Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Lid for a Container
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No.
61/917,995, Entitled Lid for a Container, filed December 19, 2013, the
entirety of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of Endeavor
The present invention relates to a lid for a container and more particularly,
a sport spout lid for a
container that can be easily disassembled for improved cleaning.
B. Background Information
Current commercialized drinking vessels marketed as sports bottles or travel
bottles often have
several moving parts that are mechanically joined in order to function as a
spill-resistant cup. These
cups often provide a spout that is moveable between a storage configuration
and a use
configuration, wherein several small, hidden parts are responsible for cup
performance. While these
cups may achieve spill or leak resistance, they are often-times difficult to
properly disassemble and
clean channels and surfaces that are susceptible to contamination from its
surroundings and/or
contents but cannot be reached during contact cleaning with a brush, sponge,
etc...
As such, there exists a need for a sports or travel bottle that is easy to
disassemble into a small
number of parts but also provides leak-resistance.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a lid assembly for a sports bottle or travel
bottle. The lid assembly
has a lid, a spout, and a valve. Optionally, the lid assembly may also have a
straw. The lid has an
upper surface and a bottom surface with a first port that communicates between
the upper surface
and the bottom surface.
The spout has at least one exterior surface and at least one interior surface,
the at least one interior
surface defining a channel such that fluid can pass through the channel. The
spout has a first spout
end and a second spout end. The spout is removably connectable to the lid such
that the spout,
particularly the spout second end and the channel that is adjacent to said
spout second end can be
more readily cleaned. The spout is rotatably connectable to the lid such that
the spout can move
from a closed position to an open position about at least a first axis.
Optionally, some embodiments
may provide for a spout that is rotatable about a second axis, third axis
and/or nth axis.
The valve has at least one valve exterior surface and at least one valve
interior surface. The valve
interior surface defines a channel that is in fluid communication with said
spout. The valve is
removably connectable to said lid. In some embodiments, the valve is removably
connectable to the
first port. The valve provides a substantially leak-resistant seal with the
lid.
When in a closed position or when a user is not applying a force to the spout
first end and thereby
withdrawing fluid through the valve and spout, the lid assembly is
substantially leak resistant. The lid
may also be substantially spill resistant, as it may sealingly engage a cup
such that fluid stored within
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the container would not circumvent the connection between the container and
the lid upon
knocking the cup over.
The lid assembly is in a closed position when said spout second end is
adjacent the upper surface of
the lid. The lid assembly is in an open position when said second spout end is
aligned with said first
port such that fluid can be withdrawn from said spout first end by applying a
force to said spout first
end, and/or tilting said vessel such that gravity (i.e. the applied force)
assists in dispensing fluid from
the first port.
The lid is grippable such that the spout or the valve can be connected to
and/or removed from the
lid by exerting less than or equal to ten pounds of force on the spout or
valve. The lid is grippable by
holding the upper surface, bottom surface, or both. In some embodiments, the
lid has a perimeter
that is also grippable. In some embodiments, the lid perimeter, the upper
surface, and/or the
bottom surface may have one or more protruding features or one or more raised
structures that
assist with holding the lid and/or preventing slippage if the lid is wet or
soiled. In one embodiment,
the spout has a platform surface and/or a platform wall that assist in (a)
moving the spout between
a closed position and an open position, and/or (b) being grippable such that
the user is more easily
able to remove the spout from the lid.
In some embodiments, a vent valve is also provided for. The vent valve
provides fluid
communication between the upper surface of the lid and the bottom surface of
the lid. In these
embodiments, the vent valve matingly engages a second port in the lid. In some
of these
embodiments, the vent valve is integral with the valve and is connected to the
valve by a bridge. In
some other embodiments, the valve has a tab that assists in removably
connecting the valve to the
lid; the user grips the tab and applies a force to the tab in order to remove
the valve from the lid. In
embodiments having a straw, the tab can assist in removing the straw from the
valve.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of disassembling
the lid assembly for
easy and proficient contact cleaning of all areas of lid assembly components.
The method provides
for the steps, in any order, of (a) removing the spout from the lid and (b)
removing the valve from
the lid, such that all components can be easily cleaned. In embodiments having
a straw, another
step (c) removing the straw from the valve is also provided for.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a bottle assembly
FIG. 2 is an upper perspective view of a lid assembly
FIG. 3A is a perspective top view of a lid
FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a lid
FIG. 3C is a lower perspective view of a lid
FIG. 4A is an upper perspective view of a spout
FIG. 4B is a lower perspective view of a spout
FIG. 5A is an upper perspective view of a valve
FIG. 5B is a lower perspective view of a valve
FIG. 6 is a side view of a spout and valve
FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view of a lid assembly
FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of a spout, valve and straw
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of the
preferred embodiments
according to the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying
drawings. In the following
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description, numerous, specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding of
the present disclosure. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the
art that the present
disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known structures
are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscurity of the present
disclosure.
The term "bottle" is hereinafter defined to comprise, and/or be
interchangeable with, any of the
following terms, without limitation: bottle, cup, container, and/or vessel.
The term "spout" " is hereinafter defined to comprise, and/or be
interchangeable with, any of the
following terms, without limitation: spout, nozzle, spigot, and/or tap.
The term "matingly engage" " is hereinafter defined to comprise, and/or be
interchangeable with,
any of the following terms, without limitation: friction fit, male-female
connection, snap-fit, press-fit,
and/or interference fit.
The present disclosure provides for embodiments of a bottle assembly 10.
Bottle assembly 10 has a
bottle 12 and a lid assembly 13. The lid assembly 13 has a lid 14, a spout 16,
and a valve 20.
Optionally, some embodiments further have a straw 18. The spout 16 matingly
engages lid 14 such
that spout 16 is rotatably connectable to the lid 14. The spout 16 and valve
20 are removably
connectable to the lid 14; the straw 18 is removably connectable to the valve
20. The spout 16,
valve 20 and/or straw 18, are removably connectable when less than or equal to
ten pounds of force
are applied to the spout 16, valve 20, and/or straw 18, when the lid 14 and/or
valve 20 are
stationary. In other words, for example, the spout 16 can be removed from the
lid 14 with less than
or equal to ten pounds of force being applied to the spout 16 along axis 104
such that the force is
applied in a direction away from where the spout 16 connects to the lid 14;
similarly, the spout 16
can be connected to the lid 14 along axis 104 with less than or equal to ten
pounds of force being
applied to the spout 16 in a direction towards where the spout 16 connects to
the lid 14. The
present disclosure is advantageous in that it permits easy assembly and
disassembly of the lid
assembly 13 such that all features of lid assembly 13 can be easily
disassembled, cleaned and
recombined. Further, the present disclosure's lid assembly 14 can have as few
as three (3) individual
components, where each component is easily grippable and requires less than or
equal to ten
pounds of force in order to connect or disconnect connectable lid assembly 14
components.
The bottle assembly 10 has a bottle 12 with an outer wall 22, an inner wall
(not shown) where the
inner wall 22 defines a volume for holding liquid. The inner wall can comprise
one or more walls or
segments, such as, a front wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a rear
wall, and a bottom wall.
The walls can be integral or separate and connected to each other such that a
volume is formed.
The cup has an opening and an upper rim that matingly engages a lid 14. The
lid 14 has an upper
surface 32, a bottom surface 34 opposite to the upper surface 32, and a first
port 40 that
communicates between the upper surface 32 and bottom surface 34. In some
embodiments, the lid
14 has a perimeter wall 48.
A spout 16 is removably connectable to the lid 14. The spout 16 has at least
one exterior surface 24
and at least one interior surface 26. The at least one interior surface 26
defines a channel 28 where
fluid can pass therethrough. The at least one exterior surface 24 and/or at
least one interior surface
26 can, in some embodiments, have multiple surfaces that create any number of
geometric
configurations and shapes. The at least one exterior surface 24 can be the
same geometric
configuration as the at least one interior surface 26, or they can be
different. The at least one
exterior surface 24 and/or at least one interior surface 26 can be a plurality
of separate sections that
are at least partially connectable and/or integral. In one embodiment, the
spout 16 exterior surface
24 is generally rectangular in cross section. In one embodiment, the spout 16
interior surface 26 is
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generally rectangular in cross section. Thereby forming a channel 28 having a
rectangularly prismatic
shape.
A valve 20 is removably connectable to the lid 14. The valve 20 has at least
one exterior surface 36
and at least one interior surface 38. The at least one interior surface 38
defines a channel 30 such
that fluid can pass therethrough. The valve 20 has a valve member 17. The
valve member 17 can be
a slit valve having one or more slits in any number of configurations. In one
embodiment, the slit
valve 17 can be shaped in an "X" such that there are four (4) individual,
triangularly shaped flaps. In
other embodiments, the slit valve can comprise six (6), eight (10), or "n"
flaps. In other
embodiments, the slit valve can comprise one, two, three or "n" individual
slits. As such, one skilled
in the art understands the valve member 17 can comprise any number and
configuration of slits
and/or flaps.
Valve member 17 can be a one-way or a two-way valve. Preferably, valve member
17 is a one-way
valve such that fluid can be withdrawn through the valve 20 in one direction
but fluid cannot be
forced back through valve 20 in another direction. Functionally, this can
prevent a user from pushing
fluid back through the valve 20 potentially causing contamination amongst the
fluid in bottle 12.
Valve member 17 can comprise a flat, concave, and/or convex surface, and can
be generally any of
the aforementioned shapes or other geometries known in the art.
In some embodiments, lid 14 has a second port 42 that communicates between the
upper surface 32
and the bottom surface 34. As used herein, the terms "upper surface" and "top
surface" refer to the
same feature, while the terms "lower surface" and "bottom surface" refer to
the same feature. In
further embodiments, there is a vent valve 44 with at least one exterior
surface 46 and at least one
interior surface 45. The vent valve 44 can have the aforementioned features
describing valve 20.
Vent valve 44 can be shaped and sized to be the same or different from valve
20. The vent valve 44
matingly engages the second port 42.
The lid 14 and spout 16 have mating features that enable spout 16 to be
removably connectable to
lid 14. In one embodiment, lid 14 has a recessed track 50 that allows for
protrusions 15 on the spout
16 to slide into the recessed track 50 thereby forming a connection between
the lid 14 and spout 16.
In some embodiments, the spout 16 and recessed track 50 of the lid 14 form an
interference fit such
that either the protrusions 15on the spout 16 or the recessed track 14 of the
lid 14 are able to
deflect enough to allow for easy connection of the spout 16 to lid 14 but also
to create a sufficient
connection such that the spout 16 doesn't disconnect from the lid 14 during
use. In further
embodiments, recessed track 50 has a further pit 52 such that protrusion 15
will press-fit into the pit
52 thereby maintaining connection between the spout 16 and the lid 14 until a
sufficient removal
force is applied to the spout 16. In other words, the pit 52 and at least one
protrusion 15 form a
further secure connection between the spout 16 and the lid 14. Recessed track
50 can be a bayonet-
style track. In other embodiments, recessed track 50 can have a protrusion 54
in a portion of the
recessed track 50 such as the middle, such that protrusion 15 on the spout 16
must pass over the
recessed track 50 protrusion 54 in order to be connected to the lid 14 in a
more secured position. In
one embodiment, the spout 16 has two protrusions 15 that are on opposite sides
of said spout such
that the spout can rotate uniformly in at least one plane.
The spout 16 may be connectable to the lid 14 by applying less than or equal
to ten (10) pounds of
force to the spout 16, the lid 14, and/or a combination thereof, such that one
or more protrusions
15 of the spout 16 engages the open end of the recessed track 50. The spout 16
may be removable
from the lid 14 by applying less than or equal to ten (10) pounds of force to
the spout 16, the lid 14,
and/or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the protrusions 15 are
cylindrically shaped such
that a user is able to place one or more protrusions 15 in the open end of the
recessed track 50
thereby easily connecting, disconnecting, or both connecting and disconnecting
the spout 16 to the
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lid 14. One skilled in the art understands that protrusions 15 can be any
geometric shape so long as
they are able to engage recessed track 50 and provide an assembled
configuration and a
disassembled configuration.
The spout 16 has a platform 56 and a platform wall 58 being sized and shaped
to receive a user's
5 finger to allow a user to more easily move the spout 16 from a closed
position as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, to an open position. A fully open position is when the spout 16 is
rotated from lid 14 such that
spout 16 is generally parallel to axis 104. One skilled in the art understands
that the spout's 16
geometry and its connection to lid 14 may enable a range of fully opened
positions spanning beyond
axis 104 in a variety of directions. A fully closed position will be described
in further detail, but
referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a fully closed position is when
the length of spout 16 is
parallel to axis 102. The spout platform 56 and/or platform wall 58 also allow
a user to grip said
spout 16 and remove it from said lid 14. As such, the spout platform 56 and/or
platform wall 58
provide multiple benefits to a user. The platform 56 and/or the platform wall
58 may be shaped,
sized and positioned along the spout 16 in order to provide an ergonomic
feature for a user to move
the spout 16 between open and closed positions (and partial positions
therebetween) and/or to
connect and/or remove the spout 16 to/from the lid 14. In one embodiment, the
spout platform 56
is substantially flat and parallel to the spout exterior top surface 60. In
one embodiment, the spout
platform 56 is located proximal to a second end 62 of the spout 16 that
engages the valve member
20. In one embodiment, the spout platform wall 58 can be arcuately shaped to
accommodate the
curvature of a user's finger. In another embodiment, the spout platform wall
58 is in perpendicular
relation to the spout exterior top surface 60 and/or the spout platform 56. In
other embodiments,
the spout platform wall 58 is located proximal to where the spout 16 connects
to the lid 14.
In one embodiment, the second end 60 of the spout 16 has an exterior surface
24 that is least
partially spherical and thus forming a bearing surface that allows for
rotation of the spout 16 in at
least one plane. The second end 60 of the spout 16 has an interior surface 26
defined by at least one
wall 27 that defines a channel 28 that communicates with the rest of channel
28 formed by the
aforementioned channel 28 of the spout 16. In some embodiments, the channel 28
has a consistent
geometry along the entire length of the spout 16 (i.e. from the second end 60
to the first spout end
64 where liquid can be withdrawn from the spout by a user). In another
embodiment, the spout 16
channel 28 reduces in cross-section from the spout 16 second end 62 to the
first end 64 to adjust the
flow rate and/or quantity of fluid travelling through the spout 16. In another
embodiment, the
second end 60 of the spout 16 has an exterior surface 24 that is at least
partially cylindrical such that
a bearing surface is formed allowing rotation of the spout 16 in at least one
plane. In other
embodiments, the spout exterior surface 24 may be geometrically shaped such
that rotation of the
spout 16 is achieved in at least one plane such that the spout exterior
surface 24 does not form a
traditional bearing surface. For instance, the spout exterior surface 24 could
be rectangular and still
enable rotation of the spout in at least one plane so long as there is
sufficient clearance between the
spout 16 exterior surface 24 of the spout 16 that connects to the lid 14.
In some embodiments, the lid top surface 32 defines a lid channel sized 66 and
shaped to receive
said spout 16 in said closed position. In these embodiments, the lid channel
66 minimizes the
footprint of the lid assembly 13. The lid channel 66 may be similarly sized
and shaped such that the
spout 16 is snug within the lid channel 66. In other embodiments, the lid
channel 66 may be shaped
and sized to accommodate a gap around the spout 16 such that a user can
manipulate the spout 16
and move the spout 16 from a closed position to an open position.
In some embodiments having a lid channel 66, the lid channel 66 has a first
wall 68 and a second
wall 70 substantially opposite the first wall 68. The first wall 68 and said
second wall 70 are
connected by third 72 and fourth walls 74. The first wall 68 and second wall
70 each have a recessed
track 50 having an open end that communicates with the lid channel 66 and the
top surface 32 of
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said lid 14. The recessed track 50 also has a closed end such that the
recessed track 50 matingly
engages a protrusion 15 of the spout 16 such that the spout 16 is removably
connectable to the lid
14.
In some embodiments having a lid channel 66, the lid channel 66 is arcuate
about the meeting
between the bottom wall 76 and the first wall 68, the second wall 70, the
third wall 72, the fourth
wall 74, and combinations thereof. In some further embodiments, the lid
channel 66 is arcuate
about the meeting of the bottom wall 76 and the first wall 68 such that the
first port 40 has a
perimeter 48 wherein a first wall segment 68 has a greater height than a
second wall segment 70. In
this particular embodiment, the valve member 20 is flush on the perimeter
where the first wall 68
and bottom wall 76 meet, but the valve member 20 sits proud (i.e. above) the
lid channel 66 on at
least a portion of the rest of the perimeter 48. This facilitates the user's
ability to form a positive seal
between the second end 62 of the spout 16 and the valve member 20 when the
user rotates the
spout 16 from a closed position to an open position and then, in like fashion,
back to a closed
position.
In some embodiments, the lid 14 has a second port 42 that allows fluid
communication between the
top surface 32 of the lid 14 and the bottom surface 34 of the lid 14. The
second port 42 can facilitate
venting of air from within the bottle assembly 10. In some embodiments having
a lid channel 66, the
lid channel 66 has a bottom wall 82 that further defines a second port 42.
In some embodiments, the first port 40 has a first port lip 84 located at a
bottom end of the first port
40. The first port lip 84 provides a feature allowing for mating engagement to
a lip 86 on the valve
20. The valve 20 has a valve first end 92 and a valve second end 94, the valve
first end 92 being
removably connectable to the first port 40. The valve 20 can be connected or
removed (i.e.
removably connectable) from the lid 14 with less than or equal to ten (10)
pounds of force applied to
the lid 14, the valve 20, and/or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, the valve 20 further comprises a vent valve 44 having a
valve exterior surface
36 and a vent valve interior surface 38. The vent valve interior surface 36
defines a channel 30 in
fluid communication with the second port 42. A bridge 90 connects the vent
valve 44 to the valve 20.
The bridge 90 can comprise one or more connection points between the valve 20
and the vent valve
44. The bridge 90 can have multiple surfaces and a thickness. For instance,
the bridge 90 may have a
top surface 89 and a bottom surface 91.
In embodiments with a second port 42, the second port 42 has a second port lip
96 located at a
bottom end of the second port 42. The second port lip 96 provides a feature
allowing for mating
engagement to a lip 86 on the vent valve 44. The vent valve 44 has a valve
first end 92 and a valve
second end 94, the valve first 92 end being removably connectable to the
second port 42. The vent
valve 44 can be connected or removed (i.e. removably connectable) from the lid
14 with less than or
equal to ten (10) pounds of force applied to the lid 14, the vent valve 20,
and/or combinations
thereof.
In some embodiments, the valve 20 further comprises a tab 98 that is grippable
by a user such that
the valve 20 is easily removed from the lid 14. The tab 98 can be located on
any portion of the valve
20. In embodiments having a vent valve 44, the tab 98 can be located on the
bridge 90. In other
embodiments, the tab 98 can be located on the valve 20, the vent valve 44, or
any portion of the
valve 20 that facilitates connecting/removing the valve 20 to the lid 14 by
the user.
In some embodiments, a straw 18 is included. The straw 18 is removably
connectable to the valve
20. The straw can be removably connectable to the valve 20 such that the
exterior surface 19 of the
straw 20 is internal to an interior surface 100 on the straw connecting
portion of the valve 20.
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Cup assembly 10 components can be made of materials including without
limitation: plastics,
polyolefins, vinyl, wovens, nonwovens, wood, metal, composites, laminates,
latex, silicone, rubber,
thermoplastic elastomers, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene,
polystyrene, plastics
by the trade names KOSTRATE, ABS, and/or combinations thereof.
In some embodiments, cup assembly 10 components are one or more colors,
translucent, have
decorations, graphics, patterns, textures, and/or any other aesthetically
pleasing designs.
Another aspect of the present disclosure resides in a method of disassembling
a lid 14. The lid
assembly 13 comprising a lid 14 having an upper surface 32 and a lower surface
34 with a first port
40 that communicates between the upper surface 32 and the lower surface 34.
The lid assembly 13
also has a spout 16 having at least one exterior surface 24 and at least one
interior surface 26. The
interior surface 26 defining a channel 28 such that fluid can pass
therethrough. The spout 16 is
removably connectable to the lid 14. The lid assembly 13 also has a valve 20
having at least one
exterior surface 36 and at least one interior surface 38, where the interior
surface 38 defines a
channel 30. The method provides for gripping the lid 14. Once the lid 14 is
adequately gripped by
the user, the user also grips the spout 16 with either the same hand (or tool)
or a different hand (or
second tool), and applying a removal force to the spout 16. The user then
pulls the spout 16 from
the closed end of the pit 52 of the recessed track 50 and withdraws the
protrusions 15 of the spout
16 from the open end of the recessed track 15. In some embodiments having a
spout platform 56
and/or a spout platform wall 58, the user is able to grip the platform 56
and/or platform wall 58 to
more easily remove the spout 16 (by removing protrusion(s) 15 from lid
recessed track 50) from the
lid 14.
The user is also able to remove the valve 20 from the lid 14. The user grips
the lid 14 in a first hand
(or tool) and grips the valve 20 in the same hand (or tool) or a second hand
(or second tool), and
applies a removal force to the valve 20. In embodiments where the valve 20 has
a bridge 90, the user
may grip the bridge 90 to assist in removal of the valve 20. In embodiments
where the valve 20 has
a tab 98, the user may grip the tab 98 to assist in the removal of the valve
20. To remove valve 20,
the lip 86 of any valve 20 (i.e. valve 20 and/or vent valve 44) must be
separated from the lip of any
port (i.e. first port lip 84 and/or second port lip 96) by deflecting the
valve 20 such that the lip 86 is
no longer matingly engaged with the lip of any port (i.e. first port lip 84
and/or second port lip 96).
In further embodiments comprising a straw 18, the straw 18 may be removed from
the valve 20 by
applying a removal force to the straw 18, the valve 20, or both. Once all
components of the lid
assembly 13 are separated, each component is ready for cleaning. In
embodiments where the lid
assembly 13 is part of a cup assembly 10, the lid assembly 13 can be removed
from the cup 12 and
the lid assembly 13 components can be separated and cleaned as described
above. The spout 14
and the valve 20 can be removed in any order. In embodiments with a straw 18,
the straw 18 can be
removed at any point during the disassembly of the other lid assembly 13
components.
It should be recognized that the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth",
"upper", "lower", "top",
"bottom", and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These
modifiers do not imply
a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless
specifically stated.
Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with
reference to specific
exemplary embodiments thereof, it is not intended that the invention be
limited to those exemplary
embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and
modifications can be made
without departing from the true scope of the present disclosure as defined by
the claims that follow.
For instance, features disclosed in connection with any one embodiment can be
used alone or in
combination with each feature of the respective other embodiments.
