U.S. patent application number 16/681352 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-14 for lid for drinking container with push pull lid core component.
The applicant listed for this patent is THERMOS L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Dwayne Boroski, Marvin Lane.
Application Number | 20200148433 16/681352 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70551683 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200148433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lane; Marvin ; et
al. |
May 14, 2020 |
LID FOR DRINKING CONTAINER WITH PUSH PULL LID CORE COMPONENT
Abstract
A lid assembly for a drinking bottle is described. The lid
assembly includes a lid core component and a lid base. The lid core
component extends and retracts relative to the lid base to open and
close a flow of liquid through the lid assembly. The lid core
component includes a fastening member that limits the extension of
the lid core component.
Inventors: |
Lane; Marvin; (Wheeling,
IL) ; Boroski; Dwayne; (Lake in the Hills,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THERMOS L.L.C. |
Schaumburg |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
70551683 |
Appl. No.: |
16/681352 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62766990 |
Nov 12, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/243
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/24 20060101
B65D047/24 |
Claims
1. A lid assembly, comprising: a lid core component; a lid base; an
upper wall of the lid base forms an opening, and the opening
receives the lid core component; the lid core component is
configured to extend to an open position relative to the lid base
to permit a liquid to flow through the lid core component, and the
lid core component is configured to retract to a closed position
relative to the lid base to prevent the liquid from flowing through
the lid core component; the lid core component includes one or more
fastening members, the fastening members extend from the lid core
component, the fastening members configured to hold the lid core
component to the lid base; and, the lid core component includes one
or more projecting members, the projecting members extend from the
lid core component, the projecting members configured to releasably
hold the lid core component in the closed position.
2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid core
component is configured to extend from the lid base to the open
position by pulling the lid core component from the lid base.
3. The lid assembly according to claim 1, the lid core component
comprising an inner passage, a dispensing opening in fluidic
connection with the inner passage, a lower opening in fluidic
communication with the inner passage, and the dispensing opening
opposite of the lower opening.
4. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid base
comprising an inner cylindrical passage and a base portion, the
inner cylindrical passage formed by cylindrical walls, the
cylindrical walls including fluid openings at least partially
defined by a rim.
5. The lid assembly according to claim 4, wherein the fastening
members extend from an outer surface of the lid core component, and
the fastening members catch against the rim.
6. The lid assembly according to claim 5, wherein the fastening
members catch against the rim to limit the extending of the lid
core component to hold the lid core component to the lid base.
7. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid base
further includes an inner cylindrical passage that receives a lower
portion of the lid core component.
8. The lid assembly according to claim 7, wherein the lid core
component includes a lower opening, the inner cylindrical passage
includes a base portion, and the lower opening seals against the
base portion of the cylindrical passage.
9. The lid assembly according to claim 1, the lid base comprises a
circular side wall, the circular side wall transitions into an
upper wall, the upper wall forms the opening, the opening leads
into an inner cylindrical passage having cylindrical walls, the
cylindrical walls extend below the circular side wall, the
cylindrical walls have a base portion, and the opening and the
inner cylindrical passage receives the lid core component.
10. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening
members are configured to hold the lid core component to the lid
base by preventing further extension of the lid core component
relative to the lid base.
11. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lid base
comprising an inner cylindrical passage and a base portion, the
inner cylindrical passage formed by cylindrical walls, the
cylindrical walls including fluid openings.
12. The lid assembly according to claim 11, wherein, in the closed
position, a bottom rim of the liquid core component seals against
the base portion to prevent the liquid from flowing through the
fluid openings.
13. The lid assembly according to claim 11, wherein, in the open
position, a bottom rim of the liquid core component is spaced from
the base portion to permit a liquid to flow through the fluid
openings.
14. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastening
member includes a catch surface.
15. The lid assembly according to claim 14, wherein the catch
surface extends in a generally perpendicular manner relative to an
exterior side surface of the lid core component.
16. The lid assembly according to claim 14, wherein the fastening
member includes an angled surface leading or transitioning into the
catch surface.
17. The lid assembly according to claim 14, wherein the catch
surface of the fastening member is between a bottom rim of the
liquid core component and the projecting member.
18. A drinking bottle assembly comprising the lid assembly
according to claim 1 and a bottle, wherein the lid assembly is
configured to engage with the bottle.
19. A lid assembly, comprising: a lid core component; a lid base
comprising a circular side wall, the circular side wall transitions
into an upper wall, the upper wall forms an opening, the opening
leads into an inner cylindrical passage having cylindrical walls,
the cylindrical walls extend below the circular side wall, the
cylindrical walls have a base portion, and the opening and the
inner cylindrical passage receive the lid core component; the lid
core component is configured to extend to an open position relative
to the lid base to permit a liquid to flow through the lid core
component, and the lid core component is configured to retract to a
closed position relative to the lid base wherein a bottom rim of
the liquid core component seals against the base portion to prevent
the liquid from flowing through the lid core component; the lid
core component includes one or more fastening members, the
fastening members extend from the lid core component, the fastening
members configured to catch against the lid base to hold the lid
core component to the lid base.
20. A lid assembly, comprising: a lid core component, the lid core
component comprising an inner passage, a dispensing opening in
fluidic communication with the inner passage, a lower opening in
fluidic communication with the inner passage, and the dispensing
opening opposite of the lower opening; a lid base, the lid base
comprising an inner cylindrical passage and a base portion, the
inner cylindrical passage formed by cylindrical walls, the
cylindrical walls including fluid openings at least partially
defined by a rim; the lid core component configured to retract
relative to the lid base to a closed position wherein the lower
opening seals against the base portion; the lid core component
configured to extend relative to the lid base to an open position
wherein the lower opening is spaced from the base portion to permit
a liquid to flow through the fluid openings; the lid core component
includes a fastening member, the fastening member extends from an
outer surface of the lid core component, and the fastening member
catches against the rim to limit the extending of the lid core
component.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/766,990 filed Nov. 12, 2018.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to a lid for a drinking
container with a push pull lid core component.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Certain lid assemblies are known to include a spout that
requires rotation of the spout in order to open the spout. Such
rotation of the spout, which may require the use of two hands of
the user, may be difficult for the user when the user is currently
involved or performing another activity, such as playing a sport,
riding a bike, driving a car, etc.
[0004] Prior lid assemblies with a push pull type of spout may
suffer from leakage or accidental spillage. Such prior lid
assemblies have no way to secure the spout to a closed
position.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] Certain aspects of a lid for drinking container with a push
pull lid core component are shown and described. The lid includes a
lid core component, which extends and retracts relative to a lid
base to permit a liquid to flow through the lid. After use, the
user may push the lid core component to a closed position. A
fastening member on the lid core component normally prevents the
removal of the lid core component from the lid base. When the lid
core component is extended or pulled to its fully open position,
the fastening member catches against a fluid opening of the lid
base to normally prevent further extending movement of the lid core
component. The fastening member generally prevents the lid core
component from being totally pulled away from and separated from
the lid core component. The fastening member allows the extending
movement of the lid core component relative to the lid base, but
the fastening member limits the travel and/or defines a maximum
distance of extension of the lid core component.
[0006] A projecting member on the lid core component helps to keep
the lid core component closed and may provide an audible or tactile
sensation alerting the user that the lid core component is closed.
When the lid core component is fully closed, the projecting member
on the lid core component helps to maintain the lid core component
in a closed position in order to reduce the likelihood of an
inadvertent or accidental extension of the lid core component, and
leaks and spills may be reduced.
[0007] The lid core component includes a liquid dispensing element,
which may be configured as a spout, a straw, nozzle, mouthpiece, or
other liquid outlet structure.
[0008] In one aspect, a lid assembly is described. The lid assembly
includes a lid core component and a lid base. An upper wall of the
lid base forms an opening, and the opening receives the lid core
component. The lid core component is configured to extend to an
open position relative to the lid base to permit a liquid to flow
through the lid core component. The lid core component is
configured to retract to a closed position relative to the lid base
to prevent the liquid from flowing through the lid core component.
The lid core component includes one or more fastening members. The
fastening members extend from the lid core component. The fastening
members are configured to hold the lid core component to the lid
base. The lid core component includes one or more projecting
members. The projecting members extend from the lid core component.
The projecting members are configured to releasably hold the lid
core component in the closed position.
[0009] In another aspect, a lid assembly is described. The lid
assembly includes a lid core component. The lid base includes a
circular side wall. The circular side wall transitions into an
upper wall. The upper wall forms an opening. The opening leads into
an inner cylindrical passage having cylindrical walls. The
cylindrical walls extend below the circular side wall. The
cylindrical walls have a base portion. The opening and the inner
cylindrical passage receive the lid core component. The lid core
component is configured to extend to an open position relative to
the lid base to permit a liquid to flow through the lid core
component. The lid core component is configured to retract to a
closed position relative to the lid base wherein a bottom rim of
the liquid core component seals against the base portion to prevent
the liquid from flowing through the lid core component. The lid
core component includes one or more fastening members. The
fastening members extend from the lid core component. The fastening
members are configured to catch against the lid base to hold the
lid core component to the lid base.
[0010] In another aspect, a lid assembly is described. The lid
assembly includes a lid core component. The lid core component
includes an inner passage, a dispensing opening is in fluidic
communication with the inner passage, and a lower opening is in
fluidic communication with the inner passage. The dispensing
opening is opposite of the lower opening. The lid assembly includes
a lid base. The lid base includes an inner cylindrical passage and
a base portion. The inner cylindrical passage is formed by
cylindrical walls. The cylindrical walls include fluid openings at
least partially defined by a rim. The lid core component is
configured to retract relative to the lid base to a closed position
wherein the lower opening seals against the base portion. The lid
core component is configured to extend relative to the lid base to
an open position wherein the lower opening is spaced from the base
portion to permit a liquid to flow through the fluid openings. The
lid core component includes a fastening member. The fastening
member extends from an outer surface of the lid core component. The
fastening member catches against the rim to limit the extending of
the lid core component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the drinking bottle.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid assembly in the
closed position.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the lid assembly in
the closed position.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the lid assembly.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lid assembly in the closed
position.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lid assembly in the open
position.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the lid base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] For purposes of this application, any terms that describe
relative position (e.g., "upper", "middle" "lower", "outer",
"inner", "above", "below", "bottom", "top", etc.) refer to an
aspect of the invention as illustrated, but those terms do not
limit the orientation in which the embodiments can be used.
[0019] A drinking bottle assembly 10 will now be described with
reference to FIGS. 1-7. With reference to FIG. 1, the drinking
bottle assembly 10 includes a bottle 50 and a lid assembly 80. The
lid assembly 80 may engage to the bottle 50. With reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3, the lid assembly 80 includes a lid core component
100 and a lid base 300.
[0020] In order to open the lid assembly 80, the lid core component
100 may be pulled or extended from the lid base 300 to an open
position in order to permit liquid flow through the lid core
component 100. A closed position of an aspect of the lid assembly
80 is shown in FIG. 5. The open position of the lid assembly 80 is
shown in FIG. 6. In order to drink from the drinking bottle
assembly 10, a user may pull on the lid core component 100 to
extend the lid core component 100 relative to the lid base 300, and
then the user may squeeze or tip the bottle 50 in order to urge
liquid to flow from the bottle 50 through the lid core component
100.
[0021] The extension (or pulling) of the lid core component 100
relative to the lid base 300 uncovers or unblocks one, two, or more
fluid openings 310 of the lid base 300 to permit fluid flow through
the lid assembly 80. Similarly, the retraction (or pushing) of the
lid core component 100 relative to the lid base 300 covers or
blocks the one, two, or more fluid openings 310 of the lid base 300
to prevent fluid flow through the lid assembly 80.
[0022] The lid core component 100 is not generally removable from
the lid base 300. The lid core component 100 includes one or more
fastening members 150 that engage with an upper rim 315 of the
fluid openings 310 to normally prevent removal of the lid core
component 100 from the lid base 300. When the lid core component
100 has been extended to the fully open position, the one or more
fastening members 150 engage or contact the upper rim 315 of the
fluid openings 310 and physically block or prevent the further
extension of the lid core component 100 from the lid base 300. The
fastening members 150 catch against the upper rim 315 to limit the
extending of the lid core component 100.
[0023] The lid core component 100 may be pushed or pressed to a
closed position to reduce leakage or spillage from the bottle 50.
The closed position is shown in FIG. 5. When fully closed, one or
more projecting members 180 help to maintain the lid core component
100 in a closed position to prevent accidental or inadvertent
opening of the lid assembly 80 of the drinking bottle assembly 10.
The projecting members 180 are configured to releasably hold the
lid core component 100 in the closed position.
[0024] The projecting members 180 extend or project from an outer
surface 178 of the lid core component 100. The projecting members
180 may include one or more ridges, bumps, protrusions, etc. on the
outer surface 178 of the lid core component 100. When the user
desires to drink from the drinking bottle assembly 10, the user
pulls the lid core component 100 from the lid base 300 with
sufficient force to pull the projecting member 180 past the upper
rim 315 of the fluid openings 310. The projecting member 180 and/or
the lid core component 100 may slightly flex or deform to provide
for the projecting member 180 to move past the upper rim 315. When
the user desires to close the drinking bottle assembly 10, the user
pushes the lid core component 100 into the lid base 300 with
sufficient force to urge the projecting member 180 past the upper
rim 315 of the fluid openings 310, which may create a tactile or
audible sensation to the user that the lid core component 100 is
fully closed. Once the lid core component 100 is fully closed, the
projecting member 180 is past or below the upper rim 315, and a
pulling or extending force is now normally required to once again
open the lid core component 100. This reduces accidental opening of
the lid core component 100.
[0025] The lid core component 100 will now be described. The lid
core component 100 includes an inner passage 120 that fluidly
connects a dispensing opening 110 and a lower opening 130 of the
lid core component 100. The dispensing opening 110 is generally
opposite of the lower opening 130. The dispensing opening 110 is at
a distal portion of the lid core component 100 and provides for the
liquid from within the drinking bottle assembly 10 to emit, such as
by squirting, spraying, pouring, etc. from the lid core component
100. The lower opening 130 of the lid core component 100 receives
liquid passing from the drinking bottle 50 through the lid base
300.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 4, the lid core component 100 may
include a valve 125 contained in the inner passage 120 to further
reduce leakage or spillage. The valve 125 may be formed from
multiple components or include a single piece construction. In
certain embodiments, the valve 125 might also help adjust the flow
of the liquid out of the lid assembly 80 as well. For example,
certain valves 125 may alternatively facilitate a fast squirt or a
slow flow of liquid. The dispensing opening 110 is positioned in a
liquid dispensing element 128, which is at or near an upper portion
139 of the lid core component 100. A lower portion 145 of the lid
core component 100 includes the lower opening 130. A central
portion 140 of the lid core component 100 is in between the upper
portion 139 and the lower portion 145.
[0027] The lid core component 100 further includes the fastening
member 150. The fastening member 150 may extend from the lower
portion 145 of the lid core component 100. The fastening member 150
may also extend from an exterior side surface 129 of the lid core
component 100. The fastening member 150 may include one or more
ridges, protuberances, extending portions, etc. that operate with
the lid base 300 to hold the lid core component 100 to the lid base
300.
[0028] In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 5, the fastening member 150
includes a catch surface 155 to catch against the upper rim 315 of
the fluid openings 310. The catch surface 155 may extend in a
generally perpendicular manner relative to the exterior side
surface 129 of the lid core component 100. The fastening member 150
operates with the lid base 300 to hold the lid core component 100
to the lid base 300 in a moveable engagement. When the catch
surface 155 hits or contacts the upper rim 315 of the fluid
openings 310, the lid core component 100 cannot normally be
extended any further, absent destructive techniques. In this
aspect, the fastening member 150 includes a larger dimension or
further extension from the outer surface 178 of the lid core
component 100 as compared to a dimension or similar extension of
the projecting member 180. As described above, the fastening member
150 provides a positive stop to the upward movement of the lid core
component 100, while the projecting member 180 provides an audible
or tactile sensation alerting the user that the lid core component
100 is closed and further assists in maintaining the lid core
component 100 in the closed position.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the lid core component 100 further
includes a lid core component O-ring 170. The lid core component
O-ring 170 may be held by a groove 175 in the outer surface 178 of
the lid core component 100. The lid core component O-ring 170 seals
against internal structures of the lid base 300. The outer surface
178 of the lid core component 100 may include a generally round
shape (or other shapes in other aspects) with an outer diameter
just smaller than an inner diameter 358 of an inner cylindrical
passage 350 of the lid base 300. As described below, the inner
cylindrical passage 350 of the lid base 300 receives the lid core
component 100.
[0030] The lower portion 145 of the lid core component 100 further
includes a bottom rim 190, which seals against the lid base 300 in
the closed position of the lid assembly 80. The bottom rim 190
surrounds or is proximate to the lower opening 130. The bottom rim
190 may transition or be integral with the fastening member 150. In
other aspects, the fastening member 150 is spaced from the bottom
rim 190.
[0031] In this aspect, the bottom rim 190 is at a bottom portion of
the lid core component 100. The catch surface 155 of the fastening
member 150 is between the bottom rim 190 and the projecting member
180. In certain aspects, the fastening member 150 may include an
angled surface 158 leading or transitioning into the catch surface
155. The angled surface 158 gradually angles outward from the outer
surface 178 of the lid core component 100 and joins with the catch
surface 155, which is generally perpendicular to the outer surface
178 of the lid core component 100. During assembly, the lid core
component 100 may be inserted into the circular opening 320 of the
upper wall 310 and further inserted into the inner cylindrical
passage 350 until the fastening member 150 passes the upper rim
315. The angled surface 158 assists in wedging the fastening member
150 past the upper rim 315. The lid core component 100 and/or the
lid base 300 may be made from flexible and resilient materials that
allow some deformity or flexure during assembly.
[0032] The lid base 300 will now be described. The lid base 300
includes a generally circular side wall 305 that transitions into
an upper wall 310. The side wall 305 may include one or more
gripping surfaces 301. An interior surface of the side wall 305
includes an engagement member 308, such as threads, to engage with
a complementary engagement member (such as threads) about or near a
rim or upper opening of the bottle 50. The engagement member 308
may also include a snap-fit engagement, frictional engagement,
bayonet engagement, or other engagements configured to selectively
attach the lid base 300 to the bottle 50. The bottle 50 defines an
interior to contain the liquid. In certain aspects, the bottle 50
may be formed from a resilient or flexible material, such as a
plastic, that allows for squeezing of the bottle 50 to force the
liquid from the bottle 50. In other aspects, the bottle 50 may be
made from a material hard enough that it is not generally
deformable by a human hand.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper wall 310 of the lid base 300
further forms or defines the lid core receiving opening 320
configured as a circular opening. The lower opening 130 of the lid
core component 100 passes through the circular opening 320. In
other aspects, the lid core receiving opening 320 may be shaped as
an oval, cylinder, square, hexagon, octagon or other polygon
shape.
[0034] The lid base 300 further includes the inner cylindrical
passage 350 that receives the lower portion 145 of the lid core
component 100. The circular opening 320 of the upper wall 310 leads
into the inner cylindrical passage 350, which is cylindrical in the
illustrated aspect. The inner cylindrical passage 350 extends below
the upper wall 310. The inner cylindrical passage 350 includes one
or more cylindrical walls 355 having an inner diameter 358. The one
or more fluid openings 310 are formed in or by the cylindrical
walls 355. As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid openings 310 include an
opening rim 312 that outlines the fluid openings 310. The fluid
openings 310 are at least partially defined by the opening rim 312.
The outer surface 178 of the lid core component 100 seals or closes
against the opening rim 312 to further prevent fluid flow into the
lid core component 100. In this aspect, the lid base 300 includes
two fluid openings 310, although fewer or additional fluid openings
310 may be utilized.
[0035] The inner diameter 358 of the inner cylindrical passage 350
is sized to receive the lower portion 145 of the lid core component
100. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical walls 355 form a sealing
surface 360 that seals against the lid core component O-ring 170.
When the lid core component 100 is pushed to a closed position, the
lower portion 145 of the lid core component 100 is directed into
the inner cylindrical passage 350.
[0036] The lid base 300 further includes a base portion 380. The
base portion 380 is at a bottom of the cylindrical walls 355. The
base portion 380 is between or joins the cylindrical walls 355 at a
lower portion of the inner cylindrical passage 350. The base
portion 380 includes or forms an upper sealing surface 383. The
bottom rim 190 of the lid core component 100 seals against the
upper sealing surface 383. The base portion 380 may be formed below
a bottom rim 309 of the circular side wall 305, i.e., the
cylindrical walls 355 may extend below the circular side wall
305.
[0037] When the lid assembly 80 is in a fully closed position, the
bottom rim 190 of the lid core component 100 is urged against the
upper sealing surface 383 of the base portion 380 in order to
reduce leakage or spillage. The upper sealing surface 383 may
include a rounded or protruding upper surface to promote sealing
with the bottom rim 190. With respect to FIG. 7, in this aspect,
the upper sealing surface 383 includes a recess 385 to improve
sealing. A wall 387 is generally around the recess 385. The wall
387 may seal against an inner surface of the lower portion 145 of
the lid core component 100. The upper sealing surface 383 may also
include a circular sealing surface 386 (see FIG. 6) around the
protruding upper surface 383 that is sized and shaped to seal with
the bottom rim 190 of the lid core component 100. The circular
sealing surface 386 may form a lower well around the protruding
upper surface 383 that receives the bottom rim 190 of the lid core
component 100.
[0038] In other aspects, the base portion 380 includes a separate
gasket. For example, the base portion 380 may include an opening or
groove which receives or holds the gasket. In this aspect, the
bottom rim 190 seals against the gasket.
[0039] When the lid core component 100 is pulled or withdrawn from
the lid base 300, the bottom rim 190 of the lid core component 100
distanced or moved from the sealing surface 383, thus allowing
liquid to pass through the fluid openings 310, into the lower
opening 130, and into the inner passage 120 of the lid core
component 100.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the lid assembly 80 may further include
a lid gasket 400 to improve sealing between the lid assembly 80 and
the bottle 50. The gasket 400 is removable from the lid assembly 80
to provide for thorough cleaning. Further, the 400 provides
improved protection against accidental leakage or spillage when the
drinking bottle assembly 10 is closed. Typical prior containers use
plastic on plastic connections, which may be prone to leakage.
[0041] As such, it should be understood that the disclosure is not
limited to the particular aspects described herein, but that
various changes and modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of this novel concept as defined by the
following claims. Further, many other advantages of applicant's
disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
above descriptions and the claims below.
* * * * *