Cup and lid using magnetic-based spill-proof seal

Abstract

A cup and lid combination includes a container having an open top and a closed bottom. A grip is disposed at an exterior surface of the container. At least one container magnet is disposed adjacent to the open top of the container. A link assembly, coupled to the grip, the container, and the container magnet(s), links movement of the grip to movement of the container magnet(s). A drinking lid on the open top of the container has a hole. A closure element is coupled to the lid for movement towards and away from the hole. The closure element has a sealing element and a lid magnet coupled thereto. The container magnet(s) and lid magnet are positioned for magnetic interaction that controls the position of the closure element based on the position of the grip relative to the container's closed bottom or open top.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A cup and lid combination, comprising:
 a liquid-holding container having an open top and a closed bottom;   a sleeve disposed about an exterior surface of said container for movement relative to said container;   at least one container magnet disposed adjacent to said open top of said container for movement relative to said container;   a link assembly coupled to said sleeve, said container, and said at least one container magnet, said link assembly linking said movement of said sleeve to said movement of said at least one container magnet;   a drinking lid disposed on said open top of said container, said drinking lid having a hole; and   a closure element coupled to said lid for movement towards and away from said hole, said closure element having a sealing element and a lid magnet coupled to said sealing element, said at least one container magnet and said lid magnet being positioned for magnetic interaction to thereby fix a first position of said closure element when said sleeve is closest to said closed bottom wherein said sealing element engages said hole, and said at least one container magnet being repositioned by said magnetic interaction when said sleeve is closest to said open top wherein said movement of said closure element is away from said hole to thereby fix a second position of said closure element wherein said sealing element is disengaged from said hole.   
     
     
         2 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a thermally insulating container. 
     
     
         3 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 1 , wherein said link assembly comprises:
 a rack gear coupled to said sleeve for movement in correspondence with said movement of said sleeve; and   a pinion gear coupled to said container and said at least one container magnet, said pinion gear engaging said rack gear for rotation in correspondence with said movement of said rack gear, wherein said rotation of said pinion gear repositions said at least one container magnet when said sleeve is closest to said open top wherein said movement of said closure element is away from said hole to thereby fix said second position of said closure element wherein said sealing element is disengaged from said hole.   
     
     
         4 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one container magnet comprises:
 a base having a rack of gear teeth for engagement by said pinion gear;   a first container magnet coupled to said base and extending to an outboard end thereof; and   a second container magnet coupled to said base and extending to an outboard end thereof, wherein said outboard end of said first magnet and said outboard end of said second magnet present opposite magnetic polarities.   
     
     
         5 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 3 , wherein said at least one container magnet comprises a single magnet coupled to said pinion gear for rotation therewith, said single magnet having opposing outboard ends presenting opposite magnetic polarities. 
     
     
         6 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic interaction that fixes said first position of said closure element comprises magnetic repulsion. 
     
     
         7 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 1 , wherein said magnetic interaction that fixes said second position of said closure element comprises magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         8 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 1 , wherein said movement of said at least one container magnet relative to said container comprises linear movement. 
     
     
         9 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 1 , wherein said movement of said at least one container magnet relative to said container comprises rotational movement. 
     
     
         10 . A cup and lid combination, comprising:
 a liquid-holding container having an open top and a closed bottom;   a sleeve disposed about an exterior surface of said container for movement relative to said container;   at least one container magnet disposed adjacent to said open top of said container for movement relative to said container;   a link assembly coupled to said sleeve, said container, and said at least one container magnet, said link assembly linking said movement of said sleeve to said movement of said at least one container magnet;   a drinking lid disposed on said open top of said container, said drinking lid having a hole; and   a closure element coupled to said lid for movement towards and away from said hole, said closure element having a sealing element and a lid magnet coupled to said sealing element, said at least one container magnet and said lid magnet being positioned for a repulsive magnetic interaction to thereby fix a first position of said closure element when said sleeve is closest to said closed bottom wherein said sealing element engages said hole, and said at least one container magnet being repositioned by an attractive magnetic interaction when said sleeve is closest to said open top wherein said movement of said closure element is away from said hole to thereby fix a second position of said closure element wherein said sealing element is disengaged from said hole.   
     
     
         11 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 10 , wherein said container comprises a thermally insulating container. 
     
     
         12 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 10 , wherein said link assembly comprises:
 a rack gear coupled to said sleeve for movement in correspondence with said movement of said sleeve; and   a pinion gear coupled to said container and said at least one container magnet, said pinion gear engaging said rack gear for rotation in correspondence with said movement of said rack gear, wherein said rotation of said pinion gear repositions said at least one container magnet when said sleeve is closest to said open top wherein said movement of said closure element is away from said hole to thereby fix said second position of said closure element wherein said sealing element is disengaged from said hole.   
     
     
         13 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one container magnet comprises:
 a base having a rack of gear teeth for engagement by said pinion gear;   a first container magnet coupled to said base and extending to an outboard end thereof; and   a second container magnet coupled to said base and extending to an outboard end thereof, wherein said outboard end of said first magnet and said outboard end of said second magnet present opposite magnetic polarities.   
     
     
         14 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 12 , wherein said at least one container magnet comprises a single magnet coupled to said pinion gear for rotation therewith, said single magnet having opposing outboard ends presenting opposite magnetic polarities. 
     
     
         15 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 10 , wherein said movement of said at least one container magnet relative to said container comprises linear movement. 
     
     
         16 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 10 , wherein said movement of said at least one container magnet relative to said container comprises rotational movement. 
     
     
         17 . A cup and lid combination, comprising:
 a liquid-holding container having an open top and a closed bottom;   a grip disposed at an exterior surface of said container for movement relative to said container;   at least one container magnet disposed adjacent to said open top of said container for movement relative to said container;   a link assembly coupled to said grip, said container, and said at least one container magnet, said link assembly linking said movement of said grip to said movement of said at least one container magnet;   a drinking lid disposed on said open top of said container, said drinking lid having a hole; and   a closure element coupled to said lid for movement towards and away from said hole, said closure element having a sealing element and a lid magnet coupled to said sealing element, said at least one container magnet and said lid magnet being positioned for magnetic interaction to thereby fix a first position of said closure element when said grip is closest to said closed bottom wherein said sealing element engages said hole, and said at least one container magnet being repositioned by said magnetic interaction when said grip is closest to said open top wherein said movement of said closure element is away from said hole to thereby fix a second position of said closure element wherein said sealing element is disengaged from said hole.   
     
     
         18 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 17 , wherein said link assembly comprises:
 a rack gear coupled to said grip for movement in correspondence with said movement of said grip; and   a pinion gear coupled to said container and said at least one container magnet, said pinion gear engaging said rack gear for rotation in correspondence with said movement of said rack gear, wherein said rotation of said pinion gear repositions said at least one container magnet when said grip is closest to said open top wherein said movement of said closure element is away from said hole to thereby fix said second position of said closure element wherein said sealing element is disengaged from said hole.   
     
     
         19 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 18 , wherein said at least one container magnet comprises:
 a base having a rack of gear teeth for engagement by said pinion gear;   a first container magnet coupled to said base and extending to an outboard end thereof; and   a second container magnet coupled to said base and extending to an outboard end thereof, wherein said outboard end of said first magnet and said outboard end of said second magnet present opposite magnetic polarities.   
     
     
         20 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 18 , wherein said at least one container magnet comprises a single magnet coupled to said pinion gear for rotation therewith, said single magnet having opposing outboard ends presenting opposite magnetic polarities. 
     
     
         21 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 17 , wherein said magnetic interaction that fixes said first position of said closure element comprises magnetic repulsion. 
     
     
         22 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 17 , wherein said magnetic interaction that fixes said second position of said closure element comprises magnetic attraction. 
     
     
         23 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 17 , wherein said movement of said at least one container magnet relative to said container comprises linear movement. 
     
     
         24 . A cup and lid combination as in  claim 17 , wherein said movement of said at least one container magnet relative to said container comprises rotational movement.