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Publication numberUS5702025 A
Publication typeGrant
Application numberUS 08/643,815
Publication dateDec 30, 1997
Filing dateMay 6, 1996
Priority dateMay 6, 1996
Fee statusLapsed
Publication number08643815, 643815, US 5702025 A, US 5702025A, US-A-5702025, US5702025 A, US5702025A
InventorsVito Di Gregorio
Original AssigneeDi Gregorio; Vito
Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
Leak free lid with closure and spout
US 5702025 A
A lid to be used to dose the opening of a cooperative container providing a user with a spout that is selectively closed and opened to permit a user to draw the liquid inside the container and, if accidentally dropped, to avoid spillage and/or leakage of its contents. A slidable door is activated by a user to selectively block the liquid from coming out through the spout. A locking mechanism to keep the lid firmly and removably secured to the container includes a several latching members that extend perpendicularly from the periphery of the lid and engage with a corresponding number of openings formed in a peripheral locking member positioned adjacent to the rim of the container's opening.
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What is claimed is:
1. A lid for containers, having a peripheral rim and an underside, to be used to cover the opening defined by said rim of a container for liquids, comprising:
A) a spout member mounted on said lid substantially adjacent to said peripheral rim;
B) closure means for selectively blocking the flow of said liquid through said spout member wherein said closure means includes housing means mounted to the underside of said lid and further including a door member slidably mounted to said housing means;
C) means for locking said lid to said container to cause said container and lid engagement to be leak free wherein said means for locking said lid to said container includes a peripheral locking member located substantially adjacent to and below said rim and said peripheral locking member includes a plurality of openings, and said means for locking said lid to said container further including a corresponding plurality of latching means extending radially inwardly from said peripheral rim of said lid for removably and cooperatively engaging to said openings.
2. The lid set forth in claim 1 wherein said lid includes at least one small relief pin hole that permits the air to penetrate inside said container as the liquid flows out.
3. The lid set forth in claim 2 wherein said peripheral locking member is a belt.
4. The lid set forth in claim 3 wherein said spout includes a blocking member disposed therein to prevent solids mixed with a liquid inside the container from coming out through said spout member.
5. The lid set forth in claim 4 wherein said spout member includes a flexible accordion shaped tubular member.
6. The lid set forth in claim 5 wherein said accordion shaped to tubular member has a rectangular cross-section.

Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention is generally referred to with numeral 10, it can be observed that it basically includes container 20 and lid assembly 30 with spout member 32 mounted thereon. Peripheral locking member 24, on the outer surface of container 20, below its rim 26, is designed for locking engagement with inwardly extending latching members 31 of peripheral member 34 mounted on the inner surface of the skirt of lid assembly 30. Peripheral locking member 24 resembles, in the preferred embodiment, a belt with openings 25 that cooperatively receive latching members 31, as best in FIGS. 2B; 3 and 4. The engagement is sufficiently strong to allow a user to invert the container, full of liquid, without any leakage. This is particularly useful for paper or plastic containers, such as cups, served in fast food restaurants with hot liquids, such as coffee, to customers, specially, in a drive through where the customer is typically occupied driving a vehicle. Thus, if container 20 and lid assembly 30 are dropped accidentally by a user, the hot coffee or any other liquid contained therein, does not escape. Also, the engagement of latching members 31 with peripheral locking member 24 is sufficiently strong to hold lid assembly 30 to container 20 when a user lifts and tilts the latter or pour the contents. Lid assembly 30, also is designed to thermically insulate the contents.

In the preferred embodiment, spout member 32 is, at end 37, rigidly mounted to surface 35 at a suitable distance from the outer edge for a user to conveniently apply his or her lips to mouthpiece end 36 of spout member 32. Also, lid assembly 30 has small venting or relief pin hole 38, preferably with a cross shape, on frustoconical extension 44 extending outwardly from recess 39. Venting or relief pin hole 38 allows air in as the liquid is displaced. The amount of liquid that goes through pin hole 38 is minimal, if any.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, closure assembly 50 is mounted to underside 45 and within housing assembly 40. Closure assembly 50, in the preferred embodiment, includes sliding door member 52 and actuating member 54 rigidly mounted thereon. Member 52 is slidably mounted within housing assembly 40 that in turn is mounted to underside 45 of lid assembly 30. When a user desires to close the flow of liquid from inside container 20 through spout member 32, actuating member 54 is slidably pushed towards spout member 32. Member 54 protrudes through guiding slot 33 so that it can be readily accessible to a user. Member 52 closes opening 42 of housing assembly 40 and container 20 is sealed with the exception of venting pin hole 38. When a user desires to draw the liquid out, actuating member 54 is pushed away from spout member 32 and opening 42 is cleared for liquid to flow out. Blocking member 56, as shown in FIGS. 2, 2B and 3, is designed to block solids, such as ice and pieces of fruit, from coming out through spout member 32. Blocking member 56, in the preferred embodiment, has an "X" shaped and is positioned within spout member 32.

In FIGS. 5 and 6 an alternate embodiment 10' for the spout assembly is shown mounted to lid assembly 30. Spout assembly 60' corresponds to the accordion type having tubular member 62' with a rounded cross-section and ending with flat mouthpiece 64'. Spout assembly 60' includes, at distal end 63' of mouthpiece 64' cap member 65' that is mounted thereto by belt 66'.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 alternate embodiment 10" for the spout assembly is shown. Spout member 60" corresponds to the accordion type having a rectangular cross-section and ends with flat mouthpiece 64". Spout member 62" has side 67" longer than side 68" to ensure that it extends outwardly thereby making for a user to draw the liquid.




FIG. 1 is an isometric view from the top of the present invention mounted to a container.

FIG. 2 is a top view of this invention.

FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the lid assembly, shown in the previous figure.

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment, subject of the present invention, taken along line 3--3.

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view of a container with a locking belt mounted thereon.

FIG. 5 represents a partial elevational view of an alternate embodiment for the spout assembly.

FIG. 6 represents a partial elevational view of the alternate embodiment for the present invention wherein a flexible spout is used, having a removable cap.

FIG. 7 is a partial isometric view of another alternate embodiment for the spout assembly.

FIG. 8 is a partial elevational side view of the present invention having the spout previously shown in FIG. 7.


1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a leak free lid for containers, and more particularly, to the type that includes a spout with a closure member and a leak free engagement to the container.

2. Description of the Related Art

Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,690 issued to Butler in 1976. However, it differs from the present invention because even though it includes a closure member slidably mounted on the cover, it nevertheless fails to disclose a spout member and a peripheral locking mechanism to ensure leak-free engagement of the cover to the container.



It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a leak free lid assembly for dosing containers that prevents spillage of the liquid contained in the latter.

It is another object of this invention to provide a leak free lid assembly that includes a spout conveniently and cooperatively mounted thereon to permit a user to drink the liquid contained therein.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a vessel cover with a spout that includes a blocking member to prevent solid pieces, such as ice pieces, from flowing out through the spout.

It is another object of this invention to provide a closure member that allows a user to selectively open and close the flow through the spout mounted on the lid assembly.



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Referenced by
Citing PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitle
US5941409 *Aug 7, 1997Aug 24, 1999Leaderman; Richard N.Teapot cup
US5979689 *Jul 9, 1996Nov 9, 1999Lansky; Daryl J.Splash/slosh guard for drinking vessels
US6168044 *Jun 25, 1998Jan 2, 2001S. C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Container having a snap fit selectively detachable lid
US6199711Sep 15, 1999Mar 13, 2001Daryl J. LanskySplash/slosh guard for drinking vessels
US6230923 *Sep 1, 2000May 15, 2001Lineo Baby Merchandise Work's Co., Ltd.Drinking bottle provided with a flexible liquid-sucking member adapted to serve as a drinking straw
US6609630Apr 22, 1999Aug 26, 2003Mark A. FreemanLeak-proof closure apparatus
US7011255May 7, 2004Mar 14, 2006Zuccaro Dante CSquirt resistant and spill resistant straw/fluid delivery passage
US7156253Mar 17, 2003Jan 2, 2007Ziegler Scott WSingle-piece paper cup sip adaptor
US7204386Nov 27, 2001Apr 17, 2007Hakim Nouri ENo-spill drinking cup apparatus
US7243814Feb 25, 2002Jul 17, 2007Hakim Nouri ENo-spill drinking cup apparatus
US7314183Feb 13, 2006Jan 1, 2008Dante Cataldo ZuccaroSquirt resistant and spill resistant straw/fluid delivery passage
US7789263Apr 17, 2007Sep 7, 2010Luv N' Care, Ltd.No-spill drinking cup apparatus
US7789264Jul 9, 2007Sep 7, 2010Luv N' Care, Ltd.No-spill drinking cup apparatus
US7908823Sep 8, 2005Mar 22, 2011Melissa EdmundsContainer cover and dispenser therefor
US8505767 *Oct 19, 2010Aug 13, 2013Jean-Pierre GiraudLeak proof container
US8534486Feb 24, 2011Sep 17, 2013Melissa EdmundsContainer cover and dispenser therefor
US20110089178 *Oct 19, 2010Apr 21, 2011Capitol Cups, Inc.Leak proof container
US20130112647 *Nov 9, 2012May 9, 2013Paul DanelskiLiquid Container Cap
USRE37016 *Aug 6, 1998Jan 16, 2001Playtex Products, Inc.Flow control element and covered drinking cup
USRE43077Oct 31, 2007Jan 10, 2012Luv N' Care, Ltd.No-spill drinking cup apparatus
DE10057277A1 *Nov 17, 2000May 29, 2002Ferratec Werkzeug Und FormenbaClosure unit, in particular, for bottles containing liquids which directly or by means of a straw are drunk from the bottle by the user, comprises at least one opening with sealing lips, or a drinking mouthpiece
WO2000010434A1 *Aug 20, 1999Mar 2, 2000Nouri E HakimNo-spill drinking cup apparatus
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U.S. Classification220/717, 220/714, 222/561, 220/784, 222/559, 222/529
International ClassificationB65D47/28, B65D47/06
Cooperative ClassificationB65D47/28, B65D47/066
European ClassificationB65D47/06B1, B65D47/28
Legal Events
Feb 28, 2006FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20051230
Dec 30, 2005LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
Jul 20, 2005REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailed
Jan 12, 2001FPAYFee payment
Year of fee payment: 4