STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
“Not Applicable”
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK
“Not Applicable”
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to drinking vessels and more particularly to lid assemblies for mounting on vessels holding beverages to enable a user to drink or pour the beverage through the lid assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many double walled drinking vessels are commercially available from various sources, including Tervis Tumbler Company (hereinafter “Tervis Tumbler”), the assignee of this invention. Such vessels typically are formed of an inner vessel located within and spaced from outer vessel by an annular air or vacuum space to thermally insulate the inner vessel from the ambient atmosphere. A lid is commonly provided for releasable mounting on the vessel to seal the contents of the beverage (hot or cold) within the vessel, while enabling the user to drink or pour the beverage through the lid without removing it when desired. For example, Tervis Tumbler currently sells a line of travel lids, each of which includes a slidable cover or slider that when opened provides access to a port in communication with the interior of the vessel through which the user can drink or pour the beverage. A vent hole is provided in the lid to enable air to enter into the vessel as the user drinks from the vessel through the port or pours the beverage from the port. In particular, the Tervis Tumbler travel lids include a vent hole on the centerline of the slider which when the slider is in an open position is aligned with a vent hole in the lid so that air can enter into the vessel through the aligned vent holes. While those travel lids are suitable for their intended purposes, they may have a tendency for the beverage within the vessel to “spit” or “leak” through the vent holes. Moreover, since the vent hole in the slider is on the centerline of the slider, it may be blocked by the user's nose contacting it when the user drinks from the vessel through the lid. Accordingly, there is a need to overcome those drawbacks as well as other drawbacks of the prior art. The subject invention addresses those needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of this invention a lid assembly is provided for releasable mounting on a drinking vessel having a hollow body bounding an internal cavity configured for receipt of a beverage to enable a user to drink through the lid assembly. The hollow body has an annular rim at a top edge thereof. The lid assembly comprises a lid and a slider. The lid comprises a top wall and a peripheral sidewall extending about the top wall. The top wall includes a port in communication with the internal cavity when the lid assembly is mounted on the vessel. The top wall also includes a vent hole in communication with the internal cavity when the lid assembly is mounted on the vessel. The slider is located at the top wall and is slidably connected thereto along a longitudinal axis between a closed state and an open state, and vice versa. The slider, when in the closed state, seals the port and when in the opened state exposes the port, whereupon a person can drink the beverage through the port. The slider includes a portion sealing the vent hole when the slider is in the closed state and a portion exposing the vent hole when the slider is in the opened state. The slider includes a slot extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and is configured such that any beverage or steam attempting to exit through the vent hole when the slider is in the open state is channeled by the slot away from the face of the user as the user drinks the beverage from the port.
In accordance with one preferred aspect of the lid assembly the vent hole is located in the top wall remote from the port and laterally of the longitudinal axis.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the lid assembly the lid comprises a peripheral sidewall extending about the top wall. The peripheral sidewall has a top edge located above the top wall and an inner surface tapering downward from the top edge to the top wall. The inner surface merges with top wall at gently curved interface.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the lid assembly a detent mechanism is provided for holding the slider in either the closed state or the opened state.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the lid assembly the slider includes an outer surface in the form of a depression configured for engagement by the finger of a user to facilitate the sliding of the slider between the closed state and the opened state, and vice versa.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the lid assembly the slider is releasably secured to the top wall of the lid.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the lid assembly the top wall includes at least one slot extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the slider includes an undersurface having at least one tab projecting downward therefrom. The at least one tab is configured for releasable receipt within the at least one slot, whereupon when the tab is within the at least one slot the slider is enabled to slide along the at least one slot to carry the slider between the closed state and the open state, and vice versa.
In accordance with another preferred aspect of the lid assembly the least one tab includes a cam surface which enables the tab to be snap-fit within the at least one slot to prevent it from coming out of that slot, thereby preventing the slider from being accidentally disconnected from the top wall.
Another aspect of this invention constitutes the combination of a drinking vessel and a lid assembly. The drinking vessel comprises a hollow body bounding an internal cavity. The hollow body has an annular rim at a top edge thereof. The lid assembly is constructed as set forth above and configured to be releasably secured to the top edge of the drinking vessel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of exemplary drinking vessel and a lid assembly constructed in accordance with this invention for releasable mounting on the drinking vessel, with the lid assembly including a lid and a slider, with the slider shown in its closed state on the lid;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1, but with the lid assembly being shown with its slider in its open state;
FIG. 3 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 2 but showing only lid;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the slider showing the configuration of its top surface;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of the slider;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged end elevation view of the slider;
FIG. 7 is an even more enlarged isometric view of the slider showing details of its undersurface;
FIG. 8 is an isometric sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged isometric sectional view of the lid taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged isometric sectional view of the lid taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged isometric sectional view of the lid taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the lid shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the lid assembly showing the slider in the closed state; and
FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the lid assembly like that of FIG. 12, but showing the slider in the open state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at 20 in FIG. 1 one exemplary embodiment of the combination a drinking vessel 22 and a lid assembly 24 constructed in accordance with this invention. The drinking vessel is configured holding a beverage, e.g., a hot beverage, therein. The lid assembly is configured for releasable securement to the vessel to close off the top of the vessel, while enabling a person to drink the beverage through the lid assembly or to pour the beverage through the lid assembly, when desired. Moreover, as will be described later, the lid assembly includes a vent hole to permit air to enter the vessel while a person is drinking from the vessel through the lid assembly or pouring the beverage out of the vessel through the lid assembly.
It should be pointed out at this juncture that the particular lid assembly 24 shown and described herein is merely exemplary. Thus, other lid assemblies can be constructed in accordance with this invention. Moreover, the drinking vessel 22 shown and described hereinafter is exemplary of numerous vessels with which the lid assembly of the subject invention can be used.
As can be seen in FIG. 1 the vessel 22 is in the form of a tumbler that is similar in construction to those conventional 16 oz. insulated decorative tumblers sold by Tervis Tumbler. The tumbler 22 basically comprises an assembly of a hollow outer body or vessel 22A and a hollow inner body or vessel 22B which are fixedly secured together. The outer vessel 22A is a hollow member having a sidewall which is a body of revolution extending about a central longitudinal axis A. The outer vessel can be formed in any manner, e.g., it can be blow molded or injection molded of any suitable plastic material, e.g., a clear plastic material, such as Eastman Tritan™ copolyester sold by Eastman Chemical Company. The hollow inner vessel 22B is also a hollow member having a sidewall which is a body of revolution extending about the central longitudinal axis A. The inner vessel can also be formed in any manner, e.g., it can be blow molded or injection molded of any suitable plastic material (e.g., the same plastic material as the vessel 22A or some other material).
The top portion 22C of the sidewall of the inner vessel 22B is thickened to form the annular rim of the vessel 22 and is undercut on its outer surface for engagement with the top edge of the outer vessel 22A when the inner vessel is located within the outer vessel. The inner and outer vessels are secured together by a welded, e.g., ultrasonically welded, joint at the interface where the undercut surface of the top portion 22C of the inner vessel meets the top surface of the outer vessel. While not shown in the drawing, the outer diameter of the outer surface of the portion 22C is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the top edge of the outer vessel to create a slight undercut surface thereat. This undercut surface is arranged to be engaged by a small annular ridge (to be described later) of the lid assembly to facilitate the releasable securement of the lid assembly on the vessel 22.
With the inner vessel 22A located within the outer vessel the outer surface of the inner vessel is disposed opposite and confronting the inner surface of the outer vessel, but is spaced slightly therefrom to form an annular thermally insulating space 26 therebetween. Thus, the inner vessel 22B, which is arranged to hold a hot beverage in its internal cavity 22D, is thermally insulated from the ambient atmosphere. If desired, and if at least the outer vessel is transparent, like shown in FIG. 1 (or if the outer vessel includes a transparent window), a decorative wrap (not shown) or some other decorative item may be located within the insulating space 26 to be visible through the outer wall or window to enhance the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the vessel.
The lid assembly 24 basically comprises a lid 28 and a slider 30. The lid 28 is an integral unit formed of any suitable material, e.g., polypropylene, and includes a planar top wall 32 and a peripheral sidewall 34 extending about the top wall. The top wall is planar and of generally circular profile. The top wall includes an opening or port 36 adjacent the front of the lid. The port 36 is located on a central longitudinal axis B (FIGS. 13 and 14) of the lid. The axis B extends from the front 38 of the lid to the rear 40 of the lid. The port 36 is in fluid communication with the internal cavity 22D of the vessel 22 and serves to enable a person to drink or pour the beverage through it. Drinking is accomplished by the user placing his or her lips on the portion of the peripheral sidewall 34 located adjacent the port 36.
The slider 30 of the lid assembly serves to close off the port 36 to keep the beverage within the vessel until access to the beverage via the port is desired. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4-8, the slider 30 is a somewhat elongated member having a pair of linear side edges 30A and 30B, and a pair of arcuate end edges 30C and 30D. The slider 30 is located within a somewhat elongated recess 42 (FIGS. 3 and 9-11) in the top wall 32. The recess 42 is centered on and extends along the longitudinal axis B and includes a front arcuate edge 42C, a rear arcuate edge 42D, and a pair of linear side edges 42A and 42B. The shape of each of the arcuate end edges 42C and 42D of the recess 42 is the same as the shape of the arcuate end edges 30C and 30D of the slider. The length of the recess 42 is longer than the length of the slider. The slider is located within the recess and slidable therealong between an open position or state, like shown in FIG. 2, whereupon the port 36 is exposed, and a closed position or state, like shown in FIG. 1, whereupon the port is covered or closed.
The outer or upper surface of the slider 30 is ergonomically designed to facilitate the sliding of the slider to either the closed or opened position by a finger of the user. To that end as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper surface of the slider is undulated, e.g., in the form of a pair of convex arcuate ridges 30E and 30F and a concave arcuate depression or valley 30G interposed between the ridges. The ridges and the depression extend transversely to the longitudinal axis B. The depression 30G and a contiguous portion of the ridge 30E are configured for engagement by a finger of the user to slide the slider 30 to the closed position. Similarly, the depression 30G and a contiguous portion of the ridge 30F is configured for engagement by a finger of the user to slide the slider to the opened position. Thus, the undulating top surface of the slider provides more stability for moving the slider to the open or closed position than does a flat or planar slider, such as that found in the prior art Tervis Tumbler travel lids.
The slider 30 is releasably secured within the recess 42 by a pair of linear walls 44. The walls 44 are in the form of two short length tabs that project downward from the underside of the slider. The walls are configured to be releasably received within respective ones of a pair of linear slots 46 in the recess 42. The slots 46 extend parallel to and along the central longitudinal axis B of the lid on opposite sides of that axis and are spaced from each other by the spacing between the walls 44. As best seen in FIGS. 6-8 each wall 44 includes an outwardly projecting flanged cam surface 44A that enables each wall to be snap-fit within its associated slot 46 to prevent it from coming out of that slot, thereby preventing the slider 30 from being accidentally disconnected from the lid. The slider can be readily removed from the lid when desired, e.g., for cleaning the lid assembly. The removal of the slider is accomplished by squeezing the bottom ends of the walls 44 together so that the outwardly projecting flanged cam surface 44A of each wall is within the outer edge portion of its associated slot 46, whereupon the slider is freed and can be lifted out of the recess 42. The slider can be reconnected within the recess 42 by merely inserting the bottom edge of its walls 44 into the slots 46 and pressing downward, whereupon the cam surface 44A of each of those walls will ride over the outer edge portion of the associated slots flexing the walls toward each other until the cam surfaces clear those edges of the slots, whereupon the walls will snap back into place thereby holding the walls within the slots.
It should be pointed out at this juncture that the slider 30 is reversible. In particular, it can be connected within the recess 42 so that its arcuate end edge 30C engages the front edge 42C of the recess when the slider is in the closed state, or can be connected within the recess 42 so that its arcuate edge 30D engages the front edge 42C of the recess when the slider is in the closed state.
As best seen in FIG. 12, the bottom edge 34A of the peripheral sidewall 34 is planar, whereas the top edge 34B of that sidewall changes elevation along its periphery. In particular, the top edge of the sidewall is of a higher elevation above the bottom edge at the front 38 of the lid to serve as the drinking lip of the lid assembly. A tab, to be described later, projects outward from the rear of the lid assembly 24 and serves as a means for removing the lid assembly from the vessel. As best seen in FIG. 9, the top wall 32 of the lid tilts or slopes downward in the direction toward the front of the lid and hence toward the port 36. As best seen in FIGS. 9-11, the portion of the surface of the peripheral sidewall 34 from its top edge 34B to the periphery of the planar top wall 32 tapers inward to form an inner funnel-shaped surface 34C. The funnel-shaped surface 34C merges with the periphery of the top wall 32 at gently curved or large radius interface 34D (best seen in FIG. 11). Accordingly, if any beverage should gain access to the top wall it will flow down the downwardly tilted top wall guided by the curved interface to be directed back into the port when the slider is in the open state. This action prevents puddling of any beverage on the lid. Moreover, the relatively large radius of curvature of the interface 34D enables the lid to be readily cleaned, i.e., it doesn't form a narrow crease in which liquid debris or “gunk” could accumulate and be difficult to remove when cleaning the lid. Hence, the lid assembly of this invention offers an improvement over the prior art Tervis Tumbler travel lids since they make use of a relatively tight crease or corner in which such liquid debris or gunk can get caught, thereby rendering such prior art lids more difficult to clean when they get dirty.
As mentioned earlier, the lid assembly 20 includes a vent to enable air to enter the vessel when the beverage is drank or poured out of the port 36. That vent is in the form of a small hole or aperture 48 in the lid 28. In particular, as best seen in FIGS. 3, 10, 13 and 14 the vent hole 48 is located in the recess 42 laterally of the central longitudinal axis B adjacent the end of one of the slots 46 so that it will be covered and closed by the underside of the slider when the slider is in the closed state. The slider includes two slots or channels 50A and 50B. The channel 50A extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis B from the side edge 30A and is located slightly beyond the center of the slider towards the end edge 30C. The slot or channel 50B extends transversely to the central axis B from the side edge 30B and is located slightly beyond center of the slider towards the end edge 30D. The distance between each slot and the longitudinal center of the slider is the same. Depending upon the orientation of the slider within the recess 42, i.e., which end edge 30C or 30D of the slider is facing the front 38 of the lid when the slider is mounted within the recess 42, either the channel 50A or the channel 50B will be in fluid communication with the vent hole 48. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the slider is mounted in the recess 42 so that its end edge 30C is directed towards the front 38 of the lid, the slot 50B will be in fluid communication with the vent hole 48 when the slider is in the open state. Thus, any steam or liquid that may attempt to exit from the vent hole 48 when the slider is in the open state will be directed down the slot or channel 50B to exit the lid assembly at the side edge 42B of the recess, i.e., at the narrow space forming the interface between the side of the slider and the side of the recess. This is of considerable importance since that steam or liquid will be directed laterally away from the central longitudinal axis B and hence away from the face of the user when the user drinks from the vessel. Moreover, since the slot or channel 50A or 50B, as the case may be, is directed laterally to that narrow space forming the interface between the side of the slider and the side of the recess, when the user brings the front of the lid assembly to his/her mouth, with the slider 30 being in the open position to drink through the port 36, his/her nose will not block the vent from enabling air to enter into the vessel. In particular, air will enter into the interface between the side of the slider and the side of the recess from whence it will flow into the associated slot or channel 50A or 50B, as the case may be, and from there through the vent hole 48 into the interior 22D of the vessel 22.
As can be seen in FIGS. 11, 13 and 14 an annular recess 52 is located under the top wall 32 of the lid and within the bounds of the peripheral sidewall 34. The recess serves as the means for releasably mounting the lid assembly 24 onto the rim 22C of the vessel 22. In particular, as can be seen in FIG. 11 the annular recess 52 includes a small annular ridge 54 extending thereabout from the inner surface of the sidewall 34. The ridge 54 is arranged to engage the slightly undercut outer surface of the vessel 22 below its rim 22C to enable the lid assembly 24 to be releasably snap-fit onto the rim of the vessel 22 when the rim of the vessel is within the annular recess 52.
As mentioned earlier the lid includes a tab for facilitating the removal of the lid assembly from the vessel. That tab is best seen in FIG. 12 and is in the form of a rounded projection 56 that projects outward from the rear 40 of the peripheral sidewall 34. The tab includes an outer surface which curves outward and downward from intermediate position between the sidewall's top edge 34B and its bottom edge 34A and terminates at the bottom edge. The tab extends about a substantial portion of the periphery of the sidewall 34 and merges into the circular periphery of the sidewall 30 at a point approaching the middle of the lid assembly. Due to the size shape and placement of the tab it functions better ergonomically to enable a user to more easily remove the lid assembly from the vessel as compared to the small flat tab that is found in the current Tervis Tumbler travel lids.
In accordance with one preferred aspect of this invention, the lid assembly is designed so that the slider 30 is preferably in either its open or closed state, and not in some partially opened state, since partial opening may present a hazard that the beverage within the vessel could spill out of the partially opened port unexpectedly. To that end, the lid assembly includes a detent mechanism for holding the slider in either the closed state or the opened state. The detent mechanism basically comprises a pair of rounded recesses 58A and 58B (FIGS. 9 and 10) and a rounded projection 60 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The recesses are located within a wall portion 58 interposed between the slots 46 in the recess 42. In particular, the rounded recess 58A is located within that wall portion 58 close to the forward end of the slots 46, i.e., close to the port 36, and extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis B. The rounded recess 58B is located close to the rear end of those slots and also extends transversely to the central longitudinal axis B. The rounded projection 60 is elongated and shaped somewhat like a “speed bump”. The projection 60 extends transversely to the longitudinal central axis B and is located on the undersurface of the slider between the walls or tabs 44. The projection is arranged to somewhat snap-fit within the recess 58A when the slider is in the closed state, and to snap-fit within the recess 58B when the slider is in the open state. Thus, when the user of the vessel slides the slider to the open position there will be some tactile feedback to the user when the projection 60 enters (snaps) into recess 58B. Similarly, when the user slides the slider to the closed position there will be some tactile feedback when the projection 60 enters (snaps) into recess 58A.
As should be appreciated by those skilled in the art the lid assemblies of this invention have particular utility as a travel lid. However, they can be used for any application wherein they will be mounted on a vessel or container holding a beverage to enable a user to drink or pour the beverage through the lid, whether the vessel or container is insulated or not. Moreover, various changes can be made to the lid assembly within the teachings of this invention. For example, the slider need not be configured to be reversibly mountable. In such a case, the slider would only need to include one channel or slot for communication with the vent hole when the slider is in the open state. Further still, the lid may include a pair of appropriately placed vent holes, so that when the slider is in the open position or state one of the slots or channels is in communication with one of the vent holes, while the other one of those slots or channels is in communication with the other of the vent holes. Moreover, the lid assembly may not make use of a detent mechanism to hold the slider in either the closed or opened position. If a detent mechanism is desired it can be constructed differently than that described above. Thus, for example, the components making up the detent mechanism can be reversed, i.e., the slider may include the rounded recesses and the lid may include the rounded projection. Many other changes can be made to the structure of the lid assembly than those described above, yet still be within the teachings of this invention.
Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate our invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.
Patent Application
20180014671
