Lid for a container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017283132-A1
Application number	US-201715624421-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 15, 2017
Priority date	Nov 24, 2015
Publication date	Oct 5, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A lid may be sized and configured to be attached to a container, and the lid may include an activator, a fluid-flow member, and a connecting member. The activator, the fluid-flow member and the connecting member may be pivotally connected. The activator, the fluid-flow member, and the connecting member may be movable between open and closed positions. When the activator, the fluid-flow member, and the connecting member are in the closed position, fluid may be prevented from exiting the container. When the activator, the fluid-flow member, and the connecting member are in the open position, fluid may exit the container through a fluid passageway.

First claim

1 . A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with one or more fluids, the lid comprising:
a body; an activator pivotally coupled to the body of the lid; a fluid-flow member pivotally coupled to the body of the lid; and a connecting member pivotally coupled to the fluid-flow member and the activator; wherein the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are interconnected such that movement of the activator moves the connecting member and the fluid-flow member; wherein the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are each movable between a first position and a second position; wherein when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the first position, fluid is prevented from exiting the container through the fluid-flow member; and wherein when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the second position, the fluid may exit the container through the fluid-flow member.

2 . The lid as in claim 1 , further comprising a fluid pathway, the fluid pathway at least partially disposed in the fluid-flow member, the fluid pathway forming at least a portion of a fluid passageway that allows fluid to flow from the container when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the second position.

3 . The lid as in claim 2 , wherein the connecting member is configured to pinch the fluid pathway to prevent fluid flow through the fluid pathway when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the first position.

4 . The lid as in claim 2 , wherein when the fluid-flow member, the connecting member, and the activator are disposed in the first position, a portion of the fluid pathway is bent at least approximately ninety degrees.

5 . The lid as in claim 1 , wherein the activator at least partially encloses an upper end of the flow-flow member when the activator and fluid-flow member are in the first position.

6 . The lid as in claim 1 , wherein the connecting member further comprises:
an elongated body; a first sidewall disposed along a first side of the elongated body; and a second sidewall disposed along a second side of the elongated body; wherein at least a portion of the fluid-flow member is disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the elongated body of the connecting member when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the first position.

7 . The lid as in claim 2 , wherein the connecting member further comprises:
an elongated body; a first sidewall disposed along a first side of the elongated body; and a second sidewall disposed along a second side of the elongated body; wherein at least a portion of the fluid pathway is disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the elongated body of the connecting member when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the first position.

8 . The lid as in claim 1 , wherein the activator is pivotally connected to a first side of the body of the lid, the fluid-flow member is pivotally connected to an opposing second side of the body of the lid, and the connecting member is at least substantially disposed between the pivotal connection of the activator to the first side of the lid and the pivotal connection of the fluid-flow member to the second side of the lid.

9 . The lid as in claim 1 , wherein the activator is pivotally connected to the body of the lid at a first pivotal connection, the connecting member is pivotally connected to the activator at a second pivotal connection, the fluid-flow member is pivotally connected to the body of the lid at a third pivotal connection, and the connecting member is pivotally connected to the fluid-flow member at a fourth pivotal connection.

10 . The lid as in claim 9 , wherein the first pivotal connection and the third pivotal connection are disposed in a fixed location relative to the lid; and
wherein the second pivotal connection and the fourth pivotal connection are disposed in a non-fixed location relative to the lid.

11 . The lid as in claim 1 , further comprising a fluid pathway including a flexible portion that prevents fluid flow through the fluid pathway when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the first position, the flexible portion allows fluid flow through the fluid pathway when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the second position.

12 . The lid as in claim 1 , further comprising:
a body of the lid that covers at least a portion of a mouth of the container; a first opening in the body that provides a fluid passageway to the fluid pathway; a second opening in the body that allows air to enter the container; and a gap in the connecting member; wherein when the fluid-flow member, the connecting member, and the activator are in the second position, the gap is disposed directly above the second opening in the body to allow air to enter the container; and wherein when the fluid-flow member, the connecting member, and the activator are in the first position, the gap is not aligned with the second opening in the body.

13 . The lid as in claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism the locks the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member in the first position.

14 . A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with one or more fluids, the lid comprising:
a body, an activator connected to the body, the activator movable between an open position and a closed position; a fluid-flow member connected to the body; a connecting member connected to the activator and the fluid-flow member; and a fluid pathway that allows fluid to flow from the container; wherein movement of the activator from the closed position to the open position moves the fluid-flow member from a closed position to an open position; wherein movement of the activator from the open position to the closed position moves the fluid-flow member from the open position to the closed position; wherein fluid flow through the fluid pathway is prevented when the fluid-flow member is in the closed position; and wherein fluid flow through the fluid pathway is permitted when the fluid-flow member is in the open position.

15 . The lid as in claim 14 , wherein in response to movement of the activator from the open position to the closed position, the connecting member prevents fluid flow through the fluid pathway.

16 . The lid as in claim 14 , wherein in response to movement of the activator from the open position to the closed position, the fluid-flow member bends a portion of the fluid pathway to prevent fluid flow through the fluid pathway.

17 . The lid as in claim 14 , wherein the fluid-flow member bends the fluid pathway approximately ninety degrees to prevent fluid flow through the fluid pathway.

18 . The lid as in claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the fluid-flow member is disposed at least adjacent to the connecting member when the activator, the connecting member, and the fluid-flow member are in the first position.

19 . The lid as in claim 14 , wherein the activator is pivotally connected to a first side of the body of the lid, the fluid-flow member is pivotally connected to an opposing second side of the body of the lid, and the connecting member is at least substantially disposed between the pivot

Assignees

• Runway Blue Llc

Inventors

• Sorensen Steven M
• Meyers David O

Classifications

• A47G19/2272 Primary

  from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers · CPC title

• B65D43/16

  hinged for upward or downward movement · CPC title

• B65D43/02

  Removable lids or covers (with means for piercing, cutting, or tearing a frangible inner closure B65D51/22) · CPC title

• A45F3/18

  of rigid material · CPC title

• B65D47/065 Primary

  with hinged, foldable or pivotable spouts · CPC title