Travel mug lid
AssigneeHelen of Troy Limited
InventorConor P. McNamara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A travel mug lid includes a first lid member and a closing mechanism. The first lid member includes a button opening. The closing mechanism includes a button, a core and a flexible material connected with the core. The button moves with respect to the core. The button includes a terminal portion that extends through or into the button opening. The button moves at least a portion of the flexible material with respect to the first lid member to selectively prevent flow of liquid through the drinking passage. The button and the core are isolated from liquid in the cup at least partially by the flexible material.
Claims14
A travel mug lid configured to engage an associated cup at an upper opening of the associated cup, the lid comprising:
- a first lid member defining a central axis and including a button opening;
- and
- a closing mechanism attached with the first lid member for selectively preventing flow of liquid through a drinking passage provided through the lid and at least partially defined by the first lid member, the closing mechanism including a button, a core that is separate from the first lid member and a flexible material connected with the core,
- wherein the button moves with respect to the core,
- wherein the button includes a terminal portion that extends through or into the button opening such that the terminal portion is accessible from an exterior of the first lid member when the lid is engaged with the associated cup,
- wherein the core is made from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material,
- wherein the button cooperates with the flexible material to move at least a portion of the flexible material with respect to the first lid member to selectively prevent flow of liquid through the drinking passage, and
- wherein the button and the core are isolated from liquid in the associated cup at least partially by the flexible material when the closing mechanism is connected with the first lid member and the lid is engaged with the associated cup.
A travel mug lid configured to engage an associated cup at an upper opening of the associated cup, the lid comprising:
- a first lid member defining a central axis and including a button opening;
- and
- a closing mechanism attached with the first lid member for selectively preventing flow of liquid through a drinking passage provided through the lid and at least partially defined by the first lid member, the closing mechanism including a button configured to be pressed by an operator, a core and a flexible material connected with the core,
- wherein the button moves with respect to the core,
- wherein the button includes a terminal portion that extends through or into the button opening such that the terminal portion is accessible from an exterior of the first lid member when the lid is engaged with the associated cup,
- wherein the core is made from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material,
- wherein the button cooperates with the flexible material to move at least a portion of the flexible material with respect to the first lid member to selectively prevent flow of liquid through the drinking passage,
- wherein the flexible material includes a movable section and a stationary section, and
- wherein the flexible material includes a movable sealing edge, wherein actuation of the button results in movement of the movable sealing edge with respect to a stationary sealing surface, and the movable sealing edge contacts the stationary sealing surface to close the drinking passage, and wherein the flexible material surrounds the terminal portion of the button.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.