A preload mechanism for an actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the actuator such that contraction of the actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.

A re-sealable container is disclosed having a lid, a body, an attachment mechanism, and a seal. The seal may extend from, or be attached to, the lid and engage at least a portion of the body, such as the side wall, including the body sealing surface and/or the lip. The engagement of the seal and body creates a seal that prevents the ingress of moisture and ambient conditions into an interior space of the body. The attachment mechanism may retain the lid in a seated, closed position on the body. The configuration of the seal and attachment mechanism accommodate a degree of error in the joining and placement of the lid and body while allowing for both the formation of a seal between the lid and body and the locking of the lid when the lid is in a closed position.

A consumer product having a detergent product and a container, the container having a box, a lid for the box, and a lock to maintain the lid in a closed position, where a transversal wall of the box is connected to a specific sidewall and to another sidewall of the box.

A closure includes a pivoting closure cap and a closure base configured to more easily align and securely pivot open without uncoupling. In various embodiments, the pivoting closure cap includes a pair of hinge assemblies including hinge pins pivotable between a closed position and an open position where the pivoting closure cap is opened for pouring. The closure base includes a pair of hinge pin receivers with a hinge pin sockets. The hinge pins located and rotatable within the sockets.

A self-opening container incorporates a child-resistant closure mechanism, which prevents operation of an opening mechanism of the container when the child-resistant (CR) closure mechanism is in a locked configuration. The container includes a container body, lid, and inner casing slidably mounted in an inner cavity of the container body. The opening mechanism is configured to automatically raise the inner casing and open the lid, thereby providing access to container contents. The child-resistant closure mechanism includes a button or bar slidably mounted to the bottom of the container to move between first position and second positions, corresponding to locked and unlocked configurations. The button or bar is coupled to a latch member that abuts against a catch surface of the inner casing when the CR mechanism is in its locked configuration, and does not abut against the catch structure when the CR mechanism is in its unlocked configuration.

A preload mechanism for an actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the actuator such that contraction of the actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.

A lid for a drinking vessel, including a lid base, a moveable arm, and an actuator. The lid base defines a vent opening therethrough. The movable arm is coupled to the lid base. The actuator is accessible from an exterior of the lid base. The movable arm is movable between a sealed position, in which the vent opening is sealed, and a venting position, in which the vent opening is not sealed. The movable arm is biased toward the sealed position. The actuator is movable between a first position and a second position. The movable arm moves from the sealed position to the venting position in response to the actuator moving from the first position to the second position.

Embodiments of the present invention provide for an apparatus that includes a movably attachable trigger portion that is attached to the rim of a beverage container along with a lid portion that is attached to the trigger portion and is placed on top of the rim of the glass. The lid is located along the rim so that it may prevent insects and other foreign material from entering the interior of the glass when not in use. When the user picks up the glass in order to consume the beverage inside or to refill the container, the trigger portion is variously activated allowing the lid to rise off of the rim of the container giving access to the interior of the glass.

A closure (40, 40A, 40B) for use with a container includes a body (54, 54A, 54B) defining a passage (72, 72A, 72B) and a first latch portion (92, 92B). The closure (40, 40A, 40B) has a lid (56, 56A, 56B) defining a deflectable press portion (96, 96A, 96B) that has a connection (100, 100A, 100B) to the closure body (54, 54A, 54B). The lid (56, 56A, 56B) has a cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) including a second latch portion (120, 120A, 120B) for engaging the first latch portion (92, 92B) to releasably hold the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) in a latched closed position in which the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) at least partially occludes the passage (72, 72A, 72B). The lid (56, 56A, 56B) has a biased hinge (104, 104A, 104B) connecting the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) with the press portion (96, 96A, 96B) to accommodate movement of the cover portion (100, 100A, 100B) between the latched closed position and an unlatched open position.

The present invention provides a spout unit for dispensing beverage in a beverage container, comprising a spout and a reinforcement unit overmolded with the spout. The reinforcement unit includes means for reinforcing interlocking of the reinforcement unit with the spout, for example shut off holes and/or depressions, at least a pair of tabs, and one or more outwardly facing longitudinal grooves. This invention also relates to a lid assembly comprising the spout unit, and a beverage container assembly comprising such a lid assembly. Furthermore, this invention provides a method for manufacturing the spout unit.