# US 10,870,522 B2 · Lid with actuator for valve assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,522 B2 - Document ID: US10870522B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/544,085 - Filed: 2019-08-19 - Published: 2020-02-20 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-20 - Assignees: Thermos L.L.C. - Applicants: Thermos L.L.C. - Inventors: Marvin Lane - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870522B2 ## CPC - B65D 47/243: {moving linearly, i.e. without rotational motion} - B65D 47/248: {the valve being opened or closed by imparting a motion to the valve stem (B65D47/244, B65D47/245 take precedence)} - A47G 19/2272: {from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers} - B65D 43/0229: {only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container (B65D43/0227 takes precedence)} - B65D 47/286: {between planar parts} - B65D 51/18: Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures {(B65D51/247 takes precedence)} - B65D 2251/0025: of the 47-type - B65D 2251/0087: of the 47-type - B65D 2251/06: Special configurations; Closures simulating or provided with another item, e.g. puppet, animal, vehicle, building (B65D81/366 takes precedence) - B65D 2251/20: Sealing means - B65D 2543/00046: Drinking-through lids - B65D 2543/00092: circular - B65D 2543/00518: Skirt - B65D 2543/00972: Collars or rings - 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 - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) ## Abstract A lid is described to reduce spillage or leakage of fluids contained in a beverage container. The lid includes the actuator that opens and closes a dispensing opening of the lid and also opens and closes a valve of the lid to reduce spillage or leakage from the beverage container. As the actuator is opened, the dispensing opening is uncovered and the valve opened. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising an indentation in the lid body and a dispensing opening passing through the lid body; an actuator movably engaged to the indentation, and the actuator comprising a sloped lower surface and an inclined surface; a valve assembly comprising a valve body featuring a valve stem, and the valve stem configured to pass through the lid body; a stem retainer in a cavity of the lid body, wherein the stem retainer comprises a sloped upper surface and a second sloped lower surface, wherein the stem retainer engages with the valve stem; and, the sloped lower surface of the actuator is positioned over the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer, and the inclined surface of the actuator is positioned under the second sloped lower surface of the stem retainer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move relative to the indentation to open and close the valve assembly, wherein the sloped lower surface of the actuator engages with the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer to drive the stem retainer downward. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move to open and close the dispensing opening and to also simultaneously open and close the valve assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to open and close the valve assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to move to an open position and to a closed position, wherein, in the open position, the actuator uncovers the dispensing opening and opens the valve assembly, and wherein, in the closed position, the actuator covers the dispensing opening and closes the valve assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is biased upward by a biasing member to seal against a lower outer wall of the lid body. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The lid assembly according to claim 6, wherein a lower end of the lower outer wall of the lid body is formed with a generally contiguous surface having one or more breaks in the contiguous surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The lid assembly according to claim 6, wherein the actuator is configured to contact the stem retainer, overcome the bias of the biasing member, and urge the valve body downward. ### Claim 9 A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising an indentation in the lid body and a dispensing opening passing through the lid body; an actuator movably engaged to the indentation, and the actuator comprising a sloped lower surface; a valve assembly comprising a valve body featuring a valve stem; a stem retainer in a cavity of the lid body, wherein the stem retainer comprises a sloped upper surface, wherein the stem retainer engages with the valve stem; and, the sloped lower surface of the actuator is positioned over the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer, wherein a lower surface of the actuator defines a channel that receives an upper end of the valve stem, wherein the channel limits movement of the upper end of the valve stem. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve body comprises the valve stem extending generally perpendicular from a valve body plate, wherein the valve stem passes through a central passage of the lid body, and an upper end of the valve stem locks with the stem retainer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein valve stem passes through an interior of the biasing member, and the biasing member biases against a bottom surface of the cavity and a lower surface of the stem retainer in order to bias the valve body upward to close the valve assembly. ### Claim 12 A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising an indentation in the lid body and a dispensing opening passing through the lid body; an actuator movably engaged to the indentation, and the actuator comprising a sloped lower surface; a valve assembly comprising a valve body featuring a valve stem; a stem retainer in a cavity of the lid body, wherein the stem retainer comprises a sloped upper surface, wherein the stem retainer engages with the valve stem; and, the sloped lower surface of the actuator is positioned over the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer, wherein the valve body comprises the valve stem extending generally perpendicular from a valve body plate, wherein the valve body plate includes one or more ridges that extend upward from the valve body plate to meet with protrusions extending from an inner surface of a lower outer wall of the lid body to reduce any rotation of the valve body. ### Claim 13 A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising an indentation in the lid body and a dispensing opening passing through the lid body; an actuator movably engaged to the indentation, and the actuator comprising a sloped lower surface; a valve assembly comprising a valve body featuring a valve stem; a stem retainer in a cavity of the lid body, wherein the stem retainer comprises a sloped upper surface, wherein the stem retainer engages with the valve stem; and, the sloped lower surface of the actuator is positioned over the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer, wherein the indentation includes indentation sidewalls having protrusions, and wherein the actuator includes sidewalls having openings, which leads to channels, wherein the protrusions of the indentation sidewalls enter into the openings and the channels of the sidewalls to slidably lock the actuator to the lid body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The lid assembly according to claim 13, wherein the protrusions or channels comprise ramps or inclines that prevent removal of the actuator from the indentation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is selected from the group of a sliding member, a twisting member, a magnetic assembly, a lever member, or a button member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A beverage container assembly comprising the lid assembly according to claim 1 and a beverage container, wherein the lid assembly is configured to engage to the beverage container. ### Claim 17 A lid assembly, comprising: a lid body comprising a dispensing opening passing through the lid body; an actuator movably engaged to the lid body, and the actuator comprising a first sloped lower surface and an inclined surface; a valve assembly comprising a valve body featuring a valve stem, and the valve stem configured to pass through the lid body; a stem retainer in the lid body, wherein the stem retainer comprises a sloped upper surface and a second sloped lower surface, wherein the stem retainer engages with the valve stem; the first sloped lower surface of the actuator is positioned over the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer; and, the inclined surface of the actuator is positioned under the second sloped lower surface of the stem retainer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The lid assembly according to claim 17, wherein, during an opening movement of the actuator, the first sloped lower surface of the actuator slides against the sloped upper surface to drive the valve assembly to an open position, and, wherein, during a closing movement of the actuator, the inclined surface of the actuator slides against the second sloped lower surface to drive the valve assembly to a closed position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The lid assembly according to claim 17, wherein a lever is engaged to the actuator, wherein the lever releasably holds the actuator to the lid body, wherein the lever is movable to release the actuator from the lid body. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The lid assembly according to claim 17, wherein, an opening movement of the actuator drives the first sloped lower surface of the actuator against the sloped upper surface of the stem retainer to drive the valve body downward. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) A The lid assembly according to claim 17, wherein the valve body configured to seal a lower opening of the lid body; the actuator slides with respect to the lid body to an open position to uncover the dispensing opening and to drive the valve stem to move the valve body to an open valve position with respect to the lower opening; and the actuator slides with respect to the lid body to a closed position to cover the dispensing opening and to drive the valve stem to move the valve body to a closed valve position with respect to the lower opening.