Patent Application
20240270450
The present disclosure herein relates broadly to containers, and more specifically to rigid insulated containers used for beverages or foods.
A container may be configured to store food and/or a volume of liquid. Containers may be composed of rigid materials, such as a metal. These containers can be formed of a double-wall vacuum-formed construction to provide insulative properties to help maintain the temperature of the food or beverage within the container.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. The Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In certain examples, an insulating container assembly can be configured to retain beverages and/or foods. The insulated container assembly can include an insulated container and a lid assembly. The insulated container may include an outer shell having an external sidewall and an outer bottom wall, an inner shell having an inner sidewall and an inner bottom wall. The outer shell can be connected to the inner shell to form an insulated double wall structure with a sealed vacuum cavity between the outer shell and the inner shell. The insulated container can include a top opening at a top of the inner sidewall that leads into a storage cavity formed by the inner sidewall and the inner bottom wall, and the top opening can include a container pour spout. The insulated container can include one of a plurality of container projections or grooves.
The lid assembly can include a lid assembly pour spout corresponding to the container pour spout, a top surface comprising a top surface channel for receiving a slider, an opening adjacent the lid assembly pour spout. The slider can be configured to move from an opened position to a closed position to cover the opening. The lid assembly can include a skirt extending axially from the rim. And the skirt may include one of a plurality of skirt grooves or projections, corresponding to the plurality of container grooves or projections of the insulated container. The lid assembly may be configured to lock in place on the container by engaging the plurality of skirt grooves or projections with the container grooves or projections when in the locked position.
The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:
Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of various examples: however, the disclosed examples are not limited to that particular scale.
In the following description of the various examples, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various examples in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the examples, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this disclosure.
Aspects of this disclosure relate to a lid assembly 100 and an insulating container 200.
Turning specifically to the lid assembly 100, in one example, as shown in
As shown in
In other examples, it is contemplated that the skirt 114 or another portion of the lid assembly 100 could include a plurality of projections and the container could include a plurality of grooves which correspond to and receive the projections located on the skirt 114 or other portion of the lid assembly 100. Also, although four grooves and projections are used in this example, it is contemplated that more or fewer grooves and projections could be used without departing from this disclosure.
As is shown in
In this example, as is shown in
In this example, with reference to
In this example, a third one 120c of the plurality of skirt grooves can be positioned at a third angle γ relative to the spout central axis 136. Also a fourth one 120d of the plurality of skirt grooves may be positioned at a fourth angle δ relative to the spout central axis 136. In this example, the fourth angle δ is smaller than the third angle γ. In addition, the fourth angle δ is smaller than the first angle α. In one particular example, the first angle α can be about 44 degrees, the second angle ß can be about 20 degrees, the third angle γ can be about 45 degrees, the fourth angle δ can be about 38 degrees. As such, the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d can each positioned at a different angle relative to an adjacent one of the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, and each of the first angle α, the second angle β, the third angle γ, and the fourth angle δ can be acute and less than 90 degrees.
Also the sum of the first angle α and the second angle ß can be about 64 degrees to form an acute angle between the first one 120a and the second one 120b of the plurality of skirt grooves. Also the sum of the third angle γ and the fourth angle δ can be about 83 degrees to form an acute angle between the third one 120c and the fourth one 120d of the plurality of skirt grooves.
Additionally, a fifth angle θ can be formed between the second one 120b of the plurality of skirt grooves and the third one 120c of the plurality of skirt grooves, and a sixth angle λ can be formed between the fourth container projection 120d and the first container projection 120a.
The fifth angle θ can be about 115 degrees, and the sixth angle λ can be about 98 degrees. As such, the fifth angle θ and the sixth angle λ can both be obtuse and greater than 90 degrees. Accordingly, the fifth angle θ between the second one 120b of the plurality of skirt grooves and the third one 120c of the plurality of skirt grooves can be obtuse. And the sixth angle λ between the first one 120a of the plurality of skirt grooves and the forth one 120d of the plurality of skirt grooves can be obtuse.
In alternative examples, it is contemplated that the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d can be substituted with projections. And in another example, the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d can be a combination of grooves and projections. Moreover, it is contemplated that the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d can be positioned symmetrically in the radial direction. Also, in other examples, it is contemplated that the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d can be positioned at different distances or depths relative to the rim 112 in the axial direction, and the corresponding plurality of container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d be correspondingly positioned to align with the plurality of skirt projections 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d when positioning the lid assembly 100 in the locked position. It is also contemplated that the lid assembly can include one or more biasing members or springs for positioning, further securing, or locking the lid assembly skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, an 120d in position on the container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d.
Referring to
In one example, the lid assembly 100 can include a movable slider 108, which may include a tab or handle 109 for the user to grasp in order to move the slider 108 into an opened or closed position. The slider 108 of the lid assembly 100 in one example, can be a magnetic slider. In certain examples, the slider 108 can be configured to perform one or more of the following: (1) slide between a closed position and an opened position where the slider covers an opening to aid in preventing spilling of contents of the container and an opened position where the slider 108 uncovers the opening 110 such that the contents of the container can be consumed, (2) lock in place in both the closed position and the opened position, (3) remain secured to the lid assembly 200 during movement between the closed position and the opened position, or (4) to be removable from the lid assembly 100 so that the lid assembly 100 and slider 108 can be cleaned. The slider 108 and lid assembly 100 can be similar to that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/971,779 filed on Dec. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,232,992, which is fully incorporated by reference.
As shown in
Also as shown in
It is also contemplated that the slider does not include magnets and relies on one or more detents, projections, channels to maintain the slider in an opened or closed position such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/971,779 filed on Dec. 16, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,232,992, which is fully incorporated by reference above.
Turning now to the insulated container 200, as shown in
In this example, as discussed above, the insulated container 200 may include a plurality of container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d as shown in
In one example, the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d of the insulated container 200 can be oriented asymmetrically about the circumference of the container 200. And in this example, the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can be positioned about the lid asymmetrically in the radial direction, meaning that each of the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can be positioned at different radial dimensions relative to each other or at a different amount of degrees relative to each other. Also in this example, the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can be positioned at the same distance or depth relative to the rim 202 of the insulated container in the axial direction.
In this example, with reference to
In this example, a third one 220c of the insulated container plurality of projections can be positioned at a third angle γ relative to the spout central axis 236 and handle central axis 236. Also a fourth one 220c of the plurality of container grooves may be positioned at a fourth angle δ relative to the handle axis. In this example, the fourth angle δ is smaller than the third angle γ. In addition, the fourth angle δ is smaller than the first angle. In one particular example, the first angle α can be about 44 degrees, the second angle ß can be about 20 degrees, the third angle γ can be about 45 degrees, the fourth angle δ can be about 38 degrees. As such, the plurality of container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can each positioned at a different angle relative to an adjacent one of the plurality of container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, and each of the first angle α, the second angle β, the third angle γ, and the fourth angle & can be acute.
Also the sum of the first angle α and the second angle ß can be about 64 degrees to form an acute angle between the first one 220a and the second one 220b of the plurality of projections. Also the sum of the third angle γ and the fourth angle δ can be about 83 degrees to form an acute angle between the third one 220c and the fourth one 220d of the plurality of projections.
Additionally, a fifth angle θ can be formed between the second container projection 120B and the third container projection 120c, and a sixth angle λ can be formed between the fourth container projection 120d and the first container projection 120a. The fifth angle θ can be about 115 degrees, and the sixth angle λ can be about 98 degrees. As such the fifth angle θ and the sixth angle λ can both be obtuse and greater than 90 degrees. Accordingly, the fifth angle θ between the second one 220b and the third one 220c of the plurality of projections can be obtuse. And the sixth angle λ between the first one 220a and the forth one 220d can be obtuse. The first angle α, the second angle β, the third angle γ, the fourth angle δ, fifth angle θ, and the sixth angle λ in relation to the container can correspond to the first angle α, the second angle β, the third angle γ, the fourth angle δ, fifth angle θ, and the sixth angle λ discussed above in relation to the lid assembly.
As shown in
In alternative examples similar to the lid assembly 200, it is contemplated that the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can be substituted with grooves similar to the lid assembly skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d discussed herein. And in another example, again here, the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can be a combination of grooves and projections. Moreover, it is contemplated that the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d can be positioned symmetrically in the radial direction. Also in other examples, it is contemplated that the plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can be positioned at different distances or depths relative to the insulated container rim 212 in the axial direction, and the corresponding plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d be correspondingly positioned to align with the insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, and 220d when positioning the lid assembly 100 in the locked position.
The lid assembly may be configured to be placed onto the container in a single orientation due to the asymmetrical plurality of insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d and the asymmetrical plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d. An engagement of the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d with the insulated container projections 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d can create a first force and the gasket engaging the inner wall of the insulating container may create a second force and wherein the first force and the second force are configured to help retain the lid assembly onto the container assembly. Also, the slider 108 can be held onto the lid assembly 100 by a first force, and the lid assembly 100 can be held onto the container 200 by a second force and the second force may be greater than the first force. When the lid assembly 100 is in the locked position, the plurality of container projections 220a, 220b, 220c engage the second straight portions 124 of the plurality of skirt grooves 120a, 120b, 120c, and 120d in the locked position.
In alternative configurations, it is also contemplated that the lid assembly 100 can be secured to the insulated container assembly 200 using one or more of threads, bayonet connections, hinges, or collars and the like. In another example, a suction buttons or mechanism which pulls air from the contain or expands a gasket can be used to create a seal between the lid assembly 100 and the container assembly 200. It is also contemplated that the lid assembly 100 can be held onto the container assembly 200 using only the friction created between the gasket 131 and the container assembly 200. In this example, the lid assembly 100 can include an outwardly extending tab, which extends from the rim, to provide the user with leverage in order to remove the lid assembly from the container.
As shown in
While the illustrated example includes a ring-shaped lower cavity 130, the lower cavity may have other shapes such as a square, circular, oval, or other geometric shape. In other examples, the lower cavity 231 may comprise a plurality of cavities. Additionally, in examples with multiple lower cavities, each of the lower cavities may include a separate foot member, or a foot member than has a portion that is received in each of the lower cavities.
In one example, as shown in
In addition, a divot, dimple or opening 276 used for vacuum formation may be located in the bottom cavity wall 231C. The opening 276 may be a round shaped hole and may be positioned on the handle and spout axis. In the illustrated example, only one opening is present, but multiple openings are contemplated. As discussed below, the opening 276 may assist in evacuating the gas from the cavity formed between the outer and inner shells 230, 232. In addition, the opening 276 may be aligned with a corresponding projection (not show) arranged on a bottom surface of the foot bracket 290.
As discussed above, the opening, divot or dimple structure 276 is used during a vacuum formation process. But the opening, divot or dimple structure 276 can be included anywhere on the outer shell 230 or the inner shell 232. Such dimple structures and formation processes are disclosed and described in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/146,692, filed on Sep. 18, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,729,261, U.S. Application No. 62/237,419, filed on Oct. 5, 2015, U.S. Application No. 62/255,886 filed on Nov. 16, 2015, and U.S. application Ser. No. 15/285,268, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,390,659, all of which are incorporated fully herein by reference. In one example, the divot or dimple 276 can resemble a dome shape. However, other suitable shapes are contemplated for receiving a resin material during the manufacturing process. The example container assembly 200 can be provided with one or more vacuum chambers, such as internal cavity 233 shown in
The divot or dimple 276 can provide a conduit to the internal cavity of the during formation. Specifically, the container 200 can be oriented inverted within a vacuum formation chamber, and a resin, which can be in the shape of a pill, can be placed into the divot or dimple in the bottom of the container during the vacuum forming process. In certain examples, the resin can be approximately 3 mm to 5 mm in diameter, and the openings in the divot or dimple can be approximately 1 mm in size. In this way, when the container 200 is heated the resin becomes viscous so as to not flow or drip into the internal cavity 233 of the container 200 through the opening, but permeable to air such that the air escapes the internal chamber 233 or other internal volume of the container 200. Once the resin cools and solidifies, it covers the opening of the divot or dimple and seals the internal cavity 233 or other internal volumes of the container 200 to form a vacuum within the container 200. Any suitable resins are contemplated for forming the vacuum within the container 200. In certain examples, the resin material can be synthetic, such as an epoxy resin or may be plant based. In this example, after vacuumization, the dimple or divot 276 can be covered by the foot member 290. However, it is also contemplated that the resin can be polished such that the dimple or divot is not readily apparent or noticeable to the user. In still other examples, the dimple or divot may be covered by a cap and polished, in the same manner, such that the cap and dimple or divot are not readily apparent or noticeable to the user.
In addition, various other techniques can be used to cover or seal the dimple, which may include painting the resin, powder coating the dimple, adhering metal or paper over the opening, or adding a rubber or plastic piece to cover the opening, or including a rubber or plastic piece on the bottom. In still other examples, the dimples or divots can be covered or sealed with either a disc or with an end cap (not shown). Welding the disc to the bottom of the container 200 or welding an end cap to the bottom of the outer shell 230 provides a more permanent structure that can be repeatedly used and washed without compromising the structural integrity of the container 200. Covering the divots with the disc may result in a more compact container 200 since an end cap will add to the overall height of the container. This may help in saving costs in manufacturing the container, since less material is needed. Additionally, the container will be able to store more liquid within a smaller container volume and length. Alternatively, the container 200 may be configured with a dimple or divot in the inner shell 232 (not shown) to facilitate the vacuumization process as described herein.
Additional alternate methods of insulating the container 200 are also contemplated. For example, the internal cavity 233 may be filled with various insulating materials that exhibit low thermal conductivity such as foam. As such, the internal cavity 233 may, in certain examples, be filled with air to form air pockets for insulation, or filled with a mass of material such as a polymer material, or a polymer foam material. In one specific example, the internal cavity 233 may be filled with polystyrene. However, additional or alternative insulating materials may be utilized to fill the internal cavity 233 without departing from the scope of these disclosures. In certain examples, the internal cavity 233 is filled with insulating materials by injecting the materials via dimples, divots, or other conduits to the internal cavity 233. In other examples, the insulating materials are added to the internal cavity 233 prior to connecting the inner shell 232 with the outer shell 230. In other examples, the internal cavity 233 may be configured to be partially or wholly filled with an additional insulating material. For example, internal cavity 233 may be configured to be, or may be, at least partially filled with an alternative polymeric foam, such as polystyrene foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, or polyimide foam, among many others.
For the formation of the insulated container, the outer and inner shells 230, 232 may be formed as two separate pieces. The outer and inner shells 230, 232 may have a substantially constant wall thickness. The outer and inner shells 230, 232 may be constructed using one or more sheet-metal deep-drawing and/or stamping processes, and using, in one example, stainless steel sheet-metal. However, it will be readily appreciated that the insulating container 200 may be constructed using one or more additional or alternative metals and/or alloys, one or more fiber-reinforced materials, one or more polymers, or one or more ceramics, or combinations thereof, among others, without departing from the scope of these disclosures. Accordingly, one or both of the outer shell 230 and the inner shell 232 may have wall thicknesses (i.e. may utilize a sheet-metal thickness) ranging at or between 0.2 mm to 4 mm or approximately 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, among others.
In one specific example, the inner shell 232 may be secured to the outer shell 230 by a welding operation utilizing a robotic arm and camera system in conjunction with a stationary electrode or the like to ensure that inner shell 230 is connected along the entire upper edges of the outer shell 230 and the inner shell 232. These coupling processes may integrally join the outer shell 230 and the inner shell 232 and may include one or more brazing or welding processes (including, among others, shielded metal arc, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc, flux-cored arc, submerged arc, electroslag, ultrasonic, cold pressure, electromagnetic pulse, laser beam, or friction welding processes). In another example, the outer shell 230 may be integrally joined to the inner shell 232 by one or more adhesives, by a sheet metal hem joint, or by one or more fastener elements (e.g. one or more screws, rivets, pins, bolts, or staples, among others).
Once the shells 230, 232 are integrally joined, a mass of gas/air may be evacuated from the cavity formed between the inner and outer shells 230, 232 to create a sealed vacuum cavity 233 between the two shells 230, 232. To achieve a vacuum between the walls of the container 200 (e.g. between the outer sidewall 230 and the inner sidewall 232, and the outer bottom outer wall 230B and the inner bottom wall 232B), at least a portion of air between the two shells 230, 232 may be removed by positioning the container 200 within a larger chamber (not depicted), and removing at least a portion of the air from the cavity 233 between the shells 230, 232 by pulling a vacuum within the larger chamber (not depicted) (e.g. reducing an internal pressure of the larger chamber to a pressure below an internal pressure within the vacuum cavity 233). It will be appreciated that any techniques and/or processes may be utilized to reduce a pressure within the larger chamber (not depicted), including, vacuum pumping, among others. As such, a portion of air within the vacuum cavity 233 may escape through the dimple or divot 276 located in the bottom cavity wall 231C of the lower cavity 231 located on the outer bottom wall 230B. Again, it is also contemplated that several dimples, divots, or openings be placed on the outer bottom wall 230B. And in one example, the opening 276 may be a round shaped hole. In addition, the openings 276 may be located in the bottom cavity wall 231C and also be aligned with a hole (not shown) arranged in the foot member such that the vacuum may be applied after the foot member 290 is applied to the outer shell 230.
In certain implementations, a pressure within the vacuum cavity 233 of the insulating container 200 may measure less than 15 μTorr. In other examples, the vacuum may measure less than 10 μTorr, less than 50 μTorr, less than 100 μTorr, less than 200 μTorr, less than 400 μTorr, less than 500 μTorr, less than 1000 μTorr, less than 10 mTorr, less than 100 mTorr, or less than 1 Torr, among many others.
In order to seal a vacuum within the vacuum cavity 120, a resin, which may be in the shape of a pill, may be placed into the dimple, divot, or opening 276 during the vacuum forming process. In some examples, the vacuum formation chamber may be heated to a temperature at which the resin may become viscous. In one example, the viscosity of the resin may be such that the resin does not flow or drip into the container through the opening, but is permeable to air such that the air can escapes the internal volumes of the vacuum cavity 233. In one implementation, a vacuum forming process may heat the insulating container 200 to temperature of approximately 550° C. In other implementations, during the vacuum forming process the insulating container may be heated to approximately 200° ° C., 250° C., 300° C., 350° C., 400° ° C., 450° ° C., 500° C., or 600° C., among others. Following a period of heating, the insulating container 200 may be passively or actively cooled to room temperature. As such, once the resin cools and solidifies, it covers the dimple, divot, or opening 276, and seals the internal volume of the container 200 to form a vacuum cavity 233 between the outer shell 230 and the inner shell 232.
Lastly, the foot member 290 may be installed onto a foot bracket (not shown). The foot member 290 may be secured with a press fit or friction fit onto the hook members (not shown) of the foot bracket (not shown). The foot member 290 may be formed from an elastomeric material to help increase the friction and help prevent the container 200 from sliding when placed on a flat surface.
Aspects of the disclosure include an insulated container assembly which can include an insulated container and a lid assembly. The insulated container can include an outer shell comprising an external sidewall and an outer bottom wall, an inner shell having an inner sidewall and an inner bottom wall. The outer shell may be connected to the inner shell forming an insulated double wall structure with a sealed vacuum cavity between the outer shell and the inner shell. The insulated container can include a top opening at a top of the inner sidewall that leads into a storage cavity formed by the inner sidewall and the inner bottom wall. The top opening may include a container pour spout. The insulated container can include one of a plurality of container projections or grooves.
The lid assembly may include a lid assembly pour spout corresponding to the container pour spout, and one of a plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections, corresponding to the plurality of container grooves or projections of the insulated container. The lid assembly may be configured to lock in place on the container by engaging the plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections with the container grooves or projections when in the locked position.
In one example, the plurality of container grooves or projections of the insulated container may be asymmetrically positioned and the plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections can be asymmetrically positioned.
The lid assembly may be configured to be placed onto the container in a single orientation due to the asymmetrical plurality of container grooves or projections and the asymmetrical plurality of container assembly grooves or projections.
The container spout can define a spout central axis and a first one of the plurality of grooves or projections is positioned at a first angle relative to the axis and a second one of the container plurality of grooves or projections is positioned at a second angle relative to the axis and wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.
The insulated container may include a handle, and the handle can define a handle central axis and a third one of the insulated container plurality of grooves or projections is positioned at a third angle relative to the handle axis and a fourth one of the plurality of container grooves or projections can be positioned at a fourth angle relative to the handle axis and the third angle can be larger than the fourth angle.
The plurality of container grooves or projections can be positioned radially about the container and the plurality of container grooves or projections can include a first container groove or projection, a second container groove or projection, a third container groove or projection, and a fourth container groove or projection and a first angle between the first container groove or projection and the second container groove or projection is obtuse, a second angle between the second container groove or projection and the third container groove or projection can be acute, a third angle between the third container groove or projection and the fourth container groove or projection can be obtuse, a fourth angle between fourth container groove or projection and the first container groove or projection can be acute. In one arrangement, the fourth angle can be smaller than the first angle.
The plurality of container grooves or projections can be each positioned at a different angle relative to an adjacent one of the plurality of container grooves or projections. The number of the plurality of container grooves or projections can be four.
The plurality of skirt grooves or projections can include a plurality of skirt grooves and the plurality of skirt grooves can extend in a radial direction and an axial direction and the plurality of container grooves or projections can include a plurality of container projections. The plurality of skirt grooves can each have a first straight portion extending in a radial and axial direction and a second straight portion extending only in a radial direction and wherein the container projections engage the second straight portion in the locked position. The first straight portion and the second straight portion can extend for a total of about between 45 to 180 degrees in the radial direction. The first straight portion may be oriented about 45 degrees relative to a rim of the insulated container when the lid assembly is assembled to the insulated container and the second straight portion can be generally parallel to a rim of the insulated container when assembled and the first straight portion can be longer than the second straight portion.
The plurality of container projections or the plurality of skirt projections can each have an oblong shape and the plurality of container projections or the plurality of skirt projections can each have a width to length ratio of greater than 1.
The container can further include a radially extending channel about a top portion of the skirt and a gasket can be positioned in the radially extending channel and the plurality of skirt grooves or projections can be positioned below the gasket.
An engagement of the plurality of skirt grooves or projections with the container grooves or projections may create a first force in an axial direction and the gasket engaging the inner wall of the insulating container can create a second force in the axial direction. The first force and the second force may be configured to help retain the lid assembly onto the container assembly when the user dispenses the contents of the insulated container.
In another aspect, an insulated container assembly can include an insulated container which may include an outer shell having an external sidewall and an outer bottom wall: an inner shell having an inner sidewall and an inner bottom wall. The outer shell may be connected to the inner shell forming an insulated double wall structure with a sealed vacuum cavity between the outer shell and the inner shell. The insulated container can include a top opening at a top of the inner sidewall that leads into a storage cavity formed by the inner sidewall and the inner bottom wall, and the top opening can include a container pour spout. The insulated container may include one of a plurality of container projections or grooves.
In another aspect, the lid assembly can include a lid assembly pour spout corresponding to the container pour spout. The lid assembly can include a top surface having a top surface channel for receiving a slider, and an opening adjacent the lid assembly pour spout. The slider may be configured to move from an opened position to a closed position to cover the opening. The lid assembly may include a rim and a skirt extending axially from the rim. The skirt may include one of a plurality of skirt grooves or projections, corresponding to the plurality of container grooves or projections of the insulated container. And the lid assembly can be configured to lock in place on the container by engaging the plurality of skirt grooves or projections with the container grooves or projections when in the locked position. In one example, the slider is held onto the lid assembly by a first force, the lid assembly is held onto the container by a second force and the second force can be greater than the first force.
The plurality of insulated container grooves or projections of the insulated container can be asymmetrical and the plurality of skirt grooves or projections are asymmetrical. The plurality of container grooves or projections can each positioned at a different angle relative to an adjacent one of the plurality of container grooves or projections. The skirt can include a plurality of grooves, and the container can include a plurality of projections. In one example, the plurality of grooves can extend entirely through a sidewall forming the skirt. The plurality of projections can be positioned on the inner wall of the container.
In another aspect, a lid assembly may include a lid assembly pour spout, one of a plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections. And the lid assembly can be configured to lock in place on a container by engaging the plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections with container grooves or projections when in the locked position. The plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections can be asymmetrically positioned and the plurality of skirt grooves or projections can be asymmetrically positioned. The plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections can each be positioned at a different angle relative to an adjacent one of the plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections. The plurality of lid assembly grooves or projections can include a plurality of lid assembly grooves, and the plurality of lid assembly grooves can each have a first straight portion extending in a radial and axial direction and a second straight portion extending only in a radial direction. The container projections may engage the second straight portion in the locked position. The lid assembly can include gripping elements for the user to rotate the lid assembly relative to the insulated container.
The present disclosure is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the disclosure, not to limit the scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
