Drinking container with magnetic and latch closure mechanism

Abstract

The drinking container includes a beverage container defining a drinking opening therethrough and a closure attachable to the beverage container for closing the drinking opening. A first set of magnet units is coupled to the beverage container, and a second set of magnet units is coupled to the closure. When the closure is in the closed position, a magnetic attraction force between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units holds the closure in place relative to the beverage container, thereby closing the drinking opening. When the closure is rotated away from the closed position, a magnetic repulsion force between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units pushes the closure away from the beverage container.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to drinking vessels, and more particularly, some embodiments relate to closure assemblies for drinking vessels. [Background technology]

[0002] It may be desirable to close and / or seal a drinking opening on a beverage container when a user is not drinking from the beverage container. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments described herein are directed to a drinking container including a beverage container defining a drinking opening and a closure attachable to the beverage container to close the drinking opening. A first set of magnet units is coupled to the beverage container, and a second set of magnet units is coupled to the closure. When the closure is in a closed position, a magnetic attraction force between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units holds the closure in place relative to the beverage container, thereby closing the drinking opening. When the closure is rotated away from the closed position, a magnetic repulsion force between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units pushes the closure away from the beverage container, thereby opening the drinking opening.

[0004] Some embodiments described herein are directed to a drinking container including a beverage container defining a drinking opening therethrough and a closure attachable to the beverage container for closing the drinking opening. The closure includes a latch member movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The beverage container includes a latch stop configured to engage with the latch member of the closure. When the closure is in the closed position and the latch member is in the latched position, the closure is held in the closed position. In response to the closure being rotated away from the closed position, the latch member moves toward the unlatched position.

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain its principles and enable one skilled in the art to make and use the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view of a portion of a drinking container with the closure removed; FIG. [Figure 2] 2 shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of the drinking container of FIG. 1 with the closure attached. [Figure 4] 2 shows an exploded top perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1; [Figure 5] 2 shows an exploded bottom perspective view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1; [Figure 6A] 6A shows a cross-sectional view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 6B taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 6B. [Figure 6B] 2 shows a plan view of the drinking vessel of FIG. 1; [Figure 7] 2 is a top view of the drinking container of FIG. 1 with the closure rotated relative to the drinking container. [Figure 8] 2 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the drinking container of FIG. 1 with the closure in a closed position, the locking member in an unlocked position, and the latch member in a latched position. [Figure 9]2 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the drinking container of FIG. 1 with the closure in a closed position, the locking member in an unlocked position, and the latch member in an unlatched position. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a portion of the drinking container of FIG. 1 with the closure in a closed position and the locking member in a locked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments, including structures, systems, and methods, may be practiced without these specific details. The descriptions and representations herein conform to standards used by those skilled in the art to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] References herein to "some embodiments" indicate that the described embodiments may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with one embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to apply such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0009] The following examples are intended to illustrate, but not limit, the present disclosure. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in the art and obvious to those skilled in the art are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0010]

[0003] People use reusable drinking containers to carry a variety of beverages. It may be desirable for the drinking container to have a closure for closing and / or sealing one or more drinking openings of the drinking container when the user is not drinking from the drinking container. Thus, it may be desirable to provide a closure that can be used to easily and reliably open and close the drinking opening of the drinking container and / or to seal and unseal the drinking opening of the drinking container.

[0011] Some embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a drinking container having a magnetic closure mechanism that can be used to easily and reliably open and close the drinking opening of the drinking container and / or seal and unseal the drinking opening of the drinking container. The drinking container may include a drinking container having a first set of magnet units and a closure having a second set of magnet units. In some embodiments, when the closure is in the closed position, magnetic attraction between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units holds the closure in place relative to the drinking container. In some embodiments, when the closure is rotated away from the closed position, magnetic repulsion between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units pushes the closure away from the drinking container, thereby opening the closure. In some embodiments, when the closure is open, a user can move the closure toward the drinking opening. Then, magnetic interaction between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units attempts to rotate the closure to the closed position.

[0012] Some embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a latching closure that can be used to easily and securely open and close a drinking opening of a drinking container and / or to seal and unseal a drinking opening of a drinking container. The drinking container may include a beverage container with a latch stop and a closure with a latch member. In some embodiments, when the closure is in a closed position and the latch member is in a latched position, the latch member and latch stop hold the closure in the closed position. In some embodiments, a user may rotate the closure (e.g., counterclockwise) away from the closed position to move the latch member toward an unlatched position. With the latch member in its unlatched position, the user can remove the closure from the beverage container.

[0013] As described above and in more detail below, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage container having a first set of magnet units and a closure having a second set of magnet units that interact to hold the closure to the beverage container, close the drinking opening of the beverage container, and / or remove the closure. Also, as described above and in more detail below, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a beverage container having a latch stop and a closure having a latch member that engage to hold the closure to the beverage container. The magnetic closure mechanism and the latch mechanism are beneficial independently and also when used together. Some embodiments may include one without the other, in addition to embodiments that include both.

[0014] These and other embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. 1-3 show a drinking container 10 according to some embodiments. The drinking container 10 may include a beverage container 100 and a closure 500 attachable to the beverage container 100. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the drinking container 10 is shown with the closure 500 removed from the beverage container 100. In FIG. 3, the drinking container 10 is shown with the closure 500 attached to the beverage container 100.

[0015] 1 , a beverage container 100 may include a drinking opening 302 (e.g., a spout) through which a user can drink a beverage contained within the beverage container 100. A closure 500 may be attachable to the beverage container 100 to close the drinking opening 302. In some embodiments, when the closure 500 is in a closed position, a seal member 800 of the closure 500 (shown in FIG. 2 ) seals the drinking opening 302 (e.g., by pressing against the periphery or inner surface of the drinking opening 302). When the closure 500 is in an open position, the seal member 800 of the closure 500 does not seal the drinking opening 302.

[0016] In some embodiments, the beverage container 100 may include a magnet unit 400, and the closure 500 may include a magnet unit 700. The magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 can interact to hold the closure 500 relative to the beverage container 100, close the drinking opening 302, and / or remove the closure 500. Each of the magnet units 400 and 700 may be formed from an individual magnet, or from a group of individual magnets that together function as or approximate the function of the individual magnets. When the magnet unit is formed from a group of individual magnets, the individual magnets within the magnet unit may be positioned adjacent to each other and oriented with the same polarity so that together they exhibit the properties of a single magnet. For example, in the magnet unit, two rectangular magnets may be positioned adjacent to each other with the south pole of one facing the north pole of the other.

[0017] In some embodiments, the magnetic force between the magnet units 400 and 700 holds the closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when the closure 500 is in the closed position (shown in FIG. 3 ), each magnet unit 400 is positioned above a magnet unit 700 with an opposite polarity. The magnetic attraction between each magnet unit 400 and the corresponding magnet unit 700 holds the closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100.

[0018] In some embodiments, a user may remove the closure 500 from the beverage container 100 by rotating the closure 500 (e.g., counterclockwise) away from the closed position. In some embodiments, as the closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, the magnetic repulsion between the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 pushes the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100, thereby opening the closure 500. For example, as the closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, the magnet unit 400 is no longer positioned over a magnet unit 700 with the opposite polarity. Instead, the magnet unit 400 may increasingly interact with magnet units 700 with the same polarity. The magnetic repulsion between each magnet unit 400 and the interacting magnet unit 700 of the same polarity pushes the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100.

[0019] In some embodiments, when the closure 500 is open, a user can attach the closure 500 to the beverage container 100 by moving the closure 500 toward the drinking opening 302. In some such embodiments, as the closure 500 is moved toward the drinking opening 302 of the beverage container 100, the magnetic repulsion and magnetic attraction between the first set of magnet units 400 and the second set of magnet units 700 creates a force that tends to rotate the closure 500 toward the closed position. For example, when a user moves the closure 500 closer to the beverage container 100 with the intention of using it to close the drinking opening 302 of the beverage container 100, if magnets with the same polarity are more aligned than magnets with opposite polarities, the user will feel a rotational force away from the magnets of the same polarity (due to magnetic repulsion) and toward the magnets of the opposite polarity (due to magnetic attraction), and the magnets of opposite polarities will attract each other and pull the closure 500 into the closed position.

[0020] In some embodiments, the closure 500 may include a latch member 900, and the beverage container 100 may include a latch stop 350. As shown in FIG. 3 , the latch member 900 can engage with the latch stop 350 to hold the closure 500 in a closed position. In some embodiments, the closure 500 includes two or more latch members 900, and / or the beverage container 100 includes two or more latch stops 350. Unless otherwise noted, features described herein with respect to a latch member 900 and / or latch stop 350 may apply to a single latch member 900 and / or a single latch stop 350 of the drinking container 10, all of the latch members 900 and / or all of the latch stops 350, or a subset of the latch members 900 and / or latch stops of the drinking container 10.

[0021] In some embodiments, the latch member 900 is movable (e.g., pivotable) between a latched position and an unlatched position. When the closure 500 is in the closed position and the latch member 900 is in its latched position (as shown in FIG. 3 ), the latch member 900 and the latch stop 350 hold the closure 500 in the closed position. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 3 , when the closure 500 is moved away from the drinking opening 302 (i.e., in the direction of arrow 40), the upper surfaces 352 of the latch member 900 and the latch stop 350 interfere, thereby preventing the closure 500 from moving further away from the drinking opening 302 in direction 40.

[0022] In some embodiments, a user can rotate the closure 500 (e.g., counterclockwise) away from the closed position to unlatch and remove the closure 500 from the beverage container 100. In some embodiments, in response to the closure 500 being rotated away from the closed position, the latch member 900 moves toward the unlatched position. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the side 354 of the latch stop 350 is angled so that when the side 940 of the latch member 900 engages the side 354 of the latch stop 350 (while rotating the closure 500), the surfaces slide relative to each other, causing the latch member 900 to pivot away from the interior 505 of the closure 500 toward the unlatched position. With the latch member 900 in the unlatched position, the closure 500 can be removed from the beverage container 100.

[0023] In some embodiments, the closure 500 includes a locking member 1100 (shown in FIG. 10 ), for example, to prevent a user from inadvertently removing the closure 500 from the beverage container 100. As described below, in some embodiments, the locking member 1100 mechanically prevents movement of the latch member 900 from its latched position, thereby preventing the closure 500 from rotating away from the closed position or moving away from the drinking opening 302 when the locking member 1100 is in the locked position.

[0024] 4-10 show detailed views of embodiments for implementing some of the features described above. The specific structures and features shown and described (here and elsewhere in this document) may not be the only way to achieve the described functionality, and each element may be implemented using shapes, structures, and appearances other than those specifically shown and described.

[0025] 4 and 5 show exploded views of a drinking vessel 10 according to some embodiments. As shown, the drinking vessel 10 includes a beverage container 100 and a closure 500. The beverage container 100 may include a container body 200, a drinking spout 300, and a magnet unit 400.

[0026] The container body 200 may be any type of container body. The container body 200 may be generally cylindrical (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) or may have another external or internal shape. In some embodiments, the container body 200 may be double-walled to enhance the insulating properties of the container body 200. In some embodiments, the area between the double walls of the beverage container body 200 may be sealed or may form at least a partial vacuum. In some embodiments, the container body 200 may be formed from stainless steel. In some embodiments, the container body 200 may be formed from another food-grade material, such as a food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, copolymers sold as Eastman Tritan®, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or another metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0027] The spout 300 may be formed as a separate component from the container body 200, or may be integrally formed with the container body 200. In embodiments in which the spout 300 is formed as a separate component from the container body 200, the spout 300 may be attachable to the container body 200. For example, the spout 300 may include an attachment mechanism (e.g., a threaded connector, a friction-fit connector, a snap-fit ​​connector, or any other suitable removable attachment mechanism), and the container body 200 may include a corresponding attachment mechanism configured to engage with the attachment mechanism of the spout 300 to removably attach the spout 300 to the container body 200.

[0028] The spout 300 may include a drinking opening 302 through which a user can drink a beverage contained within the beverage container 100. In some embodiments, the drinking opening 302 may be aligned with the central axis 20 of the spout 300 (i.e., the central axis 20 may extend through the drinking opening 302). In other embodiments, the drinking opening 302 may be offset from the central axis 20.

[0029] In some embodiments, the spout 300 may include multiple drinking openings 302. For example, in some embodiments, the spout 300 may include a first drinking opening in fluid communication with an upper portion of the interior of the container body 200 and a second drinking opening in fluid communication with a straw that extends into a lower portion of the interior of the container body 200.

[0030] Spout 300 may be formed of food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, copolymers sold as Eastman Tritan®, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0031] As described above, the closure 500 may be attachable to the beverage container 100 to close the drinking opening 302. The closure 500 may include multiple components including a closure body 600, a magnet unit 700, a seal member 800, a latch member 900, a biasing member 1000, and a locking member 1100.

[0032] The closure body 600 may be formed of multiple pieces (e.g., an inner shell 610 and an outer shell 620) or may be formed as a single piece. In some embodiments, the closure body 600 defines an interior space 505 that accommodates the spout 300 of the beverage container 100 when the closure 500 is closed. In some embodiments, the closure body 600 includes a top surface 630 and a sidewall 640. When the closure 500 is attached to the beverage container 100, the sidewall 640 of the closure body 600 may at least partially surround the spout 300 such that the sidewall 640 prevents dirt or debris from contacting the top surface of the spout 300 that a user is likely to come into contact with when drinking from the drinking container 10.

[0033] The closure body 600 may be formed of a single material or multiple materials, including food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, copolymers sold as Eastman Tritan®, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0034] The closure 500 may include a seal member 800 for sealing the drinking opening 302. The term seal, as used herein and elsewhere in this document, does not necessarily require a completely airtight seal; rather, a seal that is capable of preventing the passage of liquid fluids is sufficient. In some embodiments, the seal member 800 is positioned such that when the closure 500 is in the closed position, the seal member 800 presses against the drinking opening 302, thereby sealing the drinking opening 302. The seal member 800 may have any shape sufficient to seal the drinking opening 302 when the closure 500 is in the closed position. The seal member 800 may be formed of a food-grade material suitable for forming a seal around the first drinking opening 310.

[0035] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the beverage container 100 includes the magnet unit 400 and the closure 500 includes the magnet unit 700 for removably attaching the closure 500 to the beverage container 100 .

[0036] In some embodiments, when the closure 500 is in the closed position, a magnetic attraction between the at least one magnet unit 400 and the at least one magnet unit 700 holds the closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100. For example, when the closure 500 is in the closed position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6 ), each magnet unit 400 is positioned above a magnet unit 700 having an opposite polarity. The magnetic attraction between each magnet unit 400 and the corresponding magnet unit 700 holds the closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100. The magnetic attraction between the magnet units 400 and 700 may be strong enough to hold the closure 500 in place when the drinking container 10 is subjected to typical forces applied during normal use of the drinking container 10 (e.g., when carrying the drinking container 10 in a bag), but may not be strong enough to prevent a user from intentionally rotating the closure 500 away from the closed position, as will be described in more detail. For example, the magnetic force between magnet unit 400 and magnet unit 700 may be at least 1 lb (454 g), at least 2 lb (907 g), or at least 4 lb (1814 g) when closure 500 is in the closed position.

[0037] In some embodiments, the magnet unit 400 may be positioned on or near a surface of the beverage container 100 that mates with the surface of the closure 500 when the closure 500 is in the closed position. Similarly, in some embodiments, the magnet unit 700 may be positioned on or near a surface of the closure 500 that mates with the surface of the beverage container 100 when the closure 500 is in the closed position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the closure 500 may include a downward-facing rim 650 configured to be positioned above an upward-facing platform 340 of the beverage container 100 when the closure 500 is in the closed position. The magnet unit 400 may be positioned on or below the upper surface of the platform 340, and the magnet unit 700 may be positioned on or above the rim 650. By positioning the magnet unit 400 and / or magnet unit 700 at or near the mating surfaces of the beverage container 100 and the closure 500, for example, the magnet unit 400 may be positioned near the magnet unit 700 when the closure 500 is in the closed position or when the closure 500 is in the process of being closed. In this way, the magnetic field generated by the magnet unit 400 is relatively stronger at the magnet unit 700 compared to the magnetic field generated by the magnet unit 400 if the magnet unit 400 were further below the top surface of the spout 300. Similarly, the magnetic field generated by the magnet unit 700 is relatively stronger at the magnet unit 400 compared to the magnetic field generated by the magnet unit 700 if the magnet unit 700 were further below the top surface of the spout 300.

[0038] As described above, in some embodiments, a user may remove the closure 500 from the beverage container 100 by rotating the closure 500 (e.g., counterclockwise or clockwise) away from the closed position. In some embodiments, as the closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, the magnetic repulsion between the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 pushes the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100, thereby opening the closure 500. For example, as the closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, the magnet unit 400 is no longer positioned over a magnet unit 700 with the opposite polarity (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7 ). Instead, the magnet unit 400 may interact increasingly strongly with magnet units 700 with the same polarity. The magnetic repulsion between each magnet unit 400 and the interacting magnet unit 700 of the same polarity pushes the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100.

[0039] In some embodiments, the spout 300 may include one or more magnet covers 345 disposed on each magnet unit 400. The magnet covers 345 may be or may include a low-friction surface. For example, the magnet covers 345 may be formed of a material having a lower coefficient of static friction than the material forming the portions of the platform 340 that are not disposed on the magnet units 400. In this way, when in the closed position, the closure 500 can be more easily rotated to remove it from the beverage container 100. In some embodiments, the magnet covers 345 are integrally formed with the spout 300 (e.g., the spout 300 may be molded in a first molding step, and the magnet covers 345 may be formed in a second molding step after the magnet units 400 are joined to the spout 300). In some embodiments, a magnet cover 345 is instead or additionally provided on the closure 500 below each magnet unit 700.

[0040] In some embodiments, the magnet unit 400 is joined to the beverage container 100 by mechanical means (e.g., press fit) and / or chemical bonding (e.g., welding, adhesive, molding, or potting). In some embodiments, the magnet unit 700 is joined to the closure 500 by mechanical means (e.g., press fit) and / or chemical bonding (e.g., welding, adhesive, molding, or potting).

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage container 100 includes four magnet units 400. However, the beverage container 100 may include fewer or more magnets (e.g., two magnets, three magnets, five magnets, six magnets, seven magnets, or eight magnets). In the illustrated embodiment, the closure 500 includes four magnet units 700. However, the beverage container 100 may include fewer or more magnets (e.g., two magnets, three magnets, five magnets, six magnets, seven magnets, or eight magnets).

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the number of magnet units 400 is equal to the number of magnet units 700. However, the number of magnet units 400 may be more or less than the number of magnet units 700. In some embodiments, the number of magnet units 400 is twice the number of magnet units 700. For example, in some embodiments, the beverage container 100 includes four magnet units 400 and the closure 500 includes two magnet units 700. In some embodiments, the number of magnet units 400 is half the number of magnet units 700. For example, in some embodiments, the beverage container 100 includes two magnet units 400 and the closure 500 includes four magnet units 700.

[0043] In some embodiments, the magnet units 400 are spaced apart along the circumference 110 of the beverage container 100 and / or the magnet units 700 are spaced apart along the circumference 510 of the closure 500. For example, the magnet units 400 may be arranged circumferentially around the spout 300. Arranging the magnet units 400 and / or 700 along the circumference of the beverage container 100 and / or closure 500 may allow the magnet units 400 and 700 to easily interact as the closure 500 is rotated relative to the beverage container 100.

[0044] In some embodiments, each of the magnet units 400 is positioned the same distance from the central axis 20 of the drinking vessel 10. In some embodiments, each of the magnet units 700 is positioned the same distance from the central axis 20 of the drinking vessel 10. In some embodiments, at least one magnet unit 400 (e.g., all of the magnet units 400) and at least one magnet unit 700 (e.g., all of the magnet units 700) are each positioned the same distance from the central axis 20 of the drinking vessel 10.

[0045] In some embodiments, the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 are arc-shaped. This shape can, for example, reduce the overall amount of material required relative to other magnet shapes. In other embodiments, rectangular magnets may be used instead of arc-shaped magnets to form the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700. In such embodiments, the rectangular magnets may be arranged in close groups so that together they approximate individual arc-shaped magnets. For example, two or more magnets oriented with the same polarity, arranged side by side with a slight angle between them, can approximate the functionality of a single arc-shaped magnet and thus be used in place of any of the arc-shaped magnets described herein.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet units 400 and 700 are arranged such that the magnet units 400 and 700 are rotationally symmetric about the central axis 20 of the drinking vessel 10. Rotational symmetry as discussed herein relates to the physical arrangement of the magnet units 400 and / or 700 and does not necessarily take into account the magnetic properties of each magnet unit 400 and / or each magnet unit 700. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet units 400 and 700 have fourth-order rotational symmetry. However, the magnet units 400 and / or 700 may have higher or lower orders of rotational symmetry. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet units 400 and 700 have rotational symmetry of an order equal to the number of magnets. However, in other embodiments, the magnet units 400 and / or 700 may have rotational symmetry of an order less than the number of magnets.

[0047] In some embodiments, the magnet units 400 are evenly spaced along the circumference 110 of the beverage container 100, and the magnet units 700 are evenly spaced along the circumference 510 of the closure 500. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the magnet units 400 are spaced every 90 degrees along the circumference 110 of the beverage container 100, and the magnet units 700 are spaced every 90 degrees along the circumference 510 of the closure 500. However, in other embodiments, the magnet units 400, the magnet units 700, or both are spaced closer or further apart from each other. In some embodiments, the magnet units 400 are not evenly spaced along the circumference 110 of the beverage container 100, the magnet units 700 are not evenly spaced along the circumference 510 of the closure 500, or both. As noted above, in embodiments including magnet units each formed of a plurality of individual closely adjacent magnets, adjacent rectangular magnets forming a magnet unit are spaced closer to each other than to any other magnet in the set of magnet units to which they belong.

[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, all of the magnet units 400 have a combined total arc length of 180 degrees, and all of the magnet units 700 have a combined total arc length of 180 degrees. As applied to arc-shaped or rectangular magnets (or other magnet shapes), arc length refers to the distance around the circumference of a circle occupied by a magnet, and is defined as the angle with the center of the circle as the vertex. For example, a magnet having a total arc length of 180 degrees means that half of the circumference of the circle is occupied by the magnet. However, the magnet units 400 may have any suitable total arc length, and the magnet units 700 may have any suitable total arc length. In some embodiments, the magnet units 400 have a total arc length less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the magnet units 400 have a total arc length greater than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the magnet units 700 have a total arc length less than 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the magnet units 700 have a total arc length greater than 180 degrees.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 is equal to the total arc length of the magnet unit 700. However, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 may be greater or less than the total arc length of the magnet unit 700. In some embodiments, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 is twice the total arc length of the magnet unit 700. For example, in some embodiments, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 is 90 degrees, and the total arc length of the magnet unit 700 is 180 degrees. In some embodiments, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 is half the total arc length of the magnet unit 700. For example, in some embodiments, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 is 180 degrees, and the total arc length of the magnet unit 700 is 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 is between half and twice the total arc length of the magnet unit 700.

[0050] The total arc length of the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 can affect, for example, the attractive and repulsive forces between the closure 500 and the beverage container 100. Increasing the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 can, for example, increase the attractive force between the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 when the closure 500 is in the closed position. Increasing the total arc length of the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 can also, for example, result in greater overlap between the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 as the closure 500 rotates, such that the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 always push the closure 500 away from the closed position or pull the closure 500 toward the closed position. That is, as the closure 500 rotates, there is no position where the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 do not interact and move the closure. On the other hand, if the spacing between the magnet units of magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet units of magnet unit 700 is made too small, it may become difficult for a user to move closure 500 away from the closed position, for example.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent magnets of magnet unit 400 and magnet unit 700 have opposite polarities. However, in other embodiments (e.g., where the number of magnet units 400 is not equal to the number of magnet units 700), adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 400 and magnet unit 700 do not need to have opposite polarities to achieve the desired attractive and repulsive forces. For example, in an embodiment where the number of magnet units 400 is half the number of magnet units 700, adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 400 may have the same polarity, while adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 700 may have opposite polarities. Depending on the relative number of magnet units 400 and magnet units 700 and the desired attraction and repulsion behavior of the closure 500 and beverage container 100, adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 400 may have the same polarity, adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 700 may have the same polarity, some adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 400 and / or magnet unit 700 may have the same polarity, and / or some adjacent magnet units of magnet unit 400 and / or magnet unit 700 may have opposite polarities.

[0052] For example, in an embodiment where the number of magnet units 400 is twice the number of magnet units 700, adjacent magnet units of magnet units 400 may have opposite polarities, and adjacent magnet units of magnet units 700 may have the same polarity.

[0053] The magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 may be or include a permanent magnet. The magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 may be or include a rare earth magnet, such as a neodymium magnet, for example.

[0054] In some embodiments, the beverage container 100 may include a single, integral (e.g., ring-shaped) magnet having a portion with a polarity corresponding to the magnet unit 400 described in this disclosure, such that the magnet unit 400 may be formed therewith as part of the integral (e.g., ring-shaped) magnet. In some embodiments, the closure 500 may include a single, integral (e.g., ring-shaped) magnet having a portion with a polarity corresponding to the magnet unit 700 described in this disclosure, such that the magnet unit 700 may be formed therewith as part of the integral (e.g., ring-shaped) magnet.

[0055] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the closure 500 includes one or more latch members 900 and the beverage container 100 includes one or more latch stops 350 that engage to hold the closure 500 in a closed position.

[0056] The latch member 900 may be coupled to the closure base 600 of the closure 500 and may be movable from an unlatched position in which the latch member 900 is disposed completely or mostly within the closure base 600, to a latched position in which the latch member 900 extends (e.g., radially inward) into the interior 505 of the closure 500. The latch stop 350 may be formed, for example, in a wall of the spout 300 of the beverage container 100.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage container 100 includes four latch stops 350 and the closure 500 includes four latch members 900. However, the beverage container 100 may include fewer or more latch stops (e.g., two latch stops, three latch stops, five latch stops, six latch stops, seven latch stops, or eight latch stops), and the closure 500 may include fewer or more latch members (e.g., two latch members, three latch members, five latch members, six latch members, seven latch members, or eight latch members). In some embodiments, the number of latch stops 350 is equal to the number of latch members 900.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4 , the latch member 900 may include a first abutment surface 910, and the latch stop 350 may include an abutment surface 352 (e.g., upper surface 352). For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , when the closure 500 is in the closed position and the latch member 900 is in the latched position, the first abutment surface 910 of the latch member 900 may be at least partially disposed below the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350. As a result, when the closure 500 moves in the direction 40 away from the beverage container 100, the first abutment surface 910 engages the abutment surface 352, thereby preventing the closure 500 from moving further in the direction 40, thereby retaining the closure 500 in the closed position. On the other hand, when the closure 500 is in the closed position and the latch member 900 is in the unlatched position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 ), the first abutment surface 910 of the latch member 900 is not disposed below the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350. Therefore, when the closure 500 is moved in the direction 40 away from the beverage container 100 , the abutment surface 910 does not interfere with the abutment surface 352 and the closure 500 is free to continue moving in the direction 40 .

[0059] 4, the latch member 900 may include a pivot portion 920, and the closure base 600 (e.g., the inner shell 610 of the closure base 600) may include a pivot holder 660. When the closure 500 is assembled, the pivot portion 910 of the latch member 900 may be received within the pivot holder 660 of the closure 600 such that the latch member 900 is pivotable about the pivot 50 (see FIGS. 8 and 9).

[0060] Latch member 900 may be pivotable between a latched position (e.g., shown in FIG. 8 ) and an unlatched position (e.g., shown in FIG. 9 ). In some embodiments, the latched position of latch member 900 may correspond to a position in which latch member 900 extends into interior 505 of closure 500, and the unlatched position may correspond to a position in which latch member 900 does not extend inward into interior 505 of closure 500 (or at least does not extend inward into interior 505 of closure 500 as far as in the latched position). For example, in the unlatched position, latch member 900 may be rotated far enough away from interior 505 that it does not interfere with the surface of latch stop 350 when closure 500 is lifted (e.g., in direction 40) from spout 300. In other words, the first abutment surface 910 of the latch member 900 does not vertically overlap the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350 when the latch member 900 is in the unlatched position and the closure 500 is on the spout 300 .

[0061] In some embodiments, for example as shown in the illustrated embodiment, when the closure 500 is moved in the direction 40 away from the beverage container 100, the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350 exerts a downward force on a portion of the latch member 900 that is located radially inward of and above the pivot axis 50 of the latch member 900. This force, in turn, causes the latch member 900 to rotate radially inward toward the latched position, or at least remain in the latched position.

[0062] As described above, in some embodiments, the latch member 900 is biased toward its latched position. In some embodiments, the closure 500 includes a biasing member 1000 for biasing the latch member 900 toward its latched position. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the biasing member 1000 biases the latch member 900 radially inward toward the interior 505 of the closure 500. In the illustrated embodiment, a single biasing member 1000 biases multiple latch members 900. However, in other embodiments, each latch member may be provided with an individual biasing member.

[0063] In some embodiments, the biasing member 1000 may be annular. In some such embodiments, the annular biasing member 1000 biases the plurality of latch members 900 toward the latched position. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the annular biasing member 1000 is biased radially inward toward the central axis 20 of the drinking container 10, and the biasing member 1000 contacts the plurality of latch members 900 at their outward-facing surfaces, thereby urging the latch members 900 radially inward toward the latched position. In some embodiments, as in the illustrated embodiment, the annular biasing member 1000 contacts the latch members 900 at portions located radially outward and above their respective latch member axes 50, such that the biasing force applied by the biasing member 1000 causes the latch members 900 to pivot about their respective latch member axes 50 toward their latched position.

[0064] The biasing member 1000 may be formed from a resilient material or may be formed as a compression spring or an extension spring. 4, the latch stop 350 may include a side surface 354 that may be sloped (i.e., angled relative to the radial direction 60 of the drinking container 10). As a result, when the closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position, the sloped surface 354 engages the latch member 900, thereby moving (pivoting) the latch member 900 away from the interior of the closure 500 toward the unlatched position. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when the sloped surface 354 engages the latch member 900, the sloped surface 354 exerts an outward force on a portion of the latch member 900 that is disposed radially inward and above the pivot axis 50. This force, in turn, pivots the latch member 900 radially outward toward the unlatched position. In some embodiments, the sloped surface 354 may be larger away from the pivot axis 50 than near the pivot axis 50 so that the sloped surface 354 contacts the latch member 900 further from the pivot axis 50, thereby allowing the latch member 900 to pivot toward the unlatched position more easily. In the illustrated embodiment, the side surface 354 is sloped. However, in other embodiments, the side surface 940 of the pivoting latch member 900 may instead or additionally be sloped so that rotation of the closure 500 causes the latch stop 350 to slide against the sloped side surface 940 of the latch member 900, thereby pivoting the latch member 900 away from its latched position.

[0065] In some embodiments, the latch stops 350 are spaced apart along the circumference 115 of the beverage container 100 and / or the latch members 900 are spaced apart along the circumference 515 of the closure 500.

[0066] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the beverage container 100 includes multiple latch stops 350 and the closure 500 includes multiple latch members 900. In some such embodiments, each latch member 900 may be engageable with any of the latch stops 350 and may cause interference and / or movement of said latch members 900.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the latch stops 350 and latch members 900 are arranged such that the latch stops 350 and latch members 900 are rotationally symmetric about the central axis 20 of the drinking container 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch stops 350 and latch members 900 have fourth-order rotational symmetry. However, the latch stops 350 and / or latch members 900 may have higher or lower orders of rotational symmetry. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch stops 350 are equally spaced along the circumference 115 of the beverage container 100, and the latch members 900 are equally spaced along the circumference 515 of the closure 500. However, in some embodiments, the latch stops 350 are not equally spaced along the circumference 115 of the beverage container 100, the latch members 900 are not equally spaced along the circumference 515 of the closure 500, or both.

[0068] The latch member 900 may be formed of food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, copolymers sold as Eastman Tritan®, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0069] As described above, in some embodiments, the closure 500 includes a locking member 1100 that selectively prevents the latch member 900 from moving away from the latched position, thereby preventing the closure 500 from rotating away from the closed position and / or moving away from the drinking opening 302.

[0070] Locking member 1100 may be movable (e.g., rotatable) between an unlocked position (e.g., shown in FIG. 9) and a locked position (e.g., shown in FIG. 10). Locking member 1100 may be movable between positions, for example, by engaging a portion of locking member 1100 (e.g., protrusion 1120) and sliding locking member 1100 (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise about locking member axis 80).

[0071] When the locking member 1100 is in the unlocked position, the latch member 900 may be movable from the latched position to the unlocked position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking member 1100 may define an open space 1110, and when the locking member 1100 is in the unlocked position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9), the locking member 900 is aligned with the open space 1110 and is free to pivot into the open space 1110. However, when the locking member 1100 is in the locked position, the locking member 900 may be prevented from moving away from the locked position. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the locking member 1100 is in the locked position, the locking member 1100 is not aligned with the open space 1110. As a result, when the locking member 900 is pivoted toward the unlocked position, the locking member 900 may hit the locking member 1100. This engagement may prevent the locking member 900 from moving further toward the unlocked position.

[0072] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, lock member 1100 rotates about lock member axis 80 between its locked position and its unlocked position, and latch member 900 pivots about latch member axis 50 between its latched and unlocked positions. In some embodiments, lock member axis 80 and latch member axis 50 are orthogonal.

[0073] The locking member 1100 may be formed from a food-grade plastic (e.g., polypropylene, copolyester, copolymers sold as Eastman Tritan®, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)), glass, or metal (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or titanium).

[0074] In some embodiments, the drinking container 10 includes a strap 1200 coupled to the beverage container 100 and / or the closure 500. The strap 1200 may form a loop or other extension that a user can utilize to carry the drinking container 10. The strap 1200 may be formed from a length of cord, cable, rope, chain, or other material. In some embodiments, the carry loop 1200 may be a separate component from the beverage container 100 and / or the closure 500. In some embodiments, the carry loop 500 may be integrally formed as part of the beverage container 100 and / or the closure 500.

[0075] 6A-7 show the relative positions of the magnet unit 400, the magnet unit 700, and parts of the beverage container 100 and the closure 500 during an opening operation in which the closure 500 is rotated in an unlocking direction (eg, counterclockwise).

[0076] 6A and 6B show the relative positions of the magnet unit 400, the magnet unit 700, and portions of the beverage container 100 and the closure 500 when the closure 500 is in the closed position. When the closure 500 is in the closed position, the magnet unit 400a can interact with the magnet unit 700a disposed above the magnet unit 400a. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet unit 400a and the magnet unit 700a are disposed such that the north pole of the magnet unit 400a faces the south pole of the magnet unit 700a. As a result, when the closure 500 is in the closed position, the magnet unit 400a exerts a downward force on the magnet unit 700a, thereby pulling the closure 500 in the direction 30 toward the beverage container 100 and holding the closure 500 relative to the beverage container 100. This downward force compresses the seal member 800 between the drinking spout 300 and the closure 500, thereby sealing the drinking opening 302. The magnet units 400b / 700b, 400c / 700c, and 400c / 400d can interact in a similar manner to pull the closure 500 in the direction 30 towards the beverage container 100.

[0077] 7, the closure 500 is moved away from the closed position by rotating the closure 500 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed from the top of the beverage container 100) relative to the beverage container 100 about the central axis 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the closure 500 is rotated to this position, the magnet unit 700a may interact more strongly with the magnet unit 400b than with the magnet unit 400a. In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet units 400b and 700a are positioned such that the south pole of the magnet unit 400b faces the south pole of the magnet unit 700a. As a result, when the closure 500 is in the position shown in FIG. 7, the magnet unit 400b exerts an upward force on the magnet unit 700a, thereby pushing the closure 500 in a direction opposite to the direction 30 (releasing the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100). The magnet units 400c / 700b, 400d / 700c, and 400a / 400d may interact in a similar manner to push the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100.

[0078] In Figure 7, the closure 500 has been moved 60 degrees from the closed position shown in Figures 6A and 6B. However, in other embodiments, the magnet unit 400 and / or the magnet unit 700 may be configured such that the closure 500 is rotated more or less than shown to a position where the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 interact as described.

[0079] 8-10 are perspective cross-sectional views showing the relative positions of certain components of drinking vessel 10 during operation. 8 shows the drinking vessel 10 with the closure 500 in the closed position and the latch member 900 in the latched position. In this position, the first abutment surface 910 of the latch member 900 is disposed at least partially below the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350. As a result, when the closure 500 is moved in the direction 40 away from the beverage container 100, the first abutment surface 910 abuts against the abutment surface 352, preventing further movement of the closure 500 in the direction 40, thereby retaining the closure in the closed position and keeping the drinking vessel 10 sealed.

[0080] 9, the closure 500 has been moved away from the closed position by rotating the closure 500 relative to the beverage container 100. In moving to the position of FIG. 9, the locking member 900 has rotated relative to the beverage container 100 and therefore relative to the latch stop 350. When the ramped surface 352 of the latch stop 350 abuts the latch member 900, the ramped surface 352 is pushed outward on the latch member 900, thereby moving the latch member 900 toward its unlatched position and at least partially into the open space 1100 provided within the locking member 1100. With the latch member 900 in the unlatched position shown in FIG. 9, the first abutment surface 910 of the latch member 900 is not located below the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350. Therefore, when the closure 500 is moved in a direction 40 away from the beverage container 100, the first abutment surface 910 does not interfere with the abutment surface 352 and the closure 500 can continue to move freely in the direction 40 to open the closure 500.

[0081] In Figure 10, the drinking container 10 is shown with the closure 500 in the closed position and the latch member 900 in the latched position, similar to Figure 8. However, in Figure 10, the locking member 1100 has been rotated from the unlocked position shown in Figure 8 to the locked position. When the drinking container 10 is in the locked position shown in Figure 10, the first abutment surface 910 of the latch member 900 is disposed at least partially below the abutment surface 352 of the latch stop 350. As a result, when the closure 500 is moved in the direction 40 away from the beverage container 100, the abutment surface 910 contacts the abutment surface 352, thereby preventing further movement of the closure 500 in the direction 40. Furthermore, when the closure 500 is rotated away from the closed position (e.g., by rotating the closure 500 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction), the angled surface 352 of the latch stop 350 pushes the latch member 900 outward. This causes the latch member 900 to be out of alignment with the open space 1110 and therefore the latch member 900 cannot freely pivot into the open space 1110. Instead, the second abutment surface 930 (e.g., an outer portion of the latch member 900) contacts the locking surface 1130 (e.g., an inner portion of the locking member 1100) of the locking member 900, thereby preventing the latch member 900 from moving away from the latched position. This, in turn, prevents the closure 500 from rotating away from the closed position and / or moving away from the drinking opening 302.

[0082] As mentioned above, the magnetic closure and latching mechanisms described herein are beneficial independently and when used together, and some embodiments may include one without the other, in addition to embodiments that include both.

[0083] In some embodiments including both the magnetic closing mechanism and the latch mechanism described herein, when the closure 500 is in the closed position, magnetic attraction between the at least one magnet unit 400 and the at least one magnet unit 700 holds the closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100, and the latch member 505 extends into the latch stop 350 to further hold the closure 500 in place relative to the beverage container 100. In some such embodiments, when the closure 500 is in the closed position, each magnet unit 400 may be positioned above a magnet unit 700 with an opposite polarity. Using the two mechanisms together can, for example, provide a more secure attachment of the closure 500 to the beverage container 100 than either mechanism alone. For example, the magnetic connection between the closure 500 and the beverage container 100 can provide a strong downward force (e.g., opposite to direction 40) to seal the drinking opening 302, but the connection may be somewhat sensitive to rotational forces about the central axis 20. On the other hand, the latch connection between the closure 500 and the beverage container 100 may resist rotational forces (when locked) but may allow some movement in a direction opposite to direction 40.

[0084] In some embodiments including both the magnetic closing mechanism and the latching mechanism described herein, when a user rotates the closure 500 away from the closed position (e.g., counterclockwise), this rotation moves the latch member 900 toward its unlatched position and also creates a magnetic repulsion force between the magnet unit 400 and the magnet unit 700 (e.g., by the magnet unit 400 increasingly interacting with the magnet unit 700 having the same polarity). In this manner, the rotation of the closure 500 releases the latching mechanism and also pushes the closure 500 away from the beverage container 100, thereby opening the closure 500.

[0085] It is understood that the Detailed Description section, and not the Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. While the Summary and Abstract sections may describe one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention contemplated by the inventors, they do not describe every exemplary embodiment and are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention and the appended claims in any way.

[0086] The foregoing description of specific embodiments sufficiently reveals the general nature of the present invention so that others, by applying the knowledge of those skilled in the art, can readily modify and / or adapt such specific embodiments for various uses without undue experimentation and without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Such adaptations and modifications are therefore intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It should be understood that the phrases or terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and not limitation, and thus should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in light of the teaching and guidance.

[0087] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A drinking vessel a beverage container defining a drinking opening therethrough; a closure attachable to the beverage container for closing the drinking opening; a first set of magnet units coupled to the beverage container; a second set of magnet units coupled to the closure; when the closure is in a closed position, a magnetic attraction between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units holds the closure in a predetermined position relative to the beverage container, thereby closing the drinking opening; A drinking container wherein, when the closure is rotated away from the closed position, a magnetic repulsive force between at least one magnet unit of the first set of magnet units and at least one magnet unit of the second set of magnet units pushes the closure away from the drinking container, thereby opening the drinking opening.

2. 2. The drinking container of claim 1, wherein when the closure is moved toward the drinking opening, magnetic repulsion and magnetic attraction forces between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units result in a force tending to rotate the closure toward the closed position.

3. 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units are spaced around the circumference of the drinking vessel and the magnet units of the second set of magnet units are spaced around the circumference of the closure.

4. 4. The drinking vessel of claim 3, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units, the magnet units of the second set of magnet units, or both magnet units are each formed from individual arc-shaped magnets.

5. 4. The drinking vessel of claim 3, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units, the magnet units of the second set of magnet units, or both, are each formed from a group of adjacent rectangular magnets.

6. 6. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the individual magnets of each group of adjacent rectangular magnets forming a magnet unit are spaced closer together than any other magnet in the set of magnet units to which they belong.

7. 4. The drinking vessel of claim 3, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units, the magnet units of the second set of magnet units, or both, have a total arc length of at least 180 degrees.

8. 4. The drinking vessel of claim 3, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units, the magnet units of the second set of magnet units, or both, are arranged such that adjacent magnet units have opposite polarities.

9. 4. The drinking container of claim 3, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units are spaced apart every 90 degrees around the circumference of the beverage container, the magnet units of the second set of magnet units are spaced apart every 90 degrees around the circumference of the closure, or both.

10. 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein when the closure is in the closed position, each magnet unit of the first set of magnet units is positioned above a magnet unit of the second set of magnet units having an opposite polarity.

11. 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the first set of magnet units comprises four magnet units and the second set of magnet units comprises four magnet units.

12. the first set of magnet units includes four magnet units, and the second set of magnet units includes four magnet units; the magnet units of the first set of magnet units and the magnet units of the second set of magnet units are arranged such that adjacent magnet units have opposite polarities; 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units and the magnet units of the second set of magnet units have a total arc length of at least 180 degrees.

13. the first set of magnet units is formed as a single ring-shaped magnet; 10. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the second set of magnet units is formed as a single ring magnet.

14. the beverage container includes a spout defining the drinking opening; 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the magnet units of the first set of magnet units are arranged circumferentially around the spout.

15. the beverage container comprises an upward platform; the closure includes a downwardly facing rim configured to be positioned above the upwardly facing platform of the beverage container when the closure is in the closed position; the first set of magnet units is disposed below the upward platform of the beverage container; 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the second set of magnet units is positioned above the downwardly facing rim of the closure.

16. 16. A drinking vessel according to claim 15, wherein the portion of the platform that is positioned above a magnet unit of the second set of magnet units is formed from a material that has a lower coefficient of static friction than a material forming the portion of the platform that is not positioned above a magnet unit of the second set of magnet units.

17. 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein when the closure is in the closed position, the magnetic force between the first set of magnet units and the second set of magnet units is at least 454 g.

18. a sealing member of the closure sealing the drinking opening when the closure is in the closed position; 2. The drinking container of claim 1, wherein the sealing member of the closure does not seal the drinking opening when the closure is in an open position.

19. 10. The drinking vessel of claim 1, further comprising a lock, said lock mechanically preventing movement of said closure away from said closed position when said lock is in a locked position.

20. 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the drinking vessel comprises a spout having the first set of magnet units, the spout being removable from the drinking vessel of the drinking vessel.

21. the closure includes a latch member; the beverage container having a latch stop configured to engage the latch member of the closure; 2. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the latch member and the latch stop further hold the closure in place when the closure is in the closed position.

22. the closure includes a plurality of latch members engageable with a plurality of latch stops provided on the beverage container; when the closure is in the closed position, the plurality of latch members and the plurality of latch stops further hold the closure in place; the latch members are spaced apart along a first circumference of the closure; the latch stops are spaced about a first circumference of the beverage container; the magnet units of the first set of magnet units are spaced apart along a second circumference of the beverage container; 10. The drinking vessel of claim 1, wherein the magnet units of the second set of magnet units are spaced apart along a second circumference of the closure.

23. A drinking vessel, comprising: a beverage container defining a drinking opening therethrough; a closure attachable to the beverage container for closing the drinking opening; the closure has a latch member movable between a latched position and an unlatched position; the beverage container having a latch stop configured to engage the latch member of the closure; When the closure is in a closed position and the latch member is in the latched position, the closure is held in the closed position; A drinking container, wherein the latch member moves toward the unlatched position in response to the closure being rotated away from the closed position.

24. 24. A drinking container according to claim 23, wherein the closure is removable from the beverage container when the latch member is in the unlatched position.

25. 24. A drinking receptacle according to claim 23, wherein the latch member is biased towards the latched position.

26. 24. A drinking vessel according to claim 23, wherein when the closure is in the closed position and the latch member is in the latched position, an upper surface of the latch stop engages the latch member to retain the closure in the closed position.

27. 24. A drinking receptacle as claimed in claim 23, wherein rotating the closure away from the closed position causes sides of the latch stop to engage the latch member, thereby moving the latch member towards the unlatched position.

28. 28. A drinking receptacle as claimed in claim 27, wherein the sides of the latch stop are sloped.

29. 24. The beverage container of claim 23, wherein the latch stop is formed in a wall of the spout of the beverage container.

30. 24. A drinking receptacle according to claim 23, wherein the latch member is pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position.

31. the closure defines an interior space for receiving a spout of the beverage container; 24. A drinking receptacle according to claim 23, wherein said latch member extends radially inwardly into said interior space when said latch member is in said latched position.

32. a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; When the locking member is in the locked position, the latching member is prevented from moving away from the latched position; 24. A drinking receptacle according to claim 23, wherein said latch member is movable from said latched position to said unlatched position when said locking member is in said unlocked position.

33. 33. A drinking vessel according to claim 32, wherein the locking member is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position.

34. the locking member rotates about a locking member axis between the locked position and the unlocked position; the latch member pivots about a latch member axis between the latched position and the unlatched position; 33. A drinking receptacle as claimed in claim 32, wherein said latch member axis and said lock member axis are orthogonal.

35. 33. A drinking receptacle according to claim 32, wherein when said locking member is in said locked position, an inner portion of said locking member engages an outer portion of said latching member to prevent said latching member from moving away from said latched position.

36. the locking member defines an open space; 33. A drinking receptacle according to claim 32, wherein when the locking member is in the unlocked position and the latching member is in the unlatched position, the latching member is at least partially disposed within the open space.

37. the closure comprises a closure base; the latch member is coupled to the closure base at a first pivot connection; a biasing member engages the latch member to bias the latch member toward the unlatched position; When the locking member is in the locked position, the locking member engages the latching member to hold the latching member in the latched position; 33. A drinking receptacle according to claim 32, wherein the biasing member and the locking member engage the latch member on the same side of the latch member relative to the pivot axis.

38. the closure comprises a plurality of latch members; Each latch member is movable between a respective latched position and a respective unlatched position; the beverage container comprising a plurality of latch stops configured to engage the plurality of latch members; When the closure is in a closed position and the latch members are in their respective latched positions, the closure is held in the closed position; 33. A drinking receptacle as claimed in claim 32, wherein in response to the closure being rotated away from the closed position, the latch members move towards their respective unlatched positions.

39. 39. A drinking receptacle as claimed in claim 38, wherein said latch members move simultaneously.

40. 37. A drinking vessel according to claim 36, wherein the latch members are spaced around the periphery of the closure and the latch stops are spaced around the periphery of the drinking vessel.

41. 39. A drinking receptacle according to claim 38, wherein each latch member is pivotable radially inwardly from a respective unlatched position to a respective latched position.

42. 39. A drinking receptacle according to claim 38, wherein each latch member is biased towards a respective latched position.

43. 39. A drinking receptacle according to claim 38, wherein a single biasing member biases said plurality of latch members towards their respective latched positions.

44. 39. A drinking vessel according to claim 38, wherein the biasing member is annular.

45. the closure includes a locking member rotatable about a locking member axis between a locked position and an unlocked position; each latch member is pivotable about a respective latch member axis between a respective latched position and a respective unlatched position; when the locking members are in the locked position, the latching members are prevented from moving away from their respective latched positions; when the locking member is in the unlocked position, the latching members are movable from their respective latched positions to their respective unlocked positions; 39. A drinking receptacle according to claim 38, wherein all of the latch member axes are perpendicular to the lock member axis.

46. 24. The drinking container of claim 23, wherein a magnetic attraction between the closure and the beverage container further holds the closure in place relative to the beverage container when the closure is in the closed position.

47. 24. The drinking container of claim 23, wherein when the closure is rotated away from the closed position, a magnetic repulsive force between the closure and the beverage container pushes the closure away from the beverage container, thereby opening the drinking opening.

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