Patent Publication Number: US-8967414-B2

Title: Beverage container system with latch to manage lid position

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/736,927, filed Dec. 13, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Beverage containers are generally disclosed herein, including a beverage container that has a mug or cup with a detachable lid having a drinking opening through which a beverage may be consumed without removing the lid from the mug or cup. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many beverages containers, such as coffee carafes and travel mugs, have a lid that attaches to the container body to prevent spilling of the beverage during transport. The lid of one type of such beverage container attaches by mating threads on the lid to complementary threads in the neck of the container and screwing the lid into or onto the container. A gasket, or some other similar seal, is typically disposed between an interior beverage-holding portion of the container and the lid to prevent the beverage contained therein from leaking out of the container while the lid is engaged in a closed position. 
     To dispense the beverage from this type of container, the lid of the container may be partially unscrewed to either unseat or relocate the position of the gasket or seal within the container and permit the beverage to flow out of the container through an opening while still retaining the lid on the container. This configuration permits the user to either sip or pour the beverage from the container without entirely removing the lid from the container. However, a downside of this type of container is that the user may inadvertently unscrew the lid further than is necessary to merely dispense a beverage, thereby resulting in the lid coming loose from the container. More specifically, when unscrewing the lid to move the lid from the sealed position to a position that will permit fluid flow through the lid while the lid is still partially engaged with the container, the user may inadvertently unscrew the lid so that the threads of the lid are no longer engaged with the threads of the container. When this occurs, the lid may fall off of the top of the container when the user tries to sip or pour the beverage and possibly spill the beverage. 
     Some containers have attempted to address this problem by including a small protrusion on one of the threads of the lid that is supposed to cause a small interference fit with a similar protrusion on the complementary threads of the container body. However, this solution has some drawbacks. First, this interference fit is often times not very pronounced and can be easily overcome by the user without the user even noticing they have unscrewed the cap past the engagement of the interference fit, which may result in the user unscrewing the lid too far. Second, the protrusion on the threads can wear down over time and be less effective at indicating to the user that the lid is in the open position. Both of these drawbacks can also lead to a user inadvertently unscrewing the lid past the interference point so that the lid falls off during use. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a beverage container system configured to permit locking a lid onto a container in an open condition in which the contents of the container may be dispensed and, accordingly, prevent the lid from being inadvertently disengaged completely from the container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a beverage container system having a latch to manage lid position, as disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an embodiment of the beverage container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the beverage container system of  FIG. 1  taken about section line D-D in  FIG. 3 , showing the lid release button and locking tab in a locking position, fluid flow openings in the lid, and the lid positioned in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4B  is a detail view of an aspect of an embodiment of the beverage container system shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4A , showing one of the fluid flow openings through the lid. 
         FIG. 5A  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the beverage container system of  FIG. 1  taken about section line D-D in  FIG. 1 , showing the lid release button in a depressed state and the locking tab pivoted to an unlocked position, the lid partially unscrewed to an open position with the lower gasket moved to a disengaged position so as to permit fluid to flow from inside the beverage container system and through the fluid flow openings of the lid to be consumed by a user. 
         FIG. 5B  is a detail view of an aspect of an embodiment of the beverage container system shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5A , showing the lower gasket moved to a disengaged position when the lid is partially unscrewed to an open position, and showing one of the fluid flow openings through the lid, which is open and accessible for fluid to pass therethrough. 
         FIG. 5C  is an enlarged cross sectional view of the upper gasket in the lid in sealing engagement with the interior of the neck of the beverage container. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top down cross-section view of an embodiment of the beverage container system taken about section line C-C in  FIG. 4A , showing the locking tab of the lid release button engaged with the locking cam interference face of the lid body, thereby preventing unintentional removal of the lid from the beverage container system. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top down cross-section view of an embodiment of the beverage container system taken about section line C-C in  FIG. 4A , showing the locking tab of the lid release button disengaged from the locking cam in an unlocked position to permit removal of the lid body from the container body. 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the beverage container system showing the lid body removed from the beverage container system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the beverage container showing the lid body removed from the beverage container system of  FIG. 1 , with the lid body being flipped upside down relative to its insertion orientation with the beverage container system, so as to show the locking cam, cam surface, the cam interference stop-face, and the fluid flow openings. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the present invention is includes many various forms, the description below of several embodiments is made with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the claimed subject matter, and is not intended to limit the appended claims to the specific embodiments illustrated. The headings used throughout this disclosure are provided for convenience only and are not to be construed to limit the claims in any way. Embodiments illustrated under any heading may be combined with embodiments illustrated under any other heading. 
     The subject matter is sufficiently specific to meet statutory requirements. The inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter may also take the form of various alternate embodiments, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to those described herein, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
     Certain embodiments described herein is a beverage container system, where the lid includes one or more beverage dispensing openings and the beverage container includes a latch disposed between the body of the container and the lid to prevent unscrewing of the lid beyond a predetermined position, the predetermined position being reached before the lid is able to be released from the mug, and thereby preventing complete removal of the lid from the container without first actuating a latch. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a beverage container system  10  is disclosed in an unassembled, exploded view condition. The beverage container system  10  includes a container body  12 , a handle body  14  connected to the upper end of the container body  12 , and a lid body  16  to be selectively secured to the upper end of the container body  12 . The beverage container system  10  may also include an optional container base  18 . For purposes of this application, the term “container body” includes any component that has the ability to store, hold, or dispense any liquid. For purposes of this application, the container body may include both the container body and the handle body, which may be referred to as a container portion and a handle portion. 
     The embodiment of a handle body  14  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is formed in a separate piece from the container body  12 , however, in other embodiments, the handle assembly and container body are formed of one piece. The handle body  14  has a grip portion  20 , a connector portion  22 , and a collar  24 . The connector portion  22  is configured to be attached to the collar  24 . The collar  24  is configured to meet with a portion of the container body  12 . The connector portion  22  may include a recess  26  configured to receive a lid release button  28 . The lid release button  28  is coupled to the connector portion  22  by a hinge pin  30  and is biased to an engaged position by a spring  32  or other biasing member. The lid release button  28  engages a latch  34  on the lid body  16 , as will be described in more detail hereinafter. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , certain embodiments of a beverage container system  10  also include one, two, or more sealing surfaces  35 . Each sealing surface  35  has a complementary sealing surface against which it may be pressed to form a seal. A sealing surface  35  may be a gasket or another type of surface configured to form a liquid-tight seal. A complementary sealing surface may include a wall or other surface. In the illustrated embodiment, a lower gasket  38  may be positioned to prevent liquid from leaking out of the fluid flow openings  46  when the lid is in a closed position. An upper gasket  36  may be positioned to prevent liquid from leaking out from between the lid body  16  and the handle body  14  when the lid assembly is in the closed position or the open position. When the lid assembly is moved to an open position, the upper gasket  36  maintains a fluid seal but the lower gasket  38  is spaced from its sealing surface to provide a gap through which the fluid may flow from the interior of the beverage container system  10 . When the lid assembly is moved to a removed position, the lid assembly is not in contact with the container body. 
     Also, in certain embodiments, one or more gaskets may be positioned to prevent liquid from leaking out between the handle body  14  and container body  12  or the lid body  14  and container body  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the beverage container system  10  disclosed herein is shown in its assembled state, in a side view, showing an optional container base  18  attached to the lower end of the container body  12 , the handle body  14  attached to the upper end of the container body  12 , and the lid body  16  mated with the upper end of the container body  12  and handle body  14 . The lid release button  28  for the latch is visible extending upward from the connector portion  22  of the handle body  14 . The beverage container system  10  may be configured such that a user holding the travel mug by the grip portion  20  of the handle body  14  may easily reach the lid release button  28  with a finger or thumb to release the lid body  16  from a latched position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of the beverage container system  10  disclosed herein is shown in its assembled state, in a top down view, showing the lid body  16  in a mated condition with the handle body  14  and container body  12 , and indicating the section cut line for the side section views shown in  FIGS. 4-5 . The lid release button  28  in the connector portion  22  of the handle body  14  is centered in the handle body  14 . 
     While certain embodiments of a beverage container system  10  may include a lid body  16  having a drink aperture such as a spout, straw, or a generally round or mouth-shaped orifice, certain other embodiments have a liquid release element formed by a gap between a bottom surface  42  and a sidewall  44 . The bottom surface  42  and sidewall  44  may be connected by one or more radial ribs  40 . When the lid assembly is in the open position, the gap between the bottom surface  42  and the sidewall  44  forms a series of one or more fluid flow openings  46 . Each fluid flow opening  46  is defined by a first radial rib  40 , an edge portion of the bottom surface  42 , a second radial rib  40 , and a border section of the sidewall  44 . The series of fluid flow openings  46  may be continuous generally around the entire circumference of the lid body  16  or may include only one or more fluid flow openings  46 . In certain embodiments, fluid flow openings  46  permit the user to drink from the beverage container system  10  from any position about the circumference of the lid body  16 , rather than being limited to drinking from a small orifice at one position along the circumference as with many beverage cups. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , in certain embodiments of the disclosure herein, the container body  12  of the beverage container system  10  generally takes the shape of a cup having a closed container bottom  48 , closed container sidewall  50  extending upward therefrom, and an open container mouth  52  disposed at an upper end of the container body  12  and formed by the sidewalls  50 . The one or more sidewalls  50  may include a generally cylindrical interior wall. The container body  12  preferably has a circular cylindrical shape, and may be made from stainless steel. However, the disclosure of the illustrated embodiment should not be read to limit the shape of the container body to circular cylindrical shape or made from stainless steel. In alternate embodiments, the container body may take alternate shapes, such as a square cylindrical shape, other cylindrical shapes, or other shapes that are capable of storing a liquid beverage. In addition, in alternate embodiments, the outer container may be made of aluminum, or other metallic or polymeric materials, or other materials without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Referring further to  FIG. 4A , in certain embodiments, the container body  12  has an inner shell  54  and an outer shell  56  that define an insulating chamber  58  there between. In this manner, the container body  12  is a double-walled insulated container. The inner and outer shells  54  and  56  each have a closed shell bottom closed shell sidewall, and an open upper shell edge. In certain embodiments, the double-walled insulated container body  12  may be formed by seating a generally cup-shaped inner shell  54  inside of a generally cup-shaped outer shell  56 , which outer shell  56  is larger than the inner shell  54 . The shells  54  and  56  are sealingly connected to each other at their open upper ends such that no gas may thereafter enter into or escape from the space inside the chamber  58 . Any air or other gas may be evacuated from or pumped out of the chamber  58  prior to sealing the two shells  54  and  56  together, thereby creating a container body  12  that is a double-walled and vacuum insulated, which likely will maintain contents of the container body at a relatively constant temperature over a period of time. 
     The inner and outer shells  54  and  56  are both preferably made from stainless steel, aluminum, or another material of suitable rigidity sufficient to resist deforming under the forces placed on the sidewalls by the negative pressures of the vacuum within the chamber. In alternate embodiments, the inner and outer shells may be sized such that only the sidewalls, and not the bottom, or only a portion of the sidewalls of the container body are double-walled vacuum insulated walls, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The insulating chamber  58  between the inner and outer shells of the double-walled container body may contain a vacuum, a partial vacuum, air, inert gas or a combination of gasses, an insulation material, or may otherwise be insulated with still further alternative materials. In certain embodiments, the container body may be draw formed from a single sheet of stainless steel without the need to attach separate components thereto by other processes or subsequent steps. Alternatively, each of the inner shell, outer shell, and even the bottoms of the container base may be draw formed as separate components and welded or otherwise sealingly joined together to form the container body  12 . 
     Referring further to  FIGS. 1 and 4A , in certain embodiments, the container body  12  optionally has a container base  18  affixed to its lower end. The container base  18  may provide some alternative configuration or feature not present in the closed container bottom  48 . For example, a container base  18  may provide the container body  12  with a more stable base upon which it may rest on a table or other flat or non-flat surface. In certain embodiments, the container base  18  may be made of plastic and have the shape of a shallow cup that is snapped or otherwise fastened over at least some portion of the closed container bottom  48 . In other embodiments, the container base  18  may be made of rubber, rubberized plastic, rubberized metal, or other such materials that may provide the container body  12  with a non-slip or treaded surface at its bottom end. In still further alternate embodiments, the container base  18  may have a tread pattern imprinted in or on an outer surface thereof to provide further non-slip functionality to the container body  12 . The container base  18  may also include one or more strengthening ribs or webs projecting from an interior surface thereof. The strengthening ribs provide structural strength to the container base  18  and may rest against or near a bottom surface of the closed container bottom of the container body. In certain embodiments the container base  18  may be removable so as to facilitate easy cleaning of the container body  12 . Alternatively, the container base  18  may be affixed to the container body  12  such that the container base  18  and the container body  12  are configured to be difficult to separate. In certain embodiments, the container base  18  is affixed to the container body  12  by pressing the container base  18  onto the bottom of the container body  12  with a pneumatic press. An inwardly projecting ridge can be seen in  FIG. 4A  about the inside of the container base  18  to provide engagement between the container body  12  and the container base  18 . 
     In certain embodiments, the container body  12  includes a recessed groove  60  disposed in the sidewall of the outer shell  56 . The recessed groove  60  may be located near the mouth of the container body  12  and may be a continuous groove that extends around the full exterior circumference of the outer shell  56  of the container body  12 . This recessed groove  60  is for engaging with one or more locking lugs  62  protruding from the handle body  14 , to affix the handle body  14  to the container body  12 , as will be explained in detail further below. 
     In certain embodiments, the cylindrical sidewall of the container body  12  also defines a neck  64  disposed adjacent to the mouth of the container body  12 . In certain embodiments, the neck  64  includes one or more thread structures formed therein that are used to mate with one or more complimentary thread structures located on the lid body  16  of the beverage container system  10 , to fasten the lid body  16  to the container body  12 . However, the disclosure of thread structures should not be read to limit the structures that are used to fasten the lid body  16  to the mouth of the container body  12 . In alternate embodiments, the neck may include bayonet mounting features that mate with complimentary bayonet mounting structures located on the lid body of the beverage container, or otherwise use additional fastening or mating structures and methods, without departing from the scope of the disclosure herein. In still alternate embodiments, the neck  64  may not contain any rotational fastening structures, and only be configured for the lid body  16  to be mated to the container body  12  by pressing the lid body  16  into the mouth of the container body  12 , similar to a cork or stopper in a bottle. 
     Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the container body  12  includes a circumferential sealing ridge  66  formed in the inner shell  54  of the container body  12  between the beverage holding portion of the inner shell  54  and the thread structures located in the neck  64 . The sealing ridge  66  is a continuous circumferential ridge that protrudes radially inward and otherwise reduces the diameter of the sidewall of the inner shell  54  as compared to the diameter of the neck portion of the container body  12 . Referring to  FIG. 4B , the sealing ridge  66  provides a rigid sealing surface against which a lower gasket  38  in the lid body  16  forms a liquid tight seal, in order to seal the container body  12  closed when the lid body  16  is mated to the container body  12  and moved to a closed position. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 and 4A , a handle body  14  is affixed to the container body  12 . The handle body  14  includes a handle or grip portion  20 , a lid release button  28 , a pin  30  to hingeably affix the lid release button  28  within the handle body  14 , a spring  32  to hingeably bias the lid release button  28  to a locking or latched position, and one or more optional decorative rings  68  affixed to the handle body. In certain embodiments, the handle body  14  itself includes a cylindrical collar  24  for mating the handle body  14  to the upper end of the container body  12 , and one or more locking lugs  62  protruding from an inner surface of the collar  24 . The grip portion  20 —which is generally L-shaped in the illustrated embodiment—may extend downward from the collar  24  of the handle body  14  to provide a grip for a user to hold the beverage container system  10 , and the release button recess  26  disposed in portions of both the handle body  14  and the collar  24 . In certain embodiments, the collar  24  is generally cylindrical in shape with an open top end and an open bottom end forming a ring. The handle body  14  is affixed to the upper end of the container body  12  by sliding the bottom end of the collar  24  over the mouth of the container body  12  and pressing the handle body  14  onto the container body  12  until the locking lugs  62  protruding from the interior surface of the collar  24  are seated into the recessed groove  60  disposed in the upper end of the container body  12 . In this manner, the handle body  14  is not configured to be removable from the container body  12 . In certain embodiments, three separate locking lugs  62  protrude from the interior surface of the collar  24  of the handle body  14 . However, in alternate embodiments, differing numbers of locking lugs may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the handle body  14  is injection molded from a heat resistant polymeric material that can withstand high temperatures without deforming, softening, or heating up. However, in alternate embodiments, the handle body  14  can be made from other polymeric materials with different physical properties and behaviors as needed or desired. In the illustration of  FIG. 4A , the grip portion  20  includes a grip enhancing material  72  on an inside surface. 
     In certain embodiments, the lid release button  28  is generally “L” shaped and has a push button  74  disposed at the end of a first leg of the “L,” a locking tab  76  disposed at the end of the second leg of the “L,” and a pivot hole  78  located near the intersection of the two legs of the “L” and configured to accept a hinge pin  30 . The lid release button  28  may be inserted into the release button recess  26  disposed in the handle body  14  and the hinge pin  30  may be inserted through both a hole in the handle body  14  and the pivot hole  78  in the lid release button  28 . These steps pivotally lock the lid release button  28  into the handle body  14 . Before the lid release button  28  is affixed to the handle body  14  by the hinge pin  30 , a spring  32  may be loaded between the underside of the push button  74  and the bottom of the release button recess  26 . The spring  32  applies an upward force on the underside of the lid release button  28  so that the lid release button  28  will be pivotally biased to an upward position and the locking tab  76  will be biased toward the axial center of the container body  12  to a locking position. In certain embodiments, the spring  32  is a rubber tube spring that is compressed longitudinally about the central axis of the tube spring when the push button  74  is depressed by the thumb or finger of a user so as to move the lid release button  28  to an unlocked position wherein the locking tab  76  is moved to a position where it engage the cam during unthreading movement of the lid. When the push button  74  is released, the force of the compressed rubber tube spring  32  on the underside of the lid release button  28  causes the lid release button  28  to pivot back to its upper locking position and the locking tab  76  to pivot to its forward locking position toward the center of the container body  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , in addition, the handle body  14  may include one or more decorative rings  68  affixed to a lower end of the handle body about the outer circumference of the handle body  14 . The one or more decorative rings  68  may close off any space between the handle body  14  and an outer surface of the container body  12  at the recessed groove  60 . The one or more rings  68  are preferably made from polypropylene, or any other suitable polymeric, metallic, or other material as desired. The one or more rings  68  may be a single color or multiple colors as desired. In certain embodiments, the one or more rings  68  may be affixed to the handle body  14  by three large lugs protruding from the rings  68  that mate with a complimentary recess in the handle body  14  at the location of the lugs to create a snap-fit engagement configured to be sustainable for a long period of time. In alternate embodiments, the decorative rings  68  may be affixed by adhesive, sonic welding, or other known affixing methods. 
     Referring to FIGS.  1  and  4 A- 7 , the lid body  16  of the beverage container system  10  is a 360-degree drink-through lid, whereby when the lid assembly is moved to an open position within the container body  12  (see  FIGS. 5A and 5B ), fluid can exit from within the beverage container system  10  (as indicated by the broken line arrows) by passing through one or more of the openings in the lid body  16  that are located 360-degrees around the lower perimeter of the lid body  16 , permitting a user to drink from any side of the beverage container the user chooses. Such a lid body  16  with openings located 360-degrees or at least two areas around the lid body  16  also provides venting for the beverage container system  10  to allow smooth or laminar fluid flow from within the container. As will be described in greater detail, the user may only dispense fluid from the container when the lid is in the opening or liquid dispensing position, whereas preferably the fluid is prevented from being dispensed when the lid is in a sealed position. 
     A lid assembly  80  includes a lid body  16 . a lower gasket  38  affixed to a bottom end of the lid body, and an upper gasket  36  disposed about an outer surface of the lid body  16 . In general, the lid body  16  is generally cup shaped. The lid body  16  has substantially closed cylindrical lid sidewall  82 , a substantially closed lid bottom surface  84 , a plurality of fluid flow openings  46  in one or more of the bottom surface and sidewall of the lid body, which as disclosed above may be disposed 360-degrees around the periphery of the lid body, and an open top end  88  from which beverages may be sipped or poured when the lid assembly  80  is in an open position. The bottom surface  84  of the lid is spaced from the lid sidewall  82  to define the fluid flow openings  46  between the surface  84  and the sidewalls  82 . The bottom surface  84  and the sidewalls  82  are connected to one another by the radial ribs  40 , between which is provided the fluid flow openings  46 . As a result, fluid may flow from the interior of the container, through the fluid flow opening  46  between the bottom surface  84  and sidewall  82  of the lid body  16  and through the openings  46  between the ribs  40 . 
     As previously discussed, in certain embodiments, the lid body  16  further includes one or more thread structures  90  to engage with the thread structures disposed in the neck  64  of the container body  12 . The thread structures  90  of the lid body  16  are disposed in or on an outer surface thereof. In certain embodiments, a lower gasket  38  is seated in, and/or protrudes from, a recess  92  disposed in a lower outside portion of the lid body  16 . Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , when the lid body  16  is secured to the container body  12  and tightened to a closed position by threading the lid inward, the lower gasket  38  on the lid body  16  is compressed between the lid body  16  and the sealing ridge  66  in the container body  12  to provide a liquid tight seal there between. This liquid tight seal prevents or at least minimizes any fluids from leaking out of the interior space of the beverage container system  10  when the lid body  16  is in the closed position. Unthreading the lid moves the lower gasket  38  away from the sealing ridge  66  to move the lid to the open position, which permits fluids in the container to be dispensed. 
     In certain embodiments, the upper gasket  36  is seated in a circumferential recess  94  disposed in an upper outside portion of the lid body  16  and engages an interior cylindrical wall within the container body  12 . The upper gasket  36  maintains a sealed condition between the lid body  16  and the container body  12  when the lid is in both the closed position and when the lid is in the open, liquid dispensing position. The purpose of the upper gasket  36  is to prevent or at least minimize fluid from leaking out of or escaping from the beverage container system  10  while fluid is being sipped or poured through the lid body  16 . The lid body  16  is configured to mate inside of the neck  64  of the container body  12 . However, in alternate embodiments, it is contemplated that the lid body  16  may secure over the outside of the neck of the container body, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, an example of which is shown in  FIG. 5C , the upper gasket  36  has at least one fin  65  protruding radially outward therefrom and into contact with the cylindrical interior surface  67  of the container body to provide a liquid tight seal between the lid body  16  and the inner wall  54  of the container body  12 , even when the lid body  16  is only partially mated or engaged with the container body  12  and is otherwise located in an open, liquid dispensing position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , for the purposes of this disclosure, the open position of the lid assembly  80  is any position in which the lower gasket  38  is not compressed against the sealing ridge  66  to prevent or at least minimize the amount of fluid exiting the container body  12 . Thus, this open position of the lid assembly  80  includes any positioning of components in which fluid inside the container body  12  is permitted to flow past the lower gasket  38  and exit the container body  12  through the fluid flow openings  46  in the lid body  16 , while the lid body  16  is still securely positioned relative to the container body  12 . 
     As discussed above and as shown in  FIG. 5C , the upper gasket  36  is configured to provide a sealed sliding friction fit between the lid body  16  and the inner wall  54  of the container body  12  so that when the lid body  16  is mated to the container body  12 , the one or more fins  65  of the upper gasket  36  press against the inner wall  54  of the container body and prevent liquid from flowing out of the beverage container past the upper gasket  36 . The upper gasket  36  may maintain its location on the lid body by spring force resulting from the gasket being stretched while seated in the recessed groove and/or an interference fit with the recessed groove. However, the disclosure of the above embodiment should not be read to limit the shape or configuration of the upper gasket (or lower gasket) to a rubber ring seated in a recessed groove and having one or more fins  65  projecting therefrom. Rather, additional configurations of recessed grooves and gaskets can be used to achieve the same purpose without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in alternate embodiments, the upper or lower gaskets may be bonded to the lid body within a recessed groove, or bonded to a portion of the outer surface of the lid body without the need for a recessed groove, depending on the configuration, size, and shape of the gasket and, in the case of the upper gasket, the desired amount of sliding friction and degree of fluid-tight seal that is desired. The upper and lower gaskets may be made of rubber, silicone rubber, or any other polymer that will achieve the purpose and functionality of providing a seal and friction fit between the lid body and container body. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-6B , the plurality of fluid flow openings  46  are disposed in the lid body  16  between the location of the lower gasket  38  and the location of the upper gasket  36 . As disclosed previously, the fluid flow openings  46  are openings in the lid body  16  through which the beverage or other fluid is permitted to exit the interior of the beverage container system  10  when the lid body  16  is engaged with the container body  12  and placed in an open position. The fluid flow openings are formed by the bottom  84  of the lid being separated from the sidewalls  82  of the lid. Other arrangements may be provided instead, such as one or more openings in the lid, either at a single location near the periphery of the lid or at multiple locations. A series of openings in an arrangement about the lid are possible. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-7 , the lid body  16  also has one or more locking cams  96  protruding horizontally from an exterior surface  98  of the cylindrical lid body  16  for engaging with the locking tab  76  of the lid release button  28  in the handle body  14 . The cams  96  and locking tab  76  prevent the inadvertent movement of the lid beyond the liquid dispensing position that may risk the lid falling from the container during dispensing or drinking. In certain embodiments, the locking cam  96  is disposed above both the lower and upper gaskets  38  and  36 , as well as above the thread structures  90  on the lid body  16 . However, in alternate embodiments, the locking cam may be positioned elsewhere as needed to compliment alternate designs or positioning of the lid release button and associated locking tab. The locking cam  96  is essentially a horizontally arranged ramp that intersects the otherwise cylindrical outer surface  98  of the lid body  16  at a first end. The cam surface of the locking cam  96  protrudes radially outward from the cylindrical outer surface  98  of the lid body  16  from the first end of the cam to the second end of the cam, forming a ramp extending radially outward from the cylindrical surface  98 . The locking cam  96  also has a cliff edge  100  that defines an interference stop-face at its second end for creating an interference fit with the locking tab  76  of the lid release button  28  to prevent movement beyond the liquid dispensing position, as will be explained further below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 5A , the beverage container system  10  is shown in a side cross section view to illustrate how the lid release button  28 , lid body  16 , and container body  12  function together. To use the assembled beverage container  10  and lid body  16 , the lid body  16  is removed from the container body  12 , and the container body  12  is filled, through the mouth of the container body  12 , with a liquid beverage. The lid body  16  is inserted, bottom side first, through the mouth of the container body  12  and into neck  64  of the container body  16 . The thread structures  90  in/on the outer surface of the lid body  16  are configured to engage with the thread structures in/on the neck  64  of the container body  12  so that they can engage each other. The lid body  16  is rotated about its axial center and the lid body  16  is screwed into the neck  64  of the container body  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , as the lid body  16  is rotated and screwed into the container body  12 , the upper gasket  36  begins to slidably and sealingly engage with the sidewall of the inner shell  54  of the container body  12  at the neck. Once the upper gasket  36  enters the mouth of the container body  12  and engages the sidewall of the inner shell  54  of the container body  54 , the upper gasket  36  forms a liquid tight seal against the neck of the container body  12 , even while it is rotating or otherwise sliding further into the neck  64  of the container body  12 . As the lid body  16  is screwed further downward relative to the neck  64  of the container body  12 , the upper gasket  36  also slides further in the same downward direction, entering further into the neck  54  and away from the mouth of the container body  12 . 
     In addition, shortly after the thread structures  90  of the lid body  16  engage with the complimentary thread structures in/on the neck  64  of the container body  12 , the locking cam  96  begins to engage the locking tab  76  of the lid release button  28  in the handle body  14 . As the lid body  16  is screwed into the neck  64 , the locking tab  76  of the lid release button  28 , which is biased to a forward position and otherwise protrudes forward past the inner surface of the container body  12 , engages with the locking cam  96  on the outer surface  98  of the lid body  16  as the cam rotatably slides past the locking tab  76 . When the cam  96  passes by the locking tab  76  on the lid release button  28 , the locking tab  76  acts as a cam follower that rides up the ramped cam surface from the first end of the cam as the lid body  16  is screwed into the container body  12 . As the locking cam  96  engages the locking tab  76 , the cam  96  pushes the locking tab  76  radially outward and away from the container body  12  and otherwise pivots the entire lid release button  28  about its hinge pin  30 . The compression spring  32  below the push button  74  is compressed when the cam  96  passes by the locking tab  76  and the spring  32  applies a force in the opposite direction against the underside of the push button  74  of the lid release button  28  to keep the locking tab  76  in contact with the cam  96  as it passes by. The ramp shaped cam  96 , of which there may be one or several about the circumference, automatically engages and moves the locking tab to a position for locking the lid in a retained lid position. 
     When the lid body  16  is rotated so that the locking cam  96  slidably passes by the locking tab  76 , the locking tab  76  will deflect away from the axial center of the lid body  16  and ride up the cam surface until it reaches the second end of the cam  96  at the location of the cliff edge  100  of the cam. When the lid body  16  assembly is rotated further, the cam  96  passes completely by the locking tab  76 , and the locking tab  76  and button  74  are forced by the compression spring  32  to reengage the cylindrical outer surface  98  of the lid body  16 . The lid is now locked to prevent inadvertent unscrewing of the lid beyond the liquid dispensing position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , if the user were to now try to unscrew the lid body  16 , whether intentionally or unintentionally, a side face of the locking tab  76  would make face-to-face interference contact with stop-face of the cam cliff edge  100  of the cam and prevent the lid body  16  from being unscrewed while the locking tab  76  is in the locking position. The locking tab  76  can be moved to an unlocked position, as will be described. 
       FIGS. 4A and 6A  show the lid release button  28  in a locking position, wherein the locking tab  76  is engaged with the lid body  16  will prevent removal of the lid body  16  from the container body  12  and will prevent the lid body  16  from being moved to a position where it may separate from the container body  12 . Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , if the lid body  16  has not been screwed all the way onto the container body  12 , the lower gasket  38  will not be compressed against the sealing ridge  66  and fluid may flow past the lower gasket  38 . The lid body  16  is thus in an open and locked position, whereby a user may sip or pour liquid from the beverage container system  10  without the lid falling off or fluid exiting the beverage container system anywhere other than through the fluid flow openings  46  in the lid body. The lid may also reach the illustrated position by being in a sealed, closed position and being moved to an open, beverage dispensing position. The interaction between the locking cam  96  on the lid body  16  and the locking tab  76  on the lid release button  28  provides a positive stop for the lid assembly when it is in an open position, to assure that the lid is on sufficiently and to assure the user that the lid body  16  is secured for drinking or dispensing fluid without the lid coming off. The user may continue to screw the lid body  16  onto the container body so that the lower gasket  38  is compressed so that the lid is in the closed, sealed position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 6B , to unscrew the lid body  16  for removal, the user must first depress the push button  74  of the lid release button  28  such as with a thumb or finger of one hand, which will pivot the locking tab  76  away from, and out of engagement with, the one or more locking cams  96  disposed on the lid body  16 . With the push button  74  depressed and the locking tab  76  being maintained in the disengaged position, the user can then completely unscrew the lid body  16  from the container body  12  with the other hand and completely remove the lid body  16  from the container body  12 . In this manner, the lid body  16  requires two hands to completely remove the lid body  16  from the container body  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , the lid body  16  is thus placed in a locked condition by screwing the lid body  16  past the cliff edge  100  of the locking cam  96  such that the lid body  16  cannot be removed without first depressing the lid release button  74  to disengage the locking tab  76  from the lid body  16  and the one or more cams  96 . Conversely, referring to  FIG. 6B , the lid body  16  is placed in an unlocked condition when the locking tab  76  is disengaged from both the lid body  16  and the one or more locking cams  96  by depressing the lid release button  74 . The lid release button  28  need only be pressed momentarily when the lid body  16  is unscrewed to clear the locking tab  76  from the cliff edge of the locking cam  96 . Once cleared of the cliff edge  100 , the lid release button  28  need no longer be pressed, as the locking tab  76  will merely slide on the ramped cam  96  or move over the exterior surface  98  with further unscrewing movement of the lid. One, two, three, or more locking cams may be provided on the lid body  16 . 
     As discussed previously, if the user screws the lid body  16  completely into the container body  12 , the lower gasket  38  will make contact with the face of the sealing ridge  66  and become compressed between the sealing ridge  66  and lid body  16 , thus creating a fluid tight seal and placing the lid body  16  in a closed position. To access the fluid inside the container body  12 , the user may partially unscrew the lid body  16  from the container body  12  to move the lower gasket  38  away from the sealing surface, thereby opening a fluid flow passage from the container. The user may unscrew the lid further up to the position at which a side face of the locking tab  76  makes contact with the stop-face  100  of the locking cam  96  on the lid body  16 . This results in the lower gasket  38  in the lid body  16  pulling away from the sealing ridge  66  on the container body  12  for liquid dispensing. The user may drink from the beverage container system  10  or pour liquid from the container without further removal of the lid and without having to depress the lid release button  74 . This position permits drinking of the beverage without splashing and with reduced chance of spilling, such as while commuting or traveling. The gap between the sealing ridge  66  and the lower gasket  38  is sufficient to permit the fluid within the container body  12  to pass by the lower gasket  38  and exit the beverage container through the fluid flow openings  46  in the lid body  16 . The upper gasket  36  is still sealingly mated between the lid body  16  and an upper portion of the neck  64  to prevent the fluid from exiting the beverage container at any location other than the fluid flow openings  46 . 
     As stated previously, to remove the lid body  16  for filling or cleaning the container body  12 , the user depresses push button  74  of the lid release button  28  while unscrewing the lid, which disengages the locking tab  76  from the cliff edge of the one or more cams  96  on the lid body  16 , and the lid body  16  may be completely unscrewed and removed from the container body  12 . 
     Although the lid of the illustrated embodiment is engaged onto the container by thread and moved between the sealed and liquid dispensing positions by unscrewing the threaded parts, it is envisioned that a lid within the scope of the present invention may be moved between the sealed and dispensing positions by sliding movement, by translational movement, by rotational movement, by a bayonet movement, or otherwise. The person of skill in the art will understand how to apply a latch that prevents the lid from moving beyond the dispensing position unless the latch is released by the user. 
     While the disclosure herein has primarily been directed to a horizontally positioned cam protruding from the lid body, this should not be read as to limit the cam to being only horizontally positioned. In alternative embodiments, for example in an embodiment in which the lid is mated to the container body by simply pushing the lid body into the neck of the bottle, the cam on the lid body can be positioned vertically, or in any other direction as needed to fit a particular configuration for mating the lid body to the container body. 
     It is envisioned that the lid release button may be provided on either the beverage container or on the lid. A locking cam on the corresponding other part prevents inadvertent removal of the lid from the container. 
     Accordingly, a beverage container with a latch to manage lid position has been disclosed. Such a beverage container will prevent the lid from accidentally or inadvertently falling off when liquid is dispensed from the beverage container. 
     Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.