of the opening; and wherein in the second position, the biasing
means is configured to force the distal end portion of the latch
against a resting surface of the locking member to secure the first
seal in a position that is displaced from the opening on the base
to permit the liquid substance to flow out of the opening.
4. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 3, wherein: the cap assembly
further comprises a planar top surface; in the first position, the
planar top surface is in a level, non-inclined position; and in the
second position, the planar top surface is in an inclined
position.
5. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 4, wherein the top surface of
the cap assembly in the second position is inclined towards the
first end of the cap assembly between 5-60 degrees.
6. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 1, wherein: the base includes
an air vent that is configured to permit gas in the cup to flow
therethrough; the cap assembly includes a second seal that is
configured to be positioned within the air vent to seal the air
vent; wherein when the cap assembly is in the first position, the
second seal is positioned within the air vent to seal the air vent
and when the cap assembly is in the second position, the second
seal is displaced from the air vent.
7. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 3, wherein the releasable
locking means further includes a tab that is connected to the
latch, said tab being configured to move the distal end portion of
the latch away from the locking member and release the releasable
locking means when slid by the user towards the second end of the
cap assembly.
8. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 7, wherein the tab is
positioned on a substantially planar top surface of the cap
assembly.
9. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the tiltable lid
assembly includes fastening means to releasably secure the cap
assembly to the base.
10. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 9, wherein the fastening
means comprises; mounting brackets having recesses that are
configured to receive protrusions on a pair of arms; wherein the
fastening means is configured to permit the cap assembly to pivot
along the axis when the cap assembly is releasably secured to the
base.
11. A cup, comprising: a cup portion configured to hold a liquid
substance, said cup portion including an opening for release of the
liquid substance; a lid base configured to be secured to the cup,
said lid base including a first end having an opening that is
aligned with the opening of the cup to permit release of the liquid
substance from the cup portion; a cap assembly secured to the lid
base, said cap assembly including a first end having a first seal
that is configured to be positioned over the opening of the lid
base to seal the liquid substance within the cup portion and a
second end opposite said first end; and said cap assembly is
configured to be tiltable along an axis, wherein in a first
position on the axis the first seal is positioned within the
opening on the lid base to prevent the liquid substance from
flowing out of the opening and in a second position on the axis the
first seal is displaced from the opening on the lid base to permit
the liquid substance to flow out of the opening.
12. The cup of claim 11, wherein the cup includes releasable
locking means that secures the cap assembly in the first and second
position.
13. The cup of claim 12, wherein the releasable locking means
comprises: a latch connected to the cap assembly, said latch having
a distal end portion; biasing means connected to the cap assembly
that is configured to exert force on the latch; and a locking
member secured to the lid base, said locking member having an
aperture configured to receive the distal end portion of the latch;
wherein in the first position, the biasing means is configured to
force the distal end portion of the latch into the aperture of the
locking member to secure the first seal within the opening of the
lid base to prevent the liquid substance from flowing out of the
opening; and wherein in the second position, the biasing means is
configured to force the distal end portion of the latch against a
resting surface of the locking member to secure the first seal in a
position that is displaced from the opening on the lid base to
permit the liquid substance to flow out of the opening.
14. The cup of claim 13, wherein: the cap assembly further
comprises a planar top surface; in the first position, the planar
top surface is in a level, non-inclined position; and in the second
position, the planar top surface is in an inclined position.
15. The cup of claim 13, wherein the releasable locking means
further includes a tab that is connected to the latch, said tab
being configured to move the distal end portion of the latch away
from the locking member and release the releasable locking means
when slid by the user towards the second end of the cap
assembly.
16-20. (canceled)
21. The tiltable lid assembly of claim 1, wherein: the cap assembly
comprises a planar top surface; in the first position, the planar
top surface is in a level, non-inclined position; and in the second
position, the planar top surface is in an inclined position.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0001] The present principles generally relates to lids for sealing
cups, more particularly, it relates to a tiltable lid assembly
which seals a cup in an effective and efficient manner.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Cups and containers for holding liquid beverages or food
products must be configured to securely seal the contents of the
cup in order to prevent the contents from accidentally flowing out
of the spout which may lead to injury to the user or damage to
property. Many cups, such as travel mugs, have been developed which
have lids that releasably seal a cup. However, many existing cups
do not have lids that securely seal the spout/opening of the cup.
Furthermore, many known cups have lids with sealing means that are
cumbersome to activate or deactivate by the user. Additionally,
many existing cups do not clearly indicate whether the spout is in
an opened or closed position. Many of the existing lids also have
structures that are overly complex and are subject to degradation
over time.
[0003] Accordingly, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a
lid assembly that is configured to be releasably locked in both a
position in which the spout and the air vent are opened and the
user may drink from the cup and in a position in which the spout
and air vent are sealed closed.
[0004] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a lid
assembly that has releasable locking means which permits the user
to easily open or close the spout and the air vent.
[0005] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a lid
assembly that clearly indicates to the user whether the spout and
air vent are opened or closed.
[0006] It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a lid
assembly that is cost effective to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the present principles, a tiltable lid
assembly is provided. The tiltable lid assembly includes a base
configured to be secured to a cup that holds a liquid substance.
The cup includes an opening for release of the liquid substance.
The base includes a first end having an opening that is aligned
with the opening in the cup to permit release of the liquid
substance from the cup portion. A cap assembly is secured to the
base. The cap assembly includes a first end having a first seal
that is configured to be positioned over the opening of the base to
seal the liquid substance within the cup and a second end opposite
the first end. The cap assembly is configured to be tiltable along
an axis, wherein in a first position on the axis the first seal is
positioned within the opening on the base to prevent the liquid
substance from flowing out of the opening and in a second position
on the axis the first seal is displaced from the opening on the
base to permit the liquid substance to flow out of the opening.
[0008] In another embodiment, a cup is provided. The cup includes a
cup portion that is configured to hold a liquid substance. The cup
portion includes an opening for release of the liquid substance. A
base is configured to be secured to the cup. The base includes a
first end having an opening that is aligned with the opening in the
cup to permit release of the liquid substance from the cup portion.
A cap assembly is secured to the base. The cap assembly includes a
first end having a first seal that is configured to be positioned
over the opening of the base to seal the liquid substance within
the cup portion and a second end opposite the first end. The cap
assembly is configured to be tiltable along an axis, wherein in a
first position on the axis the first seal is positioned within the
opening on the base to prevent the liquid substance from flowing
out of the opening and in a second position on the axis the first
seal is displaced from the opening on the base to permit the liquid
substance to flow out.
[0009] In another embodiment, a method for releasably locking a
tiltable lid assembly that seals a cup in an open or closed
position is provided, the tiltable lid assembly having a base and a
cap assembly. The method includes the steps of locking the tiltable
lid assembly in the open position starting from the closed position
by: releasing releasable locking means, depressing a second end of
the cap assembly to incline an opposed first end of the cap
assembly and activating releasable locking means. The method also
includes the steps of locking the tiltable lid assembly in the
closed position starting from the open position by: releasing
releasable locking means, depressing a first end of the cap
assembly so that the cap assembly is in a level, non-inclined
orientation and activating releasable locking means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The features and advantages of the present invention will be
more readily understood from a detailed description of the
exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the following
figures. Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals
represent the same or similar elements:
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a cup having the tiltable
lid assembly of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the tiltable lid assembly
and releasable locking means of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the tiltable lid assembly locked
in a sealed position;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the tiltable lid assembly in an
unlocked position with the first end inclined;
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the tiltable lid assembly locked
in an unsealed position;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the cap
assembly;
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the tiltable lid assembly
in a level, non-inclined position;
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the tiltable lid assembly
in an inclined position; and
[0019] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram showing a method for releasably
locking a tiltable lid assembly that seals the cup in an open or
closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In accordance with the present principles, a tiltable lid
assembly 2 is provided. The tiltable lid assembly 2 is configured
to be secured to a cup 6 or container that holds a substance, such
as a liquid beverage or food product. The cup 6 or container may
comprise a body having a bottom wall, side walls and an open
top.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the tiltable lid assembly 2 includes a
base 10 and a cap assembly 4. The tiltable lid assembly 2 is
configured to be attached to the body of the cup 6 over the
opening. The base 10 of the tiltable lid assembly may have a collar
portion 3 configured to be secured to the cup 6. In one embodiment,
the collar portion 3 is secured to the cup by a press fit. In this
embodiment, it is preferable that the tiltable lid assembly 2
includes a gasket 8 to provide an interference fit between the
tiltable lid assembly and the cup 6. The gasket 8 also helps
provide an air tight seal between the tiltable lid 2 and the cup 6.
In alternative embodiments, the collar portion 3 includes threads
11 which permit the collar portion to be screwed onto the cup 6. In
this embodiment, the gasket 8 may be positioned on a thread 11 and
the gasket seals against the rim or the inside wall of the cup.
[0022] The base 10 has raised sidewalls 16 extending around its
circumference. In one embodiment, the sidewalls 16 may have an
increased height at the first end 14 of the base. As shown in FIG.
2, the base includes an opening 12 on the first end which serves a
spout for the substance held in the cup. The substance may travel
from the cup, through the opening and up the sidewalls 16 to reach
the user's mouth. The sidewalls 16 are dimensioned to provide a
controlled flow of the liquid substance to the user's mouth. The
base 10 also includes an air vent 18 that is configured to allow
gas to flow from the cup through the air vent in order to permit
the substance to flow smoothly from the cup through the opening
12.
[0023] The cap assembly 4 is configured to be secured to the base
10 in order to cover the base and releasably seal the substance
inside of the cup. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the cap assembly 4
preferably has a relatively planar top surface 20. The cap assembly
4 includes a first end 7 and a second end 9 that is configured to
be aligned with and overlie corresponding first and second ends 14,
17 of the base. The top surface 20 of the cap assembly may be
dimensioned to have an area that substantially covers the portion
of the base 10 that is surrounded by the sidewalls 16.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom portion 5 of the cap assembly
may include a first seal 22 and a second seal 24. The seals 22, 24
may be overmolded or otherwise secured to the bottom portion 5 of
the cap assembly. The first seal 22 is positioned on the first end
7 of the cap assembly and has dimensions that are configured to
sealingly cover the opening 12 of the base. For example, the first
seal 22 may be dimensioned so that a distal portion of the first
seal may be received within the opening 12 of the base and
completely cover the opening to prevent substances in the cup from
flowing out of the opening. In one embodiment, the first seal 22
may be dimensioned to have a width that gradually increases from
the distal end 23 to the bottom surface of the cap assembly.
[0025] The second seal 24 on the cap assembly 4 is configured to
sealingly cover the air vent 18 on the base 10. The second seal 24
may be configured so that the distal portion 1 of the second seal
may be received within the air vent 18 and completely cover the air
vent to prevent gas from flowing through the air vent. The second
seal 24 may be dimensioned with an increasing width from the distal
end 25 to the bottom surface of the cap assembly. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 6, the second seal 24 is in the form of a plug which
is configured to be received within the air vent 18 to seal the air
vent. While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6 include an opening
12 and air vent 18 in the base that is configured to be sealed by
the first and second seals 22, 24, in other embodiments the base 10
may have additional openings and the cap assembly 4 has
corresponding seals to sealingly close such openings.
[0026] In one embodiment, the cap assembly 4 may be configured to
be releasably secured to the base 10. For example, the bottom
portion 5 of the cap assembly may have fastening means 26 which is
configured to be releasably secured to fastening means on the base
10. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, the base 10 may
include a pair of mounting brackets 28 having recesses which are
configured to receive raised circular protrusions 30 on a pair of
arms 32 on the bottom of the cap assembly. The fastening means 26
releasably fastens the cap assembly 4 to the base 10 while the
point of securement serves as a fulcrum which allows the cap
assembly to pivot and provide a tilting motion to the cap assembly
4 when secured to the base 10. While the embodiments in FIGS. 1, 2
and 6 show a pair of mounting brackets 28 and arms 32, other
fastening means known in the art may be used to releasably secure
the cap assembly 4 to the base 10. In alternative embodiments, the
cap assembly 4 may be permanently secured to the base 10 by any
other means known in the art.
[0027] The tiltable lid assembly 2 also includes releasable locking
means 34 which is configured to secure the cap assembly 4 in a
plurality of positions with respect to the axis which it tilts
about. For example, in a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the
releasable locking 34 means is configured to secure the cap
assembly 4 in a position wherein the first and second seals 22, 24
seal the opening 12 and air vent 18 of the base 10. In this
position, the lid is locked in a sealed condition which ensures
that the opening and air vent are closed. As shown in FIG. 7, in
this position, the top surface 20 of the cap assembly may
preferably have a substantially planar top that is easily viewable
by the user as being in a level, non-inclined orientation. This
permits the user to readily determine that the tiltable lid
assembly 2 is in a sealed position which prevents liquid or air
from being released from the cup.
[0028] In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the
releasable locking means 34 is configured to secure the cap
assembly 4 in a position where the first and second seals 22, 24
are displaced from the opening 12 and air vent 18 of the base 10,
respectively, and liquid contents of the cup and air may flow out
of the opening and air vent. As shown in FIG. 8, in this position,
the substantially planar top surface 20 of the cap assembly is
easily viewable by the user as being in an inclined orientation.
The top surface of the cup assembly may be inclined in this
position approximately 5-60 degrees towards the first end 14 of the
cap assembly. This permits the user to view the top surface 20 of
the cap assembly and easily determine whether the opening/spout 12
is in an open position where the substance may freely flow out of
the cup.
[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5, the releasable locking
means 34 includes a latch 36 that is connected to the cap assembly
4. The latch 36 has a distal end portion 38. The latch 36 also
includes biasing means 40 that is positioned adjacent the latch.
The biasing means 40 may be a spring, a magnet or any other biasing
means known in the art. The biasing means 40 is configured to force
the distal end 38 of the latch to extend towards the first end 14
of the base. The releasable locking means 34 may include an
enclosure 37 which encloses the components of the releasable
locking means on the cap assembly 4 except for the distal end 38 of
the latch. The enclosure 37 may have an aperture that is configured
to permit the latch 36 to extend outside of the enclosure. The base
10 includes a locking member 42 that includes an aperture 44 that
is configured to receive the distal end 38 of the latch. When the
distal end 38 of the latch is received in the aperture 44, the
biasing means 40 maintains the distal end of the latch within the
aperture to prevent axial motion of the cap assembly 4.
[0030] In one embodiment, the tiltable lid assembly 2 also includes
a tab 46 that is connected to the releasable locking means 34 which
is configured to permit the user to apply pressure opposing the
biasing force to release the releasable locking means and permit
axial motion of the cap assembly 4. The tab 46 is preferably
positioned on the top surface 20 of the cap assembly. As shown in
FIG. 2, the tab 46 may be connected to the releasable locking means
by a post 47.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, when the user slides the tab 46 towards
the second end 9 of the cap assembly, the distal end 38 of the
latch is displaced from the aperture 44 and the securement by the
releasable locking means 34 is released. When the user releases the
tab 46, the biasing means 40 forces the distal end 38 of the latch
towards the first end 7 of the cap assembly.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 4, when the cap assembly 4 is secured in a
position where the first and second seals 22, 24 seal the opening
12 and air vent 18, the sliding of the tab 46 in a direction toward
the second end 9 of the cap assembly opposes the biasing means to
release the locking means and also naturally exerts downward force
on the second end 9 of the cap assembly to incline the first end 7
of the cap assembly and decline the second end.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 5, when the user releases the tab 7 while
the cap assembly 4 is in an inclined orientation, the distal end 38
of the latch is forced against a resting surface 48 on the locking
member which secures the cap in the inclined position. The resting
surface 48 preferably has dimensions that are configured to be
complementary to the shape of the distal end in order to reduce
friction of the distal end against the resting surface. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the distal end 38 of
the latch is slanted upwardly approximately 45 degrees and the
resting surface 48 is slanted downwardly at a similar angle.
[0034] The releasable locking means 34 are configured so that the
user may push down on the inclined portion of the top surface 20 of
the cap assembly to oppose the biasing force and force the distal
end 38 of the latch away from the resting surface 48 to release the
releasable locking means. This permits the user to easily release
the securement provided by the releasable locking means.
Alternatively, the user may slide the tab 46 towards the second end
9 of the cap assembly to release the releasable locking means 34.
The user can then tilt the lid to a level position with gentle
downward pressure on the first end 7 of the cap assembly. When the
user releases the tab 46, the distal end 38 of the latch is forced
into the aperture 44 of the locking member 42 to secure the
tiltable lid assembly 2 in a sealed position.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 9, a method 200 for releasably locking a
tiltable lid assembly that seals a cup in an open or closed
position is provided. As previously described, the tiltable lid
assembly may include a base and a cap assembly. The method 200
includes locking the tiltable lid assembly in the open position
starting from the closed position by performing the following
steps. In block 205, the releasable locking means are released. As
previously described, the releasable locking means may be released
by sliding a tab that is connected to the releasable locking means
towards the second end of the cap assembly to oppose the biasing
force and release the distal end of the latch, from the aperture of
the locking member.
[0036] In block 210, the second end of the cap assembly is
depressed to incline an opposed first end of the cap assembly. As
previously described, the sliding of the tab that is connected to
the releasable locking means towards the second end of the cap
assembly may be sufficient to naturally depress the second end of
the cap assembly and incline the first end of the cap assembly.
[0037] In block 220 the releasable locking means are activated. For
example, the tab may be released so that the biasing force forces
the distal end forward into a locked open position.
[0038] The method also includes locking the tiltable lid assembly
in the closed position starting from the open position by
performing the following steps. In block 230, the releasable
locking means are released. As previously described, the releasable
locking means may be released by the user depressing the inclined
first end of the cap assembly. Alternatively, the user may slide
the tab towards the second end to release the releasable locking
means. In block 240, the first end of the cap assembly is depressed
so that the cap assembly is in a level, non-inclined orientation.
In block 250, the releasable locking means is activated. For
example, the user may release the tab so that the latch is forced
into the aperture of the locking member by the biasing means to
secure the tiltable lid assembly in a closed position.
[0039] It should be understood, of course, that the specific form
of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be
representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without
departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure.
[0040] Although the illustrative embodiments have been described
herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be
understood that the present principles is not limited to those
precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may
be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
principles. All such changes and modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the present principles as set forth in
the appended claims.
* * * * *