EP3661853A1 - Leak-proof container lid with foam insulation - Google Patents

Leak-proof container lid with foam insulation

Info

Publication number
EP3661853A1
EP3661853A1 EP18841929.5A EP18841929A EP3661853A1 EP 3661853 A1 EP3661853 A1 EP 3661853A1 EP 18841929 A EP18841929 A EP 18841929A EP 3661853 A1 EP3661853 A1 EP 3661853A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lid
closure mechanism
container lid
opening
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP18841929.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3661853A4 (en
Inventor
Jamison HARRIS
Brandon Stroud
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Igloo Products Corp
Original Assignee
Igloo Products Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Igloo Products Corp filed Critical Igloo Products Corp
Publication of EP3661853A1 publication Critical patent/EP3661853A1/en
Publication of EP3661853A4 publication Critical patent/EP3661853A4/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/08Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
    • B65D47/0857Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures made separately from the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00Table service
    • A47G19/22Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00Table service
    • A47G19/22Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
    • A47G19/2205Drinking glasses or vessels
    • A47G19/2266Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
    • A47G19/2272Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47GHOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00Table service
    • A47G19/22Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
    • A47G19/2288Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service with means for keeping liquid cool or hot
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D43/00Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D43/02Removable lids or covers
    • B65D43/0202Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
    • B65D43/0225Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by rotation
    • B65D43/0229Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by rotation only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B65D47/12Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having removable closures
    • B65D47/122Threaded caps
    • B65D47/123Threaded caps with internal parts
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00Closures not otherwise provided for
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/16Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
    • B65D51/1672Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element
    • B65D51/1683Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element by actuating a separate element in the container or closure
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3865Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation drinking cups or like containers
    • B65D81/3874Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation drinking cups or like containers formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2205/00Venting means
    • B65D2205/02Venting holes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2543/00Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
    • B65D2543/00009Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D2543/00018Overall construction of the lid
    • B65D2543/00046Drinking-through lids

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to container lids, and more particularly, to a leak-proof container lid with foam insulation.
  • Container lids generally include mechanisms for sealing an aperture of a container through which fluid may enter and/or exit (e.g., a screw-on cap, a flip cap, a push cap, etc.).
  • a user may typically move or remove a closure portion of the lid relative to the aperture of the container such that a fluid path into the container may be provided, allowing the user to drink through the lid.
  • the user may adjust the closure portion of the lid such that the fluid path is sealed.
  • the closure portion seals the fluid path in a leak-proof manner so that leakage of fluid within the container is prevented.
  • container lids Another important consideration with respect to container lids involves temperature control. Users often prefer to preserve the temperature of fluid within a container, particularly when the container has been filled with a hot or cold beverage. Problematically, modern container lid designs are effective either at preserving fluid temperature or preventing leaks, rather than effective at both.
  • the present disclosure provides a drink-through container lid that is both leak-proof by way of a pivoting closure mechanism that reversibly seals an opening in the container lid and insulated by way of foam insulation that fills a hollow body of the lid housing.
  • the result is a container lid that prevents leakage of fluid within a container while also preserving the temperature of said fluid.
  • a container lid includes: a lid housing having a hollow body, an opening formed therethrough, and a thread pattern formed thereon for mating the container lid to a container; a closure mechanism coupled to the lid housing and operable to reversibly seal the opening; and foam insulation disposed within the hollow body.
  • the foam insulation can be formed so as to at least partially surround the opening, and can also be formed to substantially fill the hollow body.
  • the opening may be disposed between the thread pattern and the foam insulation.
  • the thread pattern may be formed on the lid housing so as to face outwardly with respect to the container lid.
  • the outwardly facing thread pattern may be operable to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern of the container.
  • a proximal end of the closure mechanism can be connected to the lid housing at a connection point, and the closure mechanism can be operable to pivot about the connection point.
  • the closure mechanism may be operable to pivot between an open position in which the opening is open and a closed position in which the opening is sealed.
  • the closure mechanism may include a hook portion disposed at a distal end of the closure mechanism that is configured to receive a rim of the lid housing, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism in place when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
  • the rim that is received by the hook portion may be disposed at a same side of the lid housing as the opening, and the hook portion may include a grip portion protruding outwardly from a distal end of the hook portion with respect to the container lid.
  • a recess portion can be formed near a distal end of the closure mechanism that is configured to mate with a protrusion portion of the lid housing, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism in place when the closure mechanism is in the open position.
  • the protrusion portion may be formed on an end of the lid housing that is diametrically opposed to the opening.
  • the closure mechanism may further include an opening plug disposed near a distal end thereof that is configured to fit within the opening so as to reversibly seal the opening when the closure mechanism is in the closed position. Also, the closure mechanism may further include a vent plug that is configured to fit within a vent formed through the lid housing and through the foam insulation so as to reversibly seal the vent when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
  • a range of movement of the closure mechanism between the open position and the closed position may be approximately 180 degrees.
  • one or more air pockets can be disposed within the hollow body adjacent to the foam insulation.
  • one or more walls may extend outwardly from an inner surface of the hollow body and come into contact with the foam insulation, thereby forming the one or more air pockets.
  • a thickness of a first region of the foam insulation can be less than a thickness of a second region of the foam insulation.
  • the first region can be an end of the foam insulation proximate to the opening, and the second region can be an opposite end of the foam insulation.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a container lid in an open position according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container lid with an outward facing thread pattern operable to engage with an inward facing thread pattern of a container according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a range of motion for a closure mechanism between an open position and a closed position according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an opening of a container lid and a partially opened closure mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 is a left side view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 12 is a front view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a container lid along line A-A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 14 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 16 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid along line A-A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the disclosed container lid features a drink-through design (i.e., a fluid path is formed through the lid allowing a user to drink fluid inside the container without removing the lid) that is both leak-proof by way of a pivoting closure mechanism that reversibly seals an opening in the container lid and insulated by way of foam insulation that fills a hollow body of the lid housing.
  • a container lid that prevents leakage of fluid within a container while also preserving the temperature of said fluid.
  • the disclosed container lid also features a thread pattern which may be fashioned to face outwardly with respect to the lid, so as to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern of the container, thereby creating a tight seal that increases leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the container lid 100 includes a lid housing 110 having a hollow body within which foam insulation 130 is disposed.
  • foam insulation 130 may be utilized for insulation in the container lid 100, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or the like, and the foam insulation 130 may be inserted into the body of the lid housing 110 using various techniques known in the art such as foam injection molding or the like.
  • the lid housing 110 may include a separate top portion and bottom portion 112 during assembly of the container lid 100.
  • the lid housing 110 may be fashioned using any suitable material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or other thermoplastic polymers, for example.
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • the foam insulation 130 may be inserted within one of the portions of the lid housing 110, and the top and bottom portions may then be adjoined (e.g., ultrasonically welded) to produce the foam insulation-filled lid housing 110.
  • the foam insulation 130 may be disposed within the lid housing 110 using any suitable techniques known in the art.
  • the foam insulation 130 can fill an entirety of the hollow body of the lid housing 110, thereby enhancing insulative properties of the lid 100.
  • the foam insulation 130 may be made of a constant thickness or, in some cases, the foam insulation 130 may be made of variable thickness, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13.
  • the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the opening 150 may be less than the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 at an opposite end as the opening 150.
  • the thickness of the region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the opening 150 may be formed within a range of 13 mm to 17 mm, whereas the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 at an opposite end as the opening 150 may be formed within a range of 20 mm to 26 mm (though the dimensions of the foam insulation 130 are not limited thereto).
  • the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the connection point P may be less than the thickness of the region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the opening 150.
  • the foam insulation 130 may be formed having a plurality of different thicknesses depending on various factors, such as the shape of the lid housing 110.
  • An opening 150 is formed in the lid housing 110 to provide a fluid path from the container 180 through the lid housing 110, allowing a user to drink through the lid housing 110.
  • the opening 150 shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be formed in any suitable shape, such as oval-like or semi-circular.
  • the opening 150 is also formed through the foam insulation 130, such that the foam insulation 130 is formed to partially surround the opening 150, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the foam insulation 130 can be formed to completely surround the opening 150. Because the foam insulation 130 can at least partially surround the opening 150, while filling the body of the lid housing 110, insulative properties of the container lid 100 are enhanced without compromising a user's ability to drink through the lid 100.
  • a closure mechanism 120 is coupled to the lid housing 110 and operable to reversibly seal the opening 150, thereby preventing leakage of fluid within the container 180 while the closure mechanism 120 is in a position to seal the opening 150, regardless of the temperature of the fluid inside the container 180.
  • a proximal end of the closure mechanism 120 may be connected to the lid housing 110 at a connection point P, and may be connected in manner allowing the closure mechanism 120 to pivot about the connection point P.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may be fashioned using any suitable material, such as polypropylene (PP) or other thermoplastic polymers, for example.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may pivot between a closed position, in which the opening 150 is sealed (by a plug 160 of the closure mechanism 120), and open position, in which the opening 150 is open, and the closure mechanism 120 is stowed away to permit the user to drink through the opening 150.
  • a top surface of the lid housing 110 may be formed in various ways to permit such movement of the closure mechanism 120, such as providing space proximate to the connection point P to enable rotation of the closure mechanism 120, providing space on the top surface to accommodate the closure mechanism 120 in the open and/or closed position to enable the closure mechanism 120 to fit flush with the lid housing 110, and so forth. Different techniques may be employed to connect the closure mechanism 120 to the lid housing 110, such as a pin, prongs, or the like.
  • a thread pattern 140 is formed on an exterior of the lid housing 110, such that the opening 150 may be disposed between the thread pattern 140 and the foam insulation 130, for mating the container lid 100 to a container 180.
  • the thread pattern 140 may be formed on the lid housing 110 so as to face outwardly with respect to the container lid 100 such that the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 is operable to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern 142 of a container 180, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 can create a tighter seal with the container 180 than an inwardly facing thread pattern, helping to further increase leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid 100.
  • FIG. 8 is another exploded view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • a gasket 170 may be disposed to surround a portion of the lid housing 110 to prevent fluid leakage between the container lid 100 and the container 180 to which the lid 100 is coupled.
  • the gasket 170 may be fashioned using any suitable material, such as silicone, for example.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • an opening 150 traverses the lid housing 110 to allow a user to drink fluid inside the container 180 through the lid 100.
  • the foam insulation 130 fills the hollow body of the lid housing 110 and may be formed to at least partially surround the opening 150.
  • the closure mechanism 120 seals the opening 150 when in the closed position demonstrated in FIG. 2.
  • a proximal end of the closure mechanism 120 may be coupled to the lid housing 110 at a connection point P, and a distal end of the closure mechanism 120 may include a hook portion 122.
  • the hook portion 122 may be configured to receive a rim 114 of the lid housing 110, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism 120 in place when the closure mechanism 120 is in the closed position demonstrated in FIG. 2.
  • the opening 150 may be disposed at the same side of the lid housing 110 as the rim 114 that is received by the hook portion 122.
  • the hook portion 122 may include a grip portion 124 protruding outwardly from a distal end of the hook portion 122 with respect to the container lid 100 to allow a user to easily grip the hook portion 122 and rotate the closure mechanism 120 between the closed and open positions.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may include a recess portion 126 formed near the distal end of the closure mechanism 120.
  • the recess portion 126 may be formed into the hook portion 122, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the recess portion 126 may be configured to mate with a protrusion portion 116 that is formed on an end of the lid housing 110 that is diametrically opposed to the opening 150.
  • FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the container lid 100 in an open position according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the closure mechanism 120 can pivot to an open position in which the opening 150 is open (i.e., unsealed).
  • the closure mechanism 120 can be stowed away and held in place (until a user manually moves the closure mechanism 120) due to the recess portion 126 of the closure mechanism 120 mating with the protrusion portion 116 of the lid housing 110, as described above.
  • An opening plug 160 may be disposed near a distal end of the closure mechanism 120.
  • the opening plug 160 can be formed with a shape and depth to fit within the opening 150 so as to seal the opening 150 when the closure mechanism 120 is in the closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2).
  • the opening plug 160 can be made of any material suitable for ensuring a leak-proof seal of the opening 150, such as a resilient material like a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic rubber.
  • a vent 152 may be formed through the lid housing 110 and the foam insulation 130.
  • the vent 152 may ensure a smooth flow of fluid through the opening 150, as is generally known in the art.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may further include a vent plug 162 that is formed with a shape and depth to fit within the vent 152 so as to seal the vent 152 when the closure mechanism 120 is in the closed position.
  • the vent plug 162 can be made of any material suitable for ensuring a leak-proof seal of the vent 152, such as a resilient material like a TPE or thermoplastic rubber.
  • the opening plug 160 and vent plug 162 may be independently fashioned and affixed to the closure mechanism 120, or fashioned as a single unit (see, e.g., FIG. 8) and contemporaneously affixed to the closure mechanism 120.
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the container lid 100 according to
  • the opening 150 and vent 152 may be formed to traverse the lid housing 110 and foam insulation 130, thereby providing fluid paths from the aperture of the container 180 to outside of the container 180 while the container lid 100 is coupled to the container 180.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container lid 100 with an outward facing thread pattern 140 operable to engage with an inward facing thread pattern 142 of a container 180 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 formed on an exterior of the lid housing 110 can engage with an inwardly facing thread pattern 142 of the container 180.
  • the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 can be formed on the lid housing 110 within an outer circumference of the lid housing 110.
  • the outer circumference of the lid housing 110 (i.e., the circumference of an upper portion of the lid housing 110) may be greater than the circumference of the portion of the lid housing 110 on which the thread pattern 140 is formed, such that the thread pattern 140 fits inside of the container 180, and the container wall fits flush with the upper portion of the lid housing 110.
  • the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 can create a tighter seal with the container 180 than an inwardly facing thread pattern that fits outside of the container wall, helping to further increase leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid 100.
  • the container 180 may be any suitable size and type of container, such as, for example, a stainless steel container with a vacuum-insulated body.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a range of motion for the closure mechanism 120 between an open position and a closed position according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the opening 150 of the container lid 100 and a partially opened closure mechanism 120 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the closure mechanism 120 can freely rotate between a closed position, in which the opening 150 is sealed, and an open position, in which the opening 150 is open and the closure mechanism 120 is stowed away.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may be reversibly held in place by the hook portion 122 receiving the rim 114 of the lid housing 110.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may be reversibly held in place by recess portion 126 mating with the protrusion portion 116 of the lid housing 110.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may pivot away from either position by a user exerting a force on the closure mechanism 120 (e.g., the grip portion 124) to rotate the closure mechanism 120.
  • a range of motion of the closure mechanism 120 between the open position and the closed position may be approximately 180 degrees. That is, the closure mechanism 120 when in the open position is offset by approximately 180 degrees from the closure mechanism 120 when in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6.
  • the closure mechanism 120 may rotate freely within the range of motion, as demonstrated by the partially opened closure mechanism 120 shown in FIG. 7. It should be understood that the range of motion of the closure mechanism 120 may be altered in any suitable manner, and thus the disclosed container lid 100 is not limited to any one particular range of motion.
  • FIGS. 9-13 Additional views of the container lid 100 are provided in FIGS. 9-13.
  • FIG. 9 is a top view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 11 is a left side view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 12 is a front view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the container lid 100 along line A- A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • the container lid 100 may include an alternative insulation arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 14-17.
  • FIG. 14 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 16 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid along line A-A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
  • a combination of foam insulation 130 and one or more air pockets can fill the hollow body of the lid housing 110.
  • the bottom portion 112 of the lid housing 110 can be replaced with bottom portion 190 which may include an arrangement of walls 192 forming multiple air pockets 194, such that the air pockets 194 are disposed within the lid housing 110 in conjunction with the foam insulation 130.
  • the resulting air pockets 194 act as an additional barrier helping to prevent the transfer of heat energy from a liquid within the container 180 to the body of the lid 100.
  • the walls 192 may extend outwardly from an inner surface of the hollow body of the lid housing 110 and come into contact with the foam insulation 130.
  • the walls 192 may extend upwardly from the bottom of the inside of the lid housing 110 such that the foam insulation 130 is disposed above the air pockets 194, or alternatively, the walls 192 may extend downwardly from the top portion of the inside of the lid housing 110 such that the foam insulation 130 is disposed below the air pockets 194.
  • the walls 192 may be arranged in, for example, a grid pattern, a honeycomb pattern, and so on. The height and thickness of the walls 192 may also vary according to design preference.
  • the bottom portion 190 and/or walls 192 may be fashioned using the same material as the lid housing 110, e.g., ABS or other thermoplastic polymers.
  • any and all portions of the container lid 100 described herein may be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, ceramic, or combinations thereof.
  • Plastics of the present disclosure may include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, vinyl, polypropylene, and polystyrene.
  • suitable metals of the present disclosure may include aluminum and iron (e.g., steel, stainless steel, and cast iron).
  • Any seal herein disclosed may be made of any suitable sealing material such as, but not limited to rubber, plastic, soft plastic and/or foam.
  • the container lid disclosed herein features a drink-through design that combines leak-proofness and insulation.
  • a pivoting closure mechanism reversibly seals an opening in the container lid to eliminate leaks through the opening.
  • Foam insulation fills a hollow body of the lid housing to insulate the contents of a container.
  • the result is a container lid that prevents leakage of fluid within a container while also preserving the temperature of said fluid.
  • the disclosed container lid also features a thread pattern which may be fashioned to face outwardly with respect to the lid, so as to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern of the container, thereby creating a tight seal that increases leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

A container lid includes: a lid housing having a hollow body, an opening formed therethrough, and a thread pattern formed thereon for mating the container lid to a container; a closure mechanism coupled to the lid housing and operable to reversibly seal the opening; and foam insulation disposed within the hollow body.

Description

LEAK-PROOF CONTAINER LID WITH FOAM INSULATION
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/540,693, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on August 3, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to container lids, and more particularly, to a leak-proof container lid with foam insulation.
BACKGROUND
Container lids generally include mechanisms for sealing an aperture of a container through which fluid may enter and/or exit (e.g., a screw-on cap, a flip cap, a push cap, etc.). To access fluid within the container while the container lid engages the container, a user may typically move or remove a closure portion of the lid relative to the aperture of the container such that a fluid path into the container may be provided, allowing the user to drink through the lid. When the user wishes to seal the container (e.g., for transport), the user may adjust the closure portion of the lid such that the fluid path is sealed. Ideally, the closure portion seals the fluid path in a leak-proof manner so that leakage of fluid within the container is prevented.
Another important consideration with respect to container lids involves temperature control. Users often prefer to preserve the temperature of fluid within a container, particularly when the container has been filled with a hot or cold beverage. Problematically, modern container lid designs are effective either at preserving fluid temperature or preventing leaks, rather than effective at both.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a drink-through container lid that is both leak-proof by way of a pivoting closure mechanism that reversibly seals an opening in the container lid and insulated by way of foam insulation that fills a hollow body of the lid housing. The result is a container lid that prevents leakage of fluid within a container while also preserving the temperature of said fluid.
According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a container lid includes: a lid housing having a hollow body, an opening formed therethrough, and a thread pattern formed thereon for mating the container lid to a container; a closure mechanism coupled to the lid housing and operable to reversibly seal the opening; and foam insulation disposed within the hollow body.
The foam insulation can be formed so as to at least partially surround the opening, and can also be formed to substantially fill the hollow body. The opening may be disposed between the thread pattern and the foam insulation.
The thread pattern may be formed on the lid housing so as to face outwardly with respect to the container lid. Thus, the outwardly facing thread pattern may be operable to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern of the container.
A proximal end of the closure mechanism can be connected to the lid housing at a connection point, and the closure mechanism can be operable to pivot about the connection point. The closure mechanism may be operable to pivot between an open position in which the opening is open and a closed position in which the opening is sealed.
The closure mechanism may include a hook portion disposed at a distal end of the closure mechanism that is configured to receive a rim of the lid housing, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism in place when the closure mechanism is in the closed position. The rim that is received by the hook portion may be disposed at a same side of the lid housing as the opening, and the hook portion may include a grip portion protruding outwardly from a distal end of the hook portion with respect to the container lid.
In addition, a recess portion can be formed near a distal end of the closure mechanism that is configured to mate with a protrusion portion of the lid housing, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism in place when the closure mechanism is in the open position. The protrusion portion may be formed on an end of the lid housing that is diametrically opposed to the opening.
The closure mechanism may further include an opening plug disposed near a distal end thereof that is configured to fit within the opening so as to reversibly seal the opening when the closure mechanism is in the closed position. Also, the closure mechanism may further include a vent plug that is configured to fit within a vent formed through the lid housing and through the foam insulation so as to reversibly seal the vent when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
A range of movement of the closure mechanism between the open position and the closed position may be approximately 180 degrees.
Additionally, one or more air pockets can be disposed within the hollow body adjacent to the foam insulation. In this regard, one or more walls may extend outwardly from an inner surface of the hollow body and come into contact with the foam insulation, thereby forming the one or more air pockets.
Also, a thickness of a first region of the foam insulation can be less than a thickness of a second region of the foam insulation. The first region can be an end of the foam insulation proximate to the opening, and the second region can be an opposite end of the foam insulation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identically or functionally similar elements, of which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a container lid in an open position according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container lid with an outward facing thread pattern operable to engage with an inward facing thread pattern of a container according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a range of motion for a closure mechanism between an open position and a closed position according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an opening of a container lid and a partially opened closure mechanism according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 9 is a top view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 11 is a left side view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 12 is a front view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a container lid along line A-A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 14 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 16 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid along line A-A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Referring now to embodiments of the present disclosure, the disclosed container lid features a drink-through design (i.e., a fluid path is formed through the lid allowing a user to drink fluid inside the container without removing the lid) that is both leak-proof by way of a pivoting closure mechanism that reversibly seals an opening in the container lid and insulated by way of foam insulation that fills a hollow body of the lid housing. The result is a container lid that prevents leakage of fluid within a container while also preserving the temperature of said fluid. The disclosed container lid also features a thread pattern which may be fashioned to face outwardly with respect to the lid, so as to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern of the container, thereby creating a tight seal that increases leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the container lid 100 includes a lid housing 110 having a hollow body within which foam insulation 130 is disposed. Different varieties of foam may be utilized for insulation in the container lid 100, such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or the like, and the foam insulation 130 may be inserted into the body of the lid housing 110 using various techniques known in the art such as foam injection molding or the like. In one example, the lid housing 110 may include a separate top portion and bottom portion 112 during assembly of the container lid 100. The lid housing 110 may be fashioned using any suitable material, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or other thermoplastic polymers, for example.
The foam insulation 130 may be inserted within one of the portions of the lid housing 110, and the top and bottom portions may then be adjoined (e.g., ultrasonically welded) to produce the foam insulation-filled lid housing 110. The foam insulation 130 may be disposed within the lid housing 110 using any suitable techniques known in the art. The foam insulation 130 can fill an entirety of the hollow body of the lid housing 110, thereby enhancing insulative properties of the lid 100.
The foam insulation 130 may be made of a constant thickness or, in some cases, the foam insulation 130 may be made of variable thickness, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13. For instance, the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the opening 150 may be less than the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 at an opposite end as the opening 150. In one example, the thickness of the region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the opening 150 may be formed within a range of 13 mm to 17 mm, whereas the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 at an opposite end as the opening 150 may be formed within a range of 20 mm to 26 mm (though the dimensions of the foam insulation 130 are not limited thereto). Further, the thickness of a region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the connection point P may be less than the thickness of the region of the foam insulation 130 proximate to the opening 150. Thus, the foam insulation 130 may be formed having a plurality of different thicknesses depending on various factors, such as the shape of the lid housing 110. An opening 150 is formed in the lid housing 110 to provide a fluid path from the container 180 through the lid housing 110, allowing a user to drink through the lid housing 110. The opening 150, shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, may be formed in any suitable shape, such as oval-like or semi-circular. The opening 150 is also formed through the foam insulation 130, such that the foam insulation 130 is formed to partially surround the opening 150, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the foam insulation 130 can be formed to completely surround the opening 150. Because the foam insulation 130 can at least partially surround the opening 150, while filling the body of the lid housing 110, insulative properties of the container lid 100 are enhanced without compromising a user's ability to drink through the lid 100.
In addition, a closure mechanism 120 is coupled to the lid housing 110 and operable to reversibly seal the opening 150, thereby preventing leakage of fluid within the container 180 while the closure mechanism 120 is in a position to seal the opening 150, regardless of the temperature of the fluid inside the container 180. As shown in FIG. 2, a proximal end of the closure mechanism 120 may be connected to the lid housing 110 at a connection point P, and may be connected in manner allowing the closure mechanism 120 to pivot about the connection point P. The closure mechanism 120 may be fashioned using any suitable material, such as polypropylene (PP) or other thermoplastic polymers, for example.
As shown in FIG. 6, the closure mechanism 120 may pivot between a closed position, in which the opening 150 is sealed (by a plug 160 of the closure mechanism 120), and open position, in which the opening 150 is open, and the closure mechanism 120 is stowed away to permit the user to drink through the opening 150. A top surface of the lid housing 110 may be formed in various ways to permit such movement of the closure mechanism 120, such as providing space proximate to the connection point P to enable rotation of the closure mechanism 120, providing space on the top surface to accommodate the closure mechanism 120 in the open and/or closed position to enable the closure mechanism 120 to fit flush with the lid housing 110, and so forth. Different techniques may be employed to connect the closure mechanism 120 to the lid housing 110, such as a pin, prongs, or the like.
As further shown in FIG. 1, a thread pattern 140 is formed on an exterior of the lid housing 110, such that the opening 150 may be disposed between the thread pattern 140 and the foam insulation 130, for mating the container lid 100 to a container 180. The thread pattern 140 may be formed on the lid housing 110 so as to face outwardly with respect to the container lid 100 such that the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 is operable to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern 142 of a container 180, as shown in FIG. 5. The outwardly facing thread pattern 140 can create a tighter seal with the container 180 than an inwardly facing thread pattern, helping to further increase leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid 100.
FIG. 8 is another exploded view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, a gasket 170 may be disposed to surround a portion of the lid housing 110 to prevent fluid leakage between the container lid 100 and the container 180 to which the lid 100 is coupled. The gasket 170 may be fashioned using any suitable material, such as silicone, for example.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, an opening 150 traverses the lid housing 110 to allow a user to drink fluid inside the container 180 through the lid 100. The foam insulation 130 fills the hollow body of the lid housing 110 and may be formed to at least partially surround the opening 150. The closure mechanism 120 seals the opening 150 when in the closed position demonstrated in FIG. 2.
In one example, a proximal end of the closure mechanism 120 may be coupled to the lid housing 110 at a connection point P, and a distal end of the closure mechanism 120 may include a hook portion 122. The hook portion 122 may be configured to receive a rim 114 of the lid housing 110, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism 120 in place when the closure mechanism 120 is in the closed position demonstrated in FIG. 2. The opening 150 may be disposed at the same side of the lid housing 110 as the rim 114 that is received by the hook portion 122. Furthermore, the hook portion 122 may include a grip portion 124 protruding outwardly from a distal end of the hook portion 122 with respect to the container lid 100 to allow a user to easily grip the hook portion 122 and rotate the closure mechanism 120 between the closed and open positions.
Additionally, the closure mechanism 120 may include a recess portion 126 formed near the distal end of the closure mechanism 120. In one example, the recess portion 126 may be formed into the hook portion 122, as shown in FIG. 2. The recess portion 126 may be configured to mate with a protrusion portion 116 that is formed on an end of the lid housing 110 that is diametrically opposed to the opening 150. When the closure mechanism 120 is in the open position and the recess portion 126 mates with the protrusion portion 116, the closure mechanism 120 can be reversibly held in place. This enables the closure mechanism 120 to be stowed away when a user wishes to drink through the opening 150.
FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the container lid 100 in an open position according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the closure mechanism 120 can pivot to an open position in which the opening 150 is open (i.e., unsealed). Here, the closure mechanism 120 can be stowed away and held in place (until a user manually moves the closure mechanism 120) due to the recess portion 126 of the closure mechanism 120 mating with the protrusion portion 116 of the lid housing 110, as described above.
An opening plug 160 may be disposed near a distal end of the closure mechanism 120. The opening plug 160 can be formed with a shape and depth to fit within the opening 150 so as to seal the opening 150 when the closure mechanism 120 is in the closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2). The opening plug 160 can be made of any material suitable for ensuring a leak-proof seal of the opening 150, such as a resilient material like a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or thermoplastic rubber.
In addition, a vent 152 may be formed through the lid housing 110 and the foam insulation 130. The vent 152 may ensure a smooth flow of fluid through the opening 150, as is generally known in the art. To prevent leakage through the vent 152, the closure mechanism 120 may further include a vent plug 162 that is formed with a shape and depth to fit within the vent 152 so as to seal the vent 152 when the closure mechanism 120 is in the closed position. Like the opening plug 160, the vent plug 162 can be made of any material suitable for ensuring a leak-proof seal of the vent 152, such as a resilient material like a TPE or thermoplastic rubber. The opening plug 160 and vent plug 162 may be independently fashioned and affixed to the closure mechanism 120, or fashioned as a single unit (see, e.g., FIG. 8) and contemporaneously affixed to the closure mechanism 120.
FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the container lid 100 according to
embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 150 and vent 152 may be formed to traverse the lid housing 110 and foam insulation 130, thereby providing fluid paths from the aperture of the container 180 to outside of the container 180 while the container lid 100 is coupled to the container 180.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container lid 100 with an outward facing thread pattern 140 operable to engage with an inward facing thread pattern 142 of a container 180 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the outwardly facing thread pattern 140 formed on an exterior of the lid housing 110 can engage with an inwardly facing thread pattern 142 of the container 180. The outwardly facing thread pattern 140 can be formed on the lid housing 110 within an outer circumference of the lid housing 110. That is, the outer circumference of the lid housing 110 (i.e., the circumference of an upper portion of the lid housing 110) may be greater than the circumference of the portion of the lid housing 110 on which the thread pattern 140 is formed, such that the thread pattern 140 fits inside of the container 180, and the container wall fits flush with the upper portion of the lid housing 110. The outwardly facing thread pattern 140 can create a tighter seal with the container 180 than an inwardly facing thread pattern that fits outside of the container wall, helping to further increase leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid 100. The container 180 may be any suitable size and type of container, such as, for example, a stainless steel container with a vacuum-insulated body.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a range of motion for the closure mechanism 120 between an open position and a closed position according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the opening 150 of the container lid 100 and a partially opened closure mechanism 120 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the closure mechanism 120 can freely rotate between a closed position, in which the opening 150 is sealed, and an open position, in which the opening 150 is open and the closure mechanism 120 is stowed away. In the closed position, the closure mechanism 120 may be reversibly held in place by the hook portion 122 receiving the rim 114 of the lid housing 110. Similarly, in the open position, the closure mechanism 120 may be reversibly held in place by recess portion 126 mating with the protrusion portion 116 of the lid housing 110. The closure mechanism 120 may pivot away from either position by a user exerting a force on the closure mechanism 120 (e.g., the grip portion 124) to rotate the closure mechanism 120.
A range of motion of the closure mechanism 120 between the open position and the closed position may be approximately 180 degrees. That is, the closure mechanism 120 when in the open position is offset by approximately 180 degrees from the closure mechanism 120 when in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6. The closure mechanism 120 may rotate freely within the range of motion, as demonstrated by the partially opened closure mechanism 120 shown in FIG. 7. It should be understood that the range of motion of the closure mechanism 120 may be altered in any suitable manner, and thus the disclosed container lid 100 is not limited to any one particular range of motion.
Additional views of the container lid 100 are provided in FIGS. 9-13. FIG. 9 is a top view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 11 is a left side view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 12 is a front view of the container lid 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the container lid 100 along line A- A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
The container lid 100 may include an alternative insulation arrangement, as shown in FIGS. 14-17. In this regard, FIG. 14 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 15 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 16 is another exploded view of a container lid according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional view of a container lid along line A-A in FIG. 12 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
Instead of filling an entirety of the hollow body of the lid housing 110 with the foam insulation 130, a combination of foam insulation 130 and one or more air pockets can fill the hollow body of the lid housing 110. For instance, the bottom portion 112 of the lid housing 110 can be replaced with bottom portion 190 which may include an arrangement of walls 192 forming multiple air pockets 194, such that the air pockets 194 are disposed within the lid housing 110 in conjunction with the foam insulation 130. When paired with the foam insulation 130, the resulting air pockets 194 act as an additional barrier helping to prevent the transfer of heat energy from a liquid within the container 180 to the body of the lid 100.
As shown in FIGS. 14-17, the walls 192 may extend outwardly from an inner surface of the hollow body of the lid housing 110 and come into contact with the foam insulation 130. For example, the walls 192 may extend upwardly from the bottom of the inside of the lid housing 110 such that the foam insulation 130 is disposed above the air pockets 194, or alternatively, the walls 192 may extend downwardly from the top portion of the inside of the lid housing 110 such that the foam insulation 130 is disposed below the air pockets 194. The walls 192 may be arranged in, for example, a grid pattern, a honeycomb pattern, and so on. The height and thickness of the walls 192 may also vary according to design preference. The bottom portion 190 and/or walls 192 may be fashioned using the same material as the lid housing 110, e.g., ABS or other thermoplastic polymers.
Although specific materials are mentioned above, any and all portions of the container lid 100 described herein may be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, metal, ceramic, or combinations thereof. Plastics of the present disclosure may include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, vinyl, polypropylene, and polystyrene.
Additionally, suitable metals of the present disclosure may include aluminum and iron (e.g., steel, stainless steel, and cast iron). Any seal herein disclosed may be made of any suitable sealing material such as, but not limited to rubber, plastic, soft plastic and/or foam.
Accordingly, the container lid disclosed herein features a drink-through design that combines leak-proofness and insulation. A pivoting closure mechanism reversibly seals an opening in the container lid to eliminate leaks through the opening. Foam insulation fills a hollow body of the lid housing to insulate the contents of a container. The result is a container lid that prevents leakage of fluid within a container while also preserving the temperature of said fluid. The disclosed container lid also features a thread pattern which may be fashioned to face outwardly with respect to the lid, so as to couple with an inwardly facing thread pattern of the container, thereby creating a tight seal that increases leak prevention and insulative properties of the lid.
While there have been shown and described illustrative embodiments that provide for a leak-proof container lid with foam insulation, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the embodiments herein. For example, the embodiments have been primarily shown and described herein with relation to a pivoting closure mechanism that rotates between an open and closed position. However, the embodiments in their broader sense are not as limited, as the closure mechanism may be replaced with another mechanism capable of sealing the lid opening, such as a push-button mechanism or a slide mechanism. Thus, the embodiments may be modified in any suitable manner in accordance with the scope of the present claims.
The foregoing description has been directed to embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A container lid comprising:
a lid housing having a hollow body, an opening formed therethrough, and a thread pattern formed thereon for mating the container lid to a container;
a closure mechanism coupled to the lid housing and operable to reversibly seal the opening; and
foam insulation disposed within the hollow body.
2. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the foam insulation is formed so as to at least partially surround the opening.
3. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the opening is disposed between the thread pattern and the foam insulation.
4. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the foam insulation substantially fills the hollow body.
5. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the thread pattern is formed on the lid housing so as to face outwardly with respect to the container lid.
6. The container lid of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the closure mechanism is connected to the lid housing at a connection point, and the closure mechanism is operable to pivot about the connection point.
7. The container lid of claim 6, wherein the closure mechanism is operable to pivot between an open position in which the opening is open and a closed position in which the opening is sealed.
8. The container lid of claim 7, wherein the closure mechanism includes a hook portion disposed at a distal end of the closure mechanism that is configured to receive a rim of the lid housing, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism in place when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
9. The container lid of claim 8, wherein the rim that is received by the hook portion is disposed at a same side of the lid housing as the opening.
10. The container lid of claim 8, wherein the hook portion includes a grip portion protruding outwardly from a distal end of the hook portion with respect to the container lid.
11. The container lid of claim 7, wherein the closure mechanism includes a recess portion formed near a distal end of the closure mechanism that is configured to mate with a protrusion portion of the lid housing, thereby reversibly holding the closure mechanism in place when the closure mechanism is in the open position.
12. The container lid of claim 11, wherein the protrusion portion is formed on an end of the lid housing that is diametrically opposed to the opening.
13. The container lid of claim 7, wherein the closure mechanism includes an opening plug disposed near a distal end thereof that is configured to fit within the opening so as to reversibly seal the opening when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
14. The container lid of claim 7, wherein a range of motion of the closure mechanism between the open position and the closed position is approximately 180 degrees.
15. The container lid of claim 1, wherein a vent is formed through the lid housing and the foam insulation, and the closure mechanism includes a vent plug that is configured to fit within the vent so as to reversibly seal the vent when the closure mechanism is in the closed position.
16. The container lid of claim 1, further comprising a gasket surrounding a portion of the lid housing.
17. The container lid of claim 1, wherein one or more air pockets are disposed within the hollow body adjacent to the foam insulation.
18. The container lid of claim 17, wherein one or more walls extend outwardly from an inner surface of the hollow body and come into contact with the foam insulation, thereby forming the one or more air pockets.
19. The container lid of claim 1, wherein a thickness of a first region of the foam insulation is less than a thickness of a second region of the foam insulation.
20. The container lid of claim 19, wherein the first region is an end of the foam insulation proximate to the opening, and the second region is an opposite end of the foam insulation.
EP18841929.5A 2017-08-03 2018-08-03 Leak-proof container lid with foam insulation Withdrawn EP3661853A4 (en)

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US201762540693P 2017-08-03 2017-08-03
PCT/US2018/045130 WO2019028326A1 (en) 2017-08-03 2018-08-03 Leak-proof container lid with foam insulation

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US11912469B2 (en) 2013-02-19 2024-02-27 Cool Gear International, Llc Caps and containers containing the same
US11673720B2 (en) 2019-01-03 2023-06-13 Cool Gear International, Llc Container lid with rotatable sipper and flexible handle

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JP2020529368A (en) 2020-10-08
EP3661853A4 (en) 2021-04-07
KR20200027572A (en) 2020-03-12
CA3070466A1 (en) 2019-02-07
MX2020001169A (en) 2020-03-12
WO2019028326A1 (en) 2019-02-07
AU2018309062A1 (en) 2020-02-06
CN110997512A (en) 2020-04-10
US20200367678A1 (en) 2020-11-26

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