Patent Publication Number: US-11655083-B2

Title: Cup lid with locking and delayed release

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 202022488459.4 entitled “A thermal insulation cup lid with locking and delayed popping function that can be operated with one hand” filed before China&#39;s National Intellectual Property Administration on Nov. 2, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a lid for cup, and more specifically to a lid for a thermally insulating tumbler or mug for drinking water or other beverage and includes a locking and delayed release mechanism for operation with one hand. 
     2. Related Art 
     Whether to keep a cold liquid cold or a warm liquid warm for extended durations, insulating vessels are widely used. Such vessels, also known as vacuum flasks, are typically comprised of an outer flask and an inner flask disposed within the outer flask and separated by a vacuum that reduces heat transfer. Thermally insulating mugs/tumblers are often used to conveniently store hot beverages such as tea or coffee, as well as cold beverages such as water or juice. Regardless of the temperature of the beverage, easy access thereto is needed. While an open top provides the greatest access, heat loss (in the case of warm beverages) or warming (in the case of cool beverages) is unacceptable. Accordingly, many different stoppers, lids, caps, and other vessel closures have been developed, with the design objective being reduced thermal transfer into and out of the interior of the vessel, ease of opening, and ease of closing, among other considerations. 
     One such closure mechanism is a pushbutton release lid, in which one side of the lid is in a hinged relationship to a base portion that is threaded onto the open rim of the vessel. The lid incorporates a spring/biasing element and a latch, and upon releasing the latch, the lid is flipped open from the opposite side due to the force of the spring. These lids may also be referred to more generally as automatic release lids. 
     When storing hot beverages, steam tends to build at the upper portions of the vessel. The action of opening a conventional automatic release lid tends to be abrupt and immediate. Thus, the steam may be immediately released. In some variations of an automatic release lid, there may be a sliding lock that engages with the latch to prevent its movement. Upon unlocking, the separate push button is used to release the latch and open the lid. Thus, opening such lid is understood to be a two-step process, in which the sliding lock is moved, then the button coupled to the latch is pressed and released. Closing the lid and ensuring against inadvertent latch release similarly involves two steps—closing the lid and engaging the same to the latch, then sliding the lock back to the locked position. Since the latch release button and the sliding lock is separated, it may not be possible to open the cup lid with one hand in a single fluid motion. The lock is released in a first motion, and then the finger is moved to the latch release button and pressed in a second motion. Locating the latch release button after sliding the lock may also present a challenge unto itself. Such conventional lids may be difficult to use when driving and in other situations where only one-handed operation is possible, especially with no or limited visual feedback. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved cup lid with a locking and delayed release. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In order to overcome the existing limitations in the art, the present disclosure proposes a single-handed operation cup lid with locking and delayed release. The described cup lid may include a lockable button with buffered or delayed opening features. By holding the cup in one hand, the user can easily slide the button to an unlocked state, press the button in, and open a narrow gap between the lid and the lid base. The lid can be fully opened when the button is thereafter released. 
     In accordance with the various embodiments of the disclosure, there may be a lid operable with one hand and include a locking and delayed release. The lid may include a lid base that is coupled to a vessel, with the lid base including a hinge coupled to a lid. One side of the lid base includes a slidable button movable up and down between a locked position and an unlocked position. Additionally there may be a rocker latch with an inner lock hook and an outer lock hook. The lid includes a fixed catch likewise with a catch inner hook and a catch outer hook that are correspondingly engageable to the inner lock hook and the outer lock hook. 
     Further, the lid base may be equipped with water nozzle which is convenient for drinking. 
     Further, the lid base may include a liquid outlet and an air vent. 
     There may be a biasing element between the lid and the lid base, and such biasing element may be a torsion spring or a compression spring. 
     It is contemplated that the lid of the present disclosure allows opening and unlocking with one hand. Moreover, the lid can be partially opened to release the steam in the vessel, and then fully open. This may be desirable to prevent the expansion of vapor caused by the high temperature of the liquid stored in the vessel. The button can be pressed and held pressed to open the lid slightly and discharge the gas and vapor. Upon releasing the button, the lid can be fully opened to prevent liquid droplets rom splashing. The button can be locked and unlocked by sliding the same up and down with one finger. When opening, the lid can be partly opened and fully opened by pressing the button directly without moving the finger, which improves convenience during use. The lid may be easily operated with one hand, with a single finger controlling the locking and lid release functions to smoothly complete the opening of the lid. 
     The present disclosure will be best understood accompanying by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lid according to the present disclosure with the lid being closed and a latch release button in a locked state; 
         FIG.  2    is a detailed exploded front perspective view of a locking and release assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a detailed exploded rear perspective view of a button and a latch of the locking and release assembly; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded cross-sectional view of the locking and release assembly taken along axis A-A of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view of the lid in a closed state with the button in an unlocked state; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional view of the lid in which the button has been pressed and the latch is partly disengaged from the lid to partially open the lid; and 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the lid in which the latch is disengaged from the lid to release and fully open the lid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the several presently contemplated embodiments of a lid with locking and delayed release, and is not intended to represent the only form in which such embodiments may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and features in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, left and right and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities. 
     With reference now to the figures, the various features of a lid with locking and delayed release that can be operated with a single hand will be described. As shown therein, a lid assembly  10  includes a lid base  2  that is threadably coupled onto a cylindrical rim portion  12  of a vessel  1 . In an exemplary embodiment, the vessel  1  may be a thermally insulating tumbler or cup defined by a cylindrical exterior  14  and an interior  16  that retains a liquid beverage, e.g., drinking water, coffee, tea, etc., though this is by way of example only and not of limitation. That is, the vessel  1  can be a stainless steel thermos cup, a glass cup, a plastic cup and even other non-insulation cups. Along these lines, any other suitable shape or configuration of the vessel  1  may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The lid assembly  10  further includes a releasable lid  3  that is hindgedly coupled to the lid base  2  via a hinge assembly  18  including a lid base knuckle  18   a  and a lid knuckle  18   b  each defining a pin bore  20  through which a pin  22  is inserted. The pin  22  is understood to be coupled to the lid base knuckle  18   a  and the lid knuckle  18   b , thereby allowing one to rotate about the other. A torsion spring (not shown) may be located within the pin bore  20  and around the pin  22 , with opposing arms of the torsion spring being engaged to a respective one of the lid base  2  and the lid  3  to apply a biasing force against the other, such that when the lid  3  is released, it quickly rotates about the hinge assembly  18  and flips open to reveal an opening channel  26  through which liquid held within the interior  16  of the vessel  1  may flow. 
     The torsion spring may be substituted with any other suitable type of biasing element, and may be more generally referred to as a hinge return spring. Energy accumulated in the return spring under compression may be released when the constraint can be released. A hinge return spring in the form of the aforementioned torsion spring as set forth above stores energy when the hinge is twisted in one direction, and releases energy in the opposite direction when the constraint is released. In the limited space of the lid  3  and the lid base  2 , the use of a tension spring may not be optimal, though a compression spring may be used. Such compression spring may be a coil spring or a strip of flexible sheet metal. 
     The lid base  2  may define a spout  28  that is generally in fluid communication with the opening channel  26 . In an exemplary embodiment, the spout  28  may have a half scoop-shaped nozzle that is fitted for a human mouth and allow the user to drink smoothly and with comfort. The mouth of the opening channel  26  (and hence the spout  28 ) may be configured to be as large as the mouth of the vessel  1 , though in order to avoid excessive liquid flow, the opening channel  26  may be configured to be smaller. For ensuring cleanliness of the liquid retained in the vessel  1 , the opening channel  26  may be reduced in size so as to prevent dust and foreign objects in the atmosphere from entering the same, thereby polluting the liquid or beverage in the vessel  1  during use. 
     In order to facilitate flow and allow for smooth displacement of water when the liquid is flowing across the entire diameter of the opening channel  26 , the top of the lid base  2  may further incorporate a relief port  30 . The lid base  2  may be constructed of plastic or other non-metallic materials and may incorporate seals at the interfaces between the lid base  2  and the vessel  1  to prevent liquid from seeping out therefrom. 
     The lid  3  incorporates a main stopper plug  32  that extends from an interior face thereof. The main stopper plug  32  is understood to close off the opening channel  26  defined by the lid base  2  and prevent the outflow of liquid from the interior of the vessel  1 . Thus, regardless of the position or orientation in which the vessel  1  is held, the liquid is not contemplated to leak. The lid  3  may also incorporate a relief port stopper plug  34  which similarly closes off the relief port  30  defined on the lid base  2 . The main stopper plug  32  and the relief port stopper plug  34  may be of a unitary construction, though this is by way of example only and not of limitation. According to one embodiment, the main stopper plug  32  and the relief port stopper plug  34  may be constructed of a suitably elastic material that can seal off the opening channel  26  and the relief port  30 . By way of example, this may be rubber, silicone, or other elastic material that can achieve a seal. The main stopper plug  32  and the relief port stopper plug  34  may have a shape that is slightly oversized relative to the opening channel  26  and the relief port  30 . The lid  3  may be constructed of plastic or other nonmetallic materials. 
     The present disclosure contemplates the lid assembly  10  with the locking and release assembly  24  that can be selectively locked to prevent or allow the lid  3  to be unlatched from the lid base  2  following actuation and release. The locking and release assembly  24  may be disposed on the slide of the lid assembly  10  that is opposite the hinge assembly  18 . With additional reference to  FIGS.  2 - 4   , the locking and release assembly  24  includes a button  4 , a rocker latch  5  in engagement with the button  4 , and a receiver  36  to which the button  4  and the rocker latch  5  are mounted. 
     The receiver  36  defined on the lid base  2  is generally characterized by a raised wall  38  with a first vertical sidewall portion  38   a , a vertical sidewall portion  38   b  opposite thereto, and a partially circular sidewall portion  38   c  connecting the vertical sidewall portions  38   a ,  38   b . Defined in each of the vertical sidewall portions  38   a ,  38   b , are journal holes  40   a ,  40   b , respectively, which are receptive to a cross pin  42 . The journal holes  40  are understood to be axially aligned with each other, and are perpendicular to the vertical sidewall portions  38   a ,  38   b . The upper portion of the receiver  36  is open-ended. The outer surface of the lid base  2  enclosed within the raised wall  38  defines an area  44 , from a center part of which a locking block  201  extends. The locking block  201  is understood to have a rectangular cuboid shape and extend outwardly from the surface of the lid base  2  to an extent less than the height of the wall  38 . The receiver  36  further defines a boss  48  in the central part of the area  44  above the locking block  201 , as well as a latch rotation limiter  49  at the upper open end of the area  44 . The latch rotation limiter  49  may have a rectangular cuboid shape that extends outwardly from the surface of the lid base similar to the locking block  201 . 
     The locking and release assembly  24  further includes the rocker latch  5 , which is defined by an actuation plate  50 , a pair of right and left arm extensions  52   a ,  52   b  extending from the actuation plate  50 , and an inner locking hook  501  integral with and connecting the arm extensions  52 . In further detail, the arm extensions  52  are each defined by a first or horizontal section  54  extending perpendicularly to the actuation plate  50 , with a proximal end  56  being connected to the actuation plate  50  and an opposed distal end  58 . The arm extensions  52  are also each defined by a second or vertical section  60  that extend perpendicularly from the horizontal section  54  at the distal end  58  thereof. The inner locking hook  501  is defined by a vertical face  62 , an opposed tapered face  64 , and a flat hook interior face  66 . The actuation plate  50  is defined by a button engagement face  68  and an opposed inside surface  70  from which the arm extensions  52  extend. Additionally, an outer locking hook  502  extends from the inside surface  70  of the actuation plate  50  and is defined by a tapered face  72  and a flat hook interior face  74 . 
     The actuation plate  50  further includes a hinge knuckle  76  defining a hollow hinge pin bore  78 . The hinge knuckle is understood to be offset from and below the arm extensions  52 . The actuation plate  50  may be positioned within the receiver  36  such that the hinge pin bore  78  is in axial alignment with the journal holes  40  on the raised wall  38 . Furthermore, with the actuation plate  50  so positioned, the cross pin  42  is understood to be inserted through the hinge pin bore  78 . Accordingly, the center of the hinge pin bore  78  is the rotational center of the actuation plate  50 , with the inner locking hook  501  and the outer locking hook  502  being selectively engageable to or disengeable from the lid  3  depending on the rotated angle of the actuation plate  50 , as will be described in further detail below. 
     The locking and release assembly  24  also includes the button  4  as mentioned above. The button  4  has an exterior actuation surface  80  and an opposed latch engagement face  82  that abuts against the button engagement face  68  of the rocker latch  5 . Additionally, the extending from the latch engagement face  82  are a pair of right and left slide rails  84   a ,  84   b , each of which define a hinge pin slot  86 . The button  4  is likewise understood to be positioned within the receiver  36 , with the lateral center of the hinge pin slots  86  being in alignment with the hinge pin bore  78  of the rocker latch  5  and the journal holes  40  of the raised wall  38 . Thus, the cross pin  42  may extend through both of the hinge pin slots  86 . 
     The button  4  is understood to be slidable upwards and downwards because of the elongated hinge pin slots  86  despite the cross pin  42  being fixed and stationary. The actuation plate  50  defines a pair of corresponding right and left rail slots  88   a ,  88   b  within which the respective slide rails  84   a ,  84   b  of the button  4  are received. Each of the rail slots  88  defines a first detent groove  90   a  for a locked position for the button  4 , and a second detent groove  90   b  for an unlocked position for the button  4 . The slide rails  84  each include respective ridges  92 , each of which are engageable to a corresponding one of the first detent groove  90   a  and the second detent groove  90   b  on the actuation plate  50 . 
     The engagement of the ridges  92  to the detent grooves  90  is understood to stabilize the position of the button  4  relative to the rocker latch  5  and prevent further movement. Those portions of the actuation plate  50  that define the rail slots  88  may also be described as arms extending from the upper end of the same. Such arms are understood to flex when the ridges  92  is pushed against a given one of the detent grooves  90  to allow the sliding movement of the button  4  once a force sufficient to overcome the retention forces of the arm is applied. The extent of the movement prevented may vary depending on the retention forces of the arms, which may correspond to the material rigidity characteristics and/or the thickness thereof. The amount of force necessary to slide the button  4  may preferably be set to be greater than such forces encountered during a typical inadvertent contact. In other words, the force necessary to disengage the ridges  92  from the detent grooves  90  may be at a level corresponding to a deliberate action by the user. After the ridges  92  overcome the retention forces from the arms and settle into the adjacent detent grooves  90 , there may be a tactile feedback in the form of a click. In order to facilitate the sliding of the button  4 , the exterior actuation surface  80  of the button  4  is defined by an upper fillet  94  that may be pressed to apply downward force against the button  4 , and by a lower fillet  96  that may be pressed to apply upward force against the button  4 . 
     With the button  4  being engaged to the first detent groove  90   a , any inward rotational force applied to the lower half of the button  4  is blocked due to the abutting engagement of a button strut  98  against the locking block  201 . This is the condition illustrated in  FIG.  1   . When shifted downward to the second detent groove  90   b , the locking block  201  no longer presents an impediment to any rotation force applied to the low half of the button  4 . This is the condition illustrated in  FIG.  5   , which allows movement of the rocker latch  5  and specifically the inner locking hook  501  and the outer locking hook  502 . The rotational extent of the button  4  and the rocker latch  5  may be restricted by the latch rotation limiter  49  however. So that the button  4  and the rocker latch  5  return to its default position, a torsion spring may be disposed around the cross pin  42  with one arm of the spring being engaged to the rocker latch  5  or the button  4 , and the other arm being engaged to the receiver  36 . 
     The button  4  is slidably engaged to the rocker latch  5  and the lid base  2  via the receiver  36 . Thus, it is contemplated that the button  4  can be locked and unlocked to prevent or allow the opening of the lid  3 . In order to prevent the inadvertent opening, the button  4  may be locked. As discussed above, the button  4  has two positions and may be slid between the same. When in the upper position, the button  4  is in the locked position, and when in the lower position, the button  4  is in the unlocked position. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the button strut  98  on the lower part of the button  4  is locked by the locking block  201  and cannot be pressed. When the user desires to open the lid  3  to consume the contents of the vessel  1 , the button  4  may be shifted downward in the direction a of the arrow.  FIG.  5    illustrates the end result of this action, in which the button  4  reaches the lower position. 
     Opposite the hinge assembly  18 , the lid  3  includes a fixed catch  100  that is generally characterized by a catch inner hook  301  and a catch outer hook  302 . The catch inner hook  301  is defined by a flat inner latch engagement face  102  and an inner angled face  104 , while the catch outer hook  302  is defined by a flat outer latch engagement face  106  and an outer angled face  108 . According to the illustrated embodiment, the flat outer latch engagement face  106  is raised relative to the flat inner latch engagement face  102 . Furthermore, the inner angled face  104  extends a shorter distance compared to the outer angled face  108 . 
     The lid  3  is retained in a closed position relative to the lid base  2  based upon the abutting engagement of the flat outer latch engagement face  106  and the flat hook interior face  74  of the outer locking hook  502 . The biasing element of the lid assembly  10  exerts a constant opposing force against the outer locking hook  502  through the fixed catch  100  of the lid  3 , maintaining this abutting engagement between the flat outer latch engagement face  106  and the flat hook interior face  74 . 
     The catch inner hook  301  may be disengaged from the outer locking hook  502  upon pressing in the button  4  along the direction indicated by arrow b in  FIG.  5    to rotate the rocker latch  5  outwardly away.  FIG.  6    illustrates this disengaged state, in which the rocker latch  5  is rotated away from the catch inner hook  301  such that the flat outer latch engagement face  106  and the flat hook interior face  74  are no longer abutting against each other. 
     The button  4  can remain depressed to maintain the rocker latch  5  at its maximum rotational extent. As the lid  3  begins to rotate upwards (clockwise in the view shown in  FIG.  6   ), the opposite part of the fixed catch  100 , that is, the flat inner latch engagement face  102  of the catch inner hook  301 , comes into an abutting engagement with the flat hook interior face  66  of the inner locking hook  501  to stop the rotating/flipping movement of the lid  3 . The aforementioned biasing element of the lid assembly  10  exerts a constant opposing force against the inner locking hook  501  through the fixed catch  100  of the lid  3 , thus maintaining the abutting engagement between the flat hook interior face  66  and the flat inner latch engagement face  102 . 
     Again, the rocker latch  5  can serve to retain the lid  3  to the lid base  2  in a tightly coupled relationship, and sealing the opening channel  26  to prevent the liquid stored within the vessel  1  from leaking/flowing out. As described above, the rocker latch  5  may effectively buffer the initial opening of the lid  3 , with the partially opened stated shown in  FIG.  6    being maintained so long as the button  4  is pressed in and the rocker latch  5  is in engagement with the fixed catch  100  of the lid  3 . The partially opened state effects a delayed opening or buffering, as well as allow for the partial dispersion of steam or accumulated gas from the interior of the vessel  1  through the limited gap  110 . 
     Once the button  4  is released as illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the biasing element/torsion spring of the locking and release assembly  24  returns the button  4  and the rocker latch  5  to its vertical position. In other words, the rocker latch  5  is reset under the action of the biasing element in the direction indicated by arrow c. Additionally, the inner locking hook  501  is disengaged from the fixed catch  100  of the lid  3 , and the flat inner latch engagement face  102  is no longer in an abutting relationship to the flat hook interior face  66 . As shown in  FIG.  7   , with no other element blocking the rotation of the lid  3 , the biasing element of the lid assembly  10  forces the rotation of the lid to its maximum extent in the direction of arrow d. 
     Closing the lid  3  is contemplated to be possible without additional manipulation of the button  4 . Rather, with the rocker latch  5  and the button  4  being returned to is default vertical position, the outer locking hook  502  is within the rotation path of the catch outer hook  302 . The lid  3  can be closed and pushed on to the rocker latch  5 . In further detail, both the tapered face  702  of the outer locking hook  502  and the outer angled face  108  of the catch outer hook  302  provide a gradual, sliding engagement of the two faces, with the rocker latch  5  being rotated counterclockwise (relative to the view shown in  FIG.  7   ) to give way to the travel of the fixed catch  100 . An edge portion between the apex and the outer angled face  108  may also be rounded to further smooth the transition during this movement. The biasing element of the locking and release assembly  24  returns the rocker latch  5  to its vertical position in which the flat hook interior face  74  is in an abutting engagement with the flat outer latch engagement face  106  of the fixed catch  100 . 
     In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a series of actions can be performed by holding the cup or vessel  1  with one hand. The user may slide down the button  4  to unlock, press in the button  4  to open the gap  110  in the opening part of the lid  3 , and then release the button  4  to fully open the lid, that is, complete opening with one hand. Opening the gap  110  between the lid  3  and the lid base  2  is understood to prevent the release of water vapor from hot water or other beverages stored in the vessel  1 . The button  4  may be pressed in during the first actuation to slightly discharge the accumulated gas/steam. This may be maintained for any desirable time duration, and releasing the button  4  fully opens the lid  3 . The drinking port that is the opening channel  26 , may be designed to fit the normal mouth shape of the human body, and allow smoother flow of the beverage. The various seals discussed above can render the vessel  1  watertight, though they can be easily removed for cleaning to improve hygiene. Regardless of usage settings, whether at home, the office, driving/riding in a car, or operating machinery or equipment, the user can unlock and open the lid  3  using one hand to enjoy the beverage. 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the lid with locking and delayed release. The specifics described above, such as the shape of the button, the shape of the latch and a cup shape, etc. are exemplary only, and modifications or equivalent replacements are understood to be within the purview of those having ordinary skill in the art, and does not require departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Rather, these and other features of the disclosure are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details with more particularity than is necessary, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present disclosure may be embodied in practice.