DRINKING VESSEL WITH MAGNETIC CLOSURE MECHANISM AND LATCHING CLOSURE MECHANISM

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to drinking vessels. More specifically, some embodiments relate to closure assemblies for drinking vessels.

BACKGROUND

It may be desirable to close and/or seal a drinking opening provided in a beverage container when a user is not drinking from the beverage container.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments described herein are directed to a drinking vessel including a beverage container defining a drinking opening therethrough and a closure attachable to the beverage container to close the drinking opening. A first set of magnet units is coupled to the beverage container, and a second set of magnet units is coupled to the closure. When the closure is in a closed position, magnetic attraction between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units holds the closure in place relative to the beverage container, thereby closing the drinking opening. When the closure is rotated away from the closed position, magnetic repulsion between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units pushes the closure away from the beverage container, thereby opening the drinking opening.

Some embodiments described herein are directed to a drinking vessel including a beverage container defining a drinking opening therethrough and a closure attachable to the beverage container to close the drinking opening. The closure includes a latching member movable between a latching position and an unlatched position. The beverage container includes a latch stop configured to engage the latching member of the closure. When the closure is in a closed position and the latching member is in the latching position, the closure is retained in the closed position. In response to the closure rotating away from the closed position, the latching member moves toward the unlatched position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles thereof and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the same.

FIG. 1 shows an upper perspective view of a portion of a drinking vessel, with its closure removed.

FIG. 2 shows a lower perspective view of the portion of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an upper perspective view of the portion of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1, with its closure attached.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded upper perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded lower perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6A shows a cross-section view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 6B taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6B shows a top view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1, with its closure rotated relative to its beverage container.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective section view of a portion of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1, with its closure in a closed position, its locking member in an unlocked position, and its latching member in a latching position.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective section view of a portion of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1, with its closure in a closed position, its locking member in an unlocked position, and its latching member in an unlatched position.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective section view of a portion of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1, with its closure in a closed position and its locking member in a locking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein comport with standards used by those experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the disclosure.

References in the specification to “some embodiments” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the field, and which would be apparent to those skilled in the art, are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

People use reusable drinking vessels to carry a variety of beverages. It is sometimes desirable for a drinking vessel to have a closure to close and/or seal one or more drinking openings of the drinking vessel when a user is not drinking from it. It may therefore be desirable to provide a closure that can be used to easily and reliably close and open a drinking opening of the drinking vessel and/or to seal and unseal a drinking opening of a drinking vessel.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a drinking vessel with a magnetic closure mechanism that can be used to easily and reliably close and open a drinking opening of a drinking vessel and/or to seal and unseal a drinking opening of a drinking vessel. The drinking vessel can include a beverage container with a first set of magnet units and a closure with a second set of magnet units. In some embodiments, when the closure is in a closed position, a magnetic attraction between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units holds the closure in place relative to the beverage container. In some embodiments, when the closure is rotated away from the closed position, magnetic repulsion between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units pushes the closure away from beverage container, thereby opening the closure. In some embodiments, when the closure is open, a user can move the closure toward the drinking opening and magnetic interactions between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units tend to rotate the closure to a closed position.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a latching closure mechanism that can be used to easily and reliably close and open a drinking opening of a drinking vessel and/or to seal and unseal a drinking opening of a drinking vessel. The drinking vessel can include a beverage container with a latch stop and a closure with a latching member. In some embodiments, when the closure is in a closed position and the latching member is in its latching position the latching member and the latch stop retain the closure in the closed position. In some embodiments, a user can rotate the closure (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) away from the closed position to move the latching member toward an unlatched position. Once the latching member is in its unlatched position, a user can remove the closure from the beverage container.

As mentioned above and described in more detail below, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage container with a first set of magnet units and a closure with a second set of magnet units that interact to hold the closure relative to the beverage container, to close a drinking opening of the beverage container, and/or to remove the closure. As also mentioned above and described in more detail below, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage container with a latch stop and a closure with a latching member that engage to hold the closure relative to the beverage container. The magnetic closing mechanism and the latching mechanism are independently beneficial as well as beneficial when used together, and some embodiments may include one and not the other, in addition to embodiments that include both.

These and other embodiments are discussed below in more detail with reference to the figures.

FIGS. 1-3 show a drinking vessel 10 according to some embodiments. Drinking vessel 10 may include a beverage container 100 and a closure 500 that is attachable to beverage container 100. In FIGS. 1 and 2, drinking vessel 10 is shown with closure 500 removed from beverage container 100. In FIG. 3, drinking vessel 10 is shown with closure 500 attached to beverage container 100.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 1, beverage container 100 may include a drinking opening 302 (e.g., in a spout) through which a user can drink a beverage contained within beverage container 100. Closure 500 may be attachable to beverage container 100 to close drinking opening 302. In some embodiments, when closure 500 is in a closed position, a sealing member 800 of closure 500 (shown in FIG. 2) seals drinking opening 302 (e.g., by pressing against a surface around or within drinking opening 302). When closure 500 is in an open position, sealing member 800 of closure 500 does not seal drinking opening 302.

In some embodiments, beverage container 100 may include magnet units 400, and closure 500 may include magnet units 700. Magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 may interact to hold closure 500 relative to beverage container 100, to close drinking opening 302, and/or to remove closure 500. Each of magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 may be formed of an individual magnet, or of a group of individual magnets that together function as or approximate the function of an individual magnet. Where a magnet unit is formed of a group of individual magnets, the individual magnets in a magnet unit may be closely positioned to each other and oriented to have the same polarity such that together they exhibit properties of a single magnet. For example, in a magnet unit, two rectangular magnets may be positioned next to each other such that the south pole of one faces the north pole of the other.

In some embodiments, a magnetic attraction between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 holds closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when closure 500 is in the closed position (shown in FIG. 3), each magnet unit 400 is positioned over a magnet unit 700 having the opposite polarity. The magnetic attraction between each magnet unit 400 and corresponding magnet unit 700 holds closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, a user can rotate closure 500 (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) away from the closed position to remove closure 500 from beverage container 100. In some embodiments, when closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, magnetic repulsion between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 pushes closure 500 away from beverage container 100, thereby opening closure 500. For example, when closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, magnet units 400 may no longer be positioned over magnet units 700 having the opposite polarity. Instead, magnet units 400 may increasingly interact with magnet units 700 that have the same polarity. The magnetic repulsion between each magnet unit 400 and interacting magnet units 700 of the same polarity pushes closure 500 away from beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, when closure 500 is open, a user can move closure 500 toward drinking opening 302 to attach closure 500 to beverage container 100. In some such embodiments, when closure 500 is moved toward drinking opening 302 of beverage container 100, magnetic repulsion and magnetic attraction among first set of magnet units 400 and second set of magnet units 700 results in a force tending to rotate closure 500 toward the closed position. For example, as a user brings closure 500 closer to beverage container 100 intending to use closure 500 to close drinking opening 302 of beverage container 100, if magnets having the same polarity are more aligned than those with opposite polarity, the user will feel a rotational force away from the same-polarity magnets (due to their magnetic repulsion) and toward the opposite-polarity magnets (due to their magnetic attraction), the opposite polarity magnets attracting each other and pulling closure 500 into the closed position.

In some embodiments, closure 500 can include a latching member 900 and beverage container 100 can include a latch stop 350. As shown in FIG. 3, latching member 900 can engage latch stop 350 to hold closure 500 in the closed position. In some embodiments, closure 500 includes more than one latching member 900 and/or beverage container 100 includes more than one latch stop 350. Unless otherwise noted, the features described herein with respect to latching member 900 and/or latch stop 350 can apply to a single latching member 900 and/or a single latch stop 350, all latching members 900 and/or all latch stops 350 of drinking vessel 10, or a subset of latching members 900 and/or a subset of latch stops of drinking vessel 10.

In some embodiments, latching member 900 is movable (e.g., pivotable) between a latching position and an unlatched position. When closure 500 is in a closed position and latching member 900 is in its latching position (as shown in FIG. 3), latching member 900 and latch stop 350 retain closure 500 in the closed position. For example, as can be understood from FIG. 3, if closure 500 were moved away from drinking opening 302 (i.e., in the direction of arrow 40), latching member 900 and a top surface 352 of latch stop 350 would interfere, thereby inhibiting closure 500 from moving further away from drinking opening 302 in direction 40.

In some embodiments, a user can rotate closure 500 (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) away from the closed position to unlatch and remove closure 500 from beverage container 100. In some embodiments, in response to closure 500 rotating away from the closed position, latching member 900 moves toward the unlatched position. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a side surface 354 of latch stop 350 is ramped such that when side surface 940 of latching member 900 engages a side surface 354 of latch stop 350 (while rotating closure 500), the surfaces slide against each other, causing latching member 900 to pivot away from interior 505 of closure 500 and toward its unlatched position. Once latching member 900 is in its unlatched position, closure 500 can be removed from beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, closure 500 includes a locking member 1100 (shown in FIG. 10) so that, for example, a user does not inadvertently remove closure 500 from beverage container 100. As will be discussed, in some embodiments locking member 1100 mechanically inhibits movement of latching member 900 from its latching position, thereby inhibiting closure 500 from rotating away from the closed position or moving away from drinking opening 302 when locking member 1100 is in a locking position.

FIGS. 4-10 show detailed views of an embodiment for implementing some features as have been described. The specific structures and mechanisms shown and described (here and anywhere else in this document) may not be the only way to accomplish the functions described, and each element may be implemented using other shapes, structures, and appearances than specifically shown and described.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show exploded views of drinking vessel 10 according to some embodiments. As shown, drinking vessel 10 includes beverage container 100 and closure 500.

Beverage container 100 may include a container body 200, a spout 300, and magnet units 400.

Container body 200 may be any type of container body. Container body 200 may be generally cylindrical in shape (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 4 and 5) or have another exterior or interior shape. In some embodiments, container body 200 may be double-walled to enhance thermal insulative properties of container body 200. In some embodiments, an area between beverage container body 200′s double walls may be hermetically sealed and may form at least a partial vacuum. In some embodiments, container body 200 may be formed of stainless steel. In some embodiments, container body 200 may be formed of another food-grade material, such as a food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, the copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or another metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

Spout 300 may be formed as a separate component from container body 200, or may be formed integrally with container body 200. In embodiments in which spout 300 is formed as a separate component from container body 200, spout 300 may be attachable to container body 200. For example, spout 300 may include an attachment mechanism (e.g., a threaded connector, a friction fit connector, a snap-fit connector, or any other suitable releasable attachment mechanism), and container body 200 may include a corresponding attachment mechanism configured to engage with spout 300's attachment mechanism to removably attach spout 300 to container body 200.

Spout 300 may include a drinking opening 302 through which a user may drink a beverage contained within beverage container 100. In some embodiments, drinking opening 302 may be aligned with a central axis 20 of spout 300 (that is, central axis 20 may extend through drinking opening 302). In other embodiments, drinking opening 302 may be offset from central axis 20.

In some embodiments, spout 300 may include multiple drinking openings 302. For example, in some embodiments spout 300 may include a first drinking opening in fluid communication with an upper portion of an interior of container body 200, and a second drinking opening in fluid communication with a straw that extends into a lower portion of an interior of container body 200.

Spout 300 may be formed of food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, the copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

As mentioned, closure 500 may be attachable to beverage container 100 to close drinking opening 302. Closure 500 may include multiple components including closure body 600, magnet units 700, sealing member 800, latching member 900, biasing member 1000, and locking member 1100.

Closure body 600 may be formed in multiple pieces (e.g., an inner shell 610 and an outer shell 620), or may be formed as a single piece. In some embodiments, closure body 600 defines an interior space 505 to accommodate spout 300 of beverage container 100 when closure 500 is closed. In some embodiments, closure body 600 includes a top surface 630 and side walls 640. When closure 500 is attached to beverage container 100, side walls 640 of closure body 600 may at least partially enclose spout 300 such that side walls 640 inhibit dirt or debris from contacting an upper surface of spout 300 which a user is likely to contact when drinking from drinking vessel 10.

Closure body 600 may be formed of a single material or of multiple materials, including food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, the copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

Closure 500 may include sealing member 800 to seal drinking opening 302. The term seal as used here and elsewhere in this document does not necessarily require a perfect hermetic seal; rather a seal capable of inhibiting passage of liquid fluid is sufficient. In some embodiments, sealing member 800 is positioned such that when closure 500 is in a closed position, sealing member 800 is pressed against drinking opening 302 to seal drinking opening 302. Sealing member 800 may have any shape sufficient to seal drinking opening 302 when closure 500 is in a closed position. Sealing member 800 may be formed of a food-grade material suitable to create a seal around first drinking opening 310.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, beverage container 100 includes magnet units 400 and closure 500 includes magnet units 700 to removably attach closure 500 to beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, when closure 500 is in a closed position, magnetic attraction between at least one magnet unit 400 and at least one magnet unit 700 holds closure 500 in place relative to beverage container 100. For example, when closure 500 is in the closed position (shown, for example, in FIG. 6), each magnet unit 400 is positioned over a magnet unit 700 having the opposite polarity. The magnetic attraction between each magnet unit 400 and corresponding magnet unit 700 holds closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100. The magnetic attraction between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 may be strong enough to hold closure 500 in place when drinking vessel 10 is subjected to typical forces applied during normal use of drinking vessel 10 (e.g., when carrying drinking vessel 10 in a bag) but not so strong as to prevent a user from intentionally rotating closure 500 away from the closed position, as will be discussed in greater detail. For example, the magnetic force between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 may be at least 1 lb, at least 2 lbs, or at least 4 lbs when closure 500 is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, magnet units 400 can be positioned at or near a surface of beverage container 100 that mates with a surface of closure 500 when closure 500 is in the closed position. Similarly, in some embodiments, magnet units 700 can be positioned at or near a surface of closure 500 that mates with a surface of beverage container 100 when closure 500 is in the closed position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, closure 500 can include a downward facing rim 650 that is configured to be positioned above an upward facing platform 340 of beverage container 100 when closure 500 is in the closed position. Magnet units 400 can be positioned at or below a top surface of platform 340, and magnet units 700 can be positioned at or above rim 650. Positioning magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 at or near mating surfaces of beverage container 100 and closure 500 can, for example, position magnet units 400 close to magnet units 700 when closure 500 is in the closed position or when closure 500 is in the process of being closed. In this way, a magnetic field generated by magnet units 400 will be relatively strong at magnet units 700, compared to a magnetic field generated by magnet units 400 if magnet units 400 were further below the top surface of spout 300. Similarly, a magnetic field generated by magnet units 700 will be relatively strong at magnet units 400, compared to a magnetic field generated by magnet units 700 if magnet units 700 were further below the top surface of spout 300.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, a user can rotate closure 500 (e.g., in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction) away from the closed position to remove closure 500 from beverage container 100. In some embodiments, when closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, magnetic repulsion between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 pushes closure 500 away from beverage container 100, thereby opening closure 500. For example, when closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, magnet units 400 may no longer be positioned over magnet units 700 having the opposite polarity (for example, as shown in FIG. 7). Instead, magnet units 400 may increasingly interact with magnet units 700 that have the same polarity. The magnetic repulsion between each magnet unit 400 and interacting magnet units 700 of the same polarity pushes closure 500 away from beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, spout 300 may include one or more magnet covers 345 positioned over each magnet unit 400. Magnet cover 345 may be or include a low-friction surface. For example, magnet cover 345 may be formed of a material having a lower coefficient of static friction than the material forming portions of platform 340 that are not positioned over magnet units 400. In this way, closure 500 can more easily be rotated when in the closed position to detach closure 500 from beverage container 100. In some embodiments, magnet cover 345 is integrally formed with spout 300 (e.g., spout 300 may be molded in a first molding operation and magnet cover 345 may be formed in a second molding operation after magnet units 400 are joined with spout 300). In some embodiments, magnet covers 345 are instead or additionally provided on closure 500 below each magnet unit 700.

In some embodiments, magnet units 400 are joined with beverage container 100 by mechanical means (e.g., a press fit) and/or chemical bonding (e.g., by welding, adhesives, molding, or potting). In some embodiments, magnet units 700 are joined with closure 500 by mechanical means (e.g., a press fit) and/or chemical bonding (e.g., by welding, adhesives, molding, or potting).

In the illustrated embodiment, beverage container 100 includes four magnet units 400. However, beverage container 100 can include fewer or more magnets (e.g., two magnets, three magnets, five magnets, six magnets, seven magnets, or eight magnets). In the illustrated embodiment, closure 500 includes four magnet units 700. However, beverage container 100 can include fewer or more magnets (e.g., two magnets, three magnets, five magnets, six magnets, seven magnets, or eight magnets).

In the illustrated embodiment, the number of magnet units 400 is equal to the number of magnet units 700. However, the number of magnet units 400 can be greater than or less than the number of magnet units 700. In some embodiments, the number of magnet units 400 is twice the number of magnet units 700. For example, in some embodiments, beverage container 100 includes four magnet units 400 and closure 500 includes two magnet units 700. In some embodiments, the number of magnet units 400 is half the number of magnet units 700. For example, in some embodiments, beverage container 100 includes two magnet units 400 and closure 500 includes four magnet units 700.

In some embodiments, magnet units 400 are spaced along a circumference 110 of beverage container 100 and/or magnet units 700 are spaced along a circumference 510 of closure 500. For example, magnet units 400 may be positioned circumferentially around spout 300. Arranging magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 along a circumference of beverage container 100 and/or closure 500 can allow magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 to easily interact as closure 500 is rotated relative to beverage container 100.

In some embodiments, magnet units 400 are each positioned at a same distance from central axis 20 of drinking vessel 10. In some embodiments, magnet units 700 are each positioned at a same distance from central axis 20 of drinking vessel 10. In some embodiments, at least one magnet unit 400 (e.g., all magnet units 400) and at least one magnet unit 700 (eg., all magnet units 700) are each positioned at a same distance from central axis 20 of drinking vessel 10.

In some embodiments, magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 are arc-shaped. This shape may, for example, reduce the overall amount of material needed relative to other magnet shapes. In other embodiments, rectangular magnets may be used to form magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 instead of arc-shaped magnets. In such embodiments, rectangular magnets may be arranged in closely-adjacent groups so as to together approximate an individual arc-shaped magnet. For example, two or more magnets oriented with the same polarity positioned side-by-side with a slight angle between them may approximate the function of and a single arc-shaped magnet and can be used in place of any arc-shaped magnet described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 are arranged such that magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 are rotationally symmetric about central axis 20 of drinking vessel 10. Rotational symmetry as discussed herein relates to the physical arrangement of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 and does not necessarily account for the magnetic properties each magnet unit 400 and/or each magnet unit 700. In the illustrated embodiment, magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 have rotational symmetry of order four. However, magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 may have rotational symmetry of a higher or lower order. In the illustrated embodiment, magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 have rotational symmetry of an order equal to the number of magnets. However, in other embodiments, magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 may have rotational symmetry of an order less than the number of magnets.

In some embodiments, magnet units 400 are spaced equally along circumference 110 of beverage container 100, and magnet units 700 are spaced equally along circumference 510 of closure 500. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, magnet units 400 are spaced every 90 degrees along circumference 110 of beverage container 100, and magnet units 700 are spaced every 90 degrees along circumference 510 of closure 500. However, in other embodiments, magnet units 400, magnet units 700, or both are spaced closer together or father apart. In some embodiments, magnet units 400 are not spaced equally along circumference 110 of beverage container 100, magnet units 700 are not spaced equally along circumference 510 of closure 500, or both. In embodiments including magnet units each formed of multiple individual closely-adjacent magnets as described above, adjacent rectangular magnets forming a magnet unit are spaced more closely to each other than to any other magnet in the set of magnet units to which they belong.

In the illustrated embodiment, all magnet units 400 together have a total arc length of 180 degrees, and all magnet units 700 together have a total arc length of 180 degrees. As applied to arc-shaped or rectangular magnets (or other magnet shapes), arc length refers to the distance about a circle's circumference that is occupied by the magnets, defined in terms of an angle with its vertex at the center of the circle. For instance, magnets having a total arc length of 180 degrees means that half the circumference of the circle is occupied by magnets. However, magnet units 400 can have any suitable total arc length, and magnet units 700 can have any suitable total arc length. In some embodiments, magnet units 400 have a total arc length that is less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, magnet units 400 have a total arc length that is greater than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, magnet units 700 have a total arc length that is less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, magnet units 700 have a total arc length that is greater than 180 degrees.

In the illustrated embodiment, the total arc length of magnet units 400 is equal to the total arc length of magnet units 700. However, the total arc length of magnet units 400 can be greater than or less than the total arc length of magnet units 700. In some embodiments, the total arc length of magnet units 400 is twice the total arc length of magnet units 700. For example, in some embodiments, the total arc length of magnet units 400 is 90 degrees and the total arc length of magnet units 700 is 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the total arc length of magnet units 400 is half the total arc length of magnet units 700. For example, in some embodiments, the total arc length of magnet units 400 is 180 degrees and the total arc length of magnet units 700 is 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the total arc length of magnet units 400 is between half and twice the total arc length of magnet units 700.

The total arc length of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 can, for example, affect the attractive and repulsive forces between closure 500 and beverage container 100. Increasing the total arc length of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 can, for example, allow for greater attractive forces between magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 when closure 500 is in its closed position. Increasing the total arc length of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 can also, for example, result in greater overlap between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 as closure 500 is rotated such that magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 always either push closure 500 away from the closed position or pull closure 500 toward the closed position. That is, as closure 500 is rotated, there are not positions at which magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 do not interact to move closure. On the other hand, providing too small a spacing between magnet units of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units of magnet units 700 can, for example, make it difficult for a user to move closure 500 away from the closed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent magnets of magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 have opposite polarities. However, in other embodiments (e.g., in which the number of magnet units 400 is not equal to the number of magnet units 700), adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 need not have opposite polarities in order to achieve the desired attractive and repulsive forces. For example, in an embodiment in which the number of magnet units 400 is half the number of magnet units 700, adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 may have the same polarities, while adjacent magnet units of magnet units 700 may have opposite polarities. Depending on the relative number of magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 and on the desired attractive and repulsive behaviors of closure 500 and beverage container 100, adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 can have the same polarities; adjacent magnet units of magnet units 700 can have the same polarities; some adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 can have the same polarities; and/or some adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 can have opposite polarities.

For example, in embodiments in which the number of magnet units 400 is twice the number of magnet units 700, adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 may have opposite polarities, and adjacent magnet units of magnet units 700 may have the same polarity.

Magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 may be or include a permanent magnet. Magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 may be or include, for example, a rare-earth magnet, such as a neodymium magnet.

In some embodiments, beverage container 100 may include a single unitary (e.g., ring) magnet having portions with polarities corresponding to magnet units 400 described in this disclosure such that magnet units 400 may be formed together as part of a unitary (e.g., ring) magnet. In some embodiments, closure 500 may include a single unitary (e.g., ring) magnet having portions with polarities corresponding to magnet units 700 described in this disclosure such that magnet units 700 may be formed together as part of a unitary (e.g., ring) magnet.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, closure 500 includes one or more latching members 900 and beverage container 100 includes one or more latch stops 350 which engage to hold closure 500 in the closed position.

Latching member 900 may be coupled to closure base 600 of closure 500 and movable from an unlatched position in which latching members 900 are fully or mostly positioned within closure base 600 and a latching position in which latching members 900 extend into interior 505 of closure 500 (e.g., in a radially inward direction). Latch stops 350 may be formed, for example, in a wall of spout 300 of beverage container 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, beverage container 100 includes four latch stops 350, and closure 500 includes four latching members 900. However, beverage container 100 can include fewer or more latch stops (e.g., two latch stops, three latch stops, five latch stops, six latch stops, seven latch stops, or eight latch stops), and closure 500 can include fewer or more latching members (e.g., two latching members, three latching members, five latching members, six latching members, seven latching members, or eight latching members). In some embodiments, the number of latch stops 350 is equal to the number of latching members 900.

As shown in FIG. 4, latching member 900 may include a first abutment surface 910, and latch stop 350 may include an abutment surface 352 (e.g., top surface 352). As shown, for example, in FIG. 8, when closure 500 is in a closed position and latching member 900 is in a latching position, first abutment surface 910 of latching member 900 may be positioned at least partially under abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350. As a result, if closure 500 were moved away from beverage container 100 in direction 40, first abutment surface 910 would engage abutment surface 352, thereby inhibiting closure 500 from being moved farther in direction 40 and retaining closure 500 in the closed position. On the other hand, when closure 500 is in a closed position and latching member 900 is in an unlatched position (as shown, for example, in FIG. 9), first abutment surface 910 of latching member 900 is not positioned below abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350. Accordingly, if closure 500 is moved away from beverage container 100 in direction 40, abutment surface 910 does not interfere with abutment surface 352, and closure 500 is free to continue moving in direction 40.

As also shown in FIG. 4, latching member 900 may include a pivot 920, and closure base 600 (e.g., inner shell 610 of closure base 600) may include a pivot holder 660. When closure 500 is assembled, pivot 910 of latching member 900 may be received within pivot holder 660 of closure 600 such that latching member 900 is pivotable about pivot axis 50 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

Latching member 900 may be pivotable between its latching position (shown, for example, in FIG. 8) and its unlatched position (shown, for example, in FIG. 9). In some embodiments, the latching position of latching member 900 may correspond to a position in which latching member 900 extends into an interior 505 of closure 500, and the unlatched position may correspond to a position in which latching member 900 does not extend inward into interior 505 of closure 500 (or at least does not extend as far inward into interior 505 of closure 500 as it does in its latching position). For example, in the unlatched position latching members 900 may be rotated far enough away from interior 505 to not interfere with surfaces of latch stops 350 in the event that closure 500 is lifted off of spout 300 (e.g., in direction 40). In other words, first abutment surface 910 of latching member 900 does not vertically overlap with abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350 when latching member 900 is in the unlatched position and closure 500 is on spout 300.

In some embodiments, for example as shown in the illustrated embodiment, if closure 500 were moved away from beverage container 100 in direction 40, abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350 would apply a downward force to a portion of latching member 900 that is positioned radially inward and above pivot axis 50 of latching member 900. In turn, this force would cause latching member 900 to pivot radially inward toward the latched position, or at least stay in the latching position.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, latching member 900 is biased toward its latching position. In some embodiments, closure 500 includes a biasing member 1000 to bias latching member 900 toward its latching position. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, biasing member 1000 biases latching members 900 radially inward toward interior 505 of closure 500. In the illustrated embodiment, a single biasing member 1000 biases multiple latching member 900. However, in other embodiments, each latching member may be provided with an individual biasing member.

In some embodiments, biasing member 1000 may be annular. In some such embodiments, annular biasing member 1000 biases multiple latching members 900 toward their latching positions. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, annular biasing member 1000 is biased radially inward toward central axis 20 of drinking vessel 10, and biasing member 1000 contacts multiple latching members 900 at their outward facing surfaces, thereby pushing latching members 900 radially inward toward their latching positions. In some embodiments, as in the illustrated embodiment, annular biasing member 1000 contacts latching members 900 at portions located radially outward and above their respective latching member axes 50 such that a biasing force applied by annular biasing member 1000 causes latching members 900 to pivot about their latching members axes 50 toward their latching positions.

Biasing member 1000 may be formed of an elastic material or may be formed as a compression spring or tension spring.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, latch stops 350 may include a side surface 354, which may be ramped (i.e., angled relative to a radial direction 60 of drinking vessel 10). As a result, when closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, ramped surface 354 may engage latching member 900, thereby moving (pivoting) latching member 900 away from the interior of closure 500 and toward the unlatched position. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, as ramped surface 354 engages latching member 900, ramped surface 354 applies an outward force to a portion of latching member 900 that is positioned radially inward and above pivot axis 50. In turn, this force causes latching member 900 to pivot radially outward toward the unlatched position. In some embodiments, ramped surface 354 may be larger away from pivot axis 50 than it is near pivot axis 50 such that ramped surface 354 contacts latching member 900 farther from pivot axis 50, thereby allowing latching member 900 to more easily pivot toward the unlatched position. In the illustrated embodiment, side surface 354 is ramped. However, in other embodiments, a side surface 940 of latching member 900 may instead or additionally be ramped such that rotation of closure 500 causes latch stop 350 to slide against ramped side surface 940 of latching member 900 and thereby pivot latching member 900 away from its latched position.

In some embodiments, latch stops 350 are spaced along a circumference 115 of beverage container 100 and/or latching members 900 are spaced along a circumference 515 of closure 500.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, beverage container 100 includes multiple latch stops 350 and closure 500 includes multiple latching members 900. In some such embodiments, each latching member 900 can be engagable with any latch stop 350 to cause the interference and/or movement of latching member 900 described above.

In the illustrated embodiment, latch stops 350 and latching members 900 are arranged such that latch stops 350 and latching members 900 are rotationally symmetric about central axis 20 of drinking vessel 10. In the illustrated embodiment, latch stops 350 and latching members 900 have rotational symmetry of order four. However, latch stops 350 and/or latching members 900 may have rotational symmetry of a higher or lower order. In the illustrated embodiment, latch stops 350 are spaced equally along circumference 115 of beverage container 100, and latching members 900 are spaced equally along circumference 515 of closure 500. However, in some embodiments, latch stops 350 are not spaced equally along circumference 115 of beverage container 100, latching members 900 are not spaced equally along circumference 515 of closure 500, or both.

Latching member 900 may be formed of a food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, the copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

As mentioned, in some embodiments, closure 500 includes a locking member 1100 that selectively inhibits movement of latching member 900 away from the latching position, thereby inhibiting closure 500 from rotating away from the closed position and/or from moving away from drinking opening 302.

Locking member 1100 may be movable (e.g., rotatable) between an unlocked position (shown, for example, in FIG. 9), and a locking position (shown, for example, in FIG. 10). Locking member 1100 may be movable between its positions, for example, by engaging a portion of locking member 1100 (e.g., nub 1120) and sliding locking member 1100 (e.g., in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about a locking member axis 80).

When locking member 1100 is in the unlocked position, latching member 900 may be movable from the latching position to the unlatched position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, locking member 1100 may define an open space 1110, and when locking member 1100 is in the unlocked position (shown, for example, in FIG. 9), latching member 900 is aligned with open space 1110 and free to pivot into open space 1110. However, when locking member 1100 is in the locking position, latching member 900 may be inhibited from moving away from the latching position. For example, as shown in FIG. 10), when locking member 1100 is in the locking position, latching member 1100 does not align with open space 1110. As a result, if latching member 900 were pivoted toward the unlatched position, latching member 900 would encounter locking member 1100. This engagement would inhibit latching member 900 from further moving toward the unlatched position.

As mentioned, in some embodiments, locking member 1100 rotates about locking member axis 80 between its locking position and its unlocked position, and latching member 900 pivots about latching member axis 50 between the latching position and the unlatched position. In some embodiments locking member axis 80 and latching member axis 50 are orthogonal.

Locking member 1100 may be formed of a food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, the copolymer sold as Eastman Tritan, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

In some embodiments, drinking vessel 10 includes a strap 1200 coupled to beverage container 100 and/or closure 500. Strap 1200 may create a loop or other extension which a user can utilize to carry drinking vessel 10. Strap 1200 may be formed of a length of cord, cable, rope, chain, or other material. In some embodiments, carry loop 1200 may be a separate component from beverage container 100 and/or closure 500. In some embodiments, carry loop 500 may be integrally formed as part of beverage container 100 and/or closure 500.

FIGS. 6A-7 show relative positions of magnet units 400, magnet units 700, and portions of beverage container 100 and closure 500 during an opening operation in which closure 500 is rotated in a disengagement direction (e.g., counterclockwise).

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the relative positioning of magnet units 400, magnet units 700, and portions of beverage container 100 and closure 500 when closure 500 is in the closed position. When closure 500 is in the closed position, magnet unit 400a may interact with magnet unit 700a positioned over magnet unit 400a. In the illustrated embodiment, magnet unit 400a and magnet unit 700a are arranged such that a north pole of magnet unit 400a faces a south pole of magnet unit 700a. As a result, when closure 500 is in the closed position, magnet unit 400a applies a downward force on magnet unit 700a, thereby pulling closure 500 in direction 30 toward beverage container 100 and holding closure 500 relative to beverage container 100. This downward force may compress sealing member 800 between spout 300 and closure 500, thereby sealing drinking opening 302. Magnet units 400b/700b, magnet units 400c/700c, and magnet units 400c/400d may similarly interact to pull closure 500 in direction 30 toward beverage container 100.

In FIG. 7, closure 500 has been moved away from the closed position by rotating closure 500 in a counterclockwise direction relative to beverage container 100 (as viewed from the top of beverage container 100) about central axis 20. As shown, for example, in FIG. 7, when closure 500 is rotated to this position, magnet unit 700a may interact more strongly with magnet unit 400b than it does with magnet unit 400a. In the illustrated embodiment, magnet unit 400b and magnet unit 700a are arranged such that a south pole of magnet unit 400b faces a south pole of magnet unit 700a. As a result, when closure 500 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, magnet unit 400b applies an upward force on magnet unit 700a, thereby pushing closure 500 in a direction opposite direction 30 (away from beverage container 100 and opening closure 500). Magnet units 400c/700b, magnet units 400d/700c, and magnet units 400a/400d may similarly interact to push closure 500 away from beverage container 100.

In FIG. 7, closure 500 has moved sixty degrees from the closed position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. However, in other embodiments, magnet units 400 and/or magnet units 700 may be configured such that closure 500 is rotated more or less than shown in the figures to a position at which magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 interact as described.

FIGS. 8-10 are perspective cross-sectional views showing relative positions of certain components of drinking vessel 10 during operation.

FIG. 8 shows drinking vessel 10 with closure 500 in a closed position, and latching member 900 in a latching position. In this position, first abutment surface 910 of latching member 900 is positioned at least partially under abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350. As a result, if closure 500 were moved away from beverage container 100 in direction 40, first abutment surface 910 would abut abutment surface 352, thereby inhibiting closure 500 from being moved farther in direction 40, thereby retaining closure in the closed position and keeping drinking vessel 10 sealed.

In FIG. 9, closure 500 has been moved away from the closed position by rotating closure 500 relative to beverage container 100. In traveling to the position of FIG. 9, locking member 900 rotated relative to beverage container 100 and thus relative to latch stop 350. As ramped surface 352 of latch stop 350 encountered latching member 900, ramped surface 352 pushed outward on latching member 900, thereby causing latching member 900 to move toward its unlatched position and at least partially into open space 1100 provided in locking member 1100. With latching member 900 in the unlatched position shown in FIG. 9, first abutment surface 910 of latching member 900 is not positioned below abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350. Accordingly, if closure 500 is moved away from beverage container 100 in direction 40, first abutment surface 910 does not interfere with abutment surface 352, and closure 500 is free to continue moving in direction 40 to open closure 500.

In FIG. 10, drinking vessel 10 is shown with closure 500 in a closed position, and latching member 900 in a latching position as in FIG. 8. However, in FIG. 10, locking member 1100 has been rotated from the unlocked position shown in FIG. 8 to the locking position. When drinking vessel 10 is in the locking position shown in FIG. 10, first abutment surface 910 of latching member 900 is positioned at least partially under abutment surface 352 of latch stop 350. As a result, if closure 500 were moved away from beverage container 100 in direction 40, abutment surface 910 would contact abutment surface 352, thereby inhibiting closure 500 from being moved farther in direction 40. Moreover, if closure 500 were rotated away from the closed position (e.g., by rotating closure 500 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction), latching member 900 would not be free to pivot into open space 1110 as ramped surface 352 of latch stop 350 pushes latching member 900 outward because latching member 900 does not align with open space 1110. Instead, second abutment surface 930 (e.g., an outer portion of latching member 900) would contact locking surface 1130 of locking member 1100 (e.g., an inner portion of locking member 900), thereby inhibiting movement of latching member 900 away from the latching position. In turn, this inhibits closure 500 from rotating away from the closed position and/or from moving away from drinking opening 302.

As mentioned, the magnetic closing mechanism and the latching mechanism described herein are independently beneficial as well as beneficial when used together, and some embodiments may include one and not the other, in addition to embodiments that include both.

In some embodiments that include both the magnetic closing mechanism and the latching mechanism described herein, when closure 500 is in the closed position, magnetic attraction between at least one magnet unit 400 and at least one magnet unit 700 holds closure 500 in place relative to beverage container 100, and latching members 505 extend into latch stops 350 to further hold closure 500 in place relative to beverage container 100. In some such embodiments, when closure 500 is in the closed position, each magnet unit 400 may be positioned over a magnet unit 700 having the opposite polarity. The use of the two mechanisms together may, for example, provide a more secure attachment of closure 500 to beverage container 100 than either mechanism would provide alone. For example, the magnetic connection between closure 500 and beverage container 100 may provide a strong downward force (e.g., in a direction opposite direction 40) to seal drinking opening 302 but the connection may be somewhat sensitive to rotational forces about central axis 20. On the other hand, the latching connection between closure 500 and beverage container 100 may resist rotational forces (when locked) but may allow some movement in direction opposite direction 40).

In some embodiments that include both the magnetic closing mechanism and the latching mechanism described herein, when a user rotates closure 500 (e.g., in a counterclockwise direction) away from the closed position, the rotation causes latching members 900 to move toward their unlatched positions and also causes magnetic repulsion between magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 (e.g., by causing magnet units 400 to increasingly interact with magnet units 700 that have the same polarity). In this way, rotation of closure 500 releases the latching mechanism and also causes closure 500 to be pushed away from beverage container 100, thereby opening closure 500.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention as contemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit the present invention and the appended claims in any way.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

DRINKING VESSEL WITH MAGNETIC CLOSURE MECHANISM AND LATCHING CLOSURE MECHANISM

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