DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to a lid assembly for a container. More particularly, the present invention relates to the lid assembly with locking clasps whereby the locking clasps enable the lid assembly to be engaged/disengaged with the container with ease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] A wide variety of kitchen appliances require a container and a lid that is tightly sealed on to the container. Conventionally, especially in appliances like mixer grinders, the container is subjected to high level of vibrations and the contents inside the container move at a high speed, and thus it becomes additionally important to ensure that the lid is tightly sealed on to the container in a leakproof manner. The sealing of the lid on to the container should be able to withstand the vibrations of the container while remaining leakproof. To ensure tight locking or sealing between the lid and the container, one more or more clasps are provided on the lid that the user must operate to engage/disengage the lid with the container.
[003] The clasps are pivotally mounted on the lid and have a locking arm which engages with the container. Although, the clasps effectively engage/disengage the lid with the container, the clasps hang freely from the lid and move pivotally about the lid. Especially while handling the lid to open or close the container, the clasps move pivotally/hang freely from the lid, which causes a hinderance of the locking clasps with the container unless the locking clasps are held to prevent free movement. Such hinderance of the clasp with the container both while opening or closing the container makes handling of the lid difficult.
[004] The user is required to not only handle the lid but is also required to manually adjust or hold the clasps, which not only causes unnecessary inconvenience to the user, but may also result in spillage of the contents of the container.
[005] Hence there is a need in the art for at least a lid assembly for a container which solves at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards a lid assembly for a container. The lid assembly has a lid body, one or more mounting flanges and one or more locking clasps. The lid body is configured to cover the container. The one or more mounting flanges are configured to be provided on an outer wall of the lid body. The one or more mounting flanges extend outwards from the outer wall of the lid body. The one or more locking clasps are adapted to be pivotably mounted on the one or more mounting flanges. The one or more locking clasps are configured to be movable in at least a first position and a second position. The one or more locking clasps are configured to lock the lid assembly to the container in the first position and the one or more locking clasps are configured to have interference with the outer wall of the lid body in the second position, thereby restricting free movement of the one or more locking clasps.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the container has an outer rim extending outwards from the container and the outer rim is configured to receive the lid body.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the lid assembly has a sealing element provided on the lid body. The sealing element is disposed between the lid body and the container, thereby sealing a joining surface of the container and the lid body.
[009] In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more mounting flanges are provided in pairs of mounting flanges, each pair of mounting flanges is provided in a spaced apart arrangement with another pair of mounting flanges.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking clasp has a pivot portion and an arm portion. The pivot portion of the locking clasp is pivotably mounted on the one or more mounting flanges and the arm portion extends from the pivot portion.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking clasp has a locking member provided on the arm portion. The locking member is provided for locking the lid assembly to the container.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking member extends from the arm portion and the locking member has a protrusion that engages with the outer rim of the container for locking the lid assembly with the container.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the pivot portion of the locking clasp has a top face, a bottom face and a side face connecting the top face to the bottom face.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, an upper corner of the pivot portion interconnects the top face to the side face. The upper corner has a curved profile being defined by an upper corner radius such that the upper corner of the pivot portion interference fits with the outer wall of the lid body, thereby restricting movement of the locking clasp when the locking clasp is in the second position.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, a lower corner of the pivot portion interconnects the side face to the bottom face. The lower corner has a curved profile defined by a lower corner-radius.
[016] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lower corner-radius is greater than the upper corner-radius.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[017] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1A shows a lid assembly with a locking clasp in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 1B shows the lid assembly with the locking clasp in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the lid assembly with the locking clasp in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the lid assembly with the locking clasp in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[018] The present invention is directed towards a lid assembly for a container. with locking clasps for a container whereby the locking clasps enable the lid assembly to be engaged/disengaged with the container with ease. While engaging/disengaging the lid assembly from the container, the locking clasps are designed to remain engaged in a position away from the container such that the locking clasps do not come in between the lid assembly and the container.
[019] Figure 1A and Figure 1B illustrate a lid assembly 100 for a container 200 (shown in Figure 2). In an embodiment, the container is a mixer grinder jar which is operatively coupled with a rotating motor, wherein the rotating motor rotates one or more blades inside the container at a high velocity, thus mixing/grinding the contents of the container. Since the contents of the container is a mixer grinder jar move at a high velocity, and the container is subjected to higher vibrations due to the rotating motor, effective sealing of the lid assembly 100 on to the container 200 becomes important. While the container 200 being a mixer grinder jar has been illustrated above as an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood that the lid assembly of the present invention is capable of being used for any container that has a lid.
[020] As illustrated, the lid assembly 100 comprises a lid body 110, which is configured to cover the container 200. The lid body 110 is provided to completely cover and effectively seal the container 200. To facilitate this, a cross section of the lid body 110 matches with a cross section of the container 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the container 200 has a cylindrical profile with a circular cross section, and correspondingly, the lid body 110 also has a circular cross section to match the container 200.
[021] In an embodiment, the container 200 comprises an outer rim 210 (shown in Figure 2) that extends outwards from the container 200. In the embodiment wherein the container 200 has a cylindrical profile, the outer rim 210 extends radially outwards from the container 200. The outer rim 210 is configured to receive the lid body 110. In an embodiment, the lid assembly 100 comprises a sealing element 112 (shown in Figure 2) that is provided on the lid body 110. The sealing element 112 is disposed between the lid body 110 and the container 200, thereby completely sealing a joining surface of the container 200 and the lid body 110.
[022] As further illustrated in Figure 1A, Figure 1B and Figure 2, the lid assembly 100 further comprises one or more mounting flanges 120. The one or more mounting flanges 120 are provided on an outer wall 110A of the lid body 110. As illustrated, the one or more mounting flanges 120 extend outwards from the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110. In the embodiment wherein the container 200 and thus the lid body 110 have a cylindrical profile, the one or more mounting flanges 120 extend radially outwards from the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110.
[023] In an embodiment, the one or more mounting flanges 120 are provided in pairs of mounting flanges 120, with each pair of mounting flanges 120 being provided in a spaced apart arrangement with another pair of mounting flanges 120. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, the one or more mounting flanges 120 are provided as four pairs of mounting flanges 120, wherein each pair of mounting flanges 120 is circumferentially or angularly spaced apart from the subsequent pair of mounting flanges 120 by 90 degrees.
[024] For locking the lid assembly 100 on to the container 200, the lid assembly 100 further has one or more locking clasps 130. The one or more locking clasps 130 are adapted to be pivotably mounted on the one or more mounting flanges 120. In an embodiment, each locking clasp 130 is pivotably mounted on a pair of mounting flanges 120. In other words, each pair of mounting flanges 120 receives one locking clasp 130.
[025] The locking clasps 130 are configured to be movable in at least a first position and the second position. More specifically, the locking clasps 130 are configured to be pivotally movable in at least the first position and the second position. Figure 2 illustrates the locking clasps in the first position. Herein, in the first position, the locking clasps 130 are configured to lock the lid assembly 100 to the container 200. Figure 3 illustrates the locking claps in the second position wherein in the second position, the locking clasps 130 are configured to have interference with the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110, thereby restricting free movement of the locking clasps 130. Thus, in operation, when the user intends to lock the lid assembly 100 on to the container 200, the lid assembly 100 is placed on to the container 200 and the locking clasps 130 are moved into the first position whereby the lid assembly 100 is locked on to the container 200. Thereafter, if the user intends to unlock and remove the lid assembly 100 from the container, the locking clasps 130 are moved into the second position whereby the locking clasps 130 are moved away from the container 200. The interference of the locking clasps 130 with the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110 when the locking clasps are in the second position, ensures that the locking clasps 130 remain the second position, and do not touch with the container 200. This allows for the lid assembly 100 to be removed from the container 200 easily without any obstruction.
[026] As illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the locking clasp 130 comprises a pivot portion 132 and an arm portion 134. In that, the pivot portion 132 of the locking clasp 130 is pivotably mounted on the one or more mounting flanges 120 and the arm portion 134 extends from the pivot portion 132. In an embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 1A and Figure 1B, each locking clasp 130 comprises two pairs of pivot portions 132, wherein each pair of pivot portion 132 is pivotably mounted to one of the mounting flanges 120, and the arm portion 134 extends from each of the pivot portions 132.
[027] In use, a user exerts force on the arm portion 134 to cause movement of the locking clasp 130 to lock or unlock the lid body 110 from the container 200. To ensure that the lid assembly 100 remains in place and locked when the locking clasps 130 are in the first position, each locking clasp 130 comprises a locking member 136. The locking member 136 is provided for locking the lid assembly 100 with the container 200. In an embodiment, the locking member 136 comprises a magnetic locking member wherein magnets are provided on the arm portion 134 of the locking clasp 130, which engage with the metallic body of the container 200 or dedicated corresponding magnets/metal segments provided on the container 200. In an alternative embodiment, the locking member 136 comprises a Velcro based locking member wherein hook sections are provided on the arm portion 134 of the locking clasp 130, which engage with the loop sections provided on the container 200 or vice versa.
[028] In another alternative embodiment, the locking member 136 is a mechanical locking member. In this embodiment, the locking member 136 extends from the arm portion 134. The locking member 136 has a protrusion 136’ that engages with a recess provided on the outer rim 210 of the container 200. The engagement of the protrusion 136’ on the locking member 136 with the recess of the outer rim 210 mechanically locks the lid assembly 100 on to the container 200.
[029] In operation, when the user desires to lock the lid body 110 onto the container 200, the user exerts force on the arm portion 134 to move the locking clasp 130 into the first position. In the first position of the locking clasp 130, the locking member 136 of the locking clasp 130 engages with the outer rim 210 of the container 200, thereby locking the lid body 110 onto the container 200. When the user exerts force on the arm portion 134 to move the locking clasp 130 away from the first position, the protrusion on 136’ the locking member 136 disengages with the recess on the outer rim 210 of the container, thereby unlocking the lid assembly 210 from the container 200.
[030] As further illustrated in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the pivot portion 132 of the locking clasp 130 comprises a top face 132A, a bottom face 132B and a side face 132C connecting the top face 132A to the bottom face 132B. Further, an upper corner 132D of the pivot portion 132 interconnects the top face 132A to the side face 132C. The upper corner 132D has a curved profile. The curved profile of the upper corner 132D is defined by an upper corner-radius R1. Further, a lower corner 132E of the pivot portion 132 interconnects the side face 132C to the bottom face 132B. The lower corner 132E has a curved profile. The curved profile of the lower corner 132E is defined by a lower corner-radius R2. In an embodiment, the lower corner-radius R2 is greater than the upper corner-radius R1.
[031] The small upper corner-radius R1 of the upper corner 132D allows the upper corner 132D of the pivot portion 132 to have interference with the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110, when the locking clasp 130 is in the second position. In use, when the user desires to unlock the lid body 110 with the container 200, the user exerts force on the arm portion 134 to move the locking clasp 130 into the second position. In the second position of the locking clasp 130, the locking member 136 of the locking clasp 130 is disengaged with the outer rim 210 of the container 200, thereby unlocking the lid body 110 onto the container 200. In alternative use, when the user desires to lock the lid body 110 on to the container 200, the user moves the locking clasps 130 into the second position before placing the lid body 110 onto the container 200, to prevent any hinderance between the locking clasps 130 and the container 200 when the lid body 110 is placed on the container 200, after which the locking clasps 130 can be moved into the first position. Further, in the second position, the upper corner 132D of the pivot portion 132 has interference with the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110, thereby locking the locking clasp 130 in the second position and preventing any free movement of the locking clasp 130. The prevention of free movement of the locking clasp 130 prevents any interference of the locking member 136 with the outer rim 210 of the container 200. Prevention of this interference between the locking member 136 with the outer rim 210 of the container 200 and prevention of the locking clasp 130 being free hanging, thus eliminates the issue of handling the lid body 110, thus making it user friendly and ergonomic. In an embodiment, the upper corner-radius R1 of the upper-corner 132D ranges between 0.1mm and 1.5mm. In an embodiment, the upper corner-radius R1 of the upper corner 132D is approximately 1.2mm.
[032] In an embodiment, the lower corner-radius R2 of the lower corner 132E ranges between 2mm and 4mm. In an embodiment, the lower corner-radius R2 of the lower corner 132E is approximately 3mm. The lower corner-radius R2 of the lower corner 132E prevents any contact between the lower corner 132E and the outer wall 110A of the lid body 110, thus ensuring smooth movement of the locking clasp 130 between the first position and the second position.
[033] Advantageously, the present invention provides a lid assembly for a container wherein when the lid assembly is locked/unlocked or engaged/disengaged from the container, the free movement of the locking clasps is prevented due to the interference between the locking clasps and the outer wall of the lid body. Prevention of this free movement allows for prevention of any hinderance between the locking clasps and the container. Consequentially, any requirement of handling the locking clasps either during locking/unlocking or engaging/disengaging the lid assembly from the container is eliminated, which allows for a more ergonomic and easy handling of lid assembly under all operating conditions.
[034] Further, the present invention also ensures that the lid assembly is tightly sealed on to the container when required, and can be removed easily when required, thus also reducing the chance of any spillage of contents of the container.
[035] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
,CLAIMS:1. A lid assembly (100) for a container (200), the lid assembly (100) comprising:
a lid body (110) configured to cover the container (200);
one or more mounting flanges (120) configured to be provided on an outer wall (110A) of the lid body (110), the one or more mounting flanges (120) extending outwards from the outer wall (110A) of the lid body (110); and
one or more locking clasps (130) adapted to be pivotably mounted on the one or more mounting flanges (120), the one or more locking clasps (130) being configured to be movable in at least a first position and a second position, the one or more locking clasps (130) are configured to lock the lid assembly (100) to the container (200) in the first position and the one or more locking clasps (130) are configured to have interference with the outer wall (110A) of the lid body (110) in the second position, thereby restricting free movement of the one or more locking clasps (130).

2. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container (200) comprises an outer rim (210) extending outwards from the container (200), the outer rim (210) is configured to receive the lid body (110).

3. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a sealing element (112) provided on the lid body (110), the sealing element (112) is disposed between the lid body (110) and the container (200), thereby sealing a joining surface of the container (200) and the lid body (110).

4. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more mounting flanges (120) are provided in pairs of mounting flanges (120), each pair of mounting flanges (120) being provided in a spaced apart arrangement with another pair of mounting flanges (120).

5. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking clasp (130) comprises a pivot portion (132) and an arm portion (134), the pivot portion (132) of the locking clasp (130) is pivotably mounted on the one or more mounting flanges (120) and the arm portion (134) extends from the pivot portion (132).

6. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking clasp (130) comprises a locking member (136) provided on the arm portion (134) for locking the lid assembly (100) with the container (200).

7. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking member (136) extends from the arm portion (134), and the locking member (136) has a protrusion (136’) that engages with the outer rim (210) of the container (200) for locking the lid assembly (100) with the container (200).

8. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivot portion (132) of the locking clasp (130) comprises a top face (132A), a bottom face (132B) and a side face (132C) connecting the top face (132A) to the bottom face (132B).

9. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein an upper corner (132D) of the pivot portion (132) interconnects the top face (132A) to the side face (132C), the upper corner (132D) having a curved profile being defined by an upper corner radius (R1) such that the upper corner (132D) of the pivot portion (132) interference fits with the outer wall (110A) of the lid body (110), thereby restricting movement of the locking clasp (130) when the locking clasp (130) is in the second position.

10. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein a lower corner (132E) of the pivot portion (132) interconnects the side face (132C) to the bottom face (132B), the lower corner (132E) having a curved profile defined by a lower corner-radius (R2).

11. The lid assembly (100) as claimed in claims 9 and 10, wherein the lower corner-radius (R2) is greater than the upper corner-radius (R1).