WO2016204623A1

WO2016204623A1 - Self-closing, slide and flip resistant drinking cup

Info

Publication number: WO2016204623A1
Application number: PCT/NO2016/050126
Authority: WO
Inventors: Haakon Svindal
Original assignee: GRANAAS, Sonja Svindal
Priority date: 2015-06-18
Filing date: 2016-06-15
Publication date: 2016-12-22
Also published as: NO338414B1; NO20150805A1

Abstract

Drinking cup (11) for hot and cold liquids with features to prevent unintentional spills of fluid, comprising a magnetic closure. The cup's bottom is provided with a magnet (14), and further comprises a lid (20) designed to be held shut by a lid-cover plate (22) at all times when not manually held open by means of a lever (13) which is provided with a first end section (13a) that works with the lid-cover plate (22) and a second end section (13b) designed to be moved by a user. The lid (20) and the lid-cover plate (22) are provided with mutually attractive magnets (25a, 25b). The lid-cover plate (22) can take shape as an integral part of the lever (13) at its end (13a).

Description

Self-Closing, Slide And Flip Resistant Drinking Cup

The submitted invention pertains to a drinking cup as specified in the lead paragraph to patent requirement 1.

Background Drinking from a cup may in certain situations, pose a problem for certain individuals, which may lead to spills and potential burn injuries from hot drinks. Especially individuals suffering from Parkinson's disease or diseases with similar symptoms, displaying a high degree of uncontrollable shaking in arm muscles, may cause reaching for and holding a cup or glass to be a big challenge, and something one would desire to avoid. In certain instances, the problems for the individual may be so significant that the risk of flipping the cup or glass already before having a grip is larger than 50 %.

In other situations, such as on board modes of transportation subjected to significant levels of motion, cups and glasses may easily hit the floor unless special measures are taken.

It is in relation to problems of the character described above a known measure to establish drinking cups with lids that prevent liquids from spilling until the lid is manually opened. The opening of the lid may however be complicated for a person having reduced motor skills, as the opening mechanism is too small or placed in a concealed manner to avoid accidental and unwanted opening.

Furtherly it is a known practice to equip cups with magnetic bottoms to prevent them from sliding off a surface, in the case where the surface chosen is magnetic.

CN 201938957 is known as a cup with a lid held in place by an electro magnet. Opening and closing requires the operation of a switch which necessitates access to electricity to make this cup function as envisioned. The cup does not appear to hold an intrinsic functionality for the disabled or elderly. US 2005/0029265 Al describes a drinking container with a squeeze activated self-shutting valve. The activation mechanism is hidden between the inner and outer wall of the cup. It includes mechanically sensitive parts which will experience wear over time. A magnet is not a part of this design.

US 6 098 834 describes a thermally insulated drinking container with a slanted lid and a rim protruding above the lid. A lever is utilized to operate a valve for opening and shutting an opening from the inside of the cup to the space encircled by the aforementioned rim. A mechanical spring holds the valve shut when not in operation. As with the previous device there are movable mechanical parts subject to wear in this device which does not incorporate a magnet

Fra EP 2 601 867 is a known lid for a drinking container encompassing a shutting device with a hinged pivotable lever as an outer part. As best shown in figure 10 this lid also includes a number of mechanical parts which require close accurate coordination for operation in accordance with its intention. A magnet is not included as an element of any part of this device.

Purpose

The purpose is to create a drinking cup for hot and cold drinks, which will eliminate spills and burn injuries. It is further a purpose of the submitted invention to create a cup that is suitable for use of patients which due to diseases such as Parkinson's experience problems gripping and holding a cup.

It is further a purpose to create a cup which is suitable for use in environments experiencing motion such as on-board boats, fishing vessels, etc.

Submitted invention The submitted invention consists of a drinking cup equipped with a self shutting mechanism as defined in patent requirement 1.

The desired form of execution of the invention is evident in the dependent patent requirements.

It is in and by itself a known practice to utilize cups with a self shutting mechanism, but the combination of features encompassed by the cup as it relates to the submitted invention makes it unique and especially useful for people suffering from a high degree of uncontrollable tremors or shaking, like people suffering from Parkinson's disease or similar

For such individuals the main problem is often that the shaking is so violent that they cannot establish a grip on a cup without toppling it prior to the grip being established. The magnet in the bottom of the cup prevents it from falling or moving by light touches when placed on surfaces that are attracted to magnetism. The cup can only be moved off its surface when firm grip around the cup is established.

Another consideration is; individuals suffering from uncontrollable movement as aforementioned are usually able to limit the motion to a minimum when they apply tension to their arm muscles. Consequentially, directing the cup to the mouth in a calm movement when grip is established is usually not a problem. The cup is provided with a handle, referred to hereinafter as a lever, which can be gripped by the same hand gripping the cup. The lever can be turned in any direction relative to the user; it can often be most convenient to let it the face away from the user's palm, so that the lever is only engaged during the final phase of the hand closing movement around the cup. However, this factor more concerns the use of the cup than its construction. An important facet of the lever arm is that movement of it is required to open the lid of the cup; otherwise, it is at all times closed by means of magnets. As soon as the cup is released, voluntarily or involuntarily, the cup's lid reseals as a result of the force by the same magnets. Consequentially little or no spills occur due to cups that are dropped. It is the combination of a magnet in the cup's bottom, which allows users with significant tremors to grip it, and the closing mechanism that at all times keeps the cup shut, except when it is in a firm grip, that makes the construction unique. A cup with a closing mechanism, but without a magnet at the bottom will not suffice because; too many cups would end up on the floor before they are firmly gripped. A cup with a magnet on the bottom, but without automatic closure, would also fall short in several of the potential use scenarios. It is the combination of the submitted properties that make the cup of the submitted invention unique. It will make it possible for people who today are unable to help themselves to drinks, yet again able to help themselves to cold and hot beverages, without risk of injury.

The cup is naturally also suitable for use in transport situations, such as on boats, trucks, trains and planes, but it is especially designed for people with handicaps as mentioned above.

Details of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings

Below the cup's construction is described in closer detail with reference to accompanying figures, where

Figure la shows a side view of a first embodiment of a drinking cup according to the submitted invention in a closed state.

Figure lb shows the cup of Figure 1 in an open state.

Figs 2a-2c show details of the lid to the cup shown in Figures la, lb.

Figure 3a shows a side view of a second embodiment of a drinking cup according to the submitted invention in a closed state. Figure 3b shows the cup of Figure 3a in the open condition.

Figures 4a, b show details of the cover to the cup shown in Figures 3a, 3b. Figure 5 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a drinking cup according to the submitted invention in a closed state.

Figure la shows a first embodiment of a drinking cup 11 according to the submitted invention. The cup has a main body 12 which preferably has double walls and a lid 20 which is composed of several elements. In the bottom of the cup there is provided a magnet 14 for keeping the cup slip and roll proof on a metal surface with magnetic properties, typically a plate containing iron.

The lid 20 comprises a lid base body 21 designed to be closed with a lid cover plate 22. The lid base body 21 has one disk-shaped region 21a that limits how much liquid can be filled into the cup. The disc-shaped area 21a is provided with a single or several piercing holes 23 each provided with a flexible bushing or gasket 24. In the normal position, the lid-cover plate rests 22 next to the discshaped area 21a of the base body, in contact with the gaskets 24 effectively making the piercing holes 23 liquid-tight. To keep the lid-cover plate 22 in a sealing engagement with the seals, magnets are provided 25a, 25b in both the lid-cover plate 22 as well as the disk-shaped area 21a of the lid base body. It should be emphasized that the holes 23 with a gasket 24 not necessarily positioned in the periphery of the lid as it falls in a side sectional view of the cup which is also a section through the lever arm 13. For clarity, however, a hole 23 shown in Figure la, and in other figures, in the section with the lever 13.

Lid base body 21 also includes a downwardly extending flange 21b typically provided with threads 21c to be screwed to the main body 12 of the cup, and an upwardly extending flange 21d which forms a natural extension of the cup body 12 of cap 20.

The cup further includes a lever 13 comprising a first end section 13a arranged to work with the lid 20 in a manner as described below, and a second end section 13b located outside of the cup main body 12. The other end section 13b is arranged to be gripped by the user with the same hand that grips the cup when drinking. By the gripping movement, the second end section 13b of the lever from a position spaced from the main section 12 of the cup to a position adjacent or within the body 12 of the cup.

The lever's first end section 13a is, in the embodiment of Figure la, positioned between the discshaped portion of 21a of the lid base portion and a lid-cover plate 22. A suitable recess in the discshaped portion of 21a of the lid base and the lid-cover plate 22 makes it possible to accommodate the first end section 13a of the lever in this position when the lid cover plate 22 is flush with the gaskets 24. In Figure la only one hole 23 is shown and one seal 24, but it is to be understood that more holes normally will be placed peripherally on the lid and consequentially outside the illustration in figure la. This is illustrated in figure 2a. The lever 13 as shown in figure la further comprises a type of hinge 13c and a curved part 13d that passes over the edge of the cup and more specifically over the top of the upwardly extending flange 21d of the lid base body 21. As seen in Figure la, the upwardly extending flange 21d may be recessed in the area where the lever passes over Figure la also shows an O-ring 26 which forms a fluid tight seal between the radial outside lid base body 21 and the radial inside of the cup's main body 12, near the screwed thread 21c. The O-ring is placed in a circumferential groove on the outside of the lid base body 21.

Dashed lines 20t and 20b illustrate the top and bottom peripheral edge of the lid base body 21.

Figure lb shows the same embodiment as Figure la, but in a state where the second part 13b of the lever 13 is pressed toward the body 12 of the cup, allowing the first portion 13a of the lever to lifts the lid cover plate 22 from the lid base body 21 allowing liquids to pass through the apertures 23 in the lid.

Figure 2a shows lid base part seen from above with a total of four openings 23 and four associated flexible gaskets 24. Centrally a magnet 25b is typically accommodated in a recess. Figure 2b shows a side view of the lid base section 22 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, while Figure 2c shows a section of a flexible seal 24.

Figure 3a shows an embodiment in which lever 113 is integrated with the lid base portion 122, where the latter performs a similar function as first the part 13a of the lever in Figure la, lb, as well as sealing the openings 23 in the lid base body 121 in the same manner as lid-cover plate 22 in Figure la. This variant has the advantage that there are fewer parts to keep track of. Apart from this the function is entirely the same, if one neglects the lesser length differential between the second part of the lever 113b and lid-cover plate 122, allowing, other conditions being constant, requires a larger force on the second portion 113b of the lever arm for moving the lid-cover plate 122 to open the lid. However, this may be easily adjusted using magnets with suitable / custom strength. The numeral 120 denote this lid because it shows some differences from the lid 20 of Figures 1 and 2 and the lid base portion designated as 121. In principle the lid base portions of these embodiments can be identical, but they are illustrated slightly different in these figures.

Figure 3b shows the same as figure 3a, but in a position where the lid is opened when the second part 113b of the lever is moved in the direction of the cup main body 12. The cup main body 12 as shown in the embodiment of Figures 3a, 3b is shown as being identical with the cup main body 12 in figures la, lb. Figure 4a shows the lid base seen from above with a total of six apertures 23 and six associated flexible gaskets 24. Centrally there is a recess in which a magnet 25b is typically received.

Figure 4b shows a side view of the lid base section 122 of the embodiment shown in Figures 3a, 3b. Figure 5 shows another variant of a cup based on the submitted invention. This cup shares with the embodiment shown in Figures 3a, 3b; the lever 13 and the lid-cover plate 222 that are integrated into one unit. Specific to this embodiment is that the join between the base of the cup 212 and cap 220 takes place by means of a bayonet fitting 227 which typically includes four inwardly projecting pins 227a in the base of the cup and four angled recesses 227b in a downwardly projecting edge or flange of the lid 220. When joining the lid to the cup, it is sufficient with a relative rotation of for example 1 cm before they are securely mated together. O-ring 26 has a different position in this embodiment and contributes with elasticity to seal, but also to form a friction which prevents the cap from inadvertently unscrewing during use.

An additional detail shown in Figure 5 is a retainer 228 which is attached to the lid 220 and surrounds an area of the lever 13. If the cup is dropped and the magnets 25a, 25b are momentarily subjected to a force which would otherwise make the lever 13 with the integrated lid cover plate 222 release from the lid base portion, the retainer 228 will retain the lever, keeping the magnets 25a, 25b in close proximity to each other at all times. Once the instantaneous applied force ceases, the magnets 25a, 25b again attract each other and closing the lid 220. This detail which is only shown in the embodiment with the bayonet fitting naturally also applies to embodiments where the cup and lid attach to each other by screw threads. The retainer 228 is shown as hinged to the lid 220, but may also be formed as an integral part of the lid.

A further advantage with the retainer 228 is that users gripping only the lever 13, and not around the cup itself; can not rip the lever 13, with or without a lid-cover plate 22, away from the cup. There is no reference to figure 5's shown top view of the lid base section, it may in principle be similar to the lid base portion 21 (with four openings) shown in Figure 2a or the lid base portion 121 shown in Figure 4a (with six apertures). None of the (two) openings 23 shown in Figure 5 need to lie on a vertical axis which is also a vertical axis through the lever 13, but it is included in Figure 5 for clarity. The cup base body 212 differs from the preceding embodiments, through pins 227a and absence of screw threads, while its upper edge is adapted to abut the O-ring 26. It is shown with side walls which are conical and without curvature. The outer shape of the cup is, however, a choice made on the basis of aesthetics and production technique, not limited by the fundamental traits discussed above. It can have many forms aside from the two shown.

All embodiments of the cup relative to the submitted invention are shown with double inner walls, which is preferred from a practical perspective, but not required. Preferred embodiments

As evident in the figures and their descriptions, the second end section 13b of the lever 13, typically arranged on the outside of the cup's 11 surface, when the lever 13 in a resting position spaced from the cup's 11 outer surface, while movement of the second end section 13b of lever 13 from the rest position in distance to the cup's outer surface 11 towards the cup's 11 outside surface, entails movement of the lid-cover plate 22 away from the lid 20.

The second end section 13b of the lever 13 is designed to be pressed when the cup 11 is gripped. The second end section 13b is usually longer than the first end section 13a of the lever 13 which allow the user the benefit of improved torque (force x arm) when the lid is opened.

The lever 13 is typically angled above an upwardly projecting flange of the lid base body 21 and the hinge 13c near the periphery of a disc-shaped part 21a of the lid base body 21.

A particularly preferred variant is when the lever arm 13 and the lid-cover plate 22 are made as an integral part. In combination with the retainer 28, whereas another variant is designed in a manner where the first end section 13a of the lever 13 is designed to be accommodated on the underside of the lid cover plate 22. The flexible gaskets 24 may be made from silicon; however, other flexible materials that can withstand temperatures up to 100 ° C may be used.

In the following patent claims, all reference numbers are given with reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 through 3, it should however be understood that wherever a reference number (such as 11) is provided, the corresponding reference numerals (such as 111, 211) in other figures, can also be considered as referenced.

Claims

Patent requirements

1. Drinking cup (11) for hot and cold liquids with features to prevent accidental spillage of liquids, comprising magnetic closure, characterized in that the cup's bottom is provided with a magnet (14), the cup (11) further consists of a lid (20 ) comprising a base body (21) equipped with at least one hole (23), designed to be held shut by a lid-cover plate (22) when the lid is not manually held open by means of a lever (13) with a first end section (13a) cooperating with the lid-cover plate (22) and a second end section (13b) designed to be moved by a user, as the lid (20) and the lid- cover plate (22) are provided with mutually attractive magnets (25a, 25b ).

2. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with patent requirement 1, wherein the second end section (13b) of the lever (13) is placed outside of the cup's (11) outer surface, as the lever (13) in its rest position is spaced away from the cup's (11) outer surface.

3. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with patent requirement 2, characterized by a movement of the second end section (13b) of the lever (13) from its rest position spaced from the cup's (11) outer surface in the direction towards the cup's (11) outer surface, leads to a movement of the lid-cover plate (22) away from the lid (20).

4. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with that of the claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one hole (23) is arranged in a disc-shaped part (21a) of the lid base body (21) while also being provided with a flexible gasket (24).

5. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with patent requirement 4, wherein the lever (13) is angled

(13d) above an upwardly projecting flange (21d) of the lid base section (21) and hinged (13c) near the periphery of a disc-shaped part (21a) of the lid base body (21).

6. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, wherein a second end section (13b) of the lever (13) is adapted to be pressed by the same act that occurs when the cup (11) is gripped.

7. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with claim 6, wherein the second end section (13b) of the lever (13) is longer than the first end section (13a) of the lever (13).

8. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with any of the preceding claims, wherein the second end section (13b) of the lever (13) and the lid-cover plate (22) is made as an integral part associated with an intermediate angled part (13d), the side of the angled section facing the lid-cover plate (22) is provided with a hinge (13c).

9. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with any of the claims 1-7, wherein the first end section (13a) of the lever (13) is adapted to be accommodated on the underside of the lid cover plate (22).

10. Drinking cup (11) in accordance with any of patent claims 4-9, wherein the flexible seals (24) are made of silicone.