Patent Grant
10993562
Not Applicable.
The present invention relates generally to drinking containers, and more particularly to sealing mechanisms and trigger mechanisms for opening and closing orifices of drinking containers.
Drinking containers, including travel mugs, are well known in the art. While such drinking containers according to the prior art provide a number of advantageous features, they nevertheless have certain limitations. The present invention seeks to overcome certain of these limitations and other drawbacks of the prior art, and to provide new features not heretofore available. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention generally provides a drinking container. According to one embodiment the drinking container has a container body and a lid removably covering a cavity of the drinking container. The lid has a plurality of apertures, closures for each of the apertures, and a trigger mechanism operates the various aperture closures.
According to another embodiment, the lid has a drink aperture and a separate vent aperture. Additionally, a shutter is provided to operably close and open access to the cavity of the container body through the drink aperture, and a vent seal is provided to operably close and open access to the cavity of the container body through the vent aperture.
According to another embodiment, the trigger mechanism is mechanically connected to the shutter and the vent seal. The trigger mechanism independently moves the shutter and the vent seal from a closed position to an open position, the shutter operating to operably close and open access to the cavity through the drink aperture, and the vent seal operating to operably close and open access to the cavity through the vent aperture.
According to another embodiment, the trigger mechanism has an actuation stroke. Preferably, the vent seal is initially actuated during a first portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger mechanism, and the shutter is initially actuated during a second portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger mechanism. Accordingly, a built-in delay is provided for opening the shutter to allow any internal pressure to be initially released through the vent aperture.
According to another embodiment, the shutter remains in a closed position during the first portion of the actuation stroke of the trigger.
According to another embodiment, a trigger of the trigger mechanism comprises a push-button actuated actuator extending from the lid. In one embodiment, actuation of a trigger button in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the container body causes the shutter and the vent seal to transition to an open position.
According to another embodiment, the trigger can be transitioned from a first position to a second position. Preferably, the shutter and the vent seal are in the closed position when the trigger is in the first position, and the shutter and the vent seal are in the open position when the trigger is in the second position.
According to another embodiment, the shutter and the vent seal are normally positioned in the closed position. Accordingly, in this embodiment actuation of the trigger mechanism transitions the shutter and vent seal to the open position.
According to another embodiment, the drinking container has a vent chamber between the vent seal and the vent aperture. The vent chamber has a cross-sectional perimeter greater than a cross-sectional perimeter of the vent aperture. In one embodiment, the trigger extends partially through the vent chamber.
According to another embodiment, the drinking container has a vent aperture deflector plate. The deflector plate is provided adjacent the vent aperture and directs vapor being expelled out of the vent aperture transverse to a longitudinal axis of the container body.
According to another embodiment, the drinking container has a trigger seal opposing the vent seal. The trigger seal seals the joint between the trigger and an exterior of the lid.
According to another embodiment, the drinking container has a spring member exerting a force on the trigger to move the trigger from a second position, where the shutter and vent seal are open, to a first position, where the shutter and vent seal are closed.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
Referring now to the Figures, and specifically to
As best shown in the exploded view of
Referring to
As is explained herein, the outer wall component 26 also has a recess or depression 36 generally corresponding to the depression 34 in the inner wall component 24. It is understood that in such an embodiment it is not necessary that both the inner wall component 24 and outer wall component 26 have a depression 36 to create the recess 22 in the container body 12, however, to allow for preferred nesting of the depressions 34, 36 in the inner wall component 24 and outer wall component 26, which in at least one embodiment results in minimizing the thickness of the cavity 28 between the inner wall component 24 and outer wall component 26 and maximizing the volume of the liquid receptacle 16, such a configuration is preferred. As shown in
Referring again to
As shown in
In one embodiment the body panel 50 serves a plurality of purposes, including providing a stop for the trigger assembly 20, providing a filler to fill the second portion 48 of the outer depression 36 to decrease cost and increase the ease of manufacturability of the outer wall component 26, and providing improved aesthetics for the container. The body panel 50 is generally fixed to the outer wall component 26 via a panel weldment 52 (see
Referring again to the inner wall component 24 of the container body 12, in a preferred embodiment first and second circumferential rings 54, 56 are provided in the sidewall 30 adjacent the opening 31 to the liquid receptacle 16 (See
As shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the lower generally cylindrical portion 64 of the body insert 60 is preferably pressed through the opening 31 in the inner wall component 24 and partially into the liquid receptacle 16 of the inner wall component 24. As the body insert 60 is being pressed into its proper position the shoulder 68 on the lower generally cylindrical portion 64 will generally snap into place in the first circumferential ring 54. The second circumferential ring 56 engages a lower portion of the shoulder 68 to operate as stop, thereby assisting in properly seating the body insert 60 and preventing the body insert 60 from being inserted too far into the liquid receptacle 16. Further, an upper leg 70 of the first circumferential ring 54 engages an upper portion of the shoulder 68 to prevent the body insert 60 from being removed or disengaged from the inner wall component 24. Once connected to the container body 12, the body insert 60 is preferably permanently fixed in place.
Referring again to
As explained above, the flange 66 extends from a perimeter of the body insert 60 between the upper generally cylindrical portion 62 and the lower generally cylindrical portion 64. In one embodiment, the flange 66 has a first surface 78 that engages the gasket 72 between the body insert 60 and the inner wall component 24, and a second surface 80 that engages the lip of the outer wall component 26 adjacent the first opening 42 of the outer wall component 26, and is positioned between the container body 12 and the lid assembly 14 when the lid assembly 14 is fitted on the container body 12. As shown in
The flange 66 has a perimeter that generally mirrors the perimeter of the lid assembly 14 of the container 10. Accordingly, as shown in
After the body insert 60 is seated in the inner wall component 24 and the inner wall component 24 is fitted into the hollow interior of the outer wall component 26 such that the second surface 80 of the flange 66 engages the lip of the outer wall component 26, the inner wall component 24 can be fixed to the outer wall component 26.
To fixedly join the inner wall component 24 to the outer wall component 26 in a preferred embodiment, a variety of components and/or fasteners are utilized, such as a wall nut 88, a base 90 and a fastener 92. Referring to
After the cavity 28 is filled with foam insulation the bottom member 102 of the container body 12 is connected to the outer wall component 26. In one embodiment, the bottom member 102 has a cup-like configuration. The bottom member 102 operates to conceal the base 90 and the affixing components that connect the inner and outer wall components 24, 26, as well as concealing the apertures in the base 90. The sidewall 104 of the bottom member 102 is secured, typically via ultrasonic welding, to the outer portion of the sidewall 38 of the outer wall component 26 to complete the container body 12.
Referring again to the body insert 60 as shown in
Further, while the body insert 60 is generally made of a plastic material, in one embodiment the body insert 60 is made of a thermoplastic material which changes color as the liquid in the liquid receptacle 16 of the container 10 changes temperature. Accordingly, the user will be alerted as to the approximate temperature category of the liquid contents of the container 10. For example, in one embodiment the body insert 60 is orange at room temperature, but changes to white as its temperature increases. In use the body insert 60 will change to white when the temperature of the liquid contents is approximately greater than 120° F. As the temperature of the liquid contents decreases the orange color of the body insert 60 will intensify until the body insert 60 becomes, as in one embodiment, an orange color. Thus, in such an embodiment when the body insert 60 is an orange color it is an indication to the user that the temperature of the liquid contents is approximately 90° F. or less.
As shown in
Referring to
After the body panel 50 is seated in place the trigger assembly 20 can be connected to the container 10. In one embodiment, however, a portion of the trigger assembly 20 is preassembled prior to connecting the trigger assembly 20 to the container 10. To accomplish the preassembly of this trigger assembly 20, the trigger plate 114 is first fixed to the trigger member 110. In a preferred embodiment the trigger member 110 is made of a plastic material, such as ABS, and the trigger plate 114 is made of stainless steel.
As shown in
In one embodiment, the receiver 132 of the trigger member 110 comprises a mating portion of the trigger member 110 into which a portion of the pusher lever 112 is inserted to mate the pusher lever 112 with the trigger member 110. As shown in
As best shown in
As explained above, the pusher lever 112 is connected to the trigger member 110 by inserting the pins 142 of the pusher lever 112 into the receiver 132 on the trigger member 110. In this embodiment, however, the pusher lever 112 can still pivot about the axis of the pins 142 within the receiver 132 of the trigger member 110. After the pusher lever 112 is connected to the trigger member 110 the trigger assembly 20 can be connected to the container body 12. To connect the trigger assembly 20 to the container body 12 the stop 136 at the second end 122 of the trigger member 110 is fitted in a recessed slot 154 on the top of the body panel 50; the engaging member 146 of the pusher lever 112 is fitted through the aperture 87 in the flange 66 of the body insert 60; and the ears 134 on the trigger member 110 are connected in a pivotal relationship within the pivot retainers 89 extending from a lower surface of the flange 66 of the body insert 60. Accordingly, referring to
In an alternate embodiment, the first end 120 of the trigger 110 may be pushed radially inward toward the longitudinal recess 22 to pivot the second end 122 of the trigger 110 outward from the container body 12 and to thereby provide a hook for sliding a strap, belt or some other member between the container body 12 and trigger 110 for retaining the container 10 thereto.
Referring now to
In a preferred embodiment as shown in
The generally cylindrical extension 172 protruding downwardly from the lower surface 173 of the base member 170 is utilized to mate the lid assembly 14 to the container body 12. A mating member 190, which in one embodiment is an external thread 190 on the outer surface of the cylindrical extension 172, is adapted to mate with the first mating member 106 of the upper generally cylindrical portion 62 of the body insert 60 to join the lid assembly 14 to the container body 60. The cylindrical extension 172 has a first end that is adjacent and joined to the base member 170, and a second end that extends away from and distal the base member 170. Preferably, the mating member 190 is provided toward the first end of the cylindrical extension 172. As shown in
Referring again to the components in the lid assembly 14, as best shown in
As best shown in
As shown in
In a preferred embodiment the shutter 210 operates as a closing member for the drinking orifice 176 in the upper lid 166. Because the shutter 210 is connected to the arms 208 of the transfer bar 160, as the trigger assembly 20 is actuated the shutter 210 is opened and closed. In one embodiment the shutter 210 has a panel 226 connected to a pair of arms 228. The shutter arms 228 are connected to the arms 208 of the transfer bar 160. In the normal or closed position the shutter 210 closes the drinking orifice 176 (see
Generally, the transfer bar 160, with pivot link 162 and shutter 210 connected thereto is placed in the appropriate location on the upper surface 171 of the base member 170 of the lower lid 168 prior to joining the upper lid 166 to the lower lid.
Referring to
The upper lid 166 is connected to the lower lid 168, typically via ultrasonic welding, in strategic locations to properly direct the flow of liquid out of the liquid receptacle 16 and through the drinking hole 176 to the user, as well as directing gaseous pressure out of the liquid receptacle 16 and through the vent hole 182. For example, in one embodiment the upper surface 171 of the base member 170 of the lower lid 168 is ultrasonically welded to the upper lid 166 at a shoulder in the sidewall and at various ribs 234 to ensure that liquid that flows out of the liquid receptacle 16, when the sealing assembly 18 is actuated and the plunger 220 pushed down, through the first aperture 174 and into the drinking chamber 236 for dispelling through the drink orifice 176 in the upper lid 166, without escaping elsewhere. Similarly, in one embodiment the upper surface 171 of the base member 170 of the lower lid 168 is ultrasonically welded to the upper lid 166 at the ribs 234, which defines the sidewalls of the vent chamber 238, to ensure that gas and/or liquid that is to vent out the vent hole 182 in the upper lid 166, for example when the sealing assembly 18 is actuated and the plunger is pushed down, flows through the third aperture 180 in the lower lid 168 and into the vent chamber 238 for dispelling through the vent hole 182 in the upper lid 166. Further, as shown in
The sealing assembly 18 is shown in
As best shown in
In on embodiment the sealing assembly 18 is removably connected to the lid assembly 14 to allow the sealing assembly 18 to be removed for cleaning of the container 10. Further, in a preferred embodiment the plunger retainer 254 has external threads 261 on an outer surface of the sidewall 263 of the plunger retainer 254. Similarly, mating internal threads 265 are provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical extension 172 of the lower lid 168. The combination of these mating members 261, 265 allow the sealing assembly 18 to be screwed to the mating threads on the underside of the lower lid 168 to secure the sealing assembly 18 in place (see
In the closed or normal position, as shown in
Thus, when the user depresses or actuates the trigger 110 on the side of the container body 12, the trigger 110 actuates the pusher lever 112 to move its engaging member 146. The detent area 152 of the engaging member 146 is engaged with a mating surface 198 of the transverse component 196 of the transfer bar 160 in the lid assembly 14 of the container 10. As the pusher lever 112 moves radially outward the entire transfer bar 160 is moved horizontally away from the drinking aperture 176 of the container 10. By moving the transfer bar 160 horizontally away from the drinking aperture 176, the pivot link 162 pivotally connected to the transverse portion 206 of the transfer bar 160 pivots about the axis of its shaft portion 212 at its first end to allow its second end 216 to pivot or rotate downwardly through the second aperture 178 in the lower lid 168 and against the upper surface 218 of the pivot seal 164. The central portion of the pivot seal 164 is deformed downwardly by the force of the pivot link 162 to push the plunger 220 downwardly toward the plunger retainer 254.
Accordingly, as the pivot link 162 rotates downwardly toward the sealing assembly 18 through lateral movement of the transfer bar 160, the pivot link 162 and the pivot seal 164 are pushed downwardly on the plunger 220. The downward force of the pivot link 162 and pivot seal 164 on the plunger 220 causes the plunger 220 to move downward, overcoming the spring force of the spring 252 and breaking the seal between the plunger gasket 250 and the lower surface 173 of the base member 170 of the lower lid 168. Thus, referring to
As shown in
In sum, when the user depresses the trigger 110 (i.e., actuates the container 10) the pusher lever 112 engages the transfer bar 160 to move the transfer bar 160 horizontally away from the drinking aperture 176, thereby providing pivotal movement to both the pivot link 162 and the shutter 210. The pivotal movement of the pivot link 162 causes the pivot link 162 to push the pivot seal 164 downwardly to engage the plunger 220 and move the plunger 220 downward to break the seal between the plunger gasket 250 and the lower surface 173 of the lid lower 168. The shutter 210 is simultaneously rotated to open the drinking aperture 176. Thus, the liquid can then pass through the fluid aperture 174 in the lid base 168 and out the drinking aperture 176. As shown in
When the user is done drinking, the user releases the trigger 110 and the sealing assembly 14, including the shutter 210, automatically closes and moves to the normal position. Specifically, the spring force of the spring 252 is no longer overcome and the spring 252 forces the plunger 220 upwards against the bottom 173 of the lid base 168 to close the fluid aperture 174 and the vent aperture 180. As this occurs, the pivot link 162 is rotated upward by the force of the spring 252 forcing the plunger 220 upward, thereby moving the transfer bar 110 to close the shutter 210 back to its normal, closed, non-actuated position. It is further understood that due to the vertical position of the pivot link 162 when the trigger 110 is depressed, the spring force of the spring 252 is substantially transferred into the lid upper 166, thereby making the trigger 110 generally easier to hold in the actuated position when the user drinks liquid flowing out of the container 10.
Another embodiment of a drinking container 510 is shown in
The container body 512 of the drinking container 510 may be an insulated container body 512 formed of a dual-walled construction as explained above, it may be an insulated container body formed of a different construction than described above, such as a single-walled construction, or it may be a non-insulated construction container body 512. Additionally, the container body 512 generally has an opening 531 at the end of the sidewall 530 opposing the bottom wall of the container body 512 to provide access into the liquid receptacle 516. The container body 512 generally has a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the container body 512 from the first end adjacent the opening to the second end adjacent the bottom wall of the container body 512.
Referring again to
The lid assembly 514 generally comprises an upper lid member 665 that is connected to a lower lid member 668. Several gaskets or seals, such as upper lid gasket 667 and lower lid gasket 692 are also a part of the lid assembly 514. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the seal assembly 518, trigger assembly 520, and other components utilized to actuate the seal assembly 518 between the normally closed and actuated positions are provided in the lid assembly 514.
In a preferred embodiment the lower lid member 668 is permanently fixed, such as by ultrasonic welding, to the upper lid member 665 following the assembly of the appropriate components within the lid assembly 514, including components of the seal assembly 518 and trigger mechanism 520, as well as the other additional components utilized to actuate the seals of the seal assembly 518. Some of those additional components include a shutter 710, a first linkage member 800, a second linkage member 802 and a spring 804.
Referring to the embodiment shown in
The lower lid member 668 of the lid assembly 514 also has a second mating member 690, which in one embodiment is an external thread 690, on the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall portion 672 below the flange member 670. As briefly explained above, the second mating member 690 is adapted to mate with the first mating member 606 on the inner surface of the container body 512 adjacent the opening 531 to the liquid receptacle 516 of the container body 512 to removably join the lid assembly 514 with the container body 512.
As shown in
The upstanding gusset-type walls 677 are provided to assist in supporting, preferably pivotally, various components within the lid assembly 514. In a preferred embodiment, the upstanding gusset-type walls have a first set of apertures 683a for pivotally supporting the second linkage member 802, and a second set of apertures 683b for pivotally supporting the shutter 710. The upstanding gusset-type walls also have an aperture 683c for supporting one end of the spring member 804 for the shutter 710.
As explained in more detail herein, the first support member 679 and second support member 681 of the lower lid member 668 are generally utilized to mate with support members of the upper lid member 665 to provide overall rigidity to the lid assembly 514, as well as to retain a portion of the trigger 610 in the appropriate location in the lid assembly.
Referring again to
As explained above, in a preferred embodiment, the lower lid 668 is fixedly connected to the upper lid 665 after the sealing assembly 518, trigger assembly 520 and related components have been fixed in place within the lid assembly 514. Referring to
The vent chamber 738 is an enclosed chamber that is located beneath the vent aperture 682 and between the vent seal 683 and the vent aperture 682. The vent chamber 738 provides a chamber with an increased volume capacity to lower the pressure and volume of the vapor/gas as it is expelled past the vent seal 683 but before it exits through the vent aperture 682. The vent chamber 738 has a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the vent aperture 682. The vent chamber 738 has a first entrance aperture 739 at one end that provides an entrance to the vent chamber 738 from the liquid receptacle 516 of the container body 512, a second exit aperture (the vent aperture 682), and a third access aperture 743 to provide access to the interior of the lid assembly 514 for the trigger 610.
In a preferred embodiment, the top drinking surface 730 of the upper lid 665 has a slight depression or well 740 that slopes downwardly from the drinking orifice 676 to the vent aperture 682. The well 740 assists to drain any remnant liquid back into the liquid receptacle 516 through the vent aperture 682. The top drinking surface 730 also has a vent deflector plate 731 adjacent the vent aperture 682. The deflector plate 731 directs vapor being expelled out of the vent aperture 682 transverse to the longitudinal axis of the container body 512 and away from the user. Specifically, the vent deflector plate 731 prevents any vapor from being directed upwardly from the vent aperture 682, and rather directs it sideways away from the user.
The sidewall 732 of the upper lid 665 extends down from the drinking surface 730 toward the container body 512 when the lid assembly 514 is connected to the container body 512. As shown in
As explained above, in a preferred embodiment the upper lid 665 is fixedly connected to the lower lid 668 at a variety of locations. For example, the first support member 679 of the lower lid 668 is connected to a rib 734 extending downwardly from the underside of the top drinking surface 730 of the upper lid 665. The connection between the first support member 679 and the rib 734 is provided around the trigger 610 as shown in
To make the joint between the upper lid 665 and the lower lid 668 liquid tight, a gasket 667 is provided between the joint between the upper lid 665 and the lower lid 668. Further, in a preferred embodiment an annular shoulder 739 is provided on the interior surface of the sidewall 732 of the upper lid 665. The geometry of the annular shoulder 739 mates with the geometry of the substantially planar transverse flange member 670 that extends generally radially outwardly from the top end of the generally cylindrical sidewall portion 672 of the lower lid 668. Similarly, the gasket 667 has a similar geometry to that of the annular shoulder 739 and transverse flange member 670. The gasket 667 is provided between the annular shoulder 739 of the upper lid 665 and the transverse flange member 670 of the lower lid 668 to assist in sealing the connection between the lower and upper lids 665, 668. Thus, the gasket 667 operates as a seal to prevent liquid from escaping between the upper lid 665 and the lower lid 668.
Referring again to the components in the lid assembly 514, as best shown in
As shown in
The main body portion 694 of the trigger 610 extends through the access aperture 743 and into the vent chamber 738 of the lid assembly 514. A portion of the main body portion 794 of the trigger 610 is generally housed within the vent chamber 738, and a portion of the main body portion 794 of the trigger 610 extends out of the vent chamber 738, through the entrance aperture 739 to the vent chamber 738, and into the cavity of the lid assembly 514.
In a preferred embodiment the trigger 610 also seats several seals, including the trigger seal 685 and the vent seal 683. As shown in
The vent seal 683 is also seated on the main body portion 694 of the trigger 610. Like the trigger seal 685 the vent seal 683 is seated in another arcuate recess 697 on the main body portion 694 of the trigger 610. This recess 697, however, is positioned outside of the vent chamber 738 and adjacent the entrance aperture 739 to the vent chamber 738. Accordingly, in this manner the vent seal 683 operates to seal the entrance 739 to the vent chamber 738 in a first normal position, as shown in
A shoulder 699 is provided on the main body portion 694 of the trigger 610 adjacent the arcuate recess 697 for the vent seal 683. The shoulder 699 operates as a surface for the trigger spring 644 to exert a force on the trigger 610. In a preferred embodiment the trigger spring 644 is a compression spring that has a first end contacting the combination of the first support member 679 of the lower lid 668 and the rib 734 of the upper lid 665, and a second end contacting the shoulder 699 of the trigger 610. Since the first end of the trigger spring 644 is fixed in place, the second end of the trigger spring 644 exerts a force on the trigger 610 in an attempt to maintain the trigger 610 in the normal or unactuated position (see
The transverse portion 696 of the trigger member 610 is fixedly connected to and preferably integral with the main body portion 694 of the trigger member 610. Thus, the transverse portion 696 operates as a push-button actuator to actuate the trigger mechanism 520 and sealing mechanism 518. In a preferred embodiment, the transverse portion 696 of the trigger member 610 has a shape that generally matches the aperture 735 in the peninsular portion 733 of the sidewall 732 of the upper lid member 665. The transverse portion 696 is moveable from a first normal or non-actuated position shown in
As explained above and shown in the Figures, the trigger 610 is mechanically connected to the shutter 710 through the first and second linkage members 800, 802. In one embodiment, the arms 708 at the end of the main body portion 694 of the trigger 610 engage the first linkage member 800 to operably open and close the shutter 710 to seal the drink orifice 676. Similarly, the trigger 610 is mechanically connected to the vent seal 683.
In one embodiment, the first linkage member 800 has a body portion 808 with a pair of outwardly extending arms 806 at one end of the body portion 808 and a slot 812 at an opposing end of the body portion 808. The arms 806 each have a tab 810 extending outwardly therefrom that rotatably engage the second linkage member 802.
The slot 812 in the opposing end of the body portion 808 of the first linkage member 800 is designed to engage the arms 708 of the trigger 610. Further, the slot 812 has an opening 814 to allow the arms 708 of the trigger 610 to be fitted within the slot 812. The slot 812 is sized such that when the trigger 610 is in both (a) the normal or non-actuated position (see
As best shown in
The first linkage member 800 is connected to the second linkage member 802. Like the first linkage member 800, the second linkage member 802 has a body portion 820 with a first end and a second end. The first end of the second linkage member 802 has a pair of apertures 821 to rotatably retain the tabs 806 of the first linkage member 800, and the second end of the second linkage member 802 has a pair of inwardly extending tabs 822 that operably engage a cam track 824 on the shutter 710. A roller member 826 is provided on each tab 822 to allow the tabs 822 of the second linkage member 802 to engage the shutter 710 with less resistance. As is explained herein, the tabs 822 with the roller members 826 operate as cams within a cam track of the shutter 710. Finally, a pair of outwardly extending pivot tabs 828 extend from the body portion 820 of the second linkage member 802, generally between the apertures 821 and the tabs 822.
The pivot tabs 828 of the second linkage member 812 are fitted within the first set of apertures 683a in the gusset walls 677 of the lower lid member 668. Accordingly, the second linkage member 802 is able to rotate about the pivot tabs 828 when they are fitted in the first set of apertures 683a.
To connect the first linkage member 800 to the second linkage member 802 the arms 806 of the first linkage member 800 are fitted within the apertures 821 of the second linkage member 802. The arms 806 are generally free to rotate within the apertures 821 of the second linkage member 802. As the trigger member 610 actuates or moves laterally from the normal position to the actuated position, the end of the first linkage member 800 having the slot 812 moves somewhat laterally with the trigger member 610. During this movement the first linkage member 800 is also able to partially rotate about the arms 708 of the trigger 610. As the end of the first linkage member 800 having the slot 812 is transitionally laterally, the opposing end of the first linkage member 800 pivotally connected to the second linkage member 802 is transitioned downwardly. This movement is controlled by the pivot connection of the second linkage member 802 with the gusset walls 677 of the lower lid member 668. Due to the pivot connection between the pivot tabs 828 on the second linkage member 802 with the apertures 683 in the gusset walls 677, the second linkage member 802 is restrained to pivoting about its pivot tabs 828. Thus, the second linkage member 802 generally pivots clockwise when moving from the normal position to the actuated position as shown in
Concurrently, as the first end of the second linkage member 802 connected to the first linkage member 800 is pivoted or rotated clockwise downwardly, the opposing second end of the second linkage member 802 having the inwardly extending tabs 822 is similarly pivoted or rotated clockwise upwardly to actuate the shutter 710 as explained herein. Accordingly, the shutter 710 is mechanically connected to the trigger 610 through the first and second linkage members 800, 802.
In a preferred embodiment the shutter 710 operates as a closing member and seal for the drinking orifice 676 in the upper lid 665. In one embodiment the shutter 710 has a pair of shutter arms 728, a pair of pivot members 729, and a resilient seal 727, preferably made of silicon or some other resilient material. The shutter arms 728 have a slotted cam track 824 that retain the tabs 822 and roller members 826 of the second linkage member 802. The pivot members 729 of the shutter 710 are pivotally retained in the second set of apertures 683b of the gusset walls 677 of the lower lid member 668. Accordingly, the shutter 710 is limited to pivoting (generally counter clockwise when transitioning from the normal to the actuated position, and clockwise when transitioning back to the normal position as shown in
Movement of the shutter 710 is thus controlled by the trigger mechanism 520. As explained herein, the trigger 610 transitions the first linkage member 800 which in turn transitions the second linkage member 802. As the second linkage member 802 is transitioned from its normal to its actuated position the rollers 826 on the tabs 822 of the second linkage member 802 pivot with the second linkage member 802. Since the rollers 826 are positioned within the cam track 824 of the shutter arms 728, the shutter 710 likewise pivots counter-clockwise about its pivot members 729 to change the angular orientation of the shutter 710 and accordingly open the drinking orifice 676 in the actuated position.
The torsion spring 804 has a first end positioned in one of the apertures 683c on the gusset wall 677, and a second end that engages the shutter 710. The torsion spring 804 exerts a force on the shutter 710 to retain the shutter 710 in the closed or normal position. When a force and sufficient lateral translation movement are applied to the trigger 610 sufficient to overcome the spring force of the torsion spring 804 (as well as the spring force of the trigger spring) the shutter 710 will open. The shutter spring 804, however, will exert a force to close the shutter 710 to seal the drinking opening 676 once the force on the trigger 610 is removed. In one embodiment a silicon seal is overmolded on the upper surface of the shutter 710 for sealing the drinking orifice 676 when the shutter 710 is in the closed position. Accordingly, the shutter 610 operates to operably close and open access to the container cavity through the drinking orifice 676.
In sum, the shutter 710 and the vent seal 683 are normally in the closed position. The trigger 610, however, operates to independently move the shutter 610 and the vent seal 683 from the closed or normal position to the open position following appropriate actuation of the trigger mechanism. The actuation of the trigger 610 occurs in a two-part actuation stroke wherein the trigger 610 moves from its first position to its second position. During the first part of the actuation stroke the vent seal 683 is transitioned from the normal or closed position to the actuated or open position to open access to the vent chamber 738 and the vent orifice 682. During the first part of the actuation stroke the shutter 710 remains closed. During the second part of the actuation stroke the shutter 710 is transitioned from the normal or closed position to the actuated or open position to open the drinking orifice 676. Further, the actuation occurs through lateral movement of the trigger 610 in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the container body 512.
When the user is done drinking, the user releases the trigger 610 and the sealing assembly 514, including the shutter 710 and the vent seal 683, automatically close and return to the normal position due to the spring force of the trigger spring and the shutter spring.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. Additionally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and “fourth” as used herein are intended for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the embodiments in any way. Further, the term “plurality” as used herein indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. Additionally, the term “having” as used herein in both the disclosure and claims, is utilized in an open-ended manner.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/805,029, filed Nov. 6, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/192,893, filed Jun. 24, 2016, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,102 on Nov. 7, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/815,850, filed Jul. 31, 2015, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,398,823, on Jul. 26, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/089,467, filed Nov. 25, 2013 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,233 on Aug. 4, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/206,121, filed on Aug. 9, 2011 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,731 on Nov. 26, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/456,192, filed Jun. 12, 2009 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442 on Aug. 16, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/698,797, filed on Jan. 26, 2007 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,933 on Jun. 16, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/384,165, filed on Mar. 17, 2006 (now abandoned), which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/663,280, filed on Mar. 18, 2005, all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
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| Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442, as filed with the USPTO on Mar. 31, 2014. |
| Declaration of Aron D. Dahlgren, P.E. in Support of Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442, as filed with the USPTO on Mar. 31, 2014. |
| Patent Owner Ignite USA, LLC's Preliminary Response Under 35 U S C § 313 and 37 C.F.R §42.107, as filed with the USPTO on Jul. 7, 2014. |
| Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,933, as filed with the USPTO on May 12, 2014. |
| Declaration of Aron D. Dahlgren, P,E., in Support of Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,933, as filed with the USPTO on May 12, 2014. |
| Patent Owner Ignite USA, LLC's Preliminary Response Under 35 U.S.C. § 313 and 37 C.F.R. §42.107, as filed with the USPTO on Aug. 22, 2014. |
| Decision—Institution of Inter Partes Review entered Sep. 30, 2014, 37 C.F.R. §42.108, Pacific Market International, LLC v. Ignite USA, LLC, Case IPR2014-00561, Patent, 7997,442. |
| Supplemental Declaration of Aron D. Dahlgren in Support of Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on Nov. 6, 2014. |
| Patent Owner's Response, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on Feb. 6, 2015. |
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| Deposition Transcript for Cross-Examination of Aron Dahlgren, vol. I, taken Jan. 7, 2015. |
| Deposition Transcript for Cross-Examination of Aron Dahlgren, vol. II, taken Jan. 8, 2015. |
| Petitioner's Reply U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on Apr. 17, 2015. |
| Declaration of Aron D. Dahlgren in Support of Petitioner's Reply for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on Apr. 17, 2015. |
| Deposition Transcript of Lee Swanger, vol. I, taken Mar. 31, 2015. |
| Deposition Transcript of Lee Swanger, vol. II, taken Apr. 1, 2015. |
| Patent Owner's Motion to Exclude, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on May 14, 2015. |
| Deposition Transcript of Aron Dahlgren, vol. III, taken Apr. 29, 2015. |
| Deposition Transcript of Aron Dahlgren, vol. IV, taken Apr. 30, 2015. |
| Petitioner's Opposition to Patent Owner's Motion to Exclude, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on May 28, 2015. |
| Patent Owner's Reply in Support of Motion to Exclude, IPR2014-00561, as filed with the USPTO on Jun. 3, 2015. |
| Final Written Decision IPR2014-00561, entered Sep. 28, 2015. |
| Decision—Institution of Inter Partes Review, U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,933, IPR2014-00750, entered Nov. 19, 2014. |
| Supplemental Declaration of Aron D. Dahlgren in Support of Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,456,933, IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on Dec. 9, 2014. |
| Patent Owner's Response, IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on Feb. 18, 2015. |
| Declaration of Lee A. Swanger, Ph.D., P.E., IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on Feb. 18, 2015. |
| Petitioner's Reply U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,933, IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on Apr. 17, 2015. |
| Declaration of Aron D. Dahlgren in Support of Petitioner's Reply for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 7,456,933. IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on Apr. 17, 2015. |
| Patent Owner's Motion to Exclude, IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on May 14, 2015. |
| Petitioner's Opposition to Patent Owner's Motion to Exclude, IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on May 28, 2015. |
| Patent Owner's Reply in Support of Motion to Exclude, IPR2014-00750, as filed with the USPTO on Jun. 3, 2015. |
| Final Written Decision, IPR2014-00750, dated Nov. 13, 2015. |
| Defendant's Answer to First Amended Complaint and Counterclaims for Declaratory Judgment, filed Apr. 28, 2016, in Case No. 1:14-cv-00856 (N.D. Illinois), involving claims of infringement of U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442. |
| Defendant's Answer to Complaint and Counterclaims for Declaratory Judgment, filed Jun. 10, 2016, under Document I.D. No. 63, in Case No. 1:16-cv-01930 (N.D. Illinois), involving claims of infringement of U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,731. |
| Defendant's Answer to First Amended Complaint and Counterclaims for Declaratory Judgment, filed Apr. 28, 2016, under Document No. 81, in Case No. 1:14-cv-00856 (N.D. Illinois), involving claims of infringement of U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,442. |
| Defendant's Answer to Complaint and Counterclaims for Declaratory Judgment, filed Jun. 10, 2016, under Document No. 18, in Case No. 1:16-cv-01930 (N.D. Illinois), involving claims of infringement of U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,731. |
| Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,731, as filed with the USPTO on Jul. 25, 2016. |
| Petition of Inter Partes Review of U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,233, as filed with the USPTO on Aug. 10, 2016. |
| Defendant PMI's Final Invalidity and Unenforcability Contentions, Ignite USA, LLC v. Pacific Market International, LLC, Northern District of Illinois, 14-cv-856, Dec. 20, 2016 (15pgs). |
| Exhibit G, Defendant PMI's Final Invalidity and Unenforcability Contentions, Ignite USA, LLC v. Pacific Market International, LLC, Northern District of Illinois, 14-cv-856, Dec. 20, 2016 (10 pgs). |
| Exhibit H, Defendant PMI's Final Invalidity and Unenforcability Contentions, Ignite USA, LLC v. Pacific Market International, LLC, Northern District of Illinois, 14-cv-856, Dec. 20, 2016 (10 pgs). |
| Final Written Decision 35 U.S.C. § 318(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.73, Case IPR2016-01584, U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,233 B2, P. No. 036, entered Feb. 5, 2018. |
| Final Written Decision Case 35 U.S.C. § 318(a) and 37 C.F.R. § 42.73, IPR2016-01448, Patent 8,590,731 B2, P. No. 034, entered Feb. 5, 2018. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190335930 A1 | Nov 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60663280 | Mar 2005 | US |
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