Button actuated spill-proof lid for travel mug

Abstract

A lid assembly for a travel mug, comprising a top shell portion having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending downwardly therefrom; a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom drink aperture through a bottom end; a valve member having a portion that normally closes the bottom drink aperture; and an actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve member away from the bottom drink aperture to open the bottom drink aperture.

1 . A lid assembly for a travel mug, comprising:
 a top shell portion having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending downwardly therefrom;   a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom drink aperture through a bottom end;   a valve member having a portion that normally biases against the bottom drink aperture to a closed position; and   an actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve member away from the bottom drink aperture to an open position.   
   
   
       2 . The lid assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises a push button. 
   
   
       3 . The lid assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the push button is located on a sidewall of the lid assembly. 
   
   
       4 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , wherein when the push button is fully pressed and released a first time, the valve member is biased to and remains in the open position. 
   
   
       5 . The lid assembly of  claim 4 , wherein when the push button is fully pressed and released a second time, the valve member returns to the closed position biased against the bottom drink aperture. 
   
   
       6 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the valve member comprises a central shaft that extends upward and contacts the camming member. 
   
   
       7 . The lid assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the central shaft terminates in a bulbous camming surface. 
   
   
       8 . The lid assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the camming member has a camming surface that contacts the bulbous camming surface of the central shaft, the camming member camming surface having a notch therein to provide an intermediate position for the bulbous camming surface between the open position and the closed position. 
   
   
       9 . The lid assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the valve member further comprises a bottom drink aperture plug. 
   
   
       10 . The lid assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the bottom member further comprises a vent aperture through the bottom end. 
   
   
       11 . The lid assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the valve member further comprises a vent aperture plug. 
   
   
       12 . The lid assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the valve member further comprises a bottom drink aperture plug. 
   
   
       13 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the valve member comprises a plurality of base flow passages. 
   
   
       14 . The lid assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of base flow passages comprises at least four passages. 
   
   
       15 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising an indicator visible from an outer portion of the lid assembly that indicates whether the valve is open or closed. 
   
   
       16 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the actuator assembly further comprises, a retaining collar, a spinner, a multi-shafted hub, and a biasing member. 
   
   
       17 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , wherein when the push button is pressed and released a first time, the valve member is biased away from the bottom drink aperture. 
   
   
       18 . The lid assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the push button is round. 
   
   
       19 . A method of operating a lid assembly attached to a travel mug at least partially filled with liquid, comprising the steps of:
 providing a lid assembly attached to a travel mug, the lid assembly comprising a drink aperture through which liquid can selectively flow, and a push button on an outer sidewall of the lid assembly, the push button actuating a valve that opens and closes the drink aperture;   pressing and releasing the push button a first time to open the valve;   dispensing at least some of the liquid in the travel mug through the drink aperture; and   pressing and releasing the push button a second time to close the valve.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the lid assembly comprises:
 a top shell portion having a top drink aperture and top drink passage extending downwardly therefrom;   a bottom member engaged with a bottom portion of the top shell portion, the bottom member having a wall that receives the top drink passage on a top end, and having a bottom drink aperture through a bottom end;   a valve member having a portion that normally closes the bottom drink aperture; and   an actuator assembly comprising a camming member that biases the valve member away from the bottom drink aperture to open the bottom drink aperture.