Lid assembly for beverage containers

Abstract

A lid assembly for a beverage container includes an upper adapter (410) and a lower adapter (440). The lid assembly can move between a closed and open position by rotating the upper adapter relative to the lower adapter. The upper adapter includes a pack (470) that is inserted into a receiving portion (424) at the bottom of the upper adapter, and the pack has a tab (478) that contacts a stop portion of the lower adapter, thereby preventing the upper adapter from rotating beyond a predetermined amount relative to the lower adapter and providing the user with tactile feedback that the lid assembly is in the open position. The pack can be secured to the upper adapter by magnetic force between a magnet for the upper adapter in the upper adapter and a magnet for the pack in the pack.

Description

Description of Related Applications ,

[0005]

[0001] This application claims priority and the benefit thereof to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 471,698, filed on June 7, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a lid assembly for a beverage container.

Background Art

[0003] Containers can be configured to store a volume of liquid. The containers can be filled with warm or cold drinking liquids such as water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, or alcoholic beverages such as beer. These containers can be formed in a double-wall vacuum-formed structure to provide insulation to help maintain the temperature of the liquid inside the container. In some instances, a lid can be used on the container to prevent the liquid inside the container from accidentally leaking.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This summary is provided to introduce, in simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising: (a) an upper adapter comprising (1) a first upper cylindrical portion, (2) an upper wall connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, and (3) a first lower cylindrical portion connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, wherein the upper wall comprises a main opening and the first lower cylindrical portion comprises a receiving portion; (b) a lower adapter comprising (1) a second upper cylindrical portion, (2) a second lower cylindrical portion connected to the second upper cylindrical portion, and (3) an opening extending through the second upper cylindrical portion and the second lower cylindrical portion, which comprises an opening for at least partially receiving the upper adapter; and (c) a pack detachably coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack comprising a pack body and tabs extending outward from the pack body. The receiving portion may include a side wall enclosing a cavity open to an area below the lid assembly, and the pack body may be at least partially received within the cavity of the receiving portion. The lid assembly can have a closed and an open position, and the upper adapter is moved relative to the lower adapter to move the lid assembly from the closed to the open position. Tabs on the pack can contact the lower adapter to restrict the movement of the upper adapter relative to the lower adapter. The ends of the tabs can extend beyond the outer surface of the first lower cylindrical portion of the upper adapter. Tabs on the pack can contact the stop surface of the lower adapter when the lid assembly is in the open position. Once the pack is mounted in the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack can be fixed in a rotational direction relative to the upper adapter. The upper adapter may include a magnet for the upper adapter, and the pack may include a magnet for the pack, and the pack is fixed axially in the receiving portion by the attractive force between the magnet for the upper adapter and the magnet for the pack. The magnet for the upper adapter may be fixed in a sealed cavity formed between the upper wall and the receiving portion. The first lower cylindrical portion may include a male threaded portion having a first passage that blocks the male threaded portion, and the second lower cylindrical portion may include a female threaded portion, the female threaded portion of the second lower cylindrical portion having a second passage and a third passage that block the female threaded portion at two positions. When the lid assembly is in the open position, the first passage and either the second passage or the third passage may be substantially aligned with the main opening in the upper wall.When the upper adapter rotates relative to the lower adapter, the ends of the tabs are guided by the inclined surface of the lower adapter when the upper adapter moves vertically. When the pack is removed from the upper adapter, the upper adapter becomes detachable from the lower adapter.

[0006] Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising: (a) an upper adapter comprising (1) a first upper cylindrical portion, (2) an upper wall connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, (3) a first lower cylindrical portion connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, and (4) a magnet for the upper adapter, wherein the first lower cylindrical portion comprises a receiving portion; (b) a lower adapter comprising (1) a second upper cylindrical portion, (2) a second lower cylindrical portion connected to the second upper cylindrical portion, and (3) an opening extending through the second upper cylindrical portion and the second lower cylindrical portion, which at least partially receives the upper adapter; and (c) a pack detachably coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack comprising a pack body, a magnet for the pack, and a tab extending outward from the pack body. The upper adapter may be movably coupled to the lower adapter when the pack is coupled to the upper adapter. The pack is axially secured to the receiving portion by the attractive force between the magnet for the upper adapter and the magnet for the pack. The lid assembly can have a closed state that prevents fluid from flowing through the lid assembly, and an open state that allows fluid to flow through an opening in the upper wall of the lid assembly. The upper adapter can be rotated relative to the lower adapter to move the lid assembly from the closed state to the open state. The upper adapter may be equipped with an upper gasket and a lower gasket, so that when the lid assembly is in the closed state, the upper gasket is in contact with the lower adapter and the lower gasket is in contact with the lower adapter. When the lid assembly is in the open state, the upper gasket is in contact with the lower adapter, and the lower gasket is not in contact with the lower adapter. Both the upper and lower gaskets can be positioned above the male threaded portion of the first lower cylindrical portion of the upper adapter. The tab of the pack may be in contact with a stop surface of the lower adapter to restrict the movement of the upper adapter relative to the lower adapter. This stop surface may be located at the end of an inclined surface, where the stop surface and the inclined surface are located on a second lower cylindrical portion of the lower adapter. When the pack is coupled with the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack can be fixed in a rotational direction relative to the upper adapter.The upper adapter magnet may include a pair of upper adapter magnets, and the pack magnet may include a pair of pack magnets, with the first upper adapter magnet of the pair of upper adapter magnets being substantially aligned with the first pack magnet of the pair of pack magnets.

[0007] Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to a lid assembly for a beverage container, the lid assembly comprising: (a) an upper adapter comprising: (1) a first upper cylindrical portion; (2) an upper wall connected to the first upper cylindrical portion; (3) a first lower cylindrical portion connected to the first upper cylindrical portion; and (4) a magnet for the upper adapter, wherein the first lower cylindrical portion comprises a receiving portion, the receiving portion of which constitutes a cavity; (b) a lower adapter comprising: (1) a second upper cylindrical portion; (2) a second lower cylindrical portion connected to the second upper cylindrical portion; and (3) an opening extending through the second upper cylindrical portion and the second lower cylindrical portion, the opening comprising an opening that at least partially receives the upper adapter; and (c) a pack detachably coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack comprising a pack body, a magnet for the pack, and a tab extending outward from the pack body. The pack body can be at least partially received within the cavity of the receiving section, and the pack can be axially secured to the receiving section by an attractive force between the magnets for the upper adapter and the magnets for the pack. The lid assembly can have a closed and an open position, and the upper adapter is rotated relative to the lower adapter to move the lid assembly from the closed to the open position. The pack may include projections extending from the outer surface of the pack body. The cavity of the receiving section can be enclosed by side walls, from which projections extend into the cavity, so that when the pack is coupled to the receiving section, the projections and projections are substantially aligned. The upper adapter may include an upper gasket and a lower gasket, so that when the lid assembly is in the closed position, the upper gasket is in contact with the lower adapter and the lower gasket is in contact with the lower adapter, and when the lid assembly is in the open position, the upper gasket is in contact with the lower adapter and the lower gasket is not in contact with the lower adapter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] To better understand this disclosure, the disclosure will be illustrated here with reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] Top perspective view of an exemplary lid assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 2] Bottom perspective view of an illustrative lid assembly in Figure 1 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Top perspective view of the lid assembly of Figure 1 attached to a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] Front view of the lid assembly of Figure 1, attached to a container, in the closed position, according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 4B] Front view of the lid assembly of Figure 1 attached to a container, with the lid assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure in the open position. [Figure 5] Partially exploded top perspective view of the lid assembly of Figure 1 according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 6] Partially exploded bottom perspective view of the lid assembly of Figure 1 according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 7] Top view of the lid assembly in Figure 1 according to an aspect of this disclosure [Figure 8] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of Figure 1 in the closed position along line 8-8 of Figure 8, according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 9] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of Figure 1 in the closed position along line 9-9 of Figure 8, according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 10] Side perspective cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the lid assembly in Figure 1 in the open position according to an aspect of this disclosure. [Figure 11A] A bottom perspective view of the lid assembly in Figure 1 when the lid assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure moves from a closed state to an open state. [Figure 11B] A bottom perspective view of the lid assembly in Figure 1 when the lid assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure is moved from a closed state to an open state. [Figure 11C] A bottom perspective view of the lid assembly in Figure 1 when the lid assembly according to an aspect of this disclosure is moved from a closed state to an open state. [Figure 12]Top perspective view of an alternative exemplary lid assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 13] Bottom perspective view of the exemplary lid assembly of FIG. 12 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 14] Top view of the exemplary lid assembly of FIG. 12 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 15] Front view of the exemplary lid assembly of FIG. 12 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 16] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 12 in a closed state along line 16-16 of FIG. 14 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 17] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 12 in a closed state along line 17-17 of FIG. 14 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 18] Side perspective cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 12 in an open state according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 19] Side perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 12 in an open state according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 20] Top perspective view of an alternative exemplary lid assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 21] Bottom perspective view of the exemplary lid assembly of FIG. 20 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 22] Partially exploded perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 20 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 23] Top view of the lid assembly of FIG. 20 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 24] Front view of the lid assembly of FIG. 20 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 25] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 20 in an open state along line 25-25 of FIG. 23 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 26] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 20 in an open state along line 26-26 of FIG. 23 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 27] Partially exploded top perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 20 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 28] Top perspective view of an alternative exemplary lid assembly according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 29]Bottom perspective view of the exemplary lid assembly of FIG. 28 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 30] Partially exploded top perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 31] Partially exploded bottom perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 32] Top view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 33] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 in the closed state along line 33-33 of FIG. 32 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 34] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 in the closed state along line 34-34 of FIG. 32 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 35] Side cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 in the open state along line 34-34 of FIG. 32 according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 36] Partially top perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 37] Partially bottom perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 36 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 38] Side view of the partial lid assembly of FIG. 36 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 39] Partially top perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 40] Partially bottom perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 39 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 41] Partially top view of the lid assembly of FIG. 28 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure [Figure 42] Side view of the partial lid assembly of FIG. 41 with some components removed for clarity according to an aspect of the present disclosure

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] While the present invention can be embodied in many different forms, the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is intended to illustrate the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the invention to the illustrated embodiments. The following description of various exemplary structures according to the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The drawings constitute part of this specification and exemplify various exemplary devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention can be carried out. It should be understood that other specific arrangements of components, exemplary devices, systems, and environments may be used, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0010] Furthermore, terms such as “top,” “side,” “bottom,” and “front” may be used herein to describe various illustrative features and elements of the present invention, but these terms are used herein for convenience, for example, based on the illustrative orientation shown in the drawings or a typical orientation in use. No part of this specification should be construed as requiring a particular three-dimensional orientation of a structure to fall within the scope of the present invention. Note that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to actual scale.

[0011] In this specification, the following terms are used. Unless otherwise specified or the context makes clear, these terms have the meanings given below.

[0012] In this specification, “plural” means any number greater than one, either exclusively or comprehensively, as necessary, including an infinite number.

[0013] In this specification, "cylindrical portion" refers to an element or feature that has a generally cylindrical shape but may include threaded portions or other embodiments, and as a result, the element described may not have a cylindrical shape with a constant circular cross-section over its entire height.

[0014] In this specification, the term “substantially” means “almost identical” or “nearly identical” within reasonable commercial technical objectives, costs, manufacturing tolerances, and capabilities in the field of manufacture of the articles being formed.

[0015] In this specification, the term “connect” means that components, surfaces, or features are joined, linked, or attached directly or indirectly (i.e., through an intermediary).

[0016] As used herein, the term “magnetic” may refer to a magnetizable material (e.g., a ferromagnetic material). Therefore, “magnetic” may mean that a material (i.e., a surface, or object, etc.) is magnetically attracted to a magnet (i.e., a temporary or permanent magnet) having an associated magnetic field. For example, a magnetic material can be magnetized (i.e., form a permanent magnet). Furthermore, the disclosures herein provide numerous examples of magnetic materials, including, among many others, nickel, iron, and cobalt, and their alloys.

[0017] Generally, this disclosure relates to a lid assembly for a beverage or liquid container, the lid assembly may include an upper adapter that rotates relative to a lower adapter to open and close a passage that allows liquid to flow out of the container.

[0018] Figures 1-11C show drawings of the lid assembly 100. The lid assembly 100 may comprise an upper adapter 110 coupled to a lower adapter 140 and a pack 170 that can be magnetically coupled to the upper adapter 110. The upper adapter 110 may be rotatably coupled to the lower adapter 140 so that the upper adapter 110 and the lower adapter 140 are rotatable relative to each other. The pack 170 can be detachably coupled to the upper adapter 110 if it has the feature of limiting the amount of rotation of the upper adapter 110 relative to the lower adapter 140. Furthermore, the pack 170 can prevent the upper adapter 110 from being detached from the lower adapter 140 when installed. The pack 170 can also be easily removed from the upper adapter 110 to disassemble the lid assembly 100 for easy cleaning and maintenance, such as gasket replacement (i.e., removal of the upper adapter 110 from the lower adapter 140). In addition, the upper adapter 110 can be fixed in a rotational direction relative to the pack 170 so that the pack 170 rotates when the upper adapter 110 rotates. The lid assembly 100 can be configured to connect to the container 10 shown in Figures 3-4B. The upper adapter 110 can rotate relative to the lower adapter 140 to move the lid assembly 100 between a closed state in which liquid does not flow out of the container 10, as shown in Figure 4A, and an open state in which liquid can flow out of the container 10, as shown in Figure 4B.

[0019] In some examples, the container 10 may be an insulated container having a first end with a threaded sidewall configured to receive a lid assembly 100, a first inner wall having an opening leading to an internal reservoir for receiving liquid, and a second outer wall forming the outer shell of the container 10. The second outer wall may include a second end configured to support the container 10 on its surface. The container 10 may also have a sealed vacuum cavity that forms an insulated double-wall structure between the first inner wall and the second outer wall. In other examples, the container 10 may be a single-wall container with a threaded sidewall configured to receive a lid assembly 100.

[0020] The upper adapter 110 may include an upper cylindrical portion 112 having a shelf 114, an upper wall 116 connected to the upper cylindrical portion 112, an upper gasket groove 118 located below the shelf 114, and a lower cylindrical portion 120. The lower cylindrical portion 120 may include a male threaded portion 122 and a receiving portion 124 for receiving the pack 170. The upper wall 116 may include a main opening 117 that serves as an outlet for the fluid in the container 10 when the lid assembly 100 is open. The main opening 117 may be adjacent to a tapered passage 121 along the inner surface of the upper cylindrical portion 112 that serves as a spout for the user. In addition, the upper wall 116 may include an auxiliary opening 119 that serves as an air vent for the lid assembly 100. The upper wall 116 may be angled, or tilted, from the rear region constituting the auxiliary opening 119 toward the front region constituting the main opening 117, such that the front region of the upper wall 116 is lower than the rear region when measured from the top surface of the upper cylindrical portion 112. The angled upper wall 116 provides space for the user's nose when drinking from the lid assembly 100.

[0021] The lower cylindrical portion 120 can constitute a receiving section 124 that helps secure the pack 170 to the upper adapter 110. The receiving section 124 can be located in the bottom region of the lower cylindrical portion 120. The receiving section 124 may include a support wall 130 and a side wall 132 connecting the support wall 130 to the bottom surface 126. The receiving section 124 may have a cavity 133 surrounded by the side wall 132, the cavity 133 opening into the area below the lid assembly 100. The bottom surface 126 of the receiving section 124 may include a stopper 128, which may be a notch formed in the bottom surface 126 of the receiving section 124. The side wall 132 may have an inner surface including a projection or key 136 that is received in a slot or groove 176 on the pack 170 to secure the pack 170 to the receiving section 124 in a rotatable direction. In some examples, the side wall 132 may include a plurality of projections 136. For example, the receiving section 124 in the illustrated example includes a pair of projections 136 located opposite each other on the side wall 132. Each projection 136 may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile, but in other examples, each projection 136 may have a different cross-sectional shape. Each projection 136 may have a tapered shape such that its width is greater near the support wall 130 than the bottom surface 126. Alternatively, the receiving section 124 may have grooves for receiving projections located on the pack 170 to secure the pack 170 to the receiving section 124 in the rotational direction.

[0022] The upper adapter 110 may also include a sealed cavity 134 between the upper wall 116 and the support wall 130 of the receiving section 124. As best shown in Figures 8 and 9, the sealed cavity 134 can be formed between the upper wall 116 and the support wall 130 of the receiving section 124, and the upper adapter magnet 138 can be fixed within the sealed cavity 134. Specifically, the upper adapter magnet 138 can be fixed to the support wall 130 by a number of tabs that fix the upper adapter magnet 138 to the support wall 130. In some examples, the upper adapter magnet 138 can be fixed using an adhesive or other means known to those skilled in the art. The sealed cavity 134 may be filled or partially filled with air to form air pockets for thermal insulation purposes, or with material lumps such as polymer materials or polymer foam materials, in certain examples. In one specific example, the sealed cavity 134 may be filled or partially filled with a thermal insulation foam such as polystyrene. However, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, additional or alternative insulating materials may be used to fill or partially fill the sealed cavity 134.

[0023] The lower adapter 140 may include an upper cylindrical portion 142 having a shelf 144, a lower cylindrical portion 146 extending below the shelf 144, and an opening 148 extending through the upper cylindrical portion 142 and the lower cylindrical portion 146, including an inner surface 150, the opening 148 receiving at least partially the lower cylindrical portion 120 of the upper adapter 110. The inner surface 150 may include a female threaded portion 152 that engages with a male threaded portion 122 of the upper adapter when the upper adapter 110 is received into the opening 148 of the lower adapter 140, thereby rotatably coupling the upper adapter 110 with the lower adapter 140.

[0024] In some examples, the female thread portion 152 may include one or more passages 153. The passages 153 may block the female thread portion 152 to form a thread block portion. The passages 153 may provide a flow path for fluid when the lid assembly 100 is open. The lower cylindrical portion 146 of the lower adapter may further include a male thread portion 154, an upper gasket groove 156 above the male thread portion 154, and a lower gasket groove 157 below the male thread portion 154. The bottom end 158 of the lower cylindrical portion 146 may include a pair of inclined surfaces 160, each inclined surface 160 having a stop surface 162 at the end of each inclined surface 160.

[0025] Pack 170 can be fixed inside the receiving section 124 of the upper adapter 110. Pack 170 consists of a pack body 172, a pack magnet 174 located inside the pack body 172, and The pack magnet 174 of pack 170 is magnetically attracted to the upper adapter magnet 138, and the pack 170 is moved axially relative to the upper adapter 110 (the lower cylinder of the upper adapter 110) The pack body 172 may include grooves or slots 176 on its outer surface and tabs 178 extending outward from the ends of the pack 170. The pack body 172 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, or it may have a shape corresponding to the receiving portion 124 so that the pack body 172 can slidably engage with the receiving portion 124. The pack body 172 may be at least partially received within the cavity 133 of the receiving portion 124. The grooves 176 may be a pair of grooves opposite each other on the pack body 172. Each groove 176 may be sized to receive the corresponding projection 136 of the receiving portion 124. When each projection 136 is received within the corresponding groove 176, the pack 170 is fixed to the receiving portion 124 in the rotational direction. In addition, it is fixed along an axis aligned with the longitudinal direction of the portion 120. The user can remove the pack 170 by applying a force that overcomes the magnetic force between the pack magnet 174 and the upper adapter magnet 138. To remove the pack 170, the user can grasp the gripping element 180 and apply a force greater than the magnetic forces of the upper adapter magnet 138 and the pack magnet 174 to remove the pack 170 from the receiving section 124. Removing the pack 170 may be necessary to disassemble the lid assembly 100 so that its components can be cleaned. In some cases, the pack 170 may include accessories (not shown) such as a tea strainer or other flavor extraction holder.

[0026] In addition, the lid assembly 100 may include multiple gaskets to help seal the lid assembly 100 to the container 10 and to prevent fluid from flowing when the lid assembly 100 is closed. For example, the upper adapter 110 may include a first upper adapter gasket 190 located in an upper groove between the shelf 114 and the lower cylindrical portion 120 that contacts the lower adapter 140, and a second upper adapter gasket 192 located in a lower groove spaced above the bottom surface 126 of the receiving portion 124. The second upper adapter gasket 192 may contact the inner surface 150 of the lower adapter 140 when the lid assembly 100 is closed, but the second upper adapter gasket 192 may not contact its inner surface when the lid assembly 100 is open. Furthermore, the lower adapter 140 may include a first lower adapter gasket 194 located near the joint between the shelf 144 and the lower cylindrical portion 146, and a second lower adapter gasket 196 located in a groove near the bottom end of the lower adapter 140. Both lower adapter gaskets 194 and 196 come into contact with the inner surface of the container 10 when the lid assembly 100 is installed inside the container 10.

[0027] As previously mentioned, the lid assembly 100 has a closed state and an open state. When in the closed state, the liquid does not flow out of the container 10, and when in the open state, the liquid can flow out of the container 10 through the main opening 117 of the upper adapter 110. Figures 11A to 11C show the installation operation of the lid assembly from the closed state to the open state. As shown in Figure 11A, when the upper adapter 110 is rotated in a first direction relative to the lower adapter 140, the shelf 114 of the upper adapter 110 moves away from the upper cylindrical portion 142 of the lower adapter 140, creating a space between the shelf 114 and the upper cylindrical portion 142 of the lower adapter 140. The upper adapter 110 can move away from the lower adapter 140 by a vertical distance of approximately 5 mm, or in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm. As the upper adapter 110 rotates in the first direction, the second upper adapter gasket 192 moves away from the inner surface of the lower adapter 140, creating a gap between the upper adapter 110 and the lower adapter 140, as shown in Figure 10, allowing fluid to flow from the container through the main opening 117. As shown in Figures 11B and 11C, the upper adapter 110 continues to rotate in the first direction until the tab 178 of the pack 170 contacts the stop surface 162 on the bottom end 158 of the lower adapter 140. In some examples, as the upper adapter 110 rotates, the end of the tab 178 may contact or be guided to a sloped surface 160 on the bottom end 158 of the lower adapter 140 as the tab 178 approaches the stop surface 162. The contact between the tab 178 and the lower adapter 140 can restrict the movement of the upper adapter 110 relative to the lower adapter 140. Once each tab 178 makes contact with its corresponding stop surface 162, the upper adapter 110 is prevented from rotating further and moving vertically, giving the user a firm tactile sensation that the lid assembly 100 has reached a fully open state. In some examples, the upper adapter 110 can rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to the lower adapter 140 from a closed state to a fully open state. The user can control the amount of fluid by rotating the upper adapter 110 by less than 180 degrees, thus providing various fluid flow options in the open state.In some other embodiments, the upper adapter 110 can be rotated approximately 90 degrees relative to the lower adapter 140 from a closed state to a fully open state. In such embodiments, the user can control the amount of fluid by rotating the upper adapter 110 by less than 90 degrees, thus providing various fluid flow options in the open state. To move the lid assembly 100 to the closed state, the user rotates the upper adapter 110 in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the shelf 114 contacts the upper cylindrical portion 142. As the upper adapter 110 is rotated in the second direction, the shelf 114 moves toward the upper cylindrical portion 142 of the lower adapter 140, until the second upper adapter gasket 192 contacts the inner surface of the lower adapter 140. Once the shelf 114 contacts the upper cylindrical portion 142, the second upper adapter gasket 192 fully engages with the inner surface of the lower adapter 140, preventing fluid from flowing out of the lid assembly 100. Furthermore, the area between the shelf 114 and the upper cylindrical portion 142 may have a different color from the rest of the lid assembly 100 to give the user a visual indication that the lid assembly 100 is in the open position.

[0028] Figures 12–19 show an alternative lid assembly 200. The lid assembly 200 is shown in Figure 3 and is designed to connect releasably to the container 10 described earlier. The lid assembly 200 may include an upper adapter 210 rotatably coupled to a lower adapter 240. The upper adapter 210 rotates relative to the lower adapter 240, allowing the lid assembly 200 to move between an open state, which allows fluid to flow out of the container 10, and a closed state, which prevents fluid from flowing out of the container 10.

[0029] The upper adapter 210 may include an upper cylindrical portion 212 having a shelf surface 214, an upper wall 216 connected to the upper cylindrical portion 212, an upper gasket groove 218 located inside the shelf surface 214, and a lower cylindrical portion 220. The lower cylindrical portion 220 may include a male threaded portion 222, which includes a passage 223. The passage 223 can block the male threaded portion 22 to form a threaded blockage portion. The passage 223 can provide a flow path for fluid when the lid assembly 200 is open. The upper wall 216 may include a main opening 217 that serves as an outlet for fluid in the container 10 when the lid assembly 200 is open. Furthermore, the upper wall 216 may include an auxiliary opening 219 that serves as an air vent for the lid assembly 200. The upper wall 216 can be angled, or tilted, from the rear region forming the auxiliary opening 219 toward the front region forming the main opening 217, such that the front region of the upper wall 216 is lower than the rear region when measured from the top surface of the upper cylindrical portion 212. The angled upper wall 216 provides space for the user's nose when drinking from the lid assembly 200.

[0030] The lower cylindrical portion 220 may include a lower gasket groove and a bottom wall 226 located below the male threaded portion 222. A cavity 234 can be formed between the upper wall 216 and the bottom wall 226. The cavity 234 may be filled or partially filled with air to form an air pocket for thermal insulation purposes in certain examples, or with a mass of material such as a polymer material or polymer foam material. In one specific example, the cavity 234 may be filled or partially filled with an insulating foam such as polystyrene. However, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, additional or alternative insulating materials may be used to fill or partially fill the cavity 234.

[0031] To control the fluid flow from the container 10, a lower adapter 240 can be coupled to the upper adapter 210. The lower adapter 240 may include an upper cylindrical portion 242 having a shelf surface 244, and a lower cylindrical portion 246 extending below the upper cylindrical portion 242. An opening 248 may extend through the upper cylindrical portion 242 and the lower cylindrical portion 246 and include an inner surface 250. The opening 248 may at least partially receive the lower cylindrical portion 220 of the upper adapter 210. The inner surface 250 may include a female threaded portion 252 that engages with a male threaded portion 222 of the upper adapter 210 when the upper adapter 210 is received into the opening 248 of the lower adapter 240, thereby rotatably coupling the upper adapter 210 to the lower adapter 240.

[0032] In some examples, the female thread portion 252 may include one or more passages. The passages may obstruct the female thread portion 252 to form a thread-blocking portion. The passages may provide a flow path for fluid when the lid assembly 200 is open. The lower cylindrical portion 246 of the lower adapter 240 may further include a male thread portion 254 and a lower gasket groove located below the male thread portion 254.

[0033] In addition, the lid assembly 200 may include multiple gaskets to help seal the lid assembly 200 to the container 10 and to prevent fluid from flowing when the lid assembly 200 is closed. For example, the upper adapter 210 may include a first upper adapter gasket 290 located in an upper groove within the shelf surface 214 that contacts the inner surface of the upper cylindrical portion 242. Specifically, the first upper adapter gasket 290 may contact the inner surface of an indicator member 245, which includes a protrusion 247. The indicator member 245 may be located within and extend over the shelf surface 244 of the lower adapter 240. The protrusion 247 may include a tab extending into the inner surface of the indicator member 245. A second upper adapter gasket 292 may be located in a lower gasket groove near the bottom end of the lower adapter 240. The second upper adapter gasket 292 can contact the inner surface 250 of the lower adapter 240 when the lid assembly 200 is closed, but does not contact its inner surface when the lid assembly 200 is open. Furthermore, the lower adapter 240 may include a lower adapter gasket 294 positioned in a groove near the bottom end of the lower adapter 240. The lower adapter gasket 294 can contact the inner surface of the container 10 when the lid assembly 200 is installed inside the container 10, preventing liquid from leaking around the lid assembly 200.

[0034] As previously mentioned, the lid assembly 200 has a closed state and an open state. When it is in the closed state, the liquid does not flow out of the container 10, and when it is in the open state, the liquid can flow out of the container 10 through the main opening 217 of the upper adapter 210. To move the lid assembly 200 from the closed state to the open state, the upper adapter 210 rotates relative to the lower adapter 240. When the upper adapter 210 rotates in the first direction relative to the lower adapter 240, the shelf surface 214 of the upper adapter 210 moves away from the shelf surface 244 of the upper cylindrical portion 242 of the lower adapter 240, creating a space between the shelf surface 214 and the upper cylindrical portion 242, as shown in Figures 18-19. When the upper adapter 210 rotates in the first direction, the second upper adapter gasket 292 moves away from the inner surface 250 of the lower adapter 240, creating a gap between the upper adapter 210 and the lower adapter 240, allowing the fluid to flow out of the container through the main opening 217. When the upper adapter 210 is separated from the lower adapter 240 by a predetermined distance, the first upper adapter gasket 290 can come into contact with the protruding portion 247 of the indicator member 245. When the first upper adapter gasket 290 comes into contact with the protruding portion 247, it becomes more difficult to continuously rotate the upper adapter 210 in the first direction, providing feedback to the user that the lid assembly 200 is in a fully open state. If the user wishes to remove the upper adapter 210 from the lower adapter 240, the user can continue to rotate the upper adapter 210 until it is detached from the lower adapter 240. The protruding portion 247 does not prevent the upper adapter 210 from being removed from the lower adapter 240, but the protruding portion 247 makes rotation more difficult in order to provide tactile feedback to the user that the lid assembly 200 is in an open state. The user can control the amount of fluid by the amount of rotation of the upper adapter 210. The area between the shelf surface 214 and the upper cylindrical portion 242 may also have a different color from the rest of the lid assembly 200 to give the user a visual indication that the lid assembly 200 is in the open position.To move the lid assembly 200 to the closed position, the user rotates the upper adapter 210 in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the shelf surface 214 contacts the shelf surface 244 of the upper cylindrical portion 242. As the upper adapter 210 is rotated in the second direction, the shelf surface 214 moves toward the upper cylindrical portion 242 of the lower adapter 240, until the second upper adapter gasket 292 contacts the inner surface of the lower adapter 240. Once the shelf surface 214 contacts the shelf surface 244 of the upper cylindrical portion 242, the second upper adapter gasket 292 fully engages with the inner surface of the lower adapter 240, preventing fluid from flowing out of the lid assembly 200. Thus, the lid assembly 200 is in the closed position.

[0035] Figures 20–27 show an alternative lid assembly 300. The lid assembly 300 is shown in Figure 3 and is constructed to connect releasably to the container 10 described earlier. The lid assembly 300 may comprise an upper adapter 310 and an inner adapter 370 coupled to a lower adapter 340. The upper adapter 310 may be rotatably fixed to the inner adapter 370 so that when the upper adapter 310 rotates, the inner adapter 370 rotates with it. Furthermore, when the upper adapter 310 rotates relative to the lower adapter 340, the lid assembly 300 can move between an open state, which allows fluid to flow out of the container 10, and a closed state, which prevents fluid from flowing out of the container 10.

[0036] The upper adapter 310 may include a disc-shaped body 312 with a notch or opening 314 positioned along part of its edge, and a cavity 316 containing a magnet 318 for the upper adapter. A projection or key 320 may extend from the lower surface of the disc-shaped body 312.

[0037] The lower adapter 340 may include an upper cylindrical portion 342 having a shelf surface 344, a lower cylindrical portion 346 extending downward from the shelf surface 344, and a bottom wall 348 located at the bottom end of the lower cylindrical portion 346. The lower adapter 340 further includes an inner cylindrical portion 350 extending upward from the bottom wall 348. The inner cylindrical portion 350 may include a threaded portion 352 and a pocket 354 connected to the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion 350. The pocket 354 can hold a magnet 356 for the lower adapter. The magnet 356 for the lower adapter is magnetically attracted to the magnet 318 for the upper adapter, allowing the upper adapter 310 to be detachably attached to the lower adapter 340. An opening 358 may extend from the upper end of the upper cylindrical portion 342 into a cavity 360 extending between the lower cylindrical portion 346 and the inner cylindrical portion 350. The bottom wall 348 may include an opening 362 through which fluid can flow from the container 10 through the opening 362 and through the opening 314 of the upper adapter 310 when the lid assembly 300 is open. In some examples, the bottom wall 348 may include a receiving section 364 that can receive accessories (not shown), such as a tea strainer.

[0038] The internal adapter 370 is received within the cavity 360 of the lower adapter 340 and can help control the flow of fluid from the container 10 as the lid assembly 300 moves between open and closed positions. The internal adapter 370 may include a central opening 372 having an inner surface 374 with a threaded portion 376 that engages with a threaded portion 352 of the internal cylindrical portion 350 of the lower adapter 340. The internal adapter 370 may further include an internal adapter gasket 378 that contacts the inner surface 366 of the lower adapter 340 when the lid assembly 300 is closed, but does not contact the inner surface of the lower adapter 340 when the lid assembly 300 is open. The upper surface 371 of the internal adapter 370 may include a notch or slot 380 that receives a key 320 to rotatably couple the upper adapter 310 and the internal adapter 370.

[0039] In addition, the lid assembly 300 may include multiple gaskets to help seal the lid assembly 300 to the container 10 and to prevent fluid from flowing when the lid assembly 300 is closed. For example, the upper adapter 310 may include an outer gasket 392 positioned around the lower cylindrical portion 346 and near the bottom wall 348 of the lower adapter 340. The outer gasket 392 may be configured to seal the lid assembly 300 to the container 10. The outer gasket 392 may contact the inner surface of the container 10 when the lid assembly 300 is installed inside the container 10, preventing liquid from leaking out from around the lid assembly 300. The lower adapter 340 may also include an inner gasket 394 positioned between the inner adapter 370 and the inner cylindrical portion 350 of the lower adapter 340. In addition, as previously mentioned, an inner adapter gasket 378 may be positioned in a groove of the inner adapter 370 so as to contact the inner surface 366 of the lower adapter 340 when the lid assembly 300 is closed. The internal adapter gasket 378 can contact the inner surface 366 of the lower adapter 340 when the lid assembly 300 is in the open position.

[0040] The lid assembly 300 has a closed state and an open state. When it is in the closed state, the liquid does not flow out of the container 10, and when it is in the open state, the liquid can flow out of the container 10 through the main opening 314 of the upper adapter 310. To move the lid assembly 300 between the closed and open states, the upper adapter 310 rotates relative to the lower adapter 340. When the upper adapter 310 rotates relative to the lower adapter 340 in a first direction, the internal adapter 370, which is fixed in the rotational direction relative to the upper adapter 340, moves with the upper adapter 310. When the internal adapter 370 rotates in the first direction, the internal adapter 370 moves upward relative to the lower adapter 340 due to the interaction of the threaded portions 352 and 376. When the internal adapter 370 moves upward, the gasket 378 for the internal adapter moves upward away from the inner surface 366 of the lower adapter 340. When the internal adapter gasket 378 is not in contact with the inner surface 366, the fluid can flow from the container 10 through the opening 362 of the lower adapter 340 and the opening 314 of the upper adapter 310. To move the lid assembly 300 from the open to the closed position, the user can rotate the upper adapter 310 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, thereby lowering the internal adapter 370 until the internal adapter gasket 378 contacts the inner surface of the lower adapter 340. Once the internal adapter gasket 378 is sealed against the inner surface 366 of the lower adapter 340, the lid assembly 300 is in the closed position.

[0041] Figures 28-42 show diagrams or partial diagrams of the lid assembly 400. The lid assembly 400 may comprise an upper adapter 410 coupled to a lower adapter 440 and a pack 470 which can be detachably coupled to the upper adapter 410, and the pack 470 may be magnetically coupled to the upper adapter 410. When the pack 470 is coupled to the upper adapter 410, the upper adapter 410 may be movably coupled to the lower adapter 440, and the upper adapter 410 may be rotatably coupled to the lower adapter 440 so that the upper adapter 410 and the lower adapter 440 are rotatable relative to each other. The upper adapter 410 and the lower adapter 440 may also be coupled axially or linearly, in which case the upper adapter 410 may also move vertically along the longitudinal axis of the lid assembly 400. Furthermore, when the pack 470 is attached to the upper adapter 410, it may be rotatably fixed relative to the pack 470 so that the pack 470 rotates when the upper adapter 410 rotates. Pack 470 can be detachably coupled to the upper adapter 410 and is characterized by limiting the amount of rotation of the upper adapter 410 relative to the lower adapter 440. Once installed, Pack 470 can prevent the upper adapter 410 from being removed from the lower adapter 440. In addition, Pack 470 can be easily removed from the upper adapter 410 to disassemble the lid assembly 400 for easy cleaning and maintenance, such as replacing the gasket (e.g., removing the upper adapter 410 from the lower adapter 440). The lid assembly 400 may be configured to connect to the container 10 shown in Figures 3-4B in the same manner as the lid assembly 100. The upper adapter 410 can rotate relative to the lower adapter 440 to move the lid assembly 400 between a closed state that prevents fluid or liquid from flowing from the container 10 through the lid assembly 400 and an open state that allows fluid or liquid to flow from the container 10 through the lid assembly 400.

[0042] The upper adapter 410 may include an upper cylindrical portion 412 having a shelf 414, an upper wall 416 connected to the upper cylindrical portion 412, an upper gasket groove 418 located below the shelf 414, and a lower cylindrical portion 420. The lower cylindrical portion 420 may include a male threaded portion 422 and a receiving portion 424 for receiving the pack 470. The upper wall 416 may include a main opening 417 that serves as an outlet for the fluid in the container 10 when the lid assembly 400 is open. The main opening 417 may be adjacent to a tapered passage 421 along the inner surface of the upper cylindrical portion 412 that serves as a spout for the user. In some examples, the upper wall 416 may be substantially parallel to the top surface of the upper cylindrical portion 412. Alternatively, the upper wall 416 may include an auxiliary opening 419 that serves as an air vent for the lid assembly 400. The upper wall 416 can be angled, or tilted, from the rear region forming the auxiliary opening 419 toward the front region forming the main opening 417, such that the front region of the upper wall 416 is lower than the rear region when measured from the top surface of the upper cylindrical portion 412. The angled upper wall 416 provides space for the user's nose when drinking from the lid assembly 400.

[0043] The lower cylindrical portion 420 can constitute a receiving section 424 that helps secure the pack 470 to the upper adapter 410. The receiving section 424 may be located in the bottom region 458 of the lower cylindrical portion 420. The receiving section 424 may include a support wall 430 and a side wall 432 connecting the support wall 430 to the bottom surface 426. The side wall 432 may be substantially cylindrical and may enclose a cavity 433 that opens into the area below the lid assembly 400. The bottom surface 426 of the receiving section 424 may include a stopper 428, which may be a notch formed in the bottom surface 426 of the receiving section 424. The bottom surface 426 may include a pair of stoppers 428 positioned opposite each other on the bottom surface 426. The stopper 428 contacts the tab 478 of the pack 470, allowing the pack 470 to be rotatably secured against the receiving portion 424, thereby securing the pack 470 rotatably against the upper adapter 410. The side wall 432 may include an inner surface having projections 436 that are received into recesses 476 on the outer surface of the pack 470. In some examples, the side wall 432 may include multiple projections 436. For example, the receiving portion 424 in the illustrated example includes a pair of projections 436 located opposite each other on the side wall 432. Each projection 436 may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional profile, but in other examples, each projection 436 may have a different cross-sectional shape. Each projection 436 may have a tapered shape such that its width is greater near the support wall 430 than the bottom surface 426. Alternatively, the receiving portion 424 may have grooves for receiving projections located on the pack 470 to rotatably secure the pack 470 against the receiving portion 424.

[0044] The upper adapter 410 may also include a sealed cavity 434 between the upper wall 416 and the support wall 430 of the receiving section 424. As best shown in Figures 33 and 34, the sealed cavity 434 can be formed between the upper wall 416 and the support wall 430 of the receiving section 424, and one or more upper adapter magnets 438 can be fixed within the sealed cavity 434. Specifically, the upper adapter magnets 438 can be fixed to the support wall 430 by a plurality of tabs that fix the upper adapter magnets 438 to the support wall 430. One or more upper adapter magnets 438 may include a pair of upper adapter magnets 438 fixed to the support wall 430, both spaced apart from each other. In some examples, the upper adapter magnets 438 can be fixed using adhesive, an overmolding process, or other means known to those skilled in the art. In certain examples, the sealed cavity 434 may be filled or partially filled with air to form air pockets for thermal insulation purposes, or with material blocks such as polymer materials or polymer foam materials. In one specific example, the sealed cavity 434 may be filled or partially filled with an insulating foam such as polystyrene. However, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, additional or alternative insulating materials may be used to fill or partially fill the sealed cavity 434.

[0045] The lower cylindrical portion 420 of the upper adapter 410 may include a male threaded portion 422. In some examples, the male threaded portion 422 may include a passage 423. The passage 423 can block the male threaded portion 422 to form a threaded block portion 425. When the lid assembly 400 is open, the passage 423 can align with the main opening 417 of the upper wall 416 to provide a flow path for fluid. The male threaded portion 422 may include three threaded block portions 425, in which case the passage 423 and a pair of block portions 427 can block the male threaded portion 422. At least one end of each of the three threaded block portions 425 may include a tapered or chamfered region 429, which is adjacent to the block portion 427 of the male threaded portion 422. In some examples, the chamfered area 429 of the thread-blocking portion 425 may be substantially parallel on one side to the chamfered area 429 of the thread-blocking portion 425 on the opposite side of the lower cylindrical portion 420. These blocking portions 427 and the chamfered areas 429 of the thread-blocking portion 425 can help improve the manufacturability of the upper adapter 410.

[0046] The lower adapter 440 may include an upper cylindrical portion 442 having a shelf 444, a lower cylindrical portion 446 extending below the shelf 444, and an opening 448 extending through the upper cylindrical portion 442 and the lower cylindrical portion 446, which includes an inner surface 450, the opening 448 receiving at least partially the lower cylindrical portion 420 of the upper adapter 410. The inner surface 450 may include a female threaded portion 452 that engages with a male threaded portion 422 of the upper adapter 410 when the upper adapter 410 is received into the opening 448 of the lower adapter 440, thereby rotatably coupling the upper adapter 410 with the lower adapter 440.

[0047] In some examples, the female thread portion 452 may include one or more passages 453. The passages 453 may block the female thread portion 452 to form a thread block portion. One of the passages 453 may, when the lid assembly 400 is open, align with the main opening 417 of the upper wall 416 to provide a fluid flow path 402. The lower cylindrical portion 446 of the lower adapter 440 may further include a male thread portion 454, an upper gasket groove 456 above the male thread portion 454, and a lower gasket groove 457 below the male thread portion 454. The lower cylindrical portion 446 may include a pair of inclined surfaces 460, each inclined surface 460 having a stop surface 462 at its end. Each inclined surface 460 extends from the inner surface 450 of the opening 448 and gradually becomes helical along the inner surface 450.

[0048] The pack 470 can be fixed within the receiving portion 424 of the upper adapter 410. The pack 470 may include a pack body 472, one or more pack magnets 474 located within the pack body 472, a recess 476 on the outer surface 477 of the pack body 472, and tabs 478 extending outward from a first end 481 of the pack 470. As shown in the illustrated example, the pack 470 includes a pair of tabs 478. The end of each tab 478 may extend beyond the outer surface of the first lower cylindrical portion 420 of the upper adapter 410. The pack body 472 may be substantially cylindrical in shape, or may have a shape corresponding to the receiving portion 424 so that the pack body 472 can slidably engage with the receiving portion 424. The pack body 472 can be at least partially received within the cavity 433 of the receiving portion 424. The pack body 472 may include a pair of projections 482 extending outward from the pack body 472 at a first end 481 and a second end 483 opposite to it. The recesses 476 may be a pair of opposite recesses 476 on the pack body 472. Each recess 476 may be larger than the corresponding projection 436 to receive the corresponding projection 436 of the receiving portion 424. Each tab 478 may have a contact surface 479 that contacts the stop portion 428 to fix the pack 470 rotatably against the receiving portion 424, thereby fixing the pack 470 rotatably against the upper adapter 410. In addition, each tab 478 may have a tapered upper surface portion to more easily engage with the corresponding inclined surface 460 of the lower adapter 440. In some examples, the tapered top surface 485 of each tab 478 can engage with a corresponding inclined surface 460, so that the inclined surface 460 may include an angled surface such that the tapered top surface 485 and the inclined surface 460 slide and engage with each other, and the tabs 478 of the pack 470 can easily rotate relative to the lower adapter 440 together with the upper adapter 410.

[0049] To attach the pack 470 to the receiving section 424, the pack 470 can slide into the receiving section 424 by sliding its projection 482 next to or along the projection 436 of the receiving section 424, in which case each projection 436 is received in a corresponding recess 476. Once the tab 478 makes contact with the bottom surface 426 of the upper adapter 410, the pack 470 rotates within the receiving section 424 until the contact surface 479 makes contact with the stopper 428 of the upper adapter 410. Once attached, one or more pack magnets 474 can constitute a pair of pack magnets 474 both fixed within the pack body 472. Each pack magnet 474 can be substantially aligned with the corresponding upper adapter magnet 438 so that the pack 470 is fixed axially to the upper adapter 410 (along an axis aligned with the longitudinal direction of the lower cylindrical portion 420 of the upper adapter 410) by the magnetic force between the pack magnet 474 and the upper adapter magnet 438. In some embodiments where a pair of upper adapter magnets 438 are present, the magnetic force between the upper adapter magnet 438 and the pack magnet 474 biases the pack 470 in the rotational direction so that it can rotate to coincide with the rotational position of the upper adapter 410 (for example, around an axis aligned with the longitudinal direction of the lower cylindrical portion 420 of the upper adapter 410). In addition, each projection 436 of the receiving portion 424 can be substantially aligned with the corresponding projection 482 of the pack 470 so as to help prevent the pack 470 from accidentally coming out of the receiving portion 424. The user can remove pack 470 by applying a force that overcomes the magnetic force between the pack magnet 474 and the upper adapter magnet 438. To remove pack 470, the user can grasp the gripping element 480 of pack 470, rotate it so that the projection 482 moves away from the projection 436 of the receiving section 424, and apply a force greater than the magnetic force between the upper adapter magnet 438 and the pack magnet 474 to remove pack 470 from the receiving section 424. To disassemble the lid assembly 400 so that the components can be cleaned, it will be necessary to remove pack 470. Once pack 470 is removed from the upper adapter 410, the upper adapter 410 can be removed from the lower adapter 440.In some cases, pack 470 may include accessories (not shown) such as a tea strainer or other flavor extraction holder.

[0050] In addition, the lid assembly 400 may include multiple gaskets to help seal the lid assembly 400 to the container 10 and to prevent fluid from flowing when the lid assembly 400 is closed. For example, the upper adapter 410 may include a first upper adapter gasket 490 positioned in an upper groove 418 between the shelf 414 and the lower cylindrical portion 420 that contacts the inner surface of the upper cylindrical portion 442 of the lower adapter 440. The first upper adapter gasket 490 can contact the inner surface of the upper cylindrical portion 442 when the lid assembly 400 is both closed and open. A second upper adapter gasket 492 can be positioned in a lower groove spaced above the male threaded portion 422 of the lower cylindrical portion 420. Thus, both the first upper adapter gasket 490 and the second upper adapter gasket 492 can be positioned above the male threaded portion 422. The second upper adapter gasket 492 can contact the inner surface 450 of the lower adapter 440 when the lid assembly 400 is closed. When the lid assembly 400 is open, the second upper adapter gasket 492 is not in contact with the inner surface 450 of the lower adapter 440, and fluid can flow through the lid assembly 400. Furthermore, the lower adapter 440 may include a first lower adapter gasket 494 located near the joint between the shelf 444 and the lower cylindrical portion 446, and a second lower adapter gasket 496 located in a groove near the bottom end of the lower adapter 440. Both lower adapter gaskets 494 and 496 contact the inner surface of a container when the lid assembly 400 is connected to a container such as the container 10.

[0051] As previously mentioned, the lid assembly 400 has a closed state and an open state. When in the closed state, the lid assembly 400 prevents fluid or liquid from flowing from the container 10 through the lid assembly 400. When in the open state, fluid or liquid can flow from the container through the lid assembly 400 through a channel 402 that extends from below the lid assembly 400 through the main opening 417 of the upper adapter 410, as shown in Figure 35. To move the lid assembly 400 from the closed state to the open state, the upper adapter 410 is rotated in a first direction relative to the lower adapter 404, and the shelf 414 of the upper adapter 410 moves away from the upper cylindrical portion 442 of the lower adapter 440, creating a space between the shelf 414 and the upper cylindrical portion 442 of the lower adapter 440. The upper adapter 410 can move away from the lower adapter 440 by a vertical distance of about 5 mm, or in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm. As the upper adapter 410 rotates in the first direction, the second upper adapter gasket 492 moves away from the inner surface 450 of the lower adapter 440, creating a gap between the upper adapter 410 and the lower adapter 440, as shown in Figure 35, allowing fluid to flow through the channel 402 and through the lid assembly 400. Contact between the tab 478 and the lower adapter 440 can restrict the movement of the upper adapter 410 relative to the lower adapter 440. The upper adapter 410 can continue to rotate in the first direction until the tab 478 of the pack 470 contacts the stop surface 462 of the lower adapter 440. In some examples, as the upper adapter 410 rotates, the end or top surface of the tab 478 may contact or be guided to an inclined surface 460 in the bottom region 458 of the lower adapter 440 as the tab 478 approaches the stop surface 462. The screw engagement between the male threaded portion 422 and the female threaded portion 452 helps control the vertical movement of the upper adapter 410 relative to the lower adapter 440 when the upper adapter 410 is rotated. Furthermore, the interaction between the tab 478 and the inclined surface helps in this induced movement.Once each contact surface 479 of each tab 478 makes contact with the corresponding stop surface 462, the upper adapter 410 is prevented from rotating further and moving vertically, giving the user a firm tactile sensation that the lid assembly 400 has reached a fully open state. In some examples, the upper adapter 410 can rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to the lower adapter 440 from a closed state to a fully open state. The user can control the amount of fluid by rotating the upper adapter 410 by less than 180 degrees, thus providing various fluid flow options in the open state. To move the lid assembly 400 to a closed state, the user rotates the upper adapter 410 in a second direction opposite to the first direction until the shelf 414 makes contact with the upper cylindrical portion 442. As the upper adapter 410 rotates in the second direction, the shelf 414 moves toward the upper cylindrical portion 442 of the lower adapter 4140, until the second upper adapter gasket 492 makes contact with the inner surface 450 of the lower adapter 440. The lid assembly 400 is closed once the gasket 492 for the second upper adapter fully engages with the inner surface 450 of the lower adapter 440, thereby preventing fluid from flowing out of the lid assembly 400. In some examples, the area between the shelf 414 and the upper cylindrical portion 442 may also be a different color from the rest of the lid assembly 400 to give the user a visual indication that the lid assembly 400 is open.

[0052] The components of the lid assembly, such as the upper adapters 110, 210, 310, and 410, the lower adapters 140, 240, 340, and 440, the packs 170 and 470, and the internal adapter 370, can be formed from polymer materials and molded using techniques known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the gaskets described herein can be made from silicone or other food-safe materials suitable for sealing known to those skilled in the art.

[0053] Clause In the lid assembly 100, An upper adapter 110 comprising an upper cylindrical portion 112 having a shelf 114, an upper wall 116 connected to the upper cylindrical portion 112, a lower cylindrical portion 120, and an upper adapter magnet 138, wherein the lower cylindrical portion includes a threaded portion 122 and a receiving portion 124, and the upper wall includes a main opening 117 and an auxiliary opening 119, A lower adapter 140 including an upper cylindrical portion 142, a lower cylindrical portion 146, and an opening 148 having an inner surface 150, wherein the opening 148 at least partially receives the upper adapter 110, and the lower adapter 140 also includes a bottom end 158 including an inclined surface 160 and a stop surface 162, and A pack 170 that slidably engages with a receiving portion 124 in an upper adapter 110, the pack comprising a pack body 172, a pack magnet 174, and tabs extending outward from the pack body 172, the pack 170 being fixed rotationally to the upper adapter 110 and axially fixed within the receiving portion 124 by an attractive force between the upper adapter magnet 138 and the pack magnet 174, Equipped with, The lid assembly 100 has a closed state and an open state, and when the upper adapter 110 is rotated relative to the lower adapter 140, the lid assembly moves from the closed state to the open state.

[0054] In the lid assembly 200, An upper adapter 210 comprising an upper cylindrical portion 212 having a shelf surface 214, an upper wall 216 connected to the upper cylindrical portion 212, a lower cylindrical portion 220, and an upper adapter gasket 290, wherein the upper wall includes a main opening 217 and an auxiliary opening 219, and Lower adapter 240 comprising an upper cylindrical portion 242, a shelf surface 244, an indicator member 245 located inside the shelf surface 244 and extending from the shelf surface 244, a lower cylindrical portion 246, and an opening 248 having an inner surface 250, wherein the opening 248 at least partially receives the upper adapter 210, Equipped with, The lid assembly 200 has a closed state and an open state, and when the upper adapter 210 is rotated relative to the lower adapter 240, the lid assembly moves from the closed state to the open state. When the upper adapter 210 is rotated in a first direction and the lid assembly 200 moves from a closed state to an open state, the gasket 290 for the first upper adapter contacts the protruding portion 247 of the indicator member 245, providing the user with tactile feedback that the lid assembly 200 is in an open state.

[0055] In the lid assembly 300, An upper adapter 310 including a disc-shaped body 312 having an opening 314 on its edge, further including a magnet 318 for the upper adapter and a key 320 extending from the lower surface of the disc-shaped body 312, An internal adapter 370 having a notch 380 for receiving a key 320 and for fixing the internal adapter in the rotational direction with the upper adapter 310, and further including a gasket 378 for the internal adapter, A lower adapter 340 comprising an upper cylindrical portion 342, a shelf surface 344, a lower cylindrical portion 346, an inner cylindrical portion 350, a bottom wall 348 connecting the lower cylindrical portion 346 and the inner cylindrical portion 350, an opening 358 having an inner surface 366, and a lower adapter magnet 356, wherein the inner adapter 370 is received in the opening 358 and engages with the inner cylindrical portion 350, Equipped with, The upper adapter 310 is fixed to the lower adapter by the attractive force between the upper adapter magnet 318 and the lower adapter magnet 356. The lid assembly 300 has a closed state and an open state, and when the upper adapter 310 is rotated relative to the lower adapter 340, the lid assembly moves from the closed state to the open state.

[0056] The various examples described herein enable lid assemblies for containers. It will also be understood that in other embodiments, various devices, components, and features of the lid assemblies described herein can be constructed using similar structural and functional elements having different configurations, including different decorative appearances. Further advantages will also be recognized by those skilled in the art. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are conceivable without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is limited only to the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 10 containers 100, 200, 300, 400 Lid Assembly 110, 210, 310, 410 Upper Adapter 112, 212, 312, 412 Upper cylindrical section 116, 216, 416 Upper wall 117, 217, 417 Main opening 120, 220, 420 Lower cylindrical section 124, 424 Reception Department 133, 316, 360, 433 hollow 138, 318, 438 Magnets for upper adapter 140, 240, 340, 440 lower adapter 170, 470 packs 172,472 pack main unit Magnets for 174,474 packs 245 Indicator Member 312 Disc-shaped body 320 keys 370 Internal Adapter

Claims

1. A lid assembly for a beverage container, wherein the lid assembly is It is an upper adapter, A first upper cylindrical portion, an upper wall connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, and a first lower cylindrical portion connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, Includes, The upper wall includes a main opening, The first lower cylindrical portion includes a receiving portion, which includes a side wall surrounding a cavity that opens up in the area below the lid assembly. Upper adapter and Lower adapter, A second upper cylindrical portion, a second lower cylindrical portion connected to the second upper cylindrical portion, and an opening extending through the second upper cylindrical portion and the second lower cylindrical portion, the opening for at least partially receiving the upper adapter. including, Lower adapter and A pack detachably coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack comprising a pack body and tabs extending outward from the pack body, the pack body being at least partially received within the cavity of the receiving portion, Equipped with, The lid assembly has a closed state and an open state, and the upper adapter is moved relative to the lower adapter to move the lid assembly from the closed state to the open state. The tab of the pack contacts the lower adapter to restrict the movement of the upper adapter relative to the lower adapter, in the lid assembly.

2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the end of the tab extends beyond the outer surface of the first lower cylindrical portion of the upper adapter.

3. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the tab of the pack contacts the stop surface of the lower adapter when the lid assembly is in the open position.

4. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the pack is installed in the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack is fixed to the upper adapter in the rotational direction.

5. The upper adapter includes a magnet for the upper adapter, and the pack includes a magnet for the pack. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pack is fixed axially within the receiving portion by the attractive force between the upper adapter magnet and the aforementioned magnet.

6. The lid assembly according to claim 5, wherein the magnet for the upper adapter is fixed in a sealed cavity formed between the upper wall and the receiving portion.

7. The first lower cylindrical portion includes a male thread portion having a first passage that blocks the male thread portion, The second lower cylindrical portion includes a female thread portion, and the female thread portion of the second lower cylindrical portion includes a second passage and a third passage that block the female thread portion at two positions. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the lid assembly is in the open position, the first passage and either the second passage or the third passage are substantially aligned with the main opening in the upper wall.

8. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the upper adapter is rotated relative to the lower adapter, the end of the tab is guided by the inclined surface of the lower adapter when the upper adapter moves vertically.

9. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the pack is removed from the upper adapter, the upper adapter becomes removable from the lower adapter.

10. A lid assembly for a beverage container, wherein the lid assembly is It is an upper adapter, A first upper cylindrical portion, an upper wall connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, a first lower cylindrical portion connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, and a magnet for the upper adapter. Includes, The first lower cylindrical portion includes a receiving portion, Upper adapter and Lower adapter, A second upper cylindrical portion, a second lower cylindrical portion connected to the second upper cylindrical portion, and an opening extending through the second upper cylindrical portion and the second lower cylindrical portion, the opening for at least partially receiving the upper adapter. Includes a lower adapter, A pack detachably coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack including a pack body, a magnet for the pack, and a tab extending outward from the pack body, Equipped with, When the pack is coupled to the upper adapter, the upper adapter is movably coupled to the lower adapter. The pack is fixed axially to the receiving portion by the attractive force between the magnet for the upper adapter and the magnet for the pack, in a lid assembly.

11. The lid assembly has a closed state that prevents fluid from flowing through the lid assembly, and an open state that allows fluid to flow through an opening in the upper wall of the lid assembly. The lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein the upper adapter is rotated relative to the lower adapter to move the lid assembly from a closed state to an open state.

12. The upper adapter comprises an upper gasket and a lower gasket, and when the lid assembly is in the closed position, the upper gasket contacts the lower adapter, and the lower gasket contacts the lower adapter. The lid assembly according to claim 11, wherein when the lid assembly is in the open position, the upper gasket is in contact with the lower adapter, and the lower gasket is not in contact with the lower adapter.

13. The lid assembly according to claim 12, wherein both the upper gasket and the lower gasket are positioned above the male threaded portion of the first lower cylindrical portion of the upper adapter.

14. The lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein the tab of the pack contacts the stop surface of the lower adapter to restrict the movement of the upper adapter relative to the lower adapter.

15. The lid assembly according to claim 14, wherein the stop surface is located at the end of the inclined surface, and the stop surface and the inclined surface are located on the second lower cylindrical portion of the lower adapter.

16. The lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein when the pack is coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack is fixed to the upper adapter in a rotational direction.

17. The upper adapter magnet includes a pair of upper adapter magnets, and the pack magnet includes a pair of pack magnets, The lid assembly according to claim 10, wherein the first upper adapter magnet of the pair of upper adapter magnets is substantially aligned with the first pack magnet of the pair of pack magnets.

18. A lid assembly for a beverage container, wherein the lid assembly is It is an upper adapter, A first upper cylindrical portion, an upper wall connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, a first lower cylindrical portion connected to the first upper cylindrical portion, and a magnet for the upper adapter. Includes, The first lower cylindrical portion includes a receiving portion, and the receiving portion constitutes a cavity. Upper adapter and Lower adapter, A second upper cylindrical portion, a second lower cylindrical portion connected to the second upper cylindrical portion, and an opening extending through the second upper cylindrical portion and the second lower cylindrical portion, the opening for at least partially receiving the upper adapter. Includes a lower adapter, A pack detachably coupled to the receiving portion of the upper adapter, the pack comprising a pack body, a magnet for the pack, and a tab extending outward from the pack body, The pack body is at least partially received within the cavity of the receiving portion. The pack is fixed axially to the receiving portion by the attractive force between the magnet for the upper adapter and the magnet for the pack. Pack and, Equipped with, The lid assembly has a closed state and an open state, and the upper adapter is rotated relative to the lower adapter to move the lid assembly from the closed state to the open state.

19. The pack includes a projection extending from the outer surface of the pack body, the cavity of the receiving portion is surrounded by a side wall, and a projection extends from the side wall into the cavity, The lid assembly according to claim 18, wherein the projection and the protruding portion are substantially aligned when the pack is coupled to the receiving portion.

20. The upper adapter comprises an upper gasket and a lower gasket, and when the lid assembly is in the closed position, the upper gasket contacts the lower adapter, and the lower gasket contacts the lower adapter. The lid assembly according to claim 18, wherein when the lid assembly is in the open state, the upper gasket is in contact with the lower adapter, and the lower gasket is not in contact with the lower adapter.

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