Sealing mechanism for beverage container

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9521918-B2
Application number	US-201414573506-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 17, 2014
Priority date	Dec 18, 2013
Publication date	Dec 20, 2016
Grant date	Dec 20, 2016

Abstract

An openable and closeable lid assembly is provided for a beverage container. The lid assembly comprises a lid housing, an actuator and a seal. The lid housing has an upper surface with a drink aperture and an actuator aperture extending therethrough. The actuator extends through the actuator aperture and is positionable in an open position, where liquid can pass through the drink aperture, and a closed position, where the drink aperture is closed. A seal is provided adjacent the actuator aperture. The seal seals against the actuator and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping out the actuator aperture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lid assembly for a beverage container, comprising:
a lid housing having an upper surface, a drink aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing, a vent aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing, and an actuator aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing;
an actuator extending through the actuator aperture in the lid housing and positionable in an open position where liquid can pass through the drink aperture and a closed position where the drink aperture is closed, the actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end positioned below the upper surface in both the open position and the closed position of the actuator, and the first end having a drink seal for closing the drink aperture, the second end positioned above the upper surface in both the open position and the closed position, and the second end adapted to be engaged by an operator to reposition the actuator in one of the open position and the closed position; and,
a seal adjacent the actuator aperture, the seal sealing against the actuator and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping out the actuator aperture both when the actuator is in the open position and when the actuator is in the closed position,
wherein the actuator has a vent plug positioned above the upper surface that seals the vent aperture when the actuator is in the closed position.

2. The lid assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator has a ball joint between the first end and the second end, and wherein the seal seals against the ball joint and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping out the actuator aperture.

3. The lid assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a vent aperture in the lid housing, the vent aperture being open when the actuator is in the open position, and the vent aperture being closed when the actuator is in the closed position.

4. The lid assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot member extending from the actuator, the pivot member being received in a receiver in the lid housing and pivotable about a pivot axis within the receiver, the pivot axis being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

5. The lid assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a lock to secure the actuator in the closed position.

6. A lid assembly for a beverage container, comprising:
a lid housing having an upper surface, a drink aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing, and an actuator aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing;
an actuator having a first section and a second section, the first section having a drink seal for closing the drink aperture, the actuator further having a ball joint between the first section and the second section, the actuator moveable between an open position where liquid can pass through the drink aperture and a closed position where the drink aperture is closed; and,
a seal adjacent the actuator aperture, the seal sealing against the ball joint and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping between the ball joint and the lid housing both when the actuator is in the open position and when the actuator is in the closed position,
wherein the lid housing has a vent aperture, and wherein the actuator has a vent plug positioned above the upper surface that seals the vent aperture when the actuator is in the closed position.

7. The lid assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a pivot member extending from the actuator, the pivot member being received in a receiver in the lid housing and pivotable about a pivot axis within the receiver, the pivot axis being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

8. The lid assembly of claim 6 , wherein the actuator extends through the actuator aperture in the lid.

9. The lid assembly of claim 6 , wherein the drink seal is located below the upper surface, and wherein the drink seal drops below the drink aperture when the actuator is in the open position to open the drink aperture.

10. The lid assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a lock to secure the actuator in the closed position.

11. The lid assembly of claim 6 , wherein the drink seal is connected adjacent the drink aperture and not on the actuator, and wherein the first end of the actuator engages the drink seal to close the drink aperture.

12. The lid assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first and second sections of the actuator are separate elements connected together.

13. A lid assembly for a beverage container, comprising:
a lid housing having an upper surface, a drink aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing, an actuator aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing, and a vent aperture extending through the upper surface of the lid housing;
an actuator extending through the actuator aperture and having a first end and a second end, the actuator moveable between an open position where liquid can pass through the drink aperture and a closed position where the first end of the actuator engages the drink aperture to close the drink aperture; and,
a seal adjacent the actuator aperture, the seal sealing against the actuator and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping out the actuator aperture both when the actuator is in the open position and when the actuator is in the closed position,
wherein the lid housing has a vent aperture, and wherein the actuator has a vent plug positioned above the upper surface that seals the vent aperture when the actuator is in the closed position.

14. The lid assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a drink seal for closing the drink aperture, the drink seal connected to the first end of the actuator.

15. The lid assembly of claim 13 , wherein the actuator has a ball joint between the end and the second end, and wherein the seal seals against the ball joint and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping between the ball joint and the lid housing.

16. The lid assembly of claim 13 , further comprising a pivot member extending from the actuator, the pivot member being received in a receiver in the lid housing and pivotable about a pivot axis within the receiver, the pivot axis being transverse to a longitudinal axis of the beverage container.

Assignees

• Ignite Usa Llc

Inventors

• Coon Robert
• Hurley Paul

Classifications

• B65D47/241

  the valve being opened or closed by actuating a cap-like element · CPC title

• B65D55/02

  Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure · CPC title

• A47G19/2272 Primary

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

• B65D47/249

  by means of a lever mechanism · CPC title

• B65D47/248

  the valve being opened or closed by imparting a motion to the valve stem (B65D47/244, B65D47/245 take precedence) · CPC title