Abstract:
A beverage container having a slidably openable lid assembly is disclosed. The lid assembly basically comprises a base member and a cover member. The base member includes a wall portion releasably securing the lid assembly to the container and an opening in fluid communication with a beverage holding chamber in the container. The cover member is slidably coupled to the base member to slide from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. When the cover member is in the closed position it isolates the opening and the contiguous portions of the base member from the ambient surroundings. When the cover member is in the open position it exposes the opening to enable a user to drink the beverage via the opening. The cover includes an elastomeric member arranged to engage and seal the opening in the base member when the cover member is in the closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/496,121, filed on Jun. 13, 2011, entitled Lid For Beverage Container, which application is assigned to the same assignee as this application and whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to containers and lids for containers and containers including such lids, and more particularly to slidable lids for beverage containers and beverage containers including such lids. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various containers for holding beverages to enable a user to drink the beverage directly from the container are available commercially. Many such containers make use a re-sealable lid to close off the access opening or spout of the container from which the user drinks the beverage. However, such prior art re-sealable beverage container/lid combinations do not optimally discourage the transfer of germs. In fact, they help spread colds, flu and other infections. In particular, the area on a container around the access opening where the user&#39;s mouth touches is not aseptic. Additionally, however, any surface area the user&#39;s mouth touched that extends beyond that area which a cap or lid may cover will likewise expose one to germs. The problem persists even when the lid or cap flips, slides or folds over the access opening. In this regard, currently available lids do not cover areas of the container where the user&#39;s lips touch. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for a container having a lid which is connected to the container and is movable to a position to cover all of the areas of the container which may be contacted by the user. The subject invention addresses that need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of this invention is directed to a lid assembly for a beverage container having a beverage holding chamber defined by an interior wall. The lid assembly basically comprises a base member and a cover member. The base member includes a wall portion, e.g., a cylindrical wall having a peripheral seal, arranged to engage the interior wall of the container to releasably secure the lid assembly to the container. The base member also includes an opening in fluid communication with the beverage holding chamber when the lid assembly is releasably secured to the container. The cover member is slidably coupled to the base member, e.g., is slidably connected to the base member by means of a pair of projections of the cover member slidably received within corresponding grooves in a channel in the base member. The cover member is movable from a closed position to an open position and vice versa. The cover member is arranged when in the closed position to isolate the opening and the contiguous portions of the base member (i.e., a surrounding concave recess) from the ambient surroundings. The cover member is also arranged when in the open position to expose the opening to enable a user of the container to drink the beverage therefrom via the opening. The cover includes an elastomeric member arranged to engage and seal the opening in the base member when the cover member is in the closed position. 
     In accordance with one preferred exemplary embodiment of the lid assembly, the periphery of the opening includes a thickened edge arranged to be engaged by the elastomeric member to form a fluid tight seal at the opening when the cover member is in the closed position. In addition, the base member includes a vent hole and the cover member comprises a plug member arranged to close off and seal the vent hole when the cover member is in the closed position. The lid assembly additionally comprises a detent member for holding the cover member in the open position and a detent member for holding the cover member in the closed position. 
     In accordance with another preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a beverage container comprising a hollow vessel and a lid assembly. The hollow vessel has an interior wall defining a chamber for holding a beverage therein. The chamber has an inner wall surface. The lid assembly is constructed as set forth above and includes a base member having a wall portion arranged to engage the inner wall surface of the vessel to releasably secure the lid assembly to the container. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a longitudinal, vertical, cross-sectional view of a beverage container having a lid assembly constructed in accordance with one aspect this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged isometric view of the lid assembly of the container shown in  FIG. 1  with its cover member in the “closed” position; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 1 , but showing the cover member of the lid assembly in the “open” position; 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the underside of the cover member of the lid assembly shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the base member of the lid assembly shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a longitudinal sectional view of the open lid assembly taken along line  6 - 6  in the direction of the arrow heads “ 6 ” in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a longitudinal sectional view of the closed lid assembly taken along line  7 - 7  in the direction of the arrow heads “ 7 ” in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the closed lid assembly taking along line  8 - 8  in the direction of the arrow heads “ 8 ” in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the closed lid assembly taking along line  9 - 9  in the direction of the arrow heads “ 9 ” in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     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 a container having a lid assembly  22  which is constructed in accordance with this invention. The container  20  is merely illustrative of numerous container products that can make use of a lid assembly constructed in accordance with this invention. In particular, the exemplary container  20  is a portable, reusable, insulated beverage drinking container. That container is best seen in  FIG. 1  and basically comprises is double-walled vessel,  24  having a plastic outer vessel  24 A, a plastic inner vessel  24 B, and an insulating air space  24 C, located therebetween. The inner vessel  24 B is arranged to hold a flowable beverage  26 . The upper end  28  of the inner vessel  24 B is open and serves as the mouth of the container. The mouth is arranged to accept (e.g., receive) a tubular portion of the lid assembly  22  (to be described later) so that the lid assembly is releasably secured to the container. When the lid assembly is removed from the container the mouth is open to enable the container&#39;s inner vessel  24 B to be filled with the beverage  26 . 
     Before describing the lid assembly  22 , it should be pointed out that the container  22  shown and described herein is not the only type of container contemplated and encompassed by this invention. To that end, the subject invention is applicable to any re-sealable flowable fluid dispensing container where reducing cross contamination is desirous. 
     All containers making use of this invention will include a lid assembly that is comprised of a base member  30  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  5 ) and a cover member  32  ( FIGS. 1-4 ) slidably connected to the base member. The cover member  32  is arranged to be slid with respect to the base member from a closed position, such as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  9 , to an open position, such as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  8 , and vice versa. The lid assembly includes two detent mechanisms (to be described later). One of such mechanisms serves to hold the cover member in the closed position when desired and the other mechanism serves to hold the cover member in the open position when desired. 
     The base member  30  includes an opening  34  providing access to the interior of the inner vessel and through which the user of the container can drink its contents  26  when the cover member is in the open position. In order to facilitate the drinking of the beverage from the container  20  the base member  30  of the lid assembly  22  includes an upstanding edge or curb  36  located immediately in front of the opening  34 . The curb is arranged to be disposed on the lower lip of the user when the user drinks from the container. The portion of the base member contiguous with the opening  34  thus defines what may be called the “beverage contact area”, that is, the surface area of the base member that the beverage  26  makes contact with when the cover member is open and the user drinks from the opening. 
     In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention and in the interest of sanitation, the beverage contact area is in the form of a concave recess  38  surrounding the opening  34 . The recess  38  serves to channel or direct any liquid (e.g., the beverage) which may be on the upper surface of the base member adjacent the opening  34  back into the opening and thus into the inner vessel  24 B. This feature serves to prevent the formation of a location on the base member where bacteria or other contaminants could grow. 
     The cover member  32  is arranged when in its closed position to seal the opening  30 . To that end, the cover member  32  includes an elastomeric body  40  ( FIGS. 1 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 ) that forms the front portion of the cover member  32 . The body  40  includes a portion  40 A located on its underside which serves as a plug arranged to engage the periphery of the opening  34  and completely cover the opening  34  when the cover member is in the closed position. In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention the periphery  34 A of the opening  34  includes a somewhat thickened or bulbous edge, which is arranged to be tightly engaged by the elastomeric plug  40 A when the cover member is in the closed position. This action forms a fluid-tight interface between the opening and the plug, thereby preventing the accidental egress of the beverage  26  from the interior of the vessel  24 B through the opening  34  when the cover member  32  is in the closed position. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , a port or vent  42  extends through the top wall of the base member. The vent serves to enable air to gain egress into the interior of the inner vessel  24 B when the beverage is being drunk by the user to facilitate the drinking action. The cover member includes a tubular projection  44  extending down from its undersurface. An elastomeric plug  46  is located within the projection with the free end of the plug exposed. The projection  44  is located at a position on the undersurface of the cover member so that it is axially aligned with the vent  42  in the base member  30  when the cover member is in the closed position. Accordingly, when the cover member is in the closed position the free end of the plug  46  closes and seals the vent  42 . This action prevents the beverage within the inner vessel  24 B from exiting through the vent  42  when the cover member is closed. Accordingly, the action of the plug  46  in sealing and closing the vent  42  and the action of the plug  40 A in sealing and closing the opening  34  when the cover member is closed renders the container  20  spill-proof. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  8  and  9  the details of the structure that enables the cover member to be slid between its closed and open positions and vice versa will now be described. To that end, the underside of the cover member  32  includes a downwardly projecting box-like arrangement having a pair of longitudinally extending linear side walls  48  and  50 , a front wall  52  and a rear wall  54 . The side walls  48  and  50  each have a flanged lower edge. In particular, side wall  48  includes a flanged edge  48 A and side wall  50  includes a flanged edge  50 A. The edges  48 A and  50 A are arranged to be slidably located within correspondingly shaped grooves or tracks forming the side marginal edges of a channel  56  in the top surface of the base member  30  as best seen in  FIG. 5 . In particular, one longitudinal side  58  of the channel  56  is arranged to slidably receive the flanged edge  48 A of the side wall  48 , while the other longitudinal side  60  of the channel  56  is arranged to slidably receive the flanged edge  50 A of the side wall  50 . The front end of the channel  56  terminates at the concave recess  38 , while the rear end of the channel is open, but is closed by the rear wall of the cover member when the cover member is in the closed position. 
     As mentioned earlier, in order to hold the cover member in either its closed position or its open position the lid assembly includes a pair of detent mechanisms. The detent mechanism for holding the cover member in the open position is best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In particular, as seen therein the cover member  32  includes a pair of fingers  62  and  64  projecting downward from the undersurface of the cover member. The fingers are axially aligned with each other along an axis perpendicular to the centerline  66  ( FIG. 4 ) of the cover member. They are equidistantly spaced from that centerline and located slightly forward of the front wall  52 . Each of the fingers is arranged to ride up and over a respective cam member forming a portion of the base member  32 . In particular, the base member  32  includes a first pair of cam members  68 A and  68 B and a second pair of cam member  70 A and  70 B. All of the cam member are of a right triangular shape and have a ramped upper surface (the hypotenuse of the triangle). The cam members  68 A and  68 B are spaced from each other by a gap  68 C. The cam members  70 A and  70 B are spaced from each other by a gap  70 C. 
     Operation of the detent mechanism formed by the fingers  62  and  64  and the cam members  68 A,  68 B,  70 A and  70 B is as follows. When the cover member  32  is slid rearward, the fingers  62  and  64  ride up over the ramped upper surfaces of the cam members  68 A and  68 B, respectively, of the base member  30  until they reach the gaps,  68 C and  70 C, respectively, whereupon the free ends of the fingers drop into those gaps. Further rearward sliding of the cover member is precluded by the front surfaces of the cam members  68 B and  70 B, respectively, i.e., those cam members serve as stops. Moreover, the location of the fingers  62  and  64  within the gaps  68 C and  70 C, respectively, holds the cover member in the open position. When it is desired to close the cover member, all that is necessary is to apply a force to the cover member in the forward direction to cause the fingers  62  and  64  to leave the gaps  68 C and  70 C, respectively, and to slide down the ramped surfaces of the cam members  68 A and  68 B, thereby freeing the cover member. 
     The detent mechanism for holding the cover member in the closed position is also best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In particular, as seen therein the cover member  32  includes a pair of pins  72  and  74  projecting downward from the undersurface of the cover member. The fingers are aligned with each other along an axis perpendicular to the centerline  66 . Moreover, they are equidistantly spaced from the centerline and located immediately forward of the rear wall  54 . Each of the pins is arranged to be received within a respective recess in the base member  32 . In particular, the base member  32  includes a recess  76  and a recess  78 . Those recesses are located on either side of the channel  56  adjacent the rear end thereof. Each of the recesses is of a corresponding shape and size to receive a respective one of the pins. In particular, the recess  76  is arranged to receive the free end of the pin  72  and the recess  78  is arranged to receive the free end of the pin  74  when the cover member is in the open position. 
     Operation of the detent mechanism formed by the pins  72  and  74  and the recesses  76  and  78  will now be described. When the cover member is slid forward to close it the pins  72  and  74  ride over the top surface portions of the base member  30  that lead up to the recesses  76  and  78 , respectively. When the pins reach those recesses, they drop into them. At this time further forward sliding of the cover member is precluded by peripheral portions  80  ( FIG. 4 ) of the rear wall  54  of the cover member engaging the confronting rear surface  82  ( FIG. 5 ) of the base member. Moreover, the location of the pins  72  and  74  within the recesses  76  and  78 , respectively, holds the cover member in the open position. When it is desired to open the cover member, all that is necessary is to apply a force to the cover member in the rearward direction to cause the pins  72  and  74  to leave the recesses  76  and  78 , respectively, and to slide over the portions of the top surface of the base member in front of those recesses, thereby freeing the cover member so that it can be slid to the open position. 
     In order to facilitate the sliding action of the cover member with respect to the base member, the cover member includes a plurality of arcuate ribs  84  projecting slightly upward from its top surface, as best seen in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     The releasable securement of the lid assembly  22  to the container  20  is accomplished by means of an annular elastomeric ring  86  as best seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7 . As can be seen therein the ring  86  is located, e.g., over-molded, on a circular cylindrical wall or skirt  88 . The skirt  88  projects downward from the base member  32  and slightly inward radially from the periphery of the top surface of the base member. The ring  86  includes a radially outwardly projecting flange  90  which is arranged to tightly engage the inner surface of the inner vessel  24 B adjacent the mouth of the vessel when the skirt  88  is introduced therein. The flange is flexible so that when the skirt  88  is inserted into the mouth of the inner vessel  24 B, the flange  90  of the ring  86  flexes, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to form a good fluid-tight seal with the vessel wall, thereby releasably holding the lid assembly in place on the container. In order to ensure that the ring  86  is fixedly secured to the skirt  88  at the desired position, the skirt includes a vertical groove  92  in which an inner portion of the ring  86  resides (see  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  7 ). 
     As mentioned earlier the lid assembly is releasably secured to the container. Thus, the lid assembly can be readily removed from the container to fill and/or clean the container and/or clean the lid assembly. In order to facilitate the removal of the lid assembly from the container, the base member  32  of the lid assembly includes a tab  94  which projects outward from the rear end of the base member. The tab is arranged to be grasped by the user to pull the lid assembly from the container. 
     In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention the non-elastomeric portions of the lid assembly are formed from a solid rigid material, preferably plastic. Moreover, Shore hardness, color, and texture of the parts of the cover member and the base member may be uniform throughout or a combination thereof and selected using manufacturing materials known to skilled artisans. In the exemplary embodiment described above the annular ring  86  of the base member and the plug  40 A and  46  are elastomeric. Alternatively, they can be any type of non-rigid material capable of forming a liquid-tight seal. Other embodiments have no such non-rigid structures or comprise different combination(s) of rigid versus non-rigid structures suitable for achieving the objectives of this invention. Moreover, the various components of the lid assembly may be formed using known molding methods and processes of forming plastic articles. 
     In some embodiments the rigid and non-rigid features of the lid are formed separately and connected together using means known by skilled artisans. In other embodiments, the rigid and non-rigid features of the lid are integrally formed or over molded. Different plastics can be used for forming the base member and the cover member. In some embodiments, composite thermoplastics, including thermoplastic polyolefin&#39;s (TPO) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) and combinations thereof may be effective in application. TPO refers to a polymer/filler blend comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, block copolymer polypropylene, rubber, and a reinforcing filler, which may include talc, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wollastonite, and Metal Oxy Sulfate. A nonexclusive listing of rubbers may include ethylenepropylene rubber (EPR), EP-diene rubber (EPDM), ethylene octene (EO), ethylene-butadiene (EB), and styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene (SEBS). 
     One particularly effective assembly may be formed from a thermoplastic olefin (TPO), with the rigid portions and parts thereof having a hardness of between about 55-65 Shore D and with the non-rigid parts and portions molded over their corresponding supportive structures and have a hardness of between about 65-70 Shore A. 
     It must be pointed out that specific embodiments have been described for the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention. It should nevertheless be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive in character, and that no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described components, elements, processes, or devices, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein, are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. In particular, the above described materials, compositions, and/or constituent elements forming the particular plastics discussed and their corresponding physical properties, should not be construed as limiting this invention. Thus, other materials, compositions, and/or constituent elements forming rigid and non-rigid materials or plastics possessing the physical properties useful in a manner as herein described may be appropriately desirable and availed using different materials, compositions, and/or constituent elements without undue experimentation and should be considered to fall within the scope of this invention, e.g., the lid, including its base and cover. 
     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.