Locking cup

Abstract

Lockable container (1) for containing a beverage and protecting it from its environment, comprising a receptacle (4), a lid (2) having an air passage and a hole (5) for drinking said beverage from the receptacle (4) through said lid (2), said lockable container (1) comprising means for locking the lid (2) onto the receptacle (4).

Description

Description Title of the invention: GLASS PADLOCK

[0001] The present invention relates to glasses or other containers allowing the user to contain and move contents such as a drink, ice cubes, a mixture of both... The container can receive any type of content, including food.

[0002] The present invention aims to provide a container which is lockable, that is to say, whose lid can be securely closed, and all openings sealed airtight.

[0003] Lockable containers such as those described in documents US20110241828 and US20080302794 are known to allow the container lid to be closed.

[0004] These solutions are nevertheless not very effective for drinking, as they require opening the lid, without a hole for drinking, and are therefore not very ergonomic.

[0005] Reference will be made, for example, to documents CN 113 133626 A, JP 2022043967 A, US 2021 / 354891 Al, US 2021 / 394981 Al, CN 107692743 A, CN 110973 938 B.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and to offer a lockable container capable of combining the advantages of speed, simplicity and reliability for its implementation.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, the invention relates to a lockable container for holding a beverage and protecting it from its environment, comprising a container, a lid having an air passage and a hole for drinking said beverage from the container through said lid, said lockable container comprising means for locking the lid onto the container and for sealing the drinking hole and the air inlet hole.

[0008] Preferably, the container is made of glass or plastic.

[0009] For example, the container includes a locking means status indicator, said status indicator being positioned on the lid and configured to visually indicate whether said locking means lock the lid onto the container or, conversely, allow the lid to be removed from the container.

[0010] Advantageously, the status indicator includes at least one light-emitting diode that is either multicoloured and configured to change colour of illumination according to the locking or unlocking status of the lid, or monocoloured and configured to turn on or off according to the locking or unlocking status of the lid.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the container includes an electric battery and an electric charging port for said battery, said electric charging port being magnetic or induction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the container includes a straw passing through the drinking hole and configured to be able to be retracted into the lid so as to seal said drinking hole tightly.

[0013] Advantageously, the container also includes a cap designed to be able to cover the lid by attaching to it.

[0014] The lockable container may also provide for all electronic components to be retracted into the lid.

[0015] Preferably, the container has a heating element extending from the lid into the container.

[0016] The invention also relates to a lockable container further comprising a mechanical actuator in the form of an assembly having at least one micro geared motor and at least one bolt is provided, configured to allow locking of the lid, as well as airtight closing elements.

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon a detailed study of some embodiments taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] [Fig 1] represents a lockable container according to the invention in a first embodiment, in perspective view.

[0019] [Fig 2] represents the lockable container in exploded view, according to the first embodiment of Figure 1.

[0020] [Fig 3] represents the lockable container according to a second embodiment, in exploded view.

[0021] [Fig 4] represents a third embodiment of the lockable container.

[0022] [Fig 5] represents a fourth embodiment of the lockable container.

[0023] [Fig 6] represents a fifth embodiment of the lockable container.

[0024] [Fig 7] represents a sixth embodiment of the lockable container.

[0025] [Fig 8] represents a seventh embodiment of the lockable container.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates the lockable container of the invention according to a first embodiment, in perspective view.

[0027] In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and in view of the above, the invention relates to a lockable container 1 for containing a beverage and protecting it from its environment.

[0028] The lockable container 1 comprises a container 4 and a lid 2.

[0029] The lid 2 has a top face 3 and an air passage through said top face 3, and a hole 5 for drinking said beverage from the container 4 through said lid 2.

[0030] The lockable container 1 further includes locking means 6, 26, 27, 28 of the lid 2 on the container 4 and of airtight closure of the drinking hole 5 and of the air inlet hole 9.

[0031] The lid 2 has a lateral edge 8 which covers the container 4 and contains a thread for screwing onto it.

[0032] The lockable container 1 therefore includes airtight closing means 14 configured to be able to airtightly close the drinking hole 5 and the air passage 9 in the locking position of the lid 2 by the locking means.

[0033] The air hole cover 14 is activated at the same time as the opening cover to facilitate the flow of liquid when drinking.

[0034] The drinking hole 5 can be closed by a silicone bolt when the container 1 is locked.

[0035] The silicone bolt, once in place in the slot of drinking hole 5, allows a tight seal of said drinking hole 5.

[0036] The lockable lid 2 is an element that can be aesthetically customized, and is, for example, made of injection-molded plastic.

[0037] The air inlet hole 9, forming an air passage 9, allows air to enter the container 4 when the person drinks, maintaining the pressure balanced with atmospheric pressure and preventing the formation of a vacuum or overpressure.

[0038] Preferably, container 4 is made of glass or plastic material.

[0039] In particular, container 4 can be transparent so that the contents can be seen, and can be made of glass or transparent plastic.

[0040] This forms a lockable container 1 equipped with a lockable lid 2, designed to protect the user's drink from any risk of contamination by drugs or ingestion by another person, this innovative system ensuring the security of the contents in all circumstances, and even protecting nearby property and people from splashes in the event of the container 1 tipping over.

[0041] For example, the lockable container 1 has a status indicator 7 of the locking means.

[0042] Status indicator 7, for example, is a light indicator.

[0043] It can be positioned on the lid 2 and configured to visually indicate whether said locking means lock the lid 2 onto the container 4 or, conversely, permit the removal of the lid 2 from the container 4, and hermetically seal the drinking hole 5 and the air inlet hole 9.

[0044] For example, status indicator 7 also allows visual confirmation of whether the entered code is correct or incorrect, and / or to indicate the battery charge level.

[0045] For example, a seal 12 is provided which is made of rubber and allows a watertight seal between the container 4 and the lid 2.

[0046] Advantageously, the status indicator 7 includes at least one light-emitting diode 16.

[0047] As an alternative example, the LED 16 is multicoloured and configured to change colour of illumination depending on the locking or unlocking status of the lid 2 and the airtight closure of the drinking hole 5 and the air inlet hole 9.

[0048] The light-emitting diode 16 indicates, for example, the following status of the glass: red for locked and green for unlocked.

[0049] As an alternative example, the light-emitting diode 16 is monochromatic and configured to turn on or off depending on the locking or unlocking status of the lid 2 and the airtight closure of the drinking hole 5 and the air inlet hole 9.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the lockable container 1 includes an electric battery 15 and an electric charging port 13 for said battery, which allows the container 1 to be recharged between each use, through a passage 6 in the lid 2.

[0051] The electric battery 15 is for example a lithium battery which powers the electronic elements 11, for example connected on a PCB which connects the electronic elements to a microcontroller.

[0052] The electrical charging port can be magnetic.

[0053] It can also be a USB-C type plug and have a small rubber tip to prevent liquids from entering inside.

[0054] As an alternative, a charging / power supply via flat batteries can be provided in the lid 2.

[0055] Magnetic charging ensures that the electronic components are protected from splashes, but also facilitates connection, thus increasing the ergonomics of the device.

[0056] Alternatively, the electrical charging port can be induction.

[0057] In a second embodiment and as illustrated by Figure 3, the lockable container 1 includes a heating element 20 extending from the lid 2 into the container 4.

[0058] The heating element 20 keeps the contents warm, and for this purpose extends preferentially to the bottom of the container 4, ensuring uniform heating of the liquid, regardless of its level.

[0059] This system for heating the drink can be controlled via the application.

[0060] A marker on the transparent container indicates the maximum volume of liquid that can be poured.

[0061] Using a heating system increases the size of the battery, which is adapted accordingly to be able to operate the heating element and the locking mechanism.

[0062] In a third embodiment and as illustrated by Figure 4, the lockable container 1 includes a straw 21,22 passing through the drinking hole 5 and configured to be able to be retracted into the lid 2 so as to seal said drinking hole 5 tightly.

[0063] The straw 21,22 has at least one internal part 21 and a retractable tip 22 which can be locked with the same micro geared motor 17,18 as the cover 2.

[0064] The integrated straw is then locked, for example, when the nozzle 22 is retracted into a cavity 23 provided in the container 1 and / or in the lid 2, and to unlock its container 1, the user must first unlock it via an application and then rotate the straw in order to be able to drink.

[0065] The micro geared motor 17,18 transports the bolt 19 to a slot 10 provided in the container 4 in order to lock / unlock the container 4 and the lid 2 relative to each other, the said bolt 19 coming to be placed in the slot 10 to secure the airtight closure.

[0066] The inner part 21 of the straw is in the container 4 and can be removed when the container 1 is unlocked in order to be cleaned, and in particular when the lid 2 is removed.

[0067] In a fourth embodiment and as illustrated by Figure 5, the lockable container 1 includes a bottle nozzle and a cap 25 configured to be able to cover the lid 2 by attaching to it.

[0068] Cap 25 simply fits into lid 2 with bottle nozzle 24.

[0069] In a fifth embodiment and as illustrated by Figure 6, the lockable container 1 includes push buttons 26 on which symbols are represented, in particular numbers, allowing the user to enter a combination which enables locking or unlocking by the locking means.

[0070] In a sixth embodiment and as illustrated by Figure 7, the lockable container 1 includes a screen 27 displaying numeric buttons on which symbols are represented, in particular numbers, allowing the user to enter a combination which enables unlocking by the locking means.

[0071] Screen 27, for example, is a touchscreen allowing the user to unlock their glass without using the application, the lock code being configured via the application.

[0072] In a seventh embodiment and as illustrated by Figure 8, the lockable container 1 includes a fingerprint recognition sensor 28.

[0073] A marker indicates to the user the maximum volume that can be poured.

[0074] The lockable container 1 may further provide that all electronic elements are retracted into the lid 2, so that the lid 2 contains the electronic elements which lock both the container 2 to the lid 2 and the openings 5,9.

[0075] Also, the electronics can be placed either in lid 2 or in the container.

[0076] The invention also relates to a lockable container 1 further comprising a mechanical actuator in the form of an assembly 17,18,10 having at least one micro geared motor 17,18 and at least one bolt 19, configured to allow the locking of the lid 2, and the sealing elements.

[0077] The micro geared motor 17,18 carries the bolt 19 to the slot in order to close the opening in the cover.

[0078] A software application can be provided to allow, remotely, the locking or unlocking of container 1, and to know its locking status, the application being connected to the electronic means for example via a remote server using a telecommunications network such as intermet, or via Bluetooth®.

[0079] As an alternative or in addition, any type of secure electronic locking can be provided, in particular allowing locking to be authorized only by a predefined user or several predefined users, for example through biometric identification coupled with the locking means.

[0080] The invention makes it possible to create a lockable container 1 allowing a drink to be secured so that the user can enjoy it with confidence.

Claims

Demands

1. Lockable container (1) for containing a beverage and protecting it from its environment, comprising a container (4), a lid (2) having an air passage and a hole (5) for drinking said beverage from the container (4) through said lid (2), said lockable container (1) comprising means for locking the lid (2) onto the container (4) and for sealing the drinking hole (5) and the air inlet hole (9), the locking means (6, 26, 27, 28) being means for locking (6, 26, 27, 28) the lid (2) onto the container (4) and for sealing the drinking hole (5) and the air inlet hole (9).

2. Lockable container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the container (4) comprises a glass or plastic material.

3. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a status indicator (7) of the locking means, said status indicator (7) being positioned on the lid (2) and configured to visually indicate whether said locking means lock the lid (2) onto the container (4) or, conversely, allow the lid (2) to be removed from the container (4).

4. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the status indicator (7) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (16) which is either multicoloured and configured to change colour of illumination depending on the locking or unlocking status of the lid (2), or monocoloured and configured to turn on or off depending on the locking or unlocking status of the lid (2).

5. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an electric battery and an electric charging port (6,13) for said battery, said electric charging port being magnetic or induction.

6. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a straw passing through the drinking hole (5) and configured to be able to be retracted into the lid (2) so as to hermetically seal said drinking hole (5).

7. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cap (25) configured to be able to cover the lid (2) by attaching to it.

8. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which all the electronic elements are retracted into the lid (2).

9. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a heating element (20) extending from the lid (2) into the container (4).

10. Lockable container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and according to claim 7, further comprising a mechanical actuator in the form of an assembly (17,18,19) having at least one micro geared motor (17,18) and at least one bolt (19), configured to allow locking of the lid (2), and sealing elements.

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