Closure for a container

Abstract

A push-seal mechanism for a container 10, preferably within a lid 20, actuatable between an operable and a locked configuration. The operable configuration permits actuation by a push-action mechanism

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seal mechanism for fluid containers, such as nonspill travel cups or travel mugs. More specifically, the present invention relates to a seal mechanism that can be locked to prevent accidental unsealing. Background Travel mugs with a push-to-seal mechanism permit the opening and sealing of a cup by pushing an actuator element. A popular form of push-to-seal travel mug comprises an actuator button within a screw-top lid, wherein the button allows opening or sealing an annular fluid passage through the lid. Such travel mugs are popular for cooled and hot beverages, because they avoid having to remove the screw top lid in order to draw liquid from the mug, and thereby provide and more effective insulation. The present invention seeks to provide further improvements for such fluid containers. Summary of the Invention In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a push-seal mechanism for a container, as defined in claim 1, the mechanism being actuatable between an operable configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the operable configuration permits actuation by a push-action mechanism to provide a seal configuration or an open configuration for fluid to pass, and wherein the locked configuration maintains the mechanism in the seal configuration. The seal mechanism is understood to be located near or at an opening or mouth of the container. For instance, the seal mechanism may be integral with a cap or lid, or may constitute a cap or lid element, that can be actuated to an open configuration to provide a fluid passage out of the container, or to a seal configuration to block passage of fluid. However, the seal mechanism is not necessarily located in a lid of the container, and may be provided, e.g., integrally assembled within a container wall. The container may be a vessel for a fluid, typically drinks, such as a bottle, flask, cup or mug. While the invention is believed to be particularly suited for travel mugs, it may also be useful in other areas such as infant cups, physiotherapy devices, pet feeding devices, and the like. The locked configuration is understood to be a configuration to inhibit or prevent a change between open configuration and seal configuration, e.g. by inhibiting, blocking or rendering ineffective the actuation of the push-action mechanism. In practice, the locked configuration may block the push-seal mechanism, or part of the push-seal mechanism, such that a seal configuration is maintained despite actuation of the push seal-mechanism. The mechanism is actuatable by rotation of an actuator element about the push axis of the push-action mechanism. In some embodiments, the mechanism is actuatable by an externally facing actuator element. The externally facing actuator may be the same actuator element as the push-seal actuator element. In some embodiments, the actuator element is operatively decouplable from the pushaction mechanism. In some embodiments, the mechanism comprises externally facing grip features on an actuator element. In some embodiments, the externally facing grip features comprise a formation of one or more protrusions and / or one or more recesses. In some embodiments, the externally facing grip features comprise at least one dimple. A dimple may be understood as a dished shallow recess dimensioned to be engaged by a finger tip. The grip features may comprise a dimple formation, e.g. of two, three, four, five or more dimples. As may be imagined, the dimples may be arranged to correspond to likely finger tip positions. In some embodiments, the externally facing grip features comprise at least one ridge. In some embodiments, the externally facing grip features comprise at least one groove. The grip features may comprise a ridge or groove to provide abutment structures to facilitate manual application of torque to operate the mechanism. In some embodiments, the push-action mechanism comprises a click wheel mechanism to switch between the seal configuration and the open configuration. The actuator element is actuated to move between the operable configuration and the locked configuration along a path defined by a guide structure, the path comprising a barrier element. The guide structure may be a groove or ridge defining a path along which an engaging part of the actuator element may move. Furthermore, the mechanism comprises a tracking structure to engage the guide structure. The tracking structure may be provided on, or may be integrally formed with, the actuator element. In this manner, the tracking structure may follow the path while engaged in the guide structure. In some embodiments, at least one of the tracking structure and the guide structure is mounted on a resiliently deflectable carrier structure. In some embodiments, the tracking structure is designed to be less durable than the barrier element. In some embodiments, the tracking structure is smaller than the barrier element. For instance, the tracking structure may be shorter and / or thinner than the barrier element. In some embodiments, the tracking structure is of a softer material than the barrier element. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fluid container comprising the mechanism according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect. In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises a lid, and the mechanism according to anyone of the embodiments of the first aspect is comprised in the lid. In some embodiments, the lid is a screw top lid. In some embodiments, the lid is a push-on lid. In some embodiments, the fluid container comprises thermally insulating container walls. In some embodiments, the fluid container takes the form of a travel mug, travel cup, flask, feeding bottle, weaning bottle or exercise kit. Features described in relation to any one or more of the embodiments of the first aspect may be combined with, or used for the manufacture of, any one or more of the embodiments of the second aspect. Description of the Figures Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric illustration of an embodiment; Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view of an embodiment; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows an underneath isometric view of an actuator component; and Figure 5 shows a detail isometric view of an embodiment. Description Figure 1 shows a travel mug 10 representing an example of a container, comprising an outer body 12 and a cap 20. The cap 20 is attached to close the outer body 12 via a threaded engagement, although other engagement mechanisms such as friction fit (or push-on lid) may be used. With reference to the in-use upright orientation, the travel mug 10 comprises a central axis A. The cap 20 comprises a push actuator 22 that is externally facing and axially (along the axis A) depressable into the cap 20 to open or seal, respectively, a fluid passage. The fluid passage comprises an annular gap 21 that allows the mug 10 to be used for pouring or drinking in any orientation while the cap 20 and the push-actuator 22 remain attached to the travel mug 10. The annular gap 21 also provides clearance for smooth actuation of the push actuator 22. While illustrated with an annular gap 21 of even spacing along the circumference of the mug 10, the cap 20 may also be of a form comprising a pronounced pouring area, recess, lip or spout, to facilitate withdrawal of fluids. The push actuator 22 is actuatable in an axial direction and is also rotatable about the push axis A. Rotation of the push actuator 22 allows the push actuator 22 to be set to a locked position and to an operable position. For better torque grip, the push actuator 22 comprises grip features such as an arrangement of (here: two) dimples 24a, 24b that facilitate the manual rotation, in a “dialling” manner, counterclockwise and clockwise. While the illustrated embodiment comprises dimples 24a, 24b as examples of recesses, other features such as protrusions in the form of ridges, wings, grooves, and the like, as well as combinations thereof, may be provided. It is thought to be practical if the grip features are relatively shallow, to reduce the likelihood of accidental torque being applied to them. The push actuator 22 comprises a number of (here: two) position indicators 25 to indicate several orientations, such as a locked orientation (here, using a locked padlock symbol) and an operable orientation (here, using an open padlock symbol). The mug 10 comprises, at an edge of the cap 20, a reference indicator 26. As will be appreciated, appropriate alignment of the push actuator 22 within the cap 20 results in a consequential alignment of a position indicator with a reference indicator, thereby providing a visual indication on the external surface of the mug 10 whether or not the push actuator 22 is in a locked configuration or in an operable configuration to permit actuation for opening of the fluid passage. As an alternative to the illustrated arrangement, one position indicator may be used with multiple reference indicators. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the outer body 12 provides a sleeve for a cup 16 held to a body rim 14. Once assembled, the cup 16 and outer body 12 may provide thermal insulation properties, e.g. by way of an annular cavity between the cup 16 and the outer body 12. The outer body 12 and cup 16 may be made from the same material and / or different materials, such as food grade material for the inner cup 16 and hard-wearing material for the outer body 12. An inner surface of the cup 16 comprises a thread formation 18 for engagement of a threaded cap 20. It will be appreciated, however, that the design of the outer body 12 may take various forms including the form of a single-moulded unitary cup. The cap 20 comprises an external thread formation 28 on a portion of its mantle for engagement with the thread formation 18. The thread formations 18 and 28 may be designed to provide a fluid-tight, or leakproof, seal, such that the cap 20 may be used to close and seal against the outer body 12 and / or the cup 16 at the body rim 14. The thread formation may include a gasket or O-ring, or suitably sealing material properties. As such, the travel mug 10 can be closed in a fluid tight manner using the cap 20. Removal of the cap 20 provides access into the cup 16 for filing, emptying, cleaning etc. The cap 20 comprises a push-seal mechanism to open a fluid passage through the cap 20. The push-seal mechanism can be actuated while the cap 20 remains attached to the body 12. To this end, the cap 20 is constituted by an annular body surrounding a carrier structure 50 in which the components of the push-seal mechanism are located. While a suitable seal mechanism may be realised in different ways, one practical embodiment comprises a seal plate 30 providing a seal element or valve that is axially moveable against a seating surface. When abutted against the seating surface, flow through the cap 20 is blocked and the cap 20 is in a fluid tight seal configuration. When the seal element or valve is spaced from the seating surface, the resulting space provides a flow passage through the cap 20 and via the annular gap 21. The push actuator 22 is arranged to allow the seal element to be moved between the seal configuration and the open configuration. The mechanism uses a ramped click wheel arrangement comprising, in this embodiment, six orientation positions whereby actuation of the push actuator 22 switches between one of three open configurations and, alternatingly, one of three seal configurations. In this manner, the same actuation action or motion (i.e., a simple depressing of the push actuator 22) effects both the opening and, alternatingly, the sealing of the fluid passage. To this end, the push actuator 22 is rotatably seated on a coupling element 36. The push actuator 22 is biased outward by biasing element 40 (here, a helical spring). When the push actuator 22 is axially depressed against the inherent resilience of the biasing element 40, this causes the coupling element 36 to bring into engagement first ramps 35 of a first translation element 34 with ramped arms 33 of a second translation element 32, to convert the axial movement into a rotational movement corresponding to the ramp engagement surface, and corresponding axial movement of the seal plate 30 into abutment against its seating surface, to block flow, or to move the seal plate 30 away, to provide a fluid passage. While the exact manner of operation of the seal mechanism is not necessarily critical to every embodiment of the invention, the invention is concerned with providing a mechanism to further control actuation, in the exemplary embodiment the actuation of the push actuator 22, to reduce the risk of accidental actuation (opening) of the seal mechanism, as might occur if the container is kept in a bag with other items. Figure 4 and 5 show detail of the push actuator 22 and a carrier structure 50 that is located in the cap 20. The carrier structure 50 comprises a generally cylindrical wall comprising an arrangement of guide grooves 52 constituting a guide structure. The guide grooves comprise a two-arm channel 54 comprising a first arm 54a and a second arm 54b separated by a junction, the junction being blocked by a barrier 56. The first arm 54a extends axially further than the second arm 54b. The barrier 56 is formed by a threshold structure. The carrier structure 50 is firmly connected and / or integral with the cap 20, and as such the locations of the guide grooves 52 and their respective first arms 54a and second arms 54b are irrotatably disposed in the cap 20. The guide groove 52 is engaged by a tracking structure carried on the push actuator 22. The underside of the push actuator 22 comprises a collar 40 of generally cylindrical shape. The collar 40 extends to the (in use) underside of the push actuator 22 to engage the push-seal mechanism. The collar 40 comprises an arrangement of (here: three) arms 42 extending axially downward, i.e., away from a planar extension of the push actuator 22. The arms 42 are part of a resiliently deflectable carrier structure, e.g. being shaped and formed in the manner of a cantilever to allow them to resiliently deflect under sufficient force, and to resume their rest position in the absence of a deflecting force. At least one arm 42 comprises a radially inward-extending protrusion 44, constituting a tracking structure. The protrusion 44 is provided with a nub 46, or further protrusion, extending (increasing the height or thickness) of a portion of the protrusion 44. When assembled, the push actuator 22 locks with other parts of the assembly to hold the cap 20 together. The protrusion 44 is aligned in the first arm 54a of the guide groove 52. The recessed contour of the guide groove 52 provides clearance for the protrusion 44 to travel axially upon axial depression of the push actuator 22. Furthermore, the protrusion 44 and the threshold structure of the barrier 56 are dimensioned to provide a barrier, the barrier inhibiting passage of the protrusion 44, such that the protrusion 44 is retained in the first arm 54a, prevented from rotating into the second arm 54b while being permitted to axially move along the first arm 54a. As will be appreciated, the axial position of the second arm 54b corresponds to the distal position of the push actuator 22, whereas the axial extension of the first arm 54a corresponds to the axial travel range of the push actuator 22 in its operable configuration. With the protrusion 44 engaged in the first arm 54a, rotation of the push actuator 22 is inhibited, unless sufficient torque is exerted on the push actuator 22 to overcome the inherent resilience of the arms 42 to allow the nub 46 to ride over the barrier 56 to move the protrusion 44 into the second arm 54b. Application of sufficient torque on the push actuator 22 allows the protrusion 44 and nub 46 to ride over the barrier 56. In this manner, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation, respectively, of the push actuator 22 relative to the cap 20 thereby allows the protrusion 44 to be located in either the first arm 54a, or the second arm 54b. Engaged in the second arm 54b, the travel range of the protrusion 44 is limited by the second arm 54b; respectively the protrusion 44 and second arm 54b may be dimensioned such that no axial travel is possible, thereby reducing the travel range of or hindering an axial depression of the push actuator 22. In this manner, the push actuator 22 is practically decoupled from the push mechanism, and accidental actuation of the push actuator 22 is inhibited. In the present design, the click mechanism of the translation elements 32, 34 comprises six orientations, i.e. three open orientations alternating with three seal orientations. The guide grooves 52 are arranged such that locking is possible only in the seal orientations. This achieves that the push actuator 22 is lockable while the fluid passage is blocked, and cannot be locked while the fluid passage is open. However, the invention is not necessarily so limited. Alternative embodiments may allow a locking of the push button only in an open configuration, or in both open and seal configurations. Likewise, while the push actuator 22 is illustrated with two lock conditions (locked and open), variants of the push actuator may comprise three configurations, such as locked open, unlocked, and locked closed. For instance, the cap may comprise a “storage” configuration that maintains an open passage while not in use. It will be appreciated the guide grooves 52 may comprise a further arm (not shown) corresponding to the axial position at which the push actuator 22 is intended to be retained. The illustrated embodiment incorporates arms 42 on a collar 40 with one or more inwardly-facing protrusions 44. As will be appreciated, an arrangement comprising a tracking structure (e.g. the protrusion 44 and nub 46) and a guide structure (e.g. the grooves 52) may be reversed. Likewise, a collar or other auxiliary support structure may be located further outward on an inside face 23 of the push actuator 22, such that e.g. a guide or tracking structure located on an external mantle surface 48 or on the inside face 23 may engage a corresponding guide or tracking structure on an inside surface 29 of the cap 20. In a further variation of an embodiment, a locking mechanism may comprise a locking component that is actuatable independently of the push actuator 22. For instance, the locking component may be acutatable to act on and / or to release the push actuator 22. By way of example, the locking component may be a ring located externally or internally on the collar 20, or within an assembly comprising the push actuator 22 and said locking component, wherein the locking component is rotationally disposed relative to the push actuator 22. As will be appreciated, the locking component may be actuated by rotating it to one of an operable configuration and a locked configuration, wherein in the locked configuration the locking component engages with the mechanism such that axial travel of the push actuator 22 is inhibited or blocked. The cap 20 is designed such that the assembly is held together by snap fitting the push actuator 22 onto other parts of the assembly, such that the cap 20 can be handled as a single component in day-to-day use. The nub 46 may be designed to be faster wearing than the barrier 56. E.g., the nub 46 may be made from a less strong material, and / or may be made from the same material but of smaller dimensions, e.g. may be shorter and / or thinner. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the nub 46 is both shorter and thinner than the barrier 56. While the components are generally intended to be made of hard wearing material, the nub 46 is in this manner designed as a sacrificial part should wear take place. While not expected to be a common occurrence, frequent use of the locking mechanism may cause corresponding wear of the nub 46, which is replaceable by exchanging the push actuator 22. In this manner, replacing a single component part - here the push actuator 22 - provides a simple refurbishing option, to restore functionality of the push seal mechanism, if required. The design of the push seal mechanism enables the use of relatively few components, most of which can be made from recycled material, and can also be disassembled for recycling, if required. While the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 is a travel mug, the invention is not limited to a particular type of vessel and may be used for cups, bottles, flasks, fluid containers and the like. The container is primarily intended for liquid fluids, however it is believed that it is equally useful for other flowable non-liquid materials, such as powders, granules, and the like. It will be appreciated that the description hereinbefore is exemplary in accordance with embodiments the invention and that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A push-seal mechanism for a container, the mechanism being actuatable between an operable configuration and a locked configuration, wherein the operable configuration permits actuation by a push-action mechanism along a push axis to provide a seal configuration or an open configuration for fluid to pass, and wherein the locked configuration blocks actuation of the push-action mechanism, thereby to maintain the mechanism in the seal configuration, wherein the mechanism is actuatable by rotation of an actuator element about the push axis, wherein the mechanism comprises a tracking structure to engage a guide structure defining a path between the operable configuration and the locked configuration, and wherein the path comprises a barrier inhibiting passage of the tracking structure between the operable configuration and the locked configuration.

2. The mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the actuator element comprises one or more position indicators to indicate a locked orientation and / or an operable orientation.

3. The mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mechanism is actuatable by an externally facing actuator element.

4. The mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the actuator element is operatively decouplable from the push-action mechanism.

5. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanism comprises externally facing grip features on an actuator element.

6. The mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the externally facing grip features comprise a formation of one or more protrusions and / or one or more recesses.

7. The mechanism according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the externally facing grip features comprise at least one dimple.

8. The mechanism according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the externally facing grip features comprise at least one ridge.

9. The mechanism according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the externally facing grip features comprise at least one groove.

10. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the push-action mechanism comprises a click wheel mechanism to switch between the seal configuration and the open configuration.

11. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a carrier structure comprising a generally cylindrical wall, and wherein the push actuator comprises a collar or other auxiliary support structure of generally cylindrical shape, and wherein one of the tracking structure and the guide structure is located on the carrier structure, and the other of the tracking structure and the guide structure is located on the collar.

12. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the tracking structure and the guide structure is mounted on a resiliently deflectable carrier structure.

13. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tracking structure is designed to be less durable than the barrier element.

14. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tracking structure is smaller than the barrier element.

15. The mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tracking structure is of a softer material than the barrier element.

16. A fluid container comprising the mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. The fluid container according to claim 16, comprising a lid, wherein the mechanism according to anyone of claims 1 to 15 is comprised in the lid.

18. The fluid container according to claim 17, wherein one of the tracking structure and the guide structure is located on an inside surface of the lid.

19. The fluid container according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the lid is a screw top 5 lid.

20. The fluid container according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the lid is a push-on lid.

21. The fluid container according to any one of claims 16 to 20, comprising10 thermally insulating container walls.

22. The fluid container according to any one of the preceding claims, taking theform of a travel mug, travel cup, flask, feeding bottle, weaning bottle or exercise kit.

Images