Lid for a drinking container

Abstract

A lid for a drinking container includes a circular upper portion having a groove portion extending on the circumference of the circular upper portion, and a circular lower portion having a counterpart groove portion extending on the circumference of the circular lower portion. The circular upper portion includes first and second openings and the circular lower portion includes corresponding first and second openings. The groove portion of the circular upper portion and the counterpart groove portion of the circular lower portion are configured to be coupled with each other to guide the circular upper portion and the circular lower portion to be turned in relation to each other around a common axis in a manner enabling the first openings being aligned and the second openings being aligned in an opening position, and enabling the first openings being un-aligned and the second openings being un-aligned in a closing position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a lid for a drinking container, such as especially a lid for a coffee or tea mug for preventing any leaking or spilling of liquid contained the mug in use. In addition the invention relates to a method for manufacturing the lid for the drinking container.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Numbers of different lid for drinking containers are known, where one of the simplest one is a plastic flat lid having a small drinking hole on the top cover area and a bent rim portion, which is to be settled around the rim portion of a cardboard coffee mug. Also rubber lids are known, where the drinking hole is sealed with a sealing member. The sealing member has typically a small arm and is hinged so that it can be turned away from the drinking hole for drinking the liquid inside the mug, and again it can be turned over the drinking hole for a sealing purpose. The sealing member is pressed against the drinking hole in sealing position ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]According to an embodiment the circular upper portion comprises a protruding section in the outer rim area. In addition the circular lower portion comprises also a protruding section in the outer rim area. These protruding sections comprise essentially the same shape with each other, and according to an advantageous embodiment they are configured to be aligned in the closing position and thereby preventing to grip on the circular upper portion and to disconnect said circular upper and lower portions from each other. In the opening position they are configured to be un-aligned thereby easily allowing disconnecting said circular upper and lower portions from each other.

[0013]Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment the circular lower portion comprises two structural portions, one of which comprises hard material, like plastic, and one of which comprises said counterpart groove portion and reinforcement structure. Also the circular upper portion may comprise two structural portions, one of which comprises hard material, like plastic, and another, the outer portion a cover material, which is advantageously such that it is easy to hold, such as rubber, silicone or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) or other thermoplastic elastomers, like TPV which can be used also for the soft part of the inner lid. The cover material extends over the outer portion of the lid and comprises advantageously an opening in the connection with the drinking outlet (the first opening) so that the liquid can flow out from the mug via the drinking outlet. The opening is advantageously larger than any of said first and / or second openings of the circular upper portions. The cover material with the opening is arranged into the upper portion so to prevent or minimize finger touches to the drinking hole. The structural portion comprises additionally a reinforcement structure at the portion of the opening of the cover material thereby preventing any mechanical deformation and damage to the cover material.

[0014]The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as an easy and liquid-tight manner to close the drinking hole of the lid and an easy and hygienic way to open it for drinking. The drinking hole can be closed in a reliable way so that any unwanted opening of the drinking hole is effectively prevented. In addition the invention provides the lid, which is easy to couple with the drinking container in a liquid-tight manner. The lid according to the invention can be implemented without any springs or sealing balls, which makes the structure and manufacturing process quite simple. In addition the lid of the invention is easy to use and keep clear. Moreover the lid provides a clear indication to the user whether the lid is in an open or closed position.

Problems solved by technology

Furthermore more complex structures are also known, such as lids with inner sealing members having e.g. springs and sealing balls, where the balls are pushed by the springs into and away from the drinking hole for example when the lid is turned around.

There are however some disadvantages relating to the known prior art, such as the plastic flat lid having a small drinking hole does not have any sealing function for the drinking hole.

In addition the rubber lid with the sealing member is not tight enough because the spring force of the arm is often loosen and especially because the small arm is easily bent or even swing away from the hole area, for example when the mug is put into a bag.

Furthermore lids with inner sealing members having e.g. springs and sealing balls are very complex to manufacture and additionally extremely difficult to keep clean, and often there is also no clear feedback or indication to the user when the lid is in an open or closed position.

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