Self-closing lid apparatus

A lid for a container having an opening is configured to close the opening. The lid includes a base adapted to fit the container opening and an actuator configured to engage the base. The base includes a deformable portion which, when deformed, will pass the contents of the container therethrough. The actuator is moveable between a closing position and an opening position and is operable to deform the deformable portion such that, when the actuator is in its closing position, the contents of the container are blocked from passing through the deformable portion and, when the actuator is in its opening position, the contents of the container will pass through the deformable portion.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A lid adapted to close a container comprising:

a base adapted to couple to the container,

an actuator including a body portion and a projection extending away from the body portion, and

a resilient seal coupled to the base, the resilient seal providing a projection-receiving aperture, the projection being inserted in the projection-receiving aperture, the projection being coupled to the resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith when the actuator is positioned in a normally closed position relative to the base, the projection being coupled to the resilient seal to deform the resilient seal relative to the closed position to form a flow passage therebetween when the actuator is positioned in an opened position relative to the base.

2. The self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the resilient seal is coupled to the projection to embrace the projection when the actuator is closed and the projection couples to the resilient seal to enlarge the projection-receiving aperture relative to the closed position to form the flow passage when the actuator is opened.

3. The self-closing lid of claim 2, wherein the resilient seal is made of a resilient material so that the resilient seal substantially recovers its shape when the actuator returns to the closed position.

4. The self-closing lid of claim 3, wherein the resilient seal is made of an elastomeric material.

5. The self-closing lid of claim 4, wherein the resilient seal is made of polyolefin.

6. The self-closing lid of claim 4, wherein the resilient seal is made of silicone.

7. The self-closing lid of claim 4, wherein the resilient seal is made of polystyrene.

8. The self-closing lid of claim 2, wherein the resilient seal includes an outer portion that defines the perimeter of the resilient seal and couples to the base and an inner portion that defines the projection-receiving aperture.

9. The self-closing lid of claim 8, wherein the outer portion is elliptically-shaped and the inner portion is circularly-shaped when the actuator is closed.

10. The self-closing lid of claim 8, wherein the projection stretches the projection-receiving aperture to form the flow passage.

11. The self-closing lid of claim 10, wherein a portion of the projection adjoins a portion of the inner portion and an opposite portion of the projection and an opposite portion of the inner portion cooperate to define the flow passage when the actuator is opened.

12. The self-closing lid of claim 10, wherein the projection adjoins the inner portion to stretch the inner portion radially outwardly from the center of the projection-receiving aperture relative to the closed position when the actuator is opened.

13. The self-closing lid of claim 8, wherein the distance between the inner portion and the outer portion in the direction of movement of the projection between the closed and opened positions of the actuator is substantially greater than the thickness of the resilient seal.

14. The self-closing lid of claim 13, wherein the thickness of a portion of the resilient seal is substantially constant when the actuator is closed.

15. The self-closing lid of claim 13, wherein a portion of the resilient seal tapers in thickness when the actuator is closed.

16. The self-closing lid of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the resilient seal is most thick at the inner portion of the resilient seal when the actuator is closed.

17. The self-closing lid of claim 15, wherein the tapered portion of the resilient seal is least thick at the inner portion of the resilient seal when the actuator is closed.

18. The self-closing lid of claim 13, wherein the resilient seal includes portions of alternating thickness when the actuator is closed.

19. The self-closing lid of claim 2, wherein the resilient seal continuously biases the actuator toward the closed position.

20. The self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the actuator is coupled to the base for rotatable movement relative to the base.

21. The self-closing lid of claim 20, wherein the actuator further includes a connector that couples to and extends downwardly from the middle of the body portion and the base is formed to include a connector-receiving aperture, the connector being inserted in the connector-receiving aperture for rotatable movement of the actuator relative to the base.

22. The self-closing lid of claim 20, wherein the body portion includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circular perimeter edge, the perimeter edge being formed to include a notch, the projection being coupled to the resilient seal to enlarge the projection-receiving aperture to form the flow passage between the projection and the resilient seal.

23. The self-closing lid of claim 22, wherein the lower surface of the body portion, the upper surface of the resilient seal, and the base cooperate to form a flow chamber therebetween to permit flow communication between the notch and the flow passage formed between the projection and the resilient seal.

24. The self-closing lid of claim 22, wherein the projection is coupled to the lower surface of the body portion and is disposed offset from an axis extending between the center of the body portion and the center of the notch.

25. The self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the notch is rotated so that the flow passage formed between the projection and the resilient seal is aligned directly below the axis extending between the center of the body portion and the center of the notch when the actuator is opened.

26. The self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the actuator is slidably coupled to the base for movement of the body portion along a longitudinal axis of the body portion relative to the base.

27. The self-closing lid of claim 26, wherein the base includes at least one L-shaped guide tab that slidably couples to the actuator for the longitudinal movement of the body portion relative to the base.

28. The self-closing lid of claim 26, wherein the body portion includes a lateral edge and the body portion, the resilient seal, and the base cooperate to form a flow chamber therebetween to permit flow communication between the lateral edge of the body portion and the flow passage formed between the projection and the resilient seal.

29. The self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the actuator is pivotally coupled to the base and is adapted to receive an actuating force sufficient to position the actuator in the opened position.

30. The self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the actuator further includes a lever that couples to and extends from the body portion, the lever being adapted to receive an actuating force sufficient to position the actuator in the opened position.

31. The self-closing lid of claim 30, wherein the body portion of the actuator includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the lever being coupled to the upper surface.

32. The self-closing lid of claim 30, wherein the lever is pivotally coupled to the base and to the body portion.

33. The self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the projection includes a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end being coupled to the body portion of the actuator.

34. The self-closing lid of claim 33, wherein the projection is cylindrically-shaped so that the projection has a circular cross-section.

35. The self-closing lid of claim 33, wherein the projection includes a cylindrically-shaped first portion and a conically-shaped second portion, the first portion being coupled to the resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith when the actuator is closed, the second portion being coupled to the resilient seal to enlarge the projection-receiving aperture relative to the closed position to form the flow passage when the actuator is opened.

36. The self-closing lid of claim 35, wherein the second portion includes a plurality of fingers, the plurality of fingers and the resilient seal cooperating to form a plurality of flow passages therebetween when the actuator is opened.

37. The self-closing lid of claim 35, wherein the first portion extends from the proximal end of the projection to the second portion and the second portion extends from the first portion to the distal end of the projection.

38. The self-closing lid of claim 35, wherein the second portion extends from the proximal end of the projection to the first portion and the first portion extends from the second portion to the distal end of the projection.

39. A self-closing lid adapted for a container comprising:

a base adapted to fit an opening of the container and to couple to the container to form a flow-tight seal therewith,

an actuator including a projection, and

a resilient seal coupled to the base, the projection being coupled to the resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith when the actuator is positioned in a normally closed position relative to the base, the projection deforming the resilient seal relative to the closed position to form a flow passage therebetween when the actuator is positioned in an opened position relative to the base, the resilient seal biasing the actuator toward the closed position.

40. The self-closing lid of claim 39, further comprising a second resilient seal and wherein the actuator further includes a second projection, the second projection being coupled to the second resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith when the actuator is closed, the second projection deforming the second resilient seal relative to the closed position to form a flow passage therebetween when the actuator is opened, the second resilient seal biasing the actuator toward the closed position.

41. The self-closing lid of claim 40, wherein each resilient seal includes an outer portion and an inner portion, each outer portion being coupled to the base, each inner portion defining a projection-receiving aperture, each projection being positioned to lie within the respective projection-receiving aperture.

42. The self-closing lid of claim 41, wherein each inner portion embraces the respective projection so that each inner portion adjoins the respective projection therearound when the actuator is closed.

43. The self-closing lid of claim 41, wherein each projection is coupled to the respective resilient seal to stretch the respective inner portion relative to the closed position to form the respective flow passage when the actuator is opened.

44. The self-closing lid of claim 40, wherein the resilient seals are positioned to lie in co-planar relation to each other when the actuator is closed.

45. The self-closing lid of claim 40,wherein the actuator further includes a body portion, the projections being coupled to the body portion and positioned to lie offset from a diametrical axis of the body portion, the projections being moved arcuately relative to the center of the body portion between the closed and opened positions of the actuator.

46. The self-closing lid of claim 40, wherein the actuator includes a body portion having a longitudinal axis, the projections being coupled to the body portion and positioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to each other along the longitudinal axis of the body portion, the projections being moved along the longitudinal axis of the body portion relative to the base between the closed and opened positions of the actuator.

47. The self-closing lid of claim 39, wherein the resilient seal is formed to include a projection-receiving aperture, the projection being positioned to lie within the projection-receiving aperture, the projection being moved along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the projection-receiving aperture between the closed and opened positions of the actuator.

48. A self-closing lid adapted to couple to a container comprising:

a base adapted to extend across an opening of the container and to couple to the container,

a resilient portion coupled to the base and formed to include an aperture, and

actuation means, including a projection that is positioned to engage the aperture, for deforming the resilient portion between a normal no-flow position when the projection couples to the resilient portion to form a flow-tight seal therewith and a flow position when the projection deforms the resilient portion relative to the no-flow position to form a flow passage therebetween.

49. The self-closing lid of claim 48, wherein the resilient portion includes a portion that defines the aperture, the portion defining the aperture adjoining the projection therearound when the resilient portion is positioned in the no-flow position, the projection being coupled to the resilient portion to stretch the portion of the resilient portion defining the aperture to enlarge the aperture relative to the no-flow position to form the flow passage when the resilient portion is positioned in the flow position.

50. The self-closing lid of claim 49, wherein the projection moves a portion of the portion of the resilient portion defining the aperture away from an opposite portion of the portion of the resilient portion defining the aperture during movement of the resilient portion from the no-flow position to the flow position.

51. The self-closing lid of claim 49, wherein the projection moves the portion of the resilient portion defining the aperture radially outwardly from the center of the aperture during movement of the resilient portion from the no-flow position to the flow position.

52. The self-closing lid of claim 48, wherein the resilient portion is made of a resilient material so that the resilient portion is biased toward the no-flow position.

53. The self-closing lid of claim 52, wherein the resilient portion is made of an elastomeric material.

54. The self-closing lid of claim 48, further comprising a second resilient portion coupled to the base and formed to include an aperture and wherein the actuation means further includes a second projection that is coupled to the second resilient portion and is positioned to lie within the aperture of the second resilient portion.

55. A lid for a container having an opening, the lid being proportioned and designed to close the opening, the lid comprising:

a base adapted to fit the container opening, the base having a deformable portion which, when deformed, will pass the contents of the container therethrough, and

an actuator being moveable between a closing position and an opening position, the actuator being operable to deform the deformable portion such that, when the actuator is in its closing position, the contents of the container are blocked from passing through the deformable portion and, when the actuator is in its opening position, the contents of the container pass through the deformable portion.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a self-closing lid for a container. The lid includes an aperture and an actuator that is moved to operate the aperture to dispense the contents of the container. The self-closing lid of the present invention may be used, for example, to dispense fluid, and, specifically, beverages for consumption. It is to be understood that the self-closing lid of the present invention is not limited to being used as a beverage dispenser but may be used to dispense other types of materials, such as non-liquids, powders, granulated materials, pelletized materials, etc., from any type of container, if desired.

The ability to mass produce self-closing lids cost-efficiently depends upon many factors. Such cost-efficiency factors include, for example, the number of parts that comprise the self-closing lid, the types of materials of which the self-closing lid is made, and the quantity of such materials. Optimizing any of these cost-efficiency factors may offer competitive advantages. The current invention presents a self-closing lid that minimizes the number of parts that form the self-closing lid. Furthermore, the bulk of the material used in the self-closing lid (i.e., polypropylene) is cost-efficient compared to other materials such as polycarbonate. Moreover, the amount of the most expensive material (i.e., polyolefin) used in the self-closing lid is limited to enhance the cost-efficiency of producing the self-closing lid.

The lid of the present invention comprises a base adapted to fit a container, an actuator coupled to the base and including a body portion and a projection extending away from the body portion, and a resilient seal coupled to the base. The resilient seal is arranged to form a projection-receiving aperture. The projection is inserted in the projection-receiving aperture. The projection is coupled to the resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith when the actuator is normally positioned in a closed position relative to the base. The projection is coupled to the resilient seal to deform the resilient seal relative to the closed position to form a flow passage therebetween when the actuator is positioned in an opened position relative to the base.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises a base adapted to extend across an opening of a container and to couple to the container to form a flow-tight seal therewith, an actuator coupled to the base and including a projection, and a resilient seal coupled to the base. The projection is coupled to the resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith when the actuator is normally positioned in a closed position relative to the base. The projection deforms the resilient seal relative to the closed position to form a flow passage therebetween when the actuator is positioned in an opened position relative to the base. The resilient seal biases the actuator toward the closed position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises a base adapted to extend across an opening of a container and to couple to the container to form a flow-tight seal therewith, a resilient seal coupled to the base and formed to include an aperture, and actuation means, including a projection that is positioned to lie within the aperture and is coupled to the resilient seal, for deforming the resilient seal between a normal no-flow position when the projection couples to the resilient seal to form a flow-tight seal therewith and a flow position when the projection deforms the resilient seal relative to the no-flow position to form a flow passage therebetween.

In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, the lid is adapted for a container having an opening and proportioned and designed to close the opening. The lid comprises a base adapted to fit the container opening, the base having a deformable portion which, when deformed, will pass the contents of the container therethrough, and an actuator configured to engage the base and being moveable between a closing position and an opening position, the actuator being operable to deform the deformable portion such that, when the actuator is in its closing position, the contents of the container are blocked from passing through the deformable portion and, when the actuator is in its opening position, the contents of the container will pass through the deformable portion.

Additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container including a receptacle and a self-closing lid coupled to the receptacle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the lid of FIG. 1 showing the lid including a "rotation-action" actuator, a base, and a pair of elliptical resilient seals, the actuator including a body portion formed to include a pair of curved notches, a lever, pair of projections (shown in phantom), and a connector (shown in phantom), the centers of the pair of projections being slightly offset from a diametrical axis of the body portion that extends between the mid-points of curved notches and through the center of body portion and aligning with a pair of projection-receiving apertures formed within the resilient seals when the actuator is closed, the connector aligning with a connector-receiving aperture formed within the base;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the actuator of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the base and the pair of resilient seals of FIG. 2, the base including a circular plate and a rim, the resilient seals being slightly offset from a diametrical axis of the plate;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the lid taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 2 showing the connector positioned to lie in the connector-receiving aperture to couple the body portion of the actuator to the base, the body portion of the actuator and the plate of the base cooperating to form a chamber therebetween permitting communication between the curved notches and the resilient seals, the projections being positioned to lie in the projection-receiving apertures defined by the resilient seals to form a flow-tight seal therewith;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lid along line 6--6 of FIG. 5, with portions taken away, showing one of the projections and one of the resilient seals in the opened position, the projection having stretched the resilient seal to enlarge the projection-receiving aperture relative to the closed position to form a flow passage therebetween to permit fluid to flow through the resilient seal,

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the area within the dashed box of FIG. 6 showing a portion of one of the resilient seals connected to a well of the base;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 2 showing the lid in a normally closed position, each resilient seal embracing the respective projection therearound so that fluid is blocked from passing through either resilient seal;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 8 showing the lid in an opened position, the actuator having been rotated clockwise relative to the base so that each projection presses against a portion of the respective resilient seal away from an opposite portion of the respective resilient to form a flow passage between each projection and the respective resilient seal;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view similar to FIG. 9 showing the lid in an opened position, the actuator having been rotated counter-clockwise relative to the base so that each projection presses against a portion of the respective resilient seal away from an opposite portion of the respective resilient to form a flow passage therebetween;

FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the lid showing the lid including a "push-action" actuator, a base, and a pair of elliptical resilient seals, the actuator including a body portion, a lever, and a pair of projections (shown in phantom) that align with a pair of projection-receiving apertures formed within the resilient seals;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 11 showing the lid in the opened position so that so that each projection presses a portion of the respective resilient seal away from an opposite portion of the respective resilient to form a flow passage therebetween;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 11, with portions taken away, showing the lid in the opened position so that so that each projection presses against a portion of the respective resilient seal away from an opposite portion of the respective resilient to form a flow passage therebetween;

FIG. 14 is a perspective exploded view of an alternative embodiment of the lid showing the lid including a "pull-action" actuator, a base, and a pair of elliptical resilient seals, the actuator including a body portion, a lever, and a pair of projections (shown in phantom) that align with a pair of projection-receiving apertures formed with the resilient seals;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 14 showing the lid in the opened position so that so that each projection presses a portion of the respective resilient seal away from an opposite portion of the respective resilient to form a flow passage therebetween;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the lid of FIG. 14, with portions taken away, showing the lid in the opened position so that so that each projection presses against a portion of the respective resilient seal away from an opposite portion of the respective resilient to form a flow passage therebetween;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the lid showing the lid in the closed position, the lid including a "lift-action" actuator, a base, and an elliptical resilient seal, the actuator including a body portion, a lever, and a projection positioned to lie within a projection-receiving aperture formed within the resilient seal;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the lid taken along the line 18--18 of FIG. 17 showing the lid in the closed position, the projection including a cylindrical plug portion coupled to the body portion and a conical cage portion, the resilient seal embracing the plug portion therearound to prohibit fluid from passing through the resilient seal;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view of the projection of FIG. 18, the cage portion being formed to include a plurality of fingers and an annular stopper, the plurality of fingers and the stopper being arranged to form a plurality of orifices;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 18 showing the lid in the opened position, the projection being lifted so that the plurality of fingers of the conical cage portion and the resilient cooperate to define a plurality of flow passages to permit fluid to pass through the resilient seal;

FIG. 21 is a perspective of another embodiment of the lid showing the lid in the closed position, the lid including a "push-down-action" actuator, a base, and an elliptical resilient seal, the actuator including a body portion and a projection positioned to lie within a projection-receiving aperture formed within the resilient seal;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the lid taken along the line 22--22 of FIG. 21 showing the lid in the closed position, the projection including a cylindrical plug portion and a conical cage portion coupled to the body portion, the cage portion being formed to include a plurality of fingers, the plurality of fingers being arranged to form a plurality of orifices, the resilient seal embracing the plug portion therearound to prohibit fluid from passing through the resilient seal;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged view of the projection and the resilient seal of FIG. 22 showing the resilient seal (shown in section) embracing the plug portion of the projection therearound in the closed position;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 22 showing the lid in the opened position, the projection having been "pushed down" so that the cage portion couples to the resilient seal to form a first set of flow passages below the resilient seal and a second set of flow passages above the resilient seal;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the projection and the resilient seal of FIG. 24 showing the cage portion of the projection coupling to the resilient seal (shown in section) so that fluid can flow through the resilient seal by passing through the first and second sets of flow passages;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the resilient seal of the present invention showing the resilient seal including alternating thick and thin portions;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the resilient seal of the present invention showing the resilient seal tapering in thickness toward an inner section.

FIG. 28 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the resilient seal of the present invention showing the resilient seal tapering in thickness from an inner portion.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the projection of the present invention having a pear shape.

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the projection of the present invention having a dumb bell shape.

FIG. 31 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the projection of the present invention having an hourglass shape.

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the projection of the present invention having a substantially uniform thickness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An upstanding container 10 including a receptacle 12 and a self-closing lid 14 according to the present invention is shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Receptacle 12 is formed to include an interior region for holding the contents of container 10. Lid 14 is coupled to receptacle 12 to dispense the contents of container 10 from the interior region of receptacle 12 through one of a first resilient seal 16 and a second resilient seal 18, shown in FIG. 2, to the exterior region of receptacle 12 in a controlled fashion.

For all embodiments of the present invention, the lid is self-closing so that the lid is normally positioned in a closed, or no-flow, position by at least one resilient seal of the lid so that the lid prohibits the contents of the container from passing out of the receptacle. A user can apply an actuating force sufficient to move the lid to an opened position. In so doing, the at least one resilient seal is deformed so that the contents of the container can pass through the at least one resilient seal out of the receptacle. (The term "deform" in this specification refers to altering the size or shape, or both, of an object.) Upon removal of the actuating force, the at least one resilient seal automatically urges the lid back to the closed position.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, container 10 is a drinking mug, for example, and the interior region of receptacle 12 holds beverages for consumption by a user. Receptacle 12 includes an opening permitting beverages to be poured into the interior region or removed from the interior region. Lid 14 is coupled to an upper end of receptacle 12 to cover the opening of receptacle 12.

Lid 14 includes a rigid "rotation-action" actuator 20 (or actuation means), a rigid base 22, first resilient seal 16, and second resilient seal 18 as shown in FIG. 2. Actuator 20 is rotatably coupled to base 22 and movably coupled to resilient seals 16, 18. Base 22 is coupled to receptacle 12 to provide a flow-tight seal therewith. Resilient seals 16, 18 are chemically and heat bond to base 22. That lid 14 requires so few parts enhances the cost-efficiency of lid 14.

The materials used for lid 14 and the relative quantities of such materials enhance the cost-efficiency of lid 14. Both actuator 20 and base 22 are made of a thermoplastic material. The currently preferred material of actuator 20 and base 22 is polypropylene. Polypropylene is a rather inexpensive material compared to such materials as polycarbonate, which aids in reducing the overall cost of lid 14 especially considering that actuator 20 and base 22 form much of the structure of lid 14. It is to be understood that actuator 20 and base 22 can also be made of polyethylene. Resilient seals 16, 18 are made of an elastomeric material. The currently preferred material for resilient seals 16, 18 is polyolefin. Although the cost of the material of resilient seals 16, 18 is typically greater than the cost of the materials of actuator 20 and base 22, the cost of the material of resilient seals 16, 18 is minimized since resilient seals 16, 18 require less material than actuator 20 or base 22. It is to be understood that the use of other elastomeric materials, such as silicone and polystyrene, for resilient seals 16, 18 is within the scope of the present invention.

Actuator 20 integrally includes a horizontal, generally circular body portion 24, a lever 26, first projection 28, second projection 30, a connector 32, and a perimeter lip 34 as shown in FIG. 3. Actuator 20 provides an ergonomic mechanism for opening lid 14.

Body portion 24 is configured to nest within base 22 and includes an upper surface 36, a lower surface 38, and a generally circular perimeter edge 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Upper and lower surfaces 36, 38 are substantially flat. Perimeter edge 40 is formed to include a pair of curved notches 42, 44 that are positioned to lie in diametrical opposition to each other so that the centers of curved notches 42, 44 (i.e., the mid-points along the respective position of perimeter edge 40 that forms curved notches 42, 44) are positioned to lie along a diametrical axis 46 of body portion 24 (hereinafter referred to as actuator diametrical axis 46). Taking lever 26 to lie at the six o'clock position, actuator diametrical axis 46 extends between the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions.

Lever 26 includes a first wall 48, a second wall 50, an end wall 52, and a curved top edge 54 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Top edge 54 curves upwardly away from upper surface 36 of body portion 24 of actuator 20 and radially outwardly to end wall 52. Top edge 54 joins the tops of first and second walls 48, 50 that are fixedly coupled to upper surface 36 of body portion 24 of actuator 20 and extend upwardly from and radially outwardly from upper surface 36 of body portion 24 to end wall 52. End wall 52 extends downwardly from top edge 54 and between first and second walls 48, 50.

Projections 28, 30 each include a proximal end 56, a distal end 58, and a wall 60 extending between proximal and distal ends 56, 58 as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. Proximal ends 56 are fixedly coupled to lower surface 38 of body portion 24. Walls 60 are cylindrically-shaped so that the cross-section of each projection 28, 30 is circular. Walls 60 each include an outer surface 62 and an inner surface 64 such that outer surface 62 has a diameter greater than inner surface 64.

Each projection 28, 30 is positioned to lie adjacent to respective curved notch 42, 44 of body portion 24 as shown in FIG. 3. Projections 28, 30 are positioned to lie radially equidistant from the center of body portion 24. The centers of projections 28, 30 are positioned to lie a distance X perpendicularly away from actuator diametrical axis 46 so that projections are slightly offset from actuator diametrical axis to properly align curved notches 42, 44 during operation of lid 14 as is explained below. Furthermore, projections 28, 30 are positioned to lie in the same semi-circular portion of body portion 24 relative to actuator diametrical axis 46.

Connector 32 includes a proximal end 66, a distal end 68, a cylindrically-shaped wall 70, and a ridge 72 as shown in FIG. 5. Connector 32 is positioned to lie in concentric relation to perimeter edge 40 of body portion 24. Proximal end 66 is coupled to lower surface 38 of body portion 24 of actuator 20. Wall 70 extends between proximal and distal ends 66, 68. Ridge 72 is coupled to wall at distal end 68 of connector 32 and extends radially outwardly from and circumferentially around wall 70.

Perimeter lip 34 is coupled to and extends downwardly from a segments of perimeter edge 40 of body portion 24 of actuator 20 as shown in FIG. 3. Perimeter lip 34 includes first, second, and third portions 74, 76, 78. Curved notches 42, 44 physically separate first portion 74 from second and third portions 76, 78. Lever 26 physically separates second portion 76 from third portion 78. Each of first, second, and third portions 74, 76, 78 of perimeter lip includes an end surface 80.

Base 22 integrally includes a horizontal circular plate 82 extending across the opening of receptacle 12 and a rim 84 coupling to the perimeter of plate 82 as shown in FIG. 4.

Rim 84 couples base 22 to receptacle 12 in a conventional manner so that a flow-tight seal is formed between rim 84 and receptacle 12. Various mechanisms for coupling base 22 to receptacle 12 are well-known to one skilled in the art. This being so, such coupling will not be described in detail in this specification.

Rim 84 includes a wall 86 and a nosepiece 88 as shown in FIG. 2. Wall 86 of rim 84 couples to and extends upwardly from and circumferentially around the perimeter of plate 82. Wall 86 conventionally couples to the upper end of receptacle 12 to form a substantially flow-tight seal with receptacle 12. Wall of rim 84 is formed to include a U-shaped notch 90 that is positioned to lie diametrically opposite nosepiece 88 and limits the movement of lever 26 relative to base 22. Nosepiece 88 protrudes radially outwardly from wall 86 and provides a platform for a user's fingers to dislodge base 22 from receptacle 12.

Plate 82 includes an inner plateau 92, a first outer plateau 94, a second outer plateau 96, a first well 98, and a second well 100 as shown in FIG. 4.

Inner plateau 92 is defined by first and second convex walls 102, 104 and first and second concave walls 106, 108. First and second convex walls 102, 104 are positioned to lie in diametrical opposition to each other around a central axis 110 extending through the center of plate 82. First convex wall 102 is longer than second convex wall 104. Taking the radially outermost point of nosepiece 88 relative to central axis 110 to lie at the twelve o'clock position, first and second concave walls 106, 108 are positioned so that the mid-points of first and second concave walls 106, 108 are slightly offset an equal distance from an axis 112 of plate 82 that extends between the three o'clock and nine o'clock positions of plate 82 through central axis 110 (axis 112 being hereinafter referred to as plate diametrical axis 112).

Inner plateau 92 includes an upper surface 114 and a lower surface 116 and is formed to include a circular connector-receiving aperture 118 that is centered in plate 82 so that central axis 110 passes through the center of connector-receiving aperture 118 as shown in FIG. 5. Connector-receiving aperture 118 is sized to receive connector 32 of actuator 20. Upper surface 114 of inner plateau 92 is positioned to lie in sliding bearing contact with lower surface 38 of body portion 24 of actuator 20.

Inner plateau 92 couples to connector 32 of actuator 20 as shown in FIG. 5. Ridge 72 of connector 32 has a slightly larger diameter than the diameter of connector-receiving aperture 118. In coupling connector 32 to inner plateau 92, connector 32 is positioned over connector-receiving aperture 118 and actuator 20 is pressed onto inner plateau 92 so that ridge 72 slips through connector-receiving aperture 118 and couples to lower surface 116 of inner plateau 92 to provide a snap connection between actuator 20 and base 22 and to rotatably couple actuator 20 to base 22. In this position, body portion 24 and plate 82 share central axis 110 as a common axis extending through the centers thereof. Body portion 24 rotates around central axis 110.

Outer plateaus 94, 96 are arcuately-shaped and positioned to lie in concentric relation to convex walls 102, 104 and connector-receiving aperture 118 as shown in FIG. 4. Each outer plateau 94, 96 includes an upper surface 120, 122 that is positioned to lie in co-planar relation to each other. Upper surfaces 120, 122 are positioned to lie lower than upper surface 114 of inner plateau 92. Upper surface 120 of first outer plateau 94 is positioned to lie in sliding bearing contact with end surface 80 of first portion 74 of perimeter lip 34 of actuator 20. Upper surface 122 of second outer plateau 96 is positioned to lie in sliding bearing contact with end surfaces 80 of second and third portions 76, 78 of perimeter lip 34 of actuator 20. The sliding bearing contact provided between upper surfaces 120, 122 of outer plateaus 94, 96 and end surfaces 80 of perimeter lip 34 helps to rigidify and keep flat body portion 24 of actuator 20.

First outer plateau 94 includes an outer edge 124, an inner edge 126, a first concave wall 128, and a second concave wall 129. A portion of the perimeter of plate 82 defines outer edge 124. First convex wall 102 of inner plateau 92 defines inner edge 126 of first outer plateau 94. First concave wall 128 extends between outer and inner edges 124, 126 at one end of first outer plateau 94 and outer and inner edges 124, 126 at an opposite end of first outer plateau 94.

Second outer plateau 96 includes an outer edge 132, an inner edge 134, a first concave wall 136, and a second concave wall 138. A portion of the perimeter of plate 82 defines outer edge 132. Second convex wall 104 of inner plateau 92 defines inner edge 134 of second outer plateau 96. First concave wall 136 extends between outer and inner edges 132, 134 at one end of second outer plateau 96 and outer and inner edges 132, 134 at an opposite end of second outer plateau 96.

Wells 98, 100 are elliptically-shaped and each is formed to include an elliptically-shaped seal-receiving aperture 142 as shown in FIG. 4. Wells 98, 100 are positioned to lie in spaced-apart co-planar relation to each other. The centers of wells are positioned to lie radially equidistant from central axis 110 and perpendicularly equidistant from plate diametrical axis 112 so that wells 98, 100 are slightly offset from plate diametrical axis 112. Furthermore, the centers of wells are positioned to lie in the same semi-circular portion of plate 82 as second outer plateau 96 relative to plate diametrical axis 112.

First well 98 includes an outer edge 146, an inner edge 148, an upper surface 154, and a lower surface 156. A portion of the perimeter of plate 82, first concave wall 128 of first outer plateau 94, first concave wall 106 of inner plateau 92, and first concave wall 136 of second outer plateau 96 cooperate to define outer edge 146 of first well 98. Upper surface 154 extends between outer edge 146 and inner edge 148 and is positioned to lie lower than inner plateau 92 and outer plateaus 94, 96. Inner edge 148 defines seal-receiving aperture 142 and includes a tongue 158 that extends around inner edge 148. Tongue 158 provides additional surface area to which resilient seal 16 couples. Inner edge 148 is positioned to lie in concentric relation to outer edge 146.

Second well 100 is structurally similar to first well 98 so that like reference numbers refer to like structures. A portion of the perimeter of plate 82, second concave wall 129 of first outer plateau 94, second concave wall 108 of inner plateau 92, and second concave wall 138 of second outer plateau 96 cooperate to define outer edge 146 of second well 100. Upper surface 154 of second well 100 is positioned to lie lower than inner plateau 92 and outer plateaus 94, 96. Inner edge 148 of second well 100 defines seal-receiving aperture 142 of second well 100 and includes tongue 158 that extends around inner edge 148. Inner edge 148 is positioned to lie in concentric relation to outer edge 146.

Resilient seals 16, 18 each nests within respective seal-receiving aperture 142 and couple to inner edge 148 of respective well 98, 100 as shown in FIGS. 4-7. Resilient seals 16, 18 are positioned to lie horizontally and in co-planar relation to each other. Because resilient seals 16, 18 are made of an elastomeric material, resilient seals 16, 18 possess the quality of being resilient so that resilient seals 16, 18 have the ability to deform when influenced by a deforming force or stress and to substantially recover their size and shape when the deforming force or stress is removed. The material of resilient seals 16, 18 may possess a minimal amount of memory so that resilient seals 16, 18 may experience some change in size and shape after being repeatedly or continuously deformed. The elastomeric material of resilient seals 16, 18 are also somewhat soft so that each resilient seal is able to conform, at least in part, to the shape of that which deforms it.

First resilient seal 16 includes a rim region 160, a web region 162, an upper surface 164, and a lower surface 166 as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Rim region 160 is positioned to lie along the perimeter of web region 162. Rim region 160 includes an outer portion 168 that bonds to inner edge 148 of first well 98 as previously described. Web region 162 includes an inner portion 170 that defines a projection-receiving aperture 172. First projection 28 nests within projection-receiving aperture 172. The diameter of outer surface 62 of wall 60 of first projection 28 is slightly greater than the diameter of projection-receiving aperture 172 when nothing is positioned in projection-receiving aperture 172 so that first projection 28 couples to inner portion 170 to form a flow-tight seal therewith when actuator 20 is closed. Upper surface 164 of first resilient seal 16 is generally flat and is positioned to lie flush with upper surface 154 of first well 98 so that upper surfaces 154 and 164, first concave walls 106, 128, and 136, and lower surface 38 of body portion 24 of actuator 20 cooperate to define a first flow chamber 176 therebetween. First flow chamber 176 permits communication between first resilient seal 16 and curved notch 42 of body portion 24. Lower surface 166 of first resilient seal 16 includes a lower rim surface 178 and a lower web surface 180. Lower rim surface 178 is positioned to lie flush with lower surface 156 of first well 98. Lower web surface 180 is recessed relative to lower rim surface 178. Rim and web regions 160, 162 each have a constant thickness. The thickness of rim region 160 is greater than the thickness of web region 162.

Second resilient seal 18 is structurally similar to first resilient seal 16 so that like reference numbers refer to like structures as shown in FIG. 5. Inner portion 170 of second resilient seal 18 defines projection-receiving aperture 172 of second resilient seal 18. Second projection 30 nests within projection-receiving aperture 172 of second resilient seal. The diameter of outer surface 62 of wall 60 of second projection 30 is slightly greater than the diameter of projection-receiving aperture 172 when nothing is positioned in projection-receiving aperture 172 so that second projection 30 couples to inner portion 170 of second resilient seal 18 to form a flow-tight seal therewith when actuator 20 is closed. Upper surface 164 of second resilient seal 18 is generally flat and is positioned to lie flush with upper surface 154 of second well 100 so that upper surfaces 154 and 164, second concave walls 108, 129, and 138, and lower surface 38 of body portion 24 of actuator 20 cooperate to define a second flow chamber therebetween 182. Second flow chamber 182 permits communication between second resilient seal 18 and curved notch 44 of body portion 24. Lower rim surface 178 is positioned to lie flush with lower surface 156 of second well 100.

The centers of projection-receiving apertures 172 are positioned to lie a distance X perpendicularly away from plate diametrical axis 112, as shown in FIG. 4, so that each projection 28, 30 aligns with respective projection-receiving aperture 172 when the actuator is closed.

Co-injection molding is, illustratively, used to couple each resilient seal 16, 18 to inner edge 148 of respective well 98, 100 so that chemical and heat bonds exist between each resilient seal 16, 18 and respective inner edge 148.

First well 98, second well 100, and second outer plateau 96 cooperate to define an arcuately-shaped narrow first trench 150 that interconnects both seal-receiving apertures 142 as shown in FIG. 4. Trench 150 permits the use of only one injection port to introduce the elastomeric material of resilient seals 16, 18 during manufacture. Trench 150 may also remain filled with elastomeric material after manufacture.

First well 98 and first outer plateau 94 cooperate to define a small, narrow second trench 151 as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, second well 100 and outer plateau 94 cooperate to define a small, narrow third trench 152. Second and third trenches 151, 152 provide an escape hatch for gases from the elastomeric material during manufacture. Some elastomeric material may remain in second and third trenches 151, 152 after manufacture.

In operation, actuator 20 is rotatable relative to base 22 between the closed, or no-flow, position, as shown in FIG. 8, to the opened, or flow, position, as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

When actuator 20 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 8, each projection 16, 18 is positioned to lie within respective projection-receiving aperture 172 and inner portion 170 of each resilient seal 16, 18 embraces outer surface 62 of wall 60 of respective projection 16, 18 so that each inner portion 170 adjoins respective outer surface 62 therearound to form a substantially flow-tight seal therewith. (The term "adjoin" in this specification means that the subject structures physically contact each other.) In the closed position, plate diametrical axis 112 is positioned to lie directly below actuator diametrical axis 46 so that plate diametrical axis 112 and actuator diametrical axis 46 form a vertical plane therewith. Furthermore, each resilient seal 16, 18 is positioned to lie horizontally and each projection-receiving aperture 172 is positioned to lie in concentric relation to outer portion 168 of respective r