NOVEL LID ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The present invention is related to a lid assembly, for a container, comprising: a main body, removably mounting to said container, said main body is provided with a receiving chamber and a passage fluidically communicable with the interior of said container; a spout, configured to provide an internal thoroughly-hollow bore and to sit over said passage and to pivotably mounted to said main body in said receiving chamber, such that said spout is movable between a first position where said passage and said bore being communicable and a second position where said passage and said bore being not communicable; a handle, operatively connecting to said spout and to said main body; a connecting member, having a first end movably connecting to said spout and a second end connecting to said handle; and characterized in that, the connection between said spout, said connecting member, and said handle define a linkage system, whereby the movement of said handle actuates the movement of said spout.

Claims

1. A lid assembly, for a container, comprising: a main body, removably mounting to said container, said main body is provided with a receiving chamber and a passage fluidically communicable with the interior of said container; a spout, configured to provide an internal thoroughly-hollow bore and to sit over said passage and to pivotably mounted to said main body in said receiving chamber, such that said spout is movable between a first position where said passage and said bore being communicable and a second position where said passage and said bore being not communicable; a handle, operatively connecting to said spout and to said main body; a connecting member, having a first end movably connecting to said spout and a second end connecting to said handle; and characterized in that, the connection between said spout, said connecting member, and said handle define a linkage system, whereby the movement of said handle actuates the movement of said spout.

2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein said connecting member comprising a first link member and a second link member connecting said first link member, the free end of said first link member connecting said spout and the free end of said second link member connecting said handle.

3. The lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein said free end of said first link member connecting to the lower portion of said spout.

4. The lid assembly according to claim 3, wherein said spout pivotably mounted to the upper portion of said main body.

5. The lid assembly according to claim 2, wherein said free end of said second link member connecting to the lower portion of said handle.

6. The lid assembly according to claim 4, wherein said first link member and said second link member connecting at an angle, preferably an obtuse angle.

7. The lid assembly according to claim 6, wherein said first link member being configured to provide a pair of bifurcated portions.

8. The lid assembly according to claim 5, wherein the upper portion of said main body being profiled to provide said receiving chamber.

9. The lid assembly according to claim 8, wherein the lower portion of said main body being profiled to provide spacing allowing the movement of said handle.

10. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection between said handle and said main body being a pivotal connection.

11. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection between said handle and said main body being a slidable connection.

12. The lid assembly according to claim 11, wherein the internal surface of said main body being provided with a pair of grooves, and said handle being provided with a pair of protrusions fit in said pair of grooves.

13. The lid assembly according to claim 8, wherein said passage being arranged at the lower portion of said main body.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be explained, with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with a lid assembly constructed according to a first embodiment of the invention in the locked configuration;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the locked configuration;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the unlocked configuration;

[0021] FIGS. 4A and 4B are exploded views of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in different angles of perspective;

[0022] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the fully closed configuration;

[0023] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the partially open configuration;

[0024] FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in the fully open configuration;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view in cross-section of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 1 in closed configuration;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container with a lid assembly constructed according to a second embodiment of the invention in the locked configuration;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in the locked configuration;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in the unlocked configuration;

[0029] FIGS. 10A and 10B are exploded views of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in different angles of perspective;

[0030] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in the fully closed configuration;

[0031] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in the partially open configuration;

[0032] FIG. 11C is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in the fully open configuration;

[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view in cross-section of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 7 in closed configuration;

[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a lid assembly constructed according to a third embodiment of the present invention in the locked configuration;

[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 13 in the unlocked configuration;

[0036] FIGS. 15A and 15B are exploded views of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 13 in different angles of perspective;

[0037] FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 13 in the fully closed configuration;

[0038] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 13 in the partially open configuration;

[0039] FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly shown in FIG. 13 in the fully open configuration;

[0040] FIGS. 17A and 17B are exploded views of a lid assembly constructed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in different angles of perspective;

[0041] FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of the fourth embodiment in the fully closed configuration;

[0042] FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of the fourth embodiment in the partially open configuration; and

[0043] FIG. 18C is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of the fourth embodiment in the fully open configuration

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The present invention is now presented by way of examples with reference to the figures in the following paragraphs. Objects, features, and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in or are apparent from the following description. It shall be understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art that the following description is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.

[0045] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present invention shall have the usual meanings understood by person with ordinary skills in the art to which the present invention belongs. First, second and similar expression used in the embodiments of the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Front, rear, left, right, upper, and lower and other terms indicating orientation or similar terms are only described for the exemplary relative positional relationship shown in the drawings to facilitate the understanding. It does not limit the disclosed components in the present invention can only follow this specific relative positional relationship. Connect or the like, mount or the like or secure or the like or assemble or the like is not limited to physical or mechanical connections, whether direct or indirect.

[0046] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a container assembly 1 comprising a container 20 and a lid assembly 10 placed thereon. The container 20 has a top opening. The lid assembly 10 can be configured to connect to the container 20 for removably covering the top opening. The container 20 is used to contain or store contents such as liquid and may be of any type known in the art. The lid assembly 10 comprises a main body 11, a spout 30 mounted to the main body 11, and a lever system 40.

[0047] The main body 11 is formed by connecting an upper lid 111 with a lower lid 112, and the lower lid 112 is adapted to be removably attached to the opening of the container 20. For example, the lower lid 112 has internal threads formed on an inner surface thereof, which internal threads cooperate with external threads formed on an outer surface of the wall component of the container 20 to secure the lid assembly to the container. FIGS. 4A and 4B show the upper lid 111 and the lower lid 112 in great details. As shown, the upper lid 111 has a receiving chamber 114 to accommodate the spout 30 in place when it is fully folded (see FIG. 2), and a locking member 115 to engage the folded spout 30. A passage 113 extends through the lower lid 112 and protrudes into or is open to the receiving chamber 114. The lower lid 112 has a recess 116 that is running therethrough on the side opposite to the passage 113. The facing outwardly recess 116 is sized to allow for movement of the lever system 40 which can pivot to displace in the region of the recess 116. This will be discussed herein below.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the passage 113 formed therethrough the lower lid 112 is in fluid communication with the spout 30 and in fluid communication with the opening of the container 20 for allowing the liquid contained in the container 20 to flow out of the container 20 through the spout 30. In this embodiment, the spout 30 is made from an elastic material like silicone and provided as one piece. The spout 30 comprises an orifice 301, a base 302 and an internal hollow bore 303 extending from the orifice 301 through the base 302. The spout 30 is mounted in a way that the spout 30 can be moved between a first position where the spout 30 is outwardly exposed and a second position where the spout 30 is received in the receiving chamber 114. Specifically, the base 302 is mounted on the upper lid 111 via a first pivot 304 and is pivotal between the first position (see FIG. 3) where the hollow bore 303 is in alignment with the passage 113 and the opening of the container 20 to dispense the fluid, and the second position (see FIG. 2) where the hollow bore 303 misaligns from the passage 113 and thus from the opening of the container 20 to prevent the fluid from dispensing from the container 20. Advantageously, a silicone member 50, like a pad, is placed between the base 302 of the spout 30 and the passage 113 to create a sealing effect to prevent leakage of the fluid.

[0049] In this embodiment, the lever system 40 comprises a first link member 41 having a first pivot end 411, a second link member 42 fixed to the first link member 41 and having a second pivot end 421, and a handle 43. Advantageously, in the present invention, the first link member 41 and the second link member 42 can be integrally formed. Preferably, the first link member 41 and the second link member 42 are formed integrally. As illustrated, the first link member 41 and the second link member 42 are connected at an angle, such as at an obtuse angle. The first pivot end 411 of the first link member 41 is articulated to the spout 30 at a position adjacent to the base 302 via a second pivot 305, and the second link member 42 is articulated at the second pivot end 421 to a lower end of the handle 43 on the inner surface thereof. Such configuration provides better force transmission from the handle to the spout. The handle 43 is pivotally coupled at its upper part to the upper lid 111 such that the handle 43 is able to pivot relative to the main body 11. The first link member 41 protrudes beyond the recess 116 and laterally extends above the lower lid 112 and beneath the locking member 115 of the upper lid 111, which allows for free movement of the first link member 41 without hindrance. The recess 116 is sized to allow for displacement of the second link member 42 and the handle 43 therein when they carry out the pivotal movement.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, there is illustrated the pivotal movement of the spout 30 from the fully folded position to the fully open position. In the specification, the fully folded position of the spout and the second position of the spout are interchangeable; the fully open position of the spout and the first position of the spout are interchangeable. As discussed above, the first link member 41 and the second link member 42 are respectively articulated to the spout 30 and the lower end of the handle 43. FIG. 5A shows the spout 30 is in the fully folded position where the hollow bore 303 is completely deviated from the passage 113, and the fluid communication between the passage 113, namely the interior of the container 20, and the exterior of the container 20 is closed or blocked. In this case, no dispensing of the fluid contained in the container 20 is allowed. When an inward pressure is applied to the lower part of the handle 43 (see FIG. 5B), the second link member 42 coupled to the lower end of the handle 43 is caused to pivot and displace inwardly and upwardly in the recess 116 and at the same time the upper part of the handle 43 pivots outwardly relative to the upper lid 111. During the inward displacement process of the second link member 42, the first link member 41 integral with the second link member 42 simultaneously moves inwardly and upwardly. Because the spout 30 is articulated to the first link member 41, the spout 30 is driven by the upward and inward movement of the first link member 41 to pivot upwardly and away from the main body 11. The inward pressure applied to the handle 43 is continued, the second link member 42 continues to move inwardly and upwardly further in the recess 116 until it abuts against the lower lid 112 where the spout 30 pivots to its fully open position and stands substantially perpendicular to the lower lid 112. As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the hollow bore 303 of the spout 30 is in alignment with the passage 113 and the interior of the container 20 when the spout 30 is in the fully open position. In this case, the fluid communication between the passage 113 with the spout 30 and the opening of the container 20 resumes, thereby allowing the liquid contained in the container 20 to flow through the passage 113 and the spout 30. The container 20, in FIG. 5C, is in ready-to-use state for dispensing the liquid. When it is necessary to close the lid assembly, the spout 30 may be folded down to its fully folded position. During this folding process, the first link member 41 and the second link member 42 move downwardly and outwardly, which causes the lower part of the handle 43 to pivot outwardly relative to the lower lid 112 and the upper part of the handle 43 to pivot inwardly relative to the upper lid 111 until the locking member 115 formed on the upper lid 111 engages with the spout 30 in the fully folded position. In this case, the fluid communication of the passage, namely the opening of the container 20, and the spout 30, is blocked to prevent the fluid contained in the container 20 from being dispensed through the spout 30, as clearly shown in FIG. 5A.

[0051] The lever system 40 is configured and arranged in a manner that the pivotal movement of the handle 43 drives the second link member 42 and the first link member 41 to pivot and displace upwardly and inwardly, thereby causing the spout 30 to pivot between the fully open position and the fully folded position. This unique lever system of the invention not only prevents undesired outflow, dispensing or leakage of the liquid contained in the container 20 when it is not in use, but also provides a simple and convenient way of switching the lid assembly 10 between a closed state and an open state.

[0052] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6, the connection between the spout 30, the first link member 41, the second link member 42, and the handle 43 define a linkage system of the present invention, whereby the movement of the handle actuates the movement of the spout.

[0053] In some cases, an additional levers or link members in operative connection with the lever system 40 may be provided to facilitate the pushing of the handle 43. For instance, one or more further lever or link member may be provided to form a compound lever or link member together with the first and second link members 41, 42. The compound lever or link member can operate the handle faster and with an ease.

[0054] FIGS. 7 to 12 illustrate a container assembly 61 comprising a container 620 and a lid assembly 610 placed thereon. The container 620 has a top opening. The lid assembly 610 can be configured to connect to the container 620 for removably covering the top opening. Like the container 20 of the above embodiment, the container 620 is used to contain or store contents such as liquid and may be of any type known in the art. The lid assembly 610 comprises a main body 611, a spout 630 mounted to the main body 611, and a lever system 640.

[0055] The main body 611 is formed by connecting an upper lid 6111 with a lower lid 6112, and the lower lid 6112 is adapted to be removably attached to the opening of the container 620. For example, the lower lid 6112 has internal threads formed on an inner surface thereof, which internal threads cooperate with external threads formed on an outer surface of the wall component of the container 620 to secure the lid assembly to the container. FIGS. 10A and 10B show the upper lid 6111 and the lower lid 6112 in great details. As shown, the upper lid 6111 has a receiving chamber 6114 to accommodate the spout 630 in place when it is fully folded (see FIG. 8), and two inwardly facing grooves 6115 formed two opposite sides of the receiving chamber 6114. A passage 6113 extends through the lower lid 6112 and protrudes into or is open to the receiving chamber 6114.

[0056] In the fully open position, the passage 6113 formed therethrough the lower lid 6112 is in fluid communication with the spout 630 and in fluid communication with the opening of the container 620 for allowing the liquid contained in the container 620 to flow out of the container 620 through the spout 630. Like the first embodiment discussed above, the spout 630 is made from an elastic material like silicone and provided as one piece. The spout 630 comprises an orifice 6301, a base 6302 and a hollow bore 6303 extending from the orifice 6301 through the base 6302. The spout 630 is mounted in a way that the spout 630 can be moved between the first position where the spout 630 is outwardly exposed and the second position where the spout 630 is received in the receiving chamber 6114. The base 6302 is mounted on the upper lid 6111 via a first pivot 6304A of the spout 630. The first pivots 6304A are respectively articulated to recesses 6304B of the upper lid 6111 such that the spout 630 is pivotal between the first position (see FIG. 9) where the hollow bore 6303 is in alignment with the passage 6113 and the opening of the container 620 to dispense the fluid, and the second position (see FIG. 8) where the hollow bore 6303 misaligns from the passage 6113 and thus from the opening of the container 620 to prevent the fluid from dispensing from the container 620. Advantageously, a silicone member 650, like a plate, is placed between the base 6302 of the spout 630 and the passage 6113 to create a sealing effect to prevent leakage of the fluid.

[0057] In this second embodiment, the lever system 640 comprises a first link member 641 and a second link member 642 each having a first pivot 6305A and a second pivot 6306A, and a handle 643 having a base plate 6431 slidably received in the two inwardly facing grooves 6115 of the upper lid 6111 and a standing portion 6432 extending upwardly from one end face of the base plate 6431 towards a free end of the base plate 6431. The second pivots 6306A are respectively articulated to two sides of the base plate 6431 via second apertures 6306B of the handle 643, and the first pivots 6305A are respectively articulated to two opposite sides of the spout 630 via first apertures 6305B of the spout 630. The base plate 6431 of the handle 643 is slidable in the grooves 6115 of the upper lid 6111 such that the handle 643 moves between an extended position (see FIG. 11A) and a retracted position (see FIG. 11C) relative to the main body 611. The slidable movement of the base plate 6431 causes the first link member 641 and the second link member 642 to pivot, which pivotal movement in turns induces the spout 630 coupled to the first and second link members 641, 642 to pivot up to its fully open position or down to its fully folded position around the base 6302 thereof.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C, there is illustrated the pivotal movement of the spout 630 from the fully folded position to the fully open position. As discussed above, the first link member 641 and the second link member 642 are respectively articulated to the spout 630 and also articulated to the free end of the handle 643. FIG. 11A shows the handle 643 is in the extended position, while the spout 630 is in the fully folded position where the hollow bore 6303 is completely deviated from the passage 6113, and the fluid communication between the passage 6113, namely the interior of the container 620, and the exterior of the container 620 is closed or blocked. In this case, no dispensing of the fluid contained in the container 620 is allowed. When an inward pressure is applied to the standing portion 6432 of the handle 643 (see FIG. 11B), the base plate 6431 of the handle 643 would be caused to slide inwardly in the grooves 6115 of the upper lid 6111. During the inward sliding process of the handle 643, the first and second link members 641, 642 articulated to the base plate 6431 would simultaneously pivot upwardly. Because the spout 630 is articulated to the first and second link members 641, 642, the spout 630 is driven by the upward movement of the first and second link members 641, 642 to pivot upwardly and away from the main body 611. The inward pressure applied to the handle 643 is carried on to cause the handle 643 reach its retracted position, the first and second link members 641, 642 continue to pivot upwardly further until the spout 630 pivots to its fully open position and stands against the side wall of the receiving chamber 6114 of the upper lid 6111 and substantially perpendicular to the main body 611. As illustrated in FIG. 11C, the hollow bore 6303 of the spout 630 is in alignment with the passage 6113 and the interior of the container 620 when it is in the fully open position. In this case, the fluid communication between the passage 6113 with the spout 630 and the opening of the container resumes, thereby allowing the liquid contained in the container 620 to flow through the passage 6113 and the spout 630. The container is in ready-to-use state for dispensing the liquid. When it is necessary to close the lid assembly, the spout 630 may be folded down to its fully folded position. During this folding process, the first and second link members 641, 642 would pivot downwardly and outwardly, which causes the base plate 6431 of the handle 643 to slide outwardly in the grooves 6115 to reach its extended position, where the spout 630 folds down to the fully folded position. In this case, the fluid communication of the passage, namely the opening of the container 620, and the spout 630, is blocked to prevent the fluid contained in the container 620 from being dispensed through the spout 630, as clearly shown in FIG. 11A.

[0059] The lever system 640 is configured and arranged in a manner that the translational movement of the handle 643 drives the first and second link members 641, 642 to pivot upwardly or downwardly, thereby causing the spout 630 to assume the fully open position or the fully folded position, respectively. For example, when the handle 643 moves forward, i.e., moving into the receiving chamber 6114, the first and second link members 641, 642 pivot upwardly, thereby the spout 630 assumes the fully open configuration. This unique lever system of the invention not only prevents undesired outflow, dispensing or leakage of the liquid contained in the container 620 when it is not in use, but also provides a simple and convenient way of switching the lid assembly between a closed state and an open state.

[0060] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7-12, the connection between the spout 630, the first link member 641, the second link member 642, and the handle 643 define a linkage system of the present invention, whereby the movement of the handle actuates the movement of the spout.

[0061] There is illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 16C a container assembly 710 comprising a main body 711, a spout 730 mounted to the main body 711, and a lever system 740.

[0062] The main body 711 is formed by connecting an upper lid 7111 with a lower lid 7112 which may be connected to the container, for example, through threads. FIGS. 15A and 15B show the upper lid 7111 and the lower lid 7112 in great details. As shown, the upper lid 7111 has a receiving chamber 7114 to accommodate the spout 730 in place when it is fully folded (see FIG. 13). The receiving chamber 7114 has an open side defining a space in which a handle is mounted, which will be discussed herein below. A passage 7113 extends through the lower lid 7112 and protrudes into or is open to the receiving chamber 7114. The lower lid 7112 is in cylindrical shape, and an upper part of the cylindrical lower lid 7112 is connected to, for example snap fit, a lower part of the upper lid 7111.

[0063] A passage 7113 formed therethrough the lower lid 7112 is in fluid communication with the spout 730 for allowing the liquid contained in the container to flow out through the spout 730. Similarly, the spout 730 is made from an elastic material like silicone and provided as one piece. The spout 730 comprises an orifice 7301, a base 7302 and a hollow bore 7303 extending from the orifice 7301 through the base 7302. The spout 730 is mounted in a way that the spout 30 can be moved between a first position where the spout 730 is outwardly exposed and a second position where the spout 730 is received in the receiving chamber 7114. The base 7302 is mounted on the upper lid 7111 via a first pivot 7304 and pivotal between a first position (see FIG. 14) where the hollow bore 7303 is in alignment with the passage 7113 to dispense the fluid, and a second position (see FIG. 13) where the hollow bore 7303 misaligns from the passage 7113 and thus from the opening of the container to prevent the fluid from dispensing. Advantageously, a silicone member 750, like a disk, is placed between the base 7302 of the spout 730 and the passage 7113 to create a sealing effect to prevent leakage of the fluid.

[0064] In this embodiment, the lever system 740 may be considered as a variation of the lever system 40 discussed in the above embodiments. Specifically, the lever system 740 comprises a first link member 744 having two opposite bifurcated portions 7442 and a connection bar 7443 connecting the two bifurcated portions 7442. Each of the two bifurcated portions 7442 has a first pivot end 7441. The bifurcated portions 7442 are sized and shaped to be adapted for accommodation in the receiving chamber 7114 of the upper lid 7111 with a play for free pivotal movement. For example, the illustrated bifurcated portions 7442 have a slight curvature in their length direction. The lever system 740 further comprises a second link member 741 having one end linked to a center of the connection bar 7443, a third link member 742 linked to the other end of the second link member 741 and having a second pivot end 7421, and a handle 743 having an upper part provided in the open side of the receiving chamber 7114. Advantageously, in the present invention, the second link member 741 and the third link member 742 can be integrally formed. Preferably, the first link member 744, the second link member 741 and the third link member 742 are formed integrally. As illustrated, the second link member 741 and the third link member 742 are connected at an angle, such as at an obtuse angle, in a similar way of the first embodiment. The first link member 744 is also obliquely and upwardly connected with the second link member 741. The first pivot ends 7441 of the two opposite bifurcated portions 7442 are articulated respectively to two sides of the spout 730 at a position adjacent to the base 7302 via a second pivot 7305, and the third link member 742 is articulated at the second pivot end 7421 to an approximate middle portion of the handle 743 and fully received in an indentation 7431 formed in the upper part of the handle 743. This articulation position on the handle 743 helps reducing the rotation angle and amplitude of the handle 743, when subject to the inward pressure, to an extent. The handle 743 is pivotally coupled at its upper part to the upper lid 7111 such that the handle 743 is able to pivot relative to the main body 711. The second link member 741 is positioned above and laterally extends above the lower lid 7112 and also within the receiving chamber 7114, which allows for free movement of the second link member 741 without hindrance. The two opposite bifurcated portions 7442 extends upwardly and obliquely from the second link member 741 and is pivotally coupled with the spout 730.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 16A to FIG. 16C, there is illustrated the pivotal movement of the spout 730 from the fully folded position to the fully open position. As discussed above, the first link member 744 and the third link member 742 are respectively articulated to the spout 730 and the approximate middle portion of the handle 743, and the first and third link members 744, 742 are connected by the second link member 741. FIG. 16A shows the spout 730 is in the fully folded position where the hollow bore 7303 is completely deviated from the passage 7113, and the fluid communication between the passage 7113 and the spout 730 is closed or blocked. In this case, no dispensing of the fluid contained in the container is allowed. When an inward pressure is applied to the lower part of the handle 743 (see FIG. 16B), the third link member 742 received in the indentation 7431 of the handle 743 would be caused to pivot and displace inwardly, and at the same time the upper part of the handle 743 pivots outwardly relative to the upper lid 7111. During the inward displacement process of the third link member 742, the first and second link members 744, 741 would simultaneously move inwardly and upwardly by the third link member 742. Because the spout 730 is articulated to the two opposite bifurcated portions 7442, the spout 730 is driven by the upward and inward movement of the two opposite bifurcated portions 7442 to pivot upwardly and away from the main body 711. The inward pressure applied to the handle 743 is carried on, the third link member 742 continues to move inwardly further until the spout 730 pivots to its fully open position. As illustrated in FIG. 16C, the hollow bore 7303 of the spout 730 is in alignment with the passage 7113 and the interior of the container when it is in the fully open position. In this case, the fluid communication between the passage 7113 with the spout 730 and the opening of the container resumes, thereby allowing the liquid contained in the container to flow through the passage 7113 and the spout 730. The container is in ready-to-use state for dispensing the liquid. When it is necessary to close the lid assembly, the spout 730 may be folded down to its fully folded position. During this folding process, the first link member 744 would pivot downwardly, which cause the second and third link members 741, 742 to move outwardly, and in turn causes the lower part of the handle 743 to pivot outwardly relative to the lower lid 7112 and the upper part of the handle 743 to pivot inwardly relative to the upper lid 7111 until the spout 730 in the fully folded position. In this case, the fluid communication of the passage 7113 and the spout 730 is blocked to prevent the fluid contained in the container from being dispensed through the spout 30, as clearly shown in FIG. 16A.

[0066] The lever system 740 is configured and arranged in a manner that the pivotal movement of the handle 743 drives the lever system consisting of the first, second and third link members 744, 741, 742 to pivot and displace upwardly and inwardly, thereby causing the spout 730 to pivot between the fully open position and the fully folded position. This kind of a compound lever mechanism allows for faster and easier opening of the spout using the handle requiring less force.

[0067] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-16, the connection between the spout 730, the first, second and third link members 744, 741, 742, and the handle 743 define a linkage system of the present invention, whereby the movement of the handle actuates the movement of the spout.

[0068] Thus the present invention provides a lid assembly designed for use in a container, comprising a new handle-operated mechanism to open the spout and enable the fluid communication between the spout and the container. The new mechanism has a simple and compact structure.

[0069] FIGS. 17A and 17B are exploded views of a lid assembly constructed according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in different angles of perspective.

[0070] The container assembly of the fourth embodiment is a sophisticated design comprising three main components: a main body 811, a spout 830, and a lever system 840.

[0071] The main body 811 is constructed by connecting an upper lid 8111 and a lower lid 8112, which can be attached to a container, for example, via threads. The upper lid 8111 features a receiving chamber 8114 designed to house the spout 830 when it is in its fully folded position. This chamber has an open side where a handle is mounted, and a passage 8113 extends through the lower lid 8112, protruding into or opening to the receiving chamber 8114. The lower lid 8112 is cylindrical, with its upper part connected to the lower part of the upper lid 8111, possibly through a snap-fit mechanism.

[0072] The spout 830, crafted from an elastic material such as silicone, is a one-piece unit comprising an orifice 8301, a base 8302, and a hollow bore 8303 that runs from the orifice 8301 through the base 8302. It is mounted in such a way that it can pivot between a first position, where it is outwardly exposed for dispensing liquid, and a second position, where it is retracted into the receiving chamber 8114. The base 8302 is attached to the upper lid 8111 via a first pivot 8304, allowing it to pivot between these two positions. A silicone member, like a pad, plate, disk, or a ring, may be placed between the base 8302 of the spout 830 and the passage 8113 to ensure a tight seal and prevent leakage.

[0073] The lever system 840 is a complex mechanism that includes a first link member 844 with two bifurcated portions 8442 connected by a connection bar 8443, a second link member 841 linked to the center of the connection bar 8443, a third link member 842 connected to the second link member 841, and a handle 843. The first link member 844 is pivotally connected to the spout 830 via the connection between the protrusions of the bifurcated portions 8442 and the apertures 8305 of the spout 830, while the third link member 842 is connected to the handle 843. When the handle 843 is pressed, it causes the third link member 842 to pivot, which in turn moves the first and second link members 844, 841, thereby driving the spout 830 from its fully folded position to its fully open position. This action aligns the hollow bore 8303 of the spout 830 with the passage 8113, allowing liquid to flow from the container through the spout 830. Releasing the handle 843 reverses the process, folding the spout 830 back into the receiving chamber 8114 and blocking the passage 8113 to prevent liquid from dispensing.

[0074] This lever mechanism is ingeniously designed to allow for quick and easy operation of the spout 830 with minimal force, making the container assembly both user-friendly and efficient in controlling the flow of liquids.

[0075] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 17-18, the connection between the spout 830, the first and second link members 844 and 841, the third link member 842, and the handle 843 define a linkage system of the present invention, whereby the movement of the handle actuates the movement of the spout.

[0076] It shall be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. Also, a skilled person in the art would be aware of the prior art which is not explained in the above for brevity purpose. It is to be noted that certain features of the embodiments are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. For example, the size and shape and position of the disclosed components can be adaptively changed to cater different users' need. The disclosed components are all examples to illustrate the present invention only and shall not construe as limiting to the scope of protection. Those skilled in the art could adjust and/or modify these components according to actual needs, and variations therefrom also fall into the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art would understand that locked position, folded position, and closed position attributes to their respective configuration, i.e., locked configuration, folded configuration, and closed configuration. Likewise, locked configuration, folded configuration, and closed configuration are due to their respective components in locked position, folded position, and closed position respectively. Those skilled in the art would also understand that unlock position and open position attributes to their respective configuration, i.e., unlock configuration and open configuration. Likewise, unlock configuration and open configuration are due to their respective components in unlock position and open position respectively.