# US 10,479,567 B2 · Drink container with torque-limiting lid

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- Number: US 10,479,567 B2
- Document ID: US10479567B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/669,360
- Filed: 2017-08-04
- Published: 2019-02-07
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-04
- Assignees: Nuk USA LLC
- Applicants: Nuk USA LLC
- Inventors: Peter Therrien; Richard Rubin; Mario A. Turchi; Steven Madsen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479567B2

## CPC

- B65D 45/325: {the annular member being screw-threaded or bayonet-type (B65D51/14 takes precedence)}
- A61J 9/085: {Lids for closing the bottle}
- A61J 11/006: {for improving flexibility}
- A61J 11/045: {with interlocking means, e.g. protrusions or indentations on the teat}
- B65D 43/0231: {only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth of the container (B65D43/0227 takes precedence)}
- B65D 47/06: with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages (with slidable spouts B65D47/26)
- B65D 51/248: {the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles (B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02)}
- A61J 2205/70: Audible labels, e.g. for pre-recorded info or messages
- B65D 53/02: Collars or rings
- B65D 2543/00046: Drinking-through lids
- B65D 2543/00537: on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE

## Abstract

A drink container with torque-limiting lid is provided. The drink container includes a lid that can be threadably coupled to a container body having a volume to hold fluids. The lid can include an inner lid assembly concentric with an outer lid assembly. The inner lid assembly can include a multiple ratchet teeth along an outer perimeter and the outer lid assembly can include one or more ratchet pawls along an inner perimeter and configured to engage the ratchet teeth. Rotational force on the outer lid assembly can be transferred to the inner lid assembly from the ratchet pawls to the ratchet teeth to threadably couple the inner lid assembly to the container body. Once a torque limit is reached, the ratchet pawls can slip along the ratchet teeth preventing further tightening of the inner lid assembly to the container body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A drink container comprising:
a container body defining an enclosure;
a lid configured to be threadably coupled to the container body, the lid comprising:
an inner lid assembly comprising:
a wall;
at least one thread disposed along an inner surface of the wall;
a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed along an outer periphery of an outer surface of the wall;
a top surface; and
a spout extending up from the top surface, wherein the spout is fluidicly coupled to the enclosure of the container body,
an outer lid assembly concentric with the inner lid assembly and comprising:
an outer wall; and
a plurality of ratchet pawls disposed along an inner surface of the outer wall, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet pawls contacts a corresponding one of the plurality of ratchet teeth.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The drink container of claim 1, wherein the inner lid assembly is removably coupled to the outer lid assembly.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The drink container of claim 2,
wherein the inner lid assembly further comprises:
a base; and
a top surface, wherein the wall extends from the base to the top surface;
wherein the outer lid assembly further comprises at least one retaining flange extending radially inward from the outer wall;
wherein the base contacts the retaining flange when the inner lid assembly is coupled to the outer lid assembly.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The drink container of claim 3, wherein the plurality of ratchet teeth are disposed between the base and the top surface of the inner lid assembly.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The drink container of claim 3, wherein the wall and the top surface define a cavity of the inner lid assembly and wherein the inner lid assembly further comprises a sealing gasket extending down from the top surface and within the cavity of the inner lid assembly, wherein the sealing gasket is configured to engage a container lip defining an opening of the container body.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The drink container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet teeth comprises:
a rubbing surface; and
a leading edge surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The drink container of claim 6, wherein the rubbing surface comprises a first end and a distal second end, wherein the first end is disposed against a second leading edge surface of an adjacent ratchet tooth of the plurality of ratchet teeth and the second end is disposed at a junction with the leading edge surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The drink container of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet pawls comprises:
a first driving surface configured to contact the rubbing surface when the outer lid assembly rotates in a first direction; and
a second driving surface configured to contact the leading edge surface when the outer lid assembly rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The drink container of claim 1, wherein the outer lid assembly is rotatable with respect to the inner lid assembly.

### Claim 10

A drink container comprising:
a container body comprising:
an enclosure;
an annular container lip defining an opening to the enclosure;
at least one thread disposed along an outer surface of the container body adjacent to the container lip;
a lid configured to be threadably coupled to the container body, the lid comprising:
an annular inner lid assembly comprising:
a base;
a top surface;
a wall extending between the base and the top surface; and
a plurality of ratchet teeth disposed along an outer surface of the wall wherein each of the plurality of ratchet teeth comprises:
a planar rubbing surface having a first end and a distal second end; and
a planar leading edge surface, wherein the first end is disposed against a second leading edge surface of an adjacent ratchet tooth of the plurality of ratchet teeth and the second end is disposed at a junction with the planar leading edge surface;
an annular outer lid assembly movably coupled to and concentric with the inner lid assembly and comprising:
an outer wall;
a plurality of ratchet pawls annularly disposed about an inner surface of the outer wall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The drink container of claim 10, wherein the wall and the top surface define a cavity of the inner lid assembly and wherein the inner lid assembly further comprises a sealing member extending down from the top surface and within the cavity of the inner lid assembly, wherein the sealing member is configured to engage the container lip when the lid is threadably coupled to the container body.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The drink container of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet pawls comprises:
a planar first driving surface configured to contact the planar rubbing surface when the outer lid assembly rotates in a first direction; and
a planar second driving surface configured to contact the planar leading edge surface when the outer lid assembly rotates in a second direction opposite the first direction.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The drink container of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet pawls is elastic.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The drink container of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet pawls is radially inwardly biased.