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] A cup is also 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] A method for releasably locking a tiltable lid assembly that seals a cup in an open
or closed position is also 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:
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a cup having the tiltable lid assembly of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the tiltable lid assembly and releasable locking
means of the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the tiltable lid assembly locked in a sealed position;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the tiltable lid assembly in an unlocked position with
the first end inclined;
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the tiltable lid assembly locked in an unsealed position;
FIG. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the cap assembly;
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the tiltable lid assembly in a level, non-inclined
position;
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the tiltable lid assembly in an inclined position;
and
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
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] 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.
[0016] 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.
[0017] In embodiments, 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.
[0018] 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, as 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.
[0019] As 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] In embodiments, 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, for example, the tab 46 may be
connected to the releasable locking means by a post 47.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
Features of embodiments of the invention may be combined with features of any other
embodiment. Features of multiple embodiments may be combined.
[0031] 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.
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 configured to be 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 has a substantially planar top surface;
in the first position, the cap assembly is in a level, non-inclined position; and
in the second position, the cap assembly 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 any of the preceding claims, 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 any of claims 3 to 6, 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 any of the preceding claims, 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
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; and
a tiltable lid assembly configured to be secured to the cup portion, according to
any of claims 1 to 10.
12. A method for releasably locking a tiltable lid assembly that seals a cup in an open
or closed position, said tiltable lid assembly having a base and a cap assembly, comprising
the steps of:
to lock the tiltable lid assembly in the open position starting from the closed position:
releasing a releasable locking means;
depressing a second end of the cap assembly to incline an opposed first end of the
cap assembly;
activating the releasable locking means; and
to lock the tiltable lid assembly in the closed position starting from the open position:
releasing the 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 the releasable locking means.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of locking the tiltable lid assembly in the
open position starting from the closed position further includes the steps of:
sliding a tab that is connected to the releasable locking means towards the second
end of the cap assembly to release the releasable locking means; and
releasing the tab when the first end of the cap assembly is inclined to activate the
releasable locking means.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of depressing the first end of the cap assembly
releases the releasable locking means.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of locking the tiltable lid assembly in the
closed position starting from the open position further includes the steps of:
sliding a tab that is connected to the releasable locking means towards the second
end of the cap assembly to release the releasable locking means;
depressing the first end of the cap assembly; and
releasing the tab when the first end of the cap assembly is in a level, non-inclined
position to activate the releasable locking means.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the sliding of the tab towards the second end to release
the releasable locking means depresses the second end of the cap assembly to incline
the first end of the cap assembly.