Lid assembly for beverage container

Abstract

The invention relates to a lid assembly for a beverage container wherein the lid assembly is mountable on top of the beverage container, the lid assembly comprising a base (2) having a fluid outlet (2C), a lid (3), and a pivot hinge (4) comprising a pivot axis configured at a distance beyond an outer edge of the base (2), and the cover (3) can rotate around the pivot axis between a cover (3) closing position and a cover (3) opening position. The pivot hinge (4) may include a pivot arm (4A) extending from the base (2) and beyond an outer edge of the base (2), and a pivot pin (4B) disposed at a distal end of the pivot arm (4A) and coupled with the cover (3), where the pivot pin (4B) defines a pivot axis. The distance between the base (2) and the pivot axis defines the spacing. Due to the configuration of the pivot hinge (4), when the cover (3) is arranged in the cover (3) opening position, the cover (3) extends from the pivot axis and is arranged below the pivot axis. The invention also relates to a beverage system comprising a beverage container and a lid assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cover assembly for a beverage container and a beverage system comprising the cover assembly and the beverage container. Background Art

[0002] Drink containers are used to store drinkable fluids. To help control leakage, a cap assembly is usually installed on the drink container. The cap assembly includes a fluid outlet (such as a drink spout or a sip hole), and a user can drink the fluid from the fluid outlet.

[0003] It has been found that the configuration of the cap assembly affects the user's vision when the user drinks from the fluid outlet. The user may be in danger because the user's field of vision is blocked. The configuration of the cap assembly may also affect the user's use of the fluid outlet.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least some of the problems in the above-mentioned prior art. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a lid assembly for a beverage container.

[0006] In use, the lid assembly may be mounted on top of the open end of the beverage container.

[0007] The cover assembly includes:

[0008] a base having a fluid outlet;

[0009] Cover; and

[0010] A pivot hinge interconnects the base and the lid, the pivot hinge having a pivot axis configured to extend a distance beyond an outer edge of the base, wherein the lid is pivotally coupled to the pivot hinge to allow the lid to rotate relative to the base between a closed lid position and an open lid position about the pivot hinge without interfering with the base.

[0011] When the cover is in the closed position, the fluid outlet is covered by the cover to prevent fluid from being dispensed through the fluid outlet.

[0012] When the cover is in the uncovered position, the fluid outlet is accessible to a user to allow dispensing of fluid through the fluid outlet.

[0013] Arranging the pivot axis a distance beyond the outer edge / periphery / peripheral edge of the base advantageously allows the cover to rotate about the pivot axis between the closed and open positions without interfering with the base, so that the cover does not have any restrictive contact with the base that would prevent the cover from rotating between the closed and open positions.

[0014] Spacing the pivot axis from the base allows the cover to be rotated backward relative to the base to an open position, whereby the cover extends downward from the pivot hinge and the cover is disposed below the pivot. Thus, the cover is sufficiently out of the user's sight to avoid affecting the user's visibility when drinking fluid from the fluid outlet. In addition, the cover is positioned sufficiently away from the fluid outlet to avoid affecting the user's use of the fluid outlet. Therefore, arranging the cover in the open position improves the safety of the user.

[0015] Spacing the pivot axis from the base allows the cover to be rotated forwardly relative to the base to a closed cover position, whereby the cover is arranged to extend from the pivot hinge through the base, cover the fluid outlet, and sealably engage the base.

[0016] In the open cover position, the cover may be configured to extend downwardly below a pivot axis substantially parallel to the side wall of the base and / or the side wall of the beverage container. In the open cover position, a portion of the cover may abut the side wall of the base and / or the side wall of the beverage container in contact engagement. The cover abutment may have a corresponding profile corresponding to the side wall of the base and / or the side wall of the beverage container, whereby the cover abutment is configured to be flush with the side wall of the base and / or the side wall of the beverage container when the cover is in the open cover position.

[0017] The base may include an upper wall, and the fluid outlet is disposed on the upper wall.

[0018] The pivot axis may be configured to be located below the plane of the upper wall of the base. Thus, in the open position, the cover is disposed below the plane of the upper wall of the base. Thus, when the cover is in the open position, the cover is not within the user's line of sight through the upper wall of the base.

[0019] Pivot hinges may include:

[0020] a pivot arm extending from the base, the pivot arm defining a spacing beyond the base; and

[0021] A pivot pin is disposed at the distal end of the pivot arm, the pivot pin defining a pivot axis, and the cover is rotationally coupled to the pivot pin.

[0022] The pivot hinge may be a spring loaded pivot hinge. The spring loaded pivot hinge may include an opening biasing member to bias the lid away from the closed lid position. The pivot hinge may include a biasing spring mounted on a pivot pin, wherein the biasing spring is configured to exert an opening biasing force on the lid away from the closed lid position.

[0023] The lid assembly may include a closed lid lock to releasably lock the lid in a closed position.

[0024] The lid assembly may include an open lid lock to releasably lock the lid in an open position.

[0025] When the cover is in the open cover position, the open cover lock may include a mating piece and a groove configured to form a mating engagement, thereby maintaining the cover in the open cover position. When the cover is moved to the open cover position, the mating piece may be elastically deformed under the action of a user force, so that the mating piece is located in the groove. Under the action of a user force, the mating piece may be elastically deformed to move the mating piece away from the groove, thereby allowing the cover to be moved away from the open cover position. The mating piece may be disposed on the cover, and the groove may be disposed on the pivot.

[0026] The lid assembly may include an intermediate lid lock to releasably lock the lid in an intermediate lid position between the closed lid position and the open lid position.

[0027] The intermediate cover lock may include an abutment member and an abutment portion configured to form an abutment engagement when the cover is in the intermediate position, thereby maintaining the cover in the intermediate position. Under the action of user force, the abutment member may be elastically deformed to separate the abutment member from the abutment portion, thereby allowing the cover to move beyond the intermediate cover position to an open cover position or a closed cover position, depending on the direction of rotation of the cover about the pivot. The abutment member may be provided on the cover, and the abutment portion may be provided on the pivot. The abutment portion may include a protrusion, a ridge or an edge.

[0028] The lid assembly may include a handle. The handle may be coupled to the pivot hinge and independently rotatable relative to the lid about the pivot axis. The handle may be rotated to a closed handle position, in which a user cannot grasp the lid assembly by the handle. The handle may be rotated to an open handle position, in which a user may grasp the lid assembly by the handle. The handle may be rotated about the pivot axis between a first closed handle position and a second closed handle position, the handle having an open handle position between the first closed handle position and the second closed handle position.

[0029] In the first closed handle position, a first finger accessible space (distance) may be provided between the handle and the cover, thereby allowing a user's finger to approach the handle. In this way, the user can approach the handle and move the handle away from the first closed handle position. The cover may include an inclined surface to form the first finger accessible space between the handle and the cover.

[0030] The cover may include a handle recess for receiving the handle in a first closed handle position. When the handle is received in the handle recess in the first closed handle position, the handle may be configured to be flush with the cover. The handle recess may include an inclined surface to form a first finger accessible space between the handle recess and the handle when the handle is received in the handle recess in the first closed handle position.

[0031] In the second closed handle position, a second finger accessible space (distance) can be set between the handle and the base, thereby allowing a user's finger to approach the handle. Like this, the user can approach the handle and remove the handle from the second handle closed position.

[0032] The lid assembly may include a first closed handle lock to releasably lock the handle in a first closed handle position.

[0033] The lid assembly may include a second closed handle lock to releasably lock the handle in a second closed handle position.

[0034] The lid assembly may include an open handle lock to releasably lock the handle in the open handle position.

[0035] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a beverage system, comprising:

[0036] a beverage container having an open end;

[0037] The cover assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention is mounted on the top of the open end of the beverage container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a first embodiment of a beverage system including a lid assembly mounted on top of a beverage container, wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and a lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0040] Figure 2 Describes Figure 1 A side view of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0041] Figure 3 Describes Figure 1 a side view of the beverage system with the lid in an open lid position and the lid handle in a first closed handle position;

[0042] Figure 4 Describes Figure 1 A rear view of the beverage system, wherein the lid is in an open position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0043] Figure 5 , Fig. 9 and Fig.14 Describes Figure 1 A perspective view of a lid assembly of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0044] Figure 6 and Fig.13 Describes Figure 1 A perspective view of a lid assembly of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in an open lid position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0045] Figure 7 and Fig.10 Describes Figure 1 A perspective view of a lid assembly of a beverage system of FIG. 1 , wherein the lid is in an intermediate lid position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0046] Figure 8 , 11, 15 describe Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a lid assembly of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0047] Fig.12 Describes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a lid assembly of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in an open lid position and the lid handle is in a first closed handle position;

[0048] Fig.16 and Fig.17 Describes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a lid assembly of a beverage system of FIG. 1 , wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and the lid handle is in an open handle position.

[0049] Fig.18 Describes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a lid assembly of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and the lid handle is in a second closed handle position;

[0050] Fig.19 and Fig. 20 Describes Figure 1 A perspective view of a lid assembly of a beverage system, wherein the lid is in a closed lid position and the lid handle is in a second closed handle position;

[0051] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures described herein may be used without departing from the principles of the invention described herein and the scope of the invention defined in the claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Figures 1 to 20 An embodiment of a beverage system is described, which includes a beverage container D and a lid assembly C for the beverage container D.

[0053] The beverage container D is a container for storing a fluid suitable for drinking ("fluid").

[0054] The cover assembly C is mounted on the top of the beverage container D, and the beverage container D and the cover assembly together form a beverage system. The beverage system has a longitudinal axis LL'. When the cover assembly is opened, the fluid can be separated from the beverage container through the fluid outlet of the cover assembly. When the cover assembly is closed, the fluid is sealed in the beverage container.

[0055] In the present invention, the beverage container D includes a body 1 having an open end or opening. The body includes an internal cavity in which a fluid can be stored. The fluid can be added to or removed from the internal cavity through the open end. The body can be defined by any wall having a suitable structure and material. For example, the wall can have a single-wall or double-wall structure. The wall can be a heat-insulating structure. The beverage container can have any suitable configuration. In the embodiment described in the figure, the beverage container has a cylindrical configuration with an open top. The beverage container has a cylindrical body, and the cylindrical body includes a circular side wall 1a and a flat lower wall 1b. The side wall narrows to form a neck 1c. The top edge of the neck 1c defines an open end (not shown). The fluid can be stored in the internal cavity 1d defined by the wall.

[0056] In the present invention, as shown in the figure, the cover assembly C includes a base 2 having a fluid outlet, a cover 3 and a pivot hinge 4. The pivot hinge 4 has a pivot axis AA', and the cover 3 can rotate relative to the base 2 around the pivot axis AA'.

[0057] As shown in the figure (for example, Figures 1 to 4 ), the cover assembly C can be installed on the top of the beverage container D to cover the open end of the beverage container.

[0058] The base 2 of the cap assembly C is configured to form a liquid-tight engagement (sealed engagement) with the beverage container D and cover the open end. By providing a sealed engagement, the cap assembly restricts fluid from being separated from the beverage container except for the fluid outlet. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the base 2 may include a base seal (not shown) that engages and seals the neck 1c when the base is mounted on the neck 1c to cover the open end of the beverage container D.

[0059] The base 2 of the lid assembly C may have any suitable configuration. Preferably, the base corresponds to the shape of the beverage container D to provide a continuous profile. The base may include a side wall and an upper wall. In the described embodiment, the base has a generally cylindrical shape corresponding to a cylindrical beverage container and includes a circular side wall 2a and an upper wall 2b. The perimeter of the base is defined by the circular side wall 2a.

[0060] The fluid outlet allows the fluid to be separated from the beverage container D through the cap assembly C, and the fluid outlet is configured to allow the user to drink the fluid directly from the fluid outlet. The fluid outlet can be located on the base upper wall 2b. The fluid outlet can have any suitable configuration. The fluid outlet can include a hole (small beverage hole) formed on the base upper wall. Alternatively, as shown (for example, see Figure 6), the fluid outlet may include a drink spout 2c extending from the upper wall 2b of the base. As shown, the drink spout may have a fixed configuration. Alternatively, the drink spout may be movable between a user-usable position and an unusable position, wherein the usable position is a position where the user can drink from the drink spout and the unusable position is a position where the user cannot drink from the drink spout. For example, the drink spout may be movable between an usable upright position and an unusable prone position relative to the upper wall of the base. The base may include a drink spout groove for receiving the drink spout in the unusable prone position.

[0061] As shown, the base 2 of the cover assembly may further include air holes 2d to assist the flow of fluid through the fluid outlet.

[0062] The base 2 can be releasably mounted on the beverage container D to allow the lid assembly C to be removed and reinstalled on the beverage container D. The lid assembly and / or the beverage container can include a releasable attachment to releasably connect the base 2 and the beverage container D to form a releasable sealed engagement. Figure 8 ), the attachment comprises an internal thread 2e provided on the inner surface of the base to form a releasable sealing engagement with a corresponding external thread (not shown) provided on the neck 1c of the beverage container.

[0063] The lid 3 is interconnected with the base 2 via a pivot hinge 4. The lid 3 is rotatably coupled to the pivot hinge 4 and is rotatable relative to the base 2 about a pivot axis AA' between a closed lid position and an open lid position.

[0064] The cover is configured to cover the fluid outlet and close the cover assembly when it is set in the closed cover position. The cover is configured to open the cover assembly when it is set in the open cover position, so that the user can access the fluid outlet and allow the fluid to be separated.

[0065] The pivot axis AA' is set at a spacing beyond the outer edge / periphery / peripheral edge of the base 2. This spacing of the pivot axis AA' allows the cover 3 to rotate without interfering with the base 2. The cover 3 rotates around the pivot axis AA' toward the fluid outlet (and the upper wall 2b of the base) to set the cover 3 in the closed cover position. The rotation of the cover in the direction toward the fluid outlet can be referred to as a rotation in the "forward direction" around the pivot axis AA'. Since the pivot axis AA' is set to a spacing beyond the periphery of the base 2, the cover can be rotated forward to the closed cover position without interfering with the side wall 2a of the base. The cover 3 rotates around the pivot axis AA' in a direction away from the fluid outlet (and the upper wall 2b of the base) so that the cover is set in the open cover position. The rotation of the cover in the direction away from the fluid outlet can be referred to as a rotation in the "backward direction" around the pivot axis AA'. Since the pivot axis AA' is set to a spacing beyond the periphery of the base 2, the cover can be rotated backward to the open cover position without interfering with the upper wall 2b of the base. In this way, the cover 3 can be rotated between the cover-closed position and the cover-open position without interfering with the base 2 (limiting contact).

[0066] The pivot axis AA' may be arranged below the plane of the upper wall of the base. For example, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the pivot axis AA' of the pivot hinge 4 is arranged below the plane of the upper wall 2b of the base.

[0067] The pivot hinge 4 may have any suitable pivot configuration. The pivot hinge 4 may include a pivot pin to define a pivot axis AA', whereby the cover is rotationally coupled to the pivot pin to allow the cover 3 to rotate relative to the base 2 about the pivot axis AA'. The pivot pin may be rotationally fixed.

[0068] The pivot hinge 4 of the cover assembly C may include a pivot arm extending from a base, wherein a pivot pin is disposed at a distal end of the pivot arm. Since the pivot arm is configured to extend from the base, the pivot axis is disposed at a spacing beyond the periphery of the base. The spacing is defined by the distance between the base and the pivot axis AA' along the pivot arm. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the pivot hinge includes a pivot arm 4a extending from a side wall 2a of the base and a pivot pin 4b disposed at a distal end of the pivot arm. The pivot pin 4b extends through a pivot hole formed at the distal end of the pivot arm. A first end of the pivot pin protrudes from one end of the pivot hole, and a second end of the pivot pin protrudes from the other, opposite end of the pivot hole. The pivot pin 4b defines the pivot axis AA' and can rotate within the pivot hole. As shown, the pivot arm 4a extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall 2a of the base. The pivot arm 4a is provided with a spacing between the pivot axis AA' and the side wall 2a of the base, so that the pivot arm protrudes beyond the periphery of the base 2. The upper surface of the pivot arm 4a is substantially flush with the upper wall 2b of the base. Thus, the pivot pin 4b in the pivot hole is arranged below the plane of the upper wall 2b of the base, so that the pivot axis AA' is also arranged below the plane of the upper wall of the base.

[0069] The pivot hinge 4 may be a spring-loaded pivot hinge. The spring-loaded pivot hinge may have an opening bias to bias the lid away from the closed lid position or a closing bias to bias the lid away from the closed lid position. The pivot hinge may include a bias spring mounted on a pivot pin, wherein the bias spring is configured to apply a biasing force to the lid. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the pivot hinge 4 includes a bias spring 4c mounted on a pivot pin 4b to apply a biasing force to the lid 3 away from the closed lid position.

[0070] The cover 3 of the cap assembly C can have any suitable shape. Preferably, the shape of the cover corresponds to the shape of the base 2. The cover can include at least one arm connected to the pivot hinge. The cover can include side walls and an upper wall. In the described embodiment, the cover includes a side wall 3a and an inclined upper wall 3b. The cover also includes a pair of parallel arms, a first cover arm 3e and a second cover arm 3f. The first cover arm 3e is connected to the first end of the pivot pin 4b, and the second cover arm 3f is connected to the second end of the pivot pin 4b.

[0071] When the cover 3 is set in the closed cover position, the cover 3 extends from the pivot axis AA' through the base 2. The cover 3 covers the beverage outlet of the water dispenser and engages with the base, thereby closing the cover assembly C. Preferably, the cover 3 forms a liquid-tight engagement (sealed engagement) with the base 2 and / or the fluid outlet 3c to prevent fluid from leaking from the closed cover assembly. Due to the spacing between the pivot axis AA' and the periphery of the base, the cover extends from the pivot axis AA' and passes through the base without interfering with the base. In the figure (for example, see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ), the cover 3 extends from the pivot axis AA' across the base upper wall 2b. The cover upper wall 3b covers the drink spout 2c. The lower edge (edge) of the cover side wall 3a abuts the base upper wall 2b to form a contact engagement. Since the pivot axis AA' is arranged below the plane of the base upper wall 2b, the cover 3 is basically arranged above the pivot axis AA' when in the closed cover position.

[0072] The lid may include a lid seal to form a sealing engagement with the base when the lid is disposed in the closed lid position. As shown, the lid 3 may include a drink spout seal 3c and / or an air hole seal 3d to engage and seal the corresponding drink spout 2c and / or air hole 2d when the lid is disposed in the closed lid position.

[0073] The lid assembly C may include a lid lock to releasably lock the lid 3 in a closed position relative to the base 2, thereby keeping the lid assembly closed (maintaining a sealing engagement between the lid and the base). The lid lock may have any suitable locking device. The lid lock may be activated by a user and / or automatically activated. In the embodiment described in the accompanying drawings, the lid assembly includes a lid lock 5 having a fastener 5a to receive and hold down a corresponding buckle 3h of the lid in a closed position relative to the base. When it is necessary to close the lid assembly, the lid is rotated forward about the pivot axis AA' to the closed position, and the fastener 5a is activated to engage the buckle 3h and form a sealing engagement with the base, thereby keeping the lid in the closed position. In this embodiment, when the lid is in the closed position, the fastener 5a is automatically activated to engage with the buckle 3h. When it is necessary to open the lid assembly, the user can activate the fastener 5a to release the lid, thereby allowing the lid to rotate backward about the pivot hinge 4 to the open position.

[0074] When the cover is disposed in the open position, the cover extends rearwardly in a direction below the pivot axis AA' and away from the pivot axis AA'. Thus, the cover is at least substantially disposed below the pivot axis AA'. Extending from a direction below the pivot axis AA' to away from the pivot axis AA' may point to a "downward" direction. Due to the spacing between the pivot axis AA' and the periphery of the base, the cover can extend downwardly below the pivot axis AA' without interfering with the upper wall of the base.

[0075] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the pivot axis AA' can be arranged below the plane of the upper wall 2b of the base, so that when in the open cover position, the cover is arranged below the plane of the upper wall of the base.

[0076] When the cover is in the open cover position, the cover assembly C is open, allowing the user to access the fluid outlet and drink fluid from the beverage container D through the cover assembly C.

[0077] Due to the configuration of the cover in the open position, the user can drink fluid from the fluid outlet with minimal interference between the user and the cover and minimal visibility of the cover. Thus, the cover in the open position does not affect the user's access to the fluid outlet, nor does it affect the user's visibility when consuming fluid from the fluid outlet.

[0078] In the open position, the cover 3 can extend in a direction generally parallel to the base side wall 2a and / or the beverage container side wall 1a. Figure 3 and Fig.12), when the cover is set in the open cover position, a portion 3g of the cover upper wall 3b can abut the base side wall 2a and / or the beverage container side wall 1a. In this way, the cover abutting portion 3g is in contact with the base side wall 2a and / or the beverage container side wall 1a. As described in the figure, the cover abutting portion 3g can have a concave profile, which is configured to correspond to the circular profile of the base side wall 2a and / or the beverage container side wall 1a, so as to allow the cover to be close to and flush with the base 2 and / or the beverage container D when in the open cover position.

[0079] The lid assembly may include a lid opening lock that releasably holds the lid in an open position relative to the base 2, thereby keeping the lid assembly C open. The lid opening lock may be any suitable locking device. The lid opening lock may be activated by a user and / or automatically. The lid opening lock may include a mating piece and a groove configured to receive the mating piece and to form a mating engagement with a corresponding mating piece. The mating piece may be elastically deformed under the action of user force to engage and / or disengage with the groove. The mating piece may include any suitable elastically deformable material, including plastic or rubber. The mating piece and the groove may include any suitable configuration. The mating piece may be disposed on the lid, and the groove may be disposed on the pivot. In the described examples (e.g., see Figure 6 , Fig. 9 , Fig.12 and Fig.13 , the mating member of the cover-opening lock includes a pair of parallel mating protrusions extending from the cover edge, a first protrusion 6a and a second protrusion 6b. As shown in the figure, the first protrusion 6a and the second protrusion 6b extend outward from the cover in the gap space between the first cover arm 3e and the second cover arm 3f. The protrusion is formed of elastically deformable plastic and can be elastically deformed under the action of user force. The groove of the cover-opening lock includes a notch 6c arranged on the pivot and is configured to receive the first protrusion 6a and the second protrusion 6b. In this embodiment, the notch 6c is a lower recessed portion of the pivot arm 4a between the outer round corner abutment 7a at the far end of the base side wall 2a and the pivot arm 4a. The notch 6c extends the width of the pivot arm 4a. When it is necessary to open the cover assembly, the cover rotates backward around the pivot hinge 4 to the cover-opening position, whereby, when the cover is in the cover-opening position, the protrusions 6a, 6b extend to the lower side of the pivot arm 4a. Like this, notch 6c receives protrusion 6a, 6b and forms cooperation engagement with protrusion, so that lid is maintained in the lid opening position.When needing to close lid assembly, user can apply force to make protrusion 6a, 6b elastically deform and disengage from notch 6c, thereby allow lid to rotate forward around pivot to lid closing position.

[0080] The lid assembly C may further include an intermediate lid lock to releasably lock the lid 3 in an intermediate lid position between the lid-closed position and the lid-opening position. When the lid 3 is rotated between the lid-closed position and the lid-opening position, the intermediate lid lock may lock the lid in the intermediate position. When the lid is rotated backward from the lid-closed position to the lid-opening position about the pivot hinge 4, the intermediate lid lock may lock the lid 3 in the intermediate position. When the lid is rotated forward from the lid-opening position to the lid-closed position about the pivot hinge 4, the intermediate lock may lock the lid 3 in the intermediate position. The intermediate lid lock may be activated by a user and / or automatically.

[0081] When disposed in the intermediate cover position, the cover 3 extends rearwardly and away from the pivot axis AA' in a direction outwardly away from the pivot hinge 4 and the base 2. Due to the spacing between the pivot axis AA' and the perimeter of the base, the cover 3 extends outwardly from the pivot axis AA' in a direction away from the base without interfering with the base. Figure 7 and Fig.10 ) as shown in the embodiment described, when in the intermediate cover position, the cover 3 can extend in a direction substantially parallel to the pivot arm 4a and perpendicular to the base side wall 2a away from the pivot axis AA'.

[0082] The intermediate cover lock can be any suitable locking device. The intermediate cover lock may include an abutment member and an abutment portion configured to form an abutment engagement when the cover 3 is in the intermediate position, thereby maintaining the cover 3 in the intermediate position. Under the action of user force, the abutment member can be elastically deformed to separate the abutment member from the abutment portion, thereby allowing the cover to move across the intermediate cover position to the open cover position or the closed cover position, and the movement to the open cover position or the closed cover position depends on the direction of rotation of the cover around the pivot. The abutment member can include any suitable elastically deformable material, including plastic or rubber. The abutment member and the abutment portion can have any suitable configuration. The abutment member can be arranged on the cover, and the abutment portion can be arranged on the pivot. The mating member of the open cover lock and the abutment member of the intermediate cover lock can be the same or different parts. The abutment portion may include a protrusion, a ridge or an edge formed on the pivot. In the description (for example, see Figure 7 , Fig.10 and Fig.11), the first protrusion 6a and the second protrusion 6b extending from the cover in the gap space between the first cover arm 3e and the second cover arm 3e also serve as abutments for the intermediate cover lock. The abutment portion of the intermediate cover lock includes an outer fillet 7a formed at the distal end of the pivot arm 4a. The outer fillet 7a is arc-shaped or teardrop-shaped and extends from the lower side of the distal end of the pivot arm 4a. The outer fillet 7a extends the width of the pivot arm 4a. When the cover 3 rotates about the pivot axis AA', the protrusions 6a, 6b will abut the outer fillet 7a to form an abutment engagement, thereby preventing further rotation of the cover and maintaining the cover in the intermediate cover position. During the rotation of the cover 3 about the pivot axis AA' until the protrusions 6a, 6b abut the outer fillet 7a, the protrusions 6a, 6b can be configured to slide over the surface of the pivot arm. The projections 6a, 6b and the outer rounded corners 7a are configured to abut when the cover is rotated backward from the closed cover position to the open cover position around the pivot axis to keep the cover 3 in the intermediate cover position. Similarly, the projections 6a, 6b and the outer rounded corners 7a are configured to abut when the cover is rotated forward from the open cover position to the closed cover position around the pivot axis to keep the cover in the intermediate cover position. In order to release the cover from the intermediate cover position, the user can apply a force to elastically deform the projections 6a, 6b and push them out of the outer rounded corners 7a. After release, the cover can continue to rotate around the pivot axis to the desired open cover position or closed cover position.

[0083] To further assist the user, the lid assembly C may include a handle. The handle may be coupled to the pivot hinge 4 and may be independently rotatable relative to the lid 3 about the pivot axis AA' to allow the handle to rotate relative to the lid. The lid may be rotated to a closed handle position, where the user cannot access the handle to hold the lid assembly. The lid may be rotated to an open handle position, where the user can access the handle to hold the lid assembly.

[0084] As shown in the embodiment (e.g., Figures 14 to 20 ), the cover assembly C may include a handle 8 having a hole 8a through which a user can insert one or more fingers. The handle 8 is rotatably connected to the pivot hinge 4 to rotate about the pivot axis AA'. The handle 8 can rotate independently relative to the cover 3 about the pivot axis AA'. The handle may include a pair of parallel arms, a first handle arm 8b and a second handle arm 8c. The first handle arm 8b is connected to the first end of the pivot pin 4b, and the second handle arm 8c is connected to the second end of the pivot pin 4b. The handle 8 can rotate forward toward the cover 3 and backward away from the cover about the pivot axis AA'. As shown in the embodiment, the handle 8 can rotate between a first closed handle position and a second closed handle position. The handle can rotate to an open handle position between the first closed handle position and the second closed handle position.

[0085] When the handle 9 is arranged in the first closed handle position, the handle can extend from the pivot axis AA' through the cover. Fig.14 and Fig.15 .

[0086] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the cover 3 may include a handle recess 9 to receive the handle 8 in the first closed handle position. The handle recess 9 is configured to allow the handle to be flush in the recess. In the embodiment shown, the recess is formed in the cover abutment portion 3g having a concave profile. The handle 8 has a corresponding concave profile so that when the handle is set in the first closed handle position, the cover abutment portion 3g forms a homologous concave surface with the closed handle.

[0087] The cover may include a first finger accessible space to provide a finger-sized gap space between the cover and the handle in the first closed handle position. The first finger accessible space allows a user to contact and lift the handle to rotate it away from the cover. The walls of the handle recess 9 may be recessed to form the first finger accessible space, such as the side walls of the recess. The walls of the handle recess 9 may be tilted to form the first finger accessible space between the cover and the handle. In the described embodiment, the rear wall 9a of the handle recess is tilted so that a first finger accessible space 10 is formed between the cover 3 and the handle 8 when the handle is set in the first closed handle position in the handle recess 9. In this way, the user can insert one or more fingers through the handle hole 8a and under the handle 8 to lift the handle and rotate the handle away from the first closed handle position when needed.

[0088] When the handle is in the open handle position, the handle 8 extends outwardly from the pivot axis AA' in a direction away from the lid 3 and the base 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle extends from the pivot axis AA' in a direction upward away from the lid. The handle can be rotated about the pivot axis AA' from the first closed handle position or the second closed handle position to the open handle position as desired. A user can insert one or more fingers through the hole 8a to grasp the lid assembly. See Fig.16 and Fig.17 .

[0089] When the handle 8 is set in the second closed handle position, the handle 8 can extend backward in a direction below the pivot axis AA' and away from the pivot axis AA'. In the second closed handle position, the handle 8 can extend to the base side wall 2a in a direction substantially parallel to the base side wall 2a. Figures 18 to 20 In the embodiment shown, when set in the second closed handle position, the handle can abut the base side wall 2a to form a contact engagement. A second finger accessible space can be formed between the handle 8 and the base 2 to allow access to the handle when the handle is in the second closed handle position. In the embodiment shown, the second finger accessible space can be formed by the concave profile of the handle 8.

[0090] The lid assembly may include a closed handle lock to releasably lock the handle in the closed handle position. The closed handle lock may have any suitable configuration. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the lid assembly may include a first closed handle lock to releasably lock the handle in the first closed handle position. In the described embodiment, the first closed handle lock includes a protrusion 11 formed in the groove 9 to form an abutting engagement with the handle 8 when the handle is in the first closed lid position in the groove 9. The lid assembly may include a second closed handle lock to releasably lock the handle in the second closed handle position.

[0091] The lid assembly may include an open handle lock to releasably lock the handle 8 in the open handle position. The open handle lock may have any suitable configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the open handle lock includes a protrusion 12 disposed on the outer surface of one or more handle arms to form an abutting engagement with the corresponding adjacent lid arms 3e, 3f.

[0092] Although the invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may be substituted or modified without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0093] Optional features related to the present invention may be combined. Any main technical feature described in this specification may be combined with any other main technical feature in this specification to obtain any combination.

[0094] The embodiments described herein should be understood to have broad applicability and are intended to describe a possible way to implement the present invention, rather than to indicate that the scope of the present disclosure including the claims is limited to the implementation method. In addition, the terms and phrases used herein are only for descriptive purposes and should not be understood as limitations in scope.

[0095] All elements in the singular form, or any other components described herein, should be understood to include elements in the plural form, and vice versa. Languages ​​such as "consisting of", "including", "having", "including", "involving", and their variations are intended to broadly include the main technical features listed thereafter, equivalents, and unlisted additional technical features, and are not intended to exclude other additional technical features, components, integers or steps. Similarly, for the purposes of applicable law, the word "including" is considered to be a synonym of "consisting of" or "including". Therefore, throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, "including" or its variations, such as "a single technical feature includes" or "a certain technical feature is including", will be understood to include a given integer or integer group, rather than excluding any other integer or integer group. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, etc. in the present invention is only for the purpose of introducing the background of the present invention. It is not implied or represented that any or all of these matters constitute part of the prior art base or are common knowledge in the field related to the present invention. In this disclosure, whenever a composition, an element, or a group of elements is preceded by the transition phrase "comprising," it should be understood that we also contemplate referring to a composition, an element, or a group of elements preceded by the transition phrases "consisting essentially of," "consisting of," "selected from the group consisting of," "including," or "being," and vice versa. In this disclosure, the terms "typically" or "optional" should be understood to be intended to indicate optional or non-essential features of the invention, which may be present in some examples but may be omitted in other examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0096] Descriptions referring to directions and positions, such as up, down, and directions, for example, "forward", "backward", "downward", etc., should be interpreted by the skilled person as the direction of the features shown in the drawings based on the examples described, and should not be interpreted as being limited to the literal interpretation of the terms, but should be understood by the skilled person.

Claims

1. A lid assembly for a beverage container, wherein: The cover assembly can be mounted on the top of the beverage container, and the cover assembly includes: a base having a fluid outlet; build; a pivot hinge interconnecting the base and the cover, the pivot hinge having a pivot axis disposed a distance beyond an outer edge of the base; wherein the cover is rotatably coupled to the pivot hinge to allow the cover to rotate relative to the base about the pivot hinge between a closed cover position and an open cover position without interfering with the base; Thus, in the open cover position, the cover is configured to extend from the pivot hinge and be disposed below the pivot axis.

2. The cap assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The fluid outlet is arranged in the upper wall of the base; wherein the pivot axis is configured to be located below the plane of the upper wall of the base; and Thus, in the open cover position, the cover is configured to be located below the plane of the upper wall of the base.

3. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein: The cover includes a cover abutment portion configured to form a contacting engagement with a base sidewall when the cover is in the open position.

4. The cap assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The cover abutment has a corresponding profile corresponding to the base sidewall, whereby the cover abutment is flush with the base sidewall when the cover is in the open position.

5. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein: The pivot hinge comprises: a pivot arm extending from said base, said pivot arm defining said spacing beyond said base; A pivot pin is disposed at a distal end of the pivot arm, the pivot pin defining the pivot axis, and the pivot pin is rotatably coupled to the cover.

6. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein: The pivot hinge is a spring loaded pivot hinge with an open bias.

7. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a closed lid lock to releasably lock the lid in the closed position.

8. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising an open lid lock to releasably lock the lid in the open position.

9. The cap assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The cover-opening lock comprises a matching piece and a groove, wherein the matching piece and the groove are configured to form a matching engagement when the cover is in the cover-opening position.

10. The cap assembly according to claim 9, wherein: The matching piece can be elastically deformed under the action of a user force, so that the matching piece is located in the groove when the cover is moved to the cover opening position; And / or, the engaging member can be elastically deformed under the action of a user force so as to disengage the engaging member from the groove when the cover is moved away from the cover-opening position.

11. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising an intermediate lid lock to releasably lock the lid in an intermediate lid position between the closed lid position and the open lid position.

12. The cap assembly according to claim 11, wherein: The intermediate cover lock includes an abutment member and an abutment portion, wherein the abutment member and the abutment portion are configured to form an abutting engagement when the cover is in the intermediate position.

13. The cap assembly according to claim 12, wherein: The abutment is resiliently deformable under the action of a user force to disengage the abutment from the abutment portion when the cover is moved away from the intermediate cover position.

14. A lid assembly according to any preceding claim, further comprising a handle rotatably connected to the pivot hinge to rotate about the pivot axis relative to the lid between a first closed handle position and a second closed handle position, the handle having an open handle position located between the first closed handle position and the second closed handle position.

15. The cap assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The cover includes a handle recess configured to receive the handle in the first closed handle position.

16. The cap assembly according to claim 15, wherein: The handle recess includes an inclined surface to form a first finger accessible space between the handle recess and the handle when the handle is in the first closed handle position in the handle recess.

17. A lid assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 16, comprising a second finger accessible space between the base and the handle when the handle is in the second closed handle position.

18. The lid assembly of any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising a first closed handle lock to releasably lock the handle in the first closed handle position.

19. The lid assembly of any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising a second closure handle lock to releasably lock the handle in the second closed handle position.

20. A beverage system comprising: Drink containers, including: Open end; Cover assembly, comprising: a base mounted on the beverage container to cover the open end, the base comprising a fluid outlet; Cover; and a pivot hinge interconnecting the base and the cover, the pivot hinge having a pivot axis disposed a distance beyond an outer edge of the base; wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the pivot hinge, and the cover rotates around the pivot hinge relative to the base between a closed cover position and an open cover position without interfering with the base; Thus, in the open cover position, the cover is configured to extend from the pivot hinge and be disposed below the pivot axis.

21. The beverage system of claim 20, wherein: The beverage system comprises the features defined in any one of claims 2-19.

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