Lid-securing mechanism, beverage container with lid-securing mechanism, and methods of manufacturing the same

Abstract

Lid-securing mechanisms, beverage containers with lid-securing mechanisms, and methods of manufacturing, testing, and using the same are provided herein, among things. The lid-securing mechanism can include separate elements that can be mateably engaged to thereby form a seal that substantially limits or inhibits liquids from passing through the seal. The lid-securing mechanism can include a first element located on a base structure (e.g., a cup or canister) and a second element located on a lid. The first element and the second element are configured to be releasably and/or reversibly coupled together to form a seal between the lid and the base structure. In embodiments, the first element is a plurality of protrusions located about an inner surface of the base structure, and the second element is a plurality of channels located about the lid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A beverage container assembly, comprising:
 a cup, comprising:
 a first end having a base, 
 a second end having a rim that defines an opening, and 
 a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the sidewall having an inner surface with a plurality of protrusions spaced about a circumference of the inner surface, each protrusion extending at least partially towards a central axis of the cup; and 
   a lid, comprising:   a plurality of channels spaced about a circumference of the lid, each channel having an opening that is alignable with one of the plurality of protrusions, wherein inserting the plurality of protrusions into the plurality of channels removably couples the lid to the cup.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each protrusion slopes as it transitions towards its apex. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the apex of each protrusion comprises a surface that is substantially flat. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each protrusion has a circular shape on the inner surface. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each protrusion has an elongated shape on the inner surface. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels each include a channel wall that is at least partially sloped, such that translating the plurality of protrusions through the plurality of channels shifts the lid along the central axis thereby increasing a pressure of the lid against the rim. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the lid comprises a ring of compressible material that compresses against the rim as the plurality of protrusions are translated through the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each protrusion, upon insertion into one of the plurality of channels, has a friction fit. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels each comprise a length such that, when the plurality of protrusions are inserted into the plurality of channels, the lid rotates 15 degrees or less into a locked position in which each protrusion is abutted against an end of a corresponding channel. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise at least four protrusions that are spaced about the inner surface by approximately equal circumferential distances, each of the four protrusions also spaced a distance from the rim along the central axis. 
     
     
         11 . A sealable container assembly, comprising:
 a container, comprising:
 a first end having a base, 
 a second end having a rim that defines an opening, and 
 a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, the sidewall comprising an inner surface having a plurality of protrusions spaced about a circumference of the inner surface, each protrusion extending at least partially towards a central axis of the container; and 
   a lid, comprising:   a plurality of channels spaced about a circumference of the lid, each channel having an opening that is alignable with one of the plurality of protrusions, wherein inserting the plurality of protrusions into the plurality of channels removably couples the lid to the container.   
     
     
         12 . The sealable container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of protrusions comprise at least four protrusions spaced apart on the inner surface by approximately equal circumferential distances. 
     
     
         13 . The sealable container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the lid includes a ring of compressible material, and wherein the plurality of channels each include a channel wall that is at least partially sloped, so that translating the plurality of protrusions through the plurality of channels shifts the lid along the central axis, increasing a pressure on the compressible material located between the lid and the rim. 
     
     
         14 . The sealable container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are integrally formed with the inner surface, such that a surface of each protrusion and the inner surface of the sidewall are co-extensive. 
     
     
         15 . The sealable container assembly of  claim 11 , wherein a sidewall of each channel is at least partially non-linear, such that shifting the plurality of protrusions through the plurality of channels translates the lid along the central axis. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a beverage container assembly, the method comprising:
 forming a cup that comprises:
 a first end comprising a base, 
 a second end comprising a rim that defines an opening, and 
 a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end, 
 wherein the sidewall is formed with an inner surface that comprises a plurality of protrusions spaced about a circumference of the inner surface, each protrusion extending at least partially towards a central axis of the cup; and 
   forming a lid that comprises:   a plurality of channels spaced about a circumference of the lid, each channel having an opening that is alignable with one of the plurality of protrusions, wherein inserting the plurality of protrusions into the plurality of channels removably couples the lid to the cup.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cup is formed through molding comprising vacuum-molding or injection-molding, such that each protrusion is integrally formed with the inner surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each protrusion is formed such that it is elongated in shape, and slopes towards its apex. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each channel comprises a channel wall that is at least partially sloped, such that translating the plurality of protrusions through the plurality of channels shifts the lid along the central axis, thereby increasing a pressure of the lid against the rim. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of channels each comprise a length such that, when the plurality of protrusions are inserted into the plurality of channels, the lid rotates 15 degrees or less into a locked position in which each protrusion is abutted against an end-wall of a corresponding channel.