HK1248995B - Lid assembly and valve for a lid assembly - Google Patents

Description

Cover assembly and valve for cover assembly

Background Art

Drinking cups are often used with a lid that fits over the cup to reduce the likelihood of the contents of the cup accidentally spilling. Some of these drinking cups are configured to prevent the liquid inside the cup from spilling out of the cup if they are tipped over by using a valve arrangement in the lid.

One type of drinking cup assembly includes a lid with a spout, over which a child places their lips to drink from the cup. The lid is attached (e.g., snapped or screwed) to the cup over the open top of the cup. A valve is disposed in the spout or in the lid upstream of the spout, and the valve opens to allow liquid to flow from the cup for drinking. Typically, the valve is actuated by vacuum pressure applied by a person sucking on the spout. The vacuum pressure is applied to the interior of the cup and causes the valve to move or deform in such a way that the contents of the cup can flow through a drinking channel formed in the spout.

This type of vacuum-pressure-activated drinking cup assembly presents challenges associated with balancing the need to provide an adequate seal with the desire for easy valve opening. A strong seal in the valve may require a relatively high vacuum pressure to open the valve. Seals that require a lower vacuum pressure to open may not be sufficiently tight to prevent leakage. Cleanliness of the cap, cup, and valve is also important. Removal of the valve from the cap should be simple and intuitive.

Summary of the Invention

In view of the foregoing, a lid assembly for a drinking container includes a cap, a wall, and a valve member. The cap is configured to be assembled onto the drinking container and includes a suction nozzle and a vent, the suction nozzle defining a drinking passage extending through the cap, and the vent extending through the cap and offset from the drinking passage. The wall depends downwardly from the lower surface of the cap and surrounds the drinking passage and the vent. The valve member is selectively receivable within a cavity defined by the wall and includes a first seal, a second seal, and a third seal. With the valve member accommodated in the cavity and the cap assembled onto the drinking container, the first seal isolates the vent from the drinking passage, the second seal is movable relative to the wall and selectively contacts the wall to selectively isolate the vent from liquid in the drinking container, and the third seal selectively isolates the drinking passage from liquid in the drinking container.

A valve assembly for use with a cap assembly configured to connect to a drinking container for closing an open top of the drinking container includes a cap segment, a first seal, an outer wall, and a flap. The cap segment includes a fluid passageway through which a fluid can flow. The outer wall extends downwardly from the cap segment surrounding the fluid passageway. The first seal is disposed on the cap segment or the outer wall and surrounds the fluid passageway. The flap extends outwardly away from the outer wall. The flap has a second seal disposed on a distal edge of the flap, and the flap is configured to move relative to the outer wall when a force is applied to the flap by a vacuum within the drinking container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the lid assembly and drinking container.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cover assembly of FIG. 1 .

3 is a cross-sectional view of the lid assembly of FIG. 1 in an assembled state and ready to be attached to a drinking vessel.

4 is a perspective view of an alternative valve member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

1 to 3 , the lid assembly 10 includes a cap 12 and a valve member 14. The lid assembly 10 may further include a retainer 16. The cap 12 is configured to be assembled onto a drinking container 18 to close the open top of the drinking container 18. With the valve member 14 and the retainer 16 properly connected to the cap 12, the lid assembly 10 prevents liquid in the drinking container 18 from spilling out of the drinking container when the drinking container is tipped over.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 12 is made of rigid plastic material. The cap 12 comprises a top wall 20, an outer sidewall 22 extending downward from the top wall 20, and a suction nozzle 24 extending upward from the top wall 20. The top wall 20 defines an upper surface 26 of the cap 12. When the cap 12 is assembled on the drinking vessel, the upper surface 26 faces the environment. The top wall 20 in the illustrated embodiment is circular in plan view, that is, perpendicular to the central axis 28. The top wall 20 also comprises a lower surface 30, which, when the cap 12 is assembled on the drinking vessel, faces the drinking vessel 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer sidewall 22 is a cylindrical configuration. An internal thread 32 extends inwardly from the outer sidewall 22 for being threadedly connected to a complementary thread 34 positioned on the drinking vessel 18, so that the cap 12 is connected to the drinking vessel 18. The cap 12 can be assembled on the drinking vessel 18 in other conventional ways (for example, a buckle or bayonet connection).

The mouthpiece 24 defines a drinking passage 40 that extends through the cap 12. In FIG3 , the drinking passage 40 terminates at a drinking outlet 42 that opens to the environment and begins at a drinking inlet 44 below the drinking outlet. The cap 12 further includes a vent 50 that extends through the cap 12. The vent 50 is offset from the drinking passage 40. The vent 50 allows air to enter the drinking container 18 when liquid is removed from the drinking container 18 through the drinking passage 40.

The cap 12 further includes a lower wall 60 extending downwardly from the lower surface 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower wall 60 is cylindrical. The lower wall 60 is offset inwardly from the outer sidewall 22. When the cap 12 is connected to the drinking container 18, an annular gasket 62 can be received between the lower wall 60 and the outer sidewall 22 to provide a seal between the cap 12 and the drinking container 18.

The lid assembly 10 also includes a valve mounting structure 64 having a wall 66 that depends downwardly from the lower surface 30 of the cap 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve mounting structure 64 is a separate plastic component permanently affixed to the cap 12; however, the cap and valve mounting structure may be integrally formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the drinking passage 40 is disposed within the valve mounting structure 64, with the drinking inlet 44 disposed within a lower mounting structure surface 68, and a vent 70 extending through the valve mounting structure 64 and aligned with the vent 50. However, the valve mounting structure may be modified to not extend into the mouthpiece 24 and instead include only the wall 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall 66 is cylindrical; however, the valve mounting structure and wall may have other configurations. The wall 66 of the valve mounting structure 64 surrounds the drinking passage 40 and the vent 50 (as well as the vent 70). The wall 66 defines an inner surface 72 that also surrounds the drinking passage 40 and the vent 50. The valve mounting structure 64 also includes a flange 74 (two spaced apart flanges 74 are shown in the illustrated embodiment) extending inwardly from the lower end of the wall 66. The flange 74 cooperates with the retainer 16 to attach the retainer 16 to the cap 12 via the valve mounting structure 64.

The valve member 14 is selectively receivable within the cavity 76 defined by the wall 66 and includes a first seal 102, a second seal 104, and a third seal 106. The valve member 14 in the illustrated embodiment is formed from a resilient material such as silicone. With the valve member 14 received in the valve mounting structure 64 and the cap 12 assembled to the drinking container 18, the first seal 102 isolates the vent 50 from the drinking passage 40, the second seal 104 selectively isolates the vent 50 from liquid in the drinking container, and the third seal 106 selectively isolates the drinking passage 40 from liquid in the drinking container 18.

The valve member 14 includes a cap section 110, a valve stem 112 extending downward from the cap section 110, a diaphragm 114 disposed at the lower end of the valve stem 112, an outer wall 116 extending downward from the cap section 110, and a fin 118 extending outward from the outer wall 116. The valve member 14 further includes an inward flange 122 extending inward from the outer wall 116 for connecting the valve member 14 to the holder 16. The valve member 14 also includes a vertical post 124 disposed on the outer wall 116 and extending away from the outer wall 116.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cap segment 110 is circular in plan view. The cap segment 110 defines an upper surface 126 and a lower surface 128 opposite the upper surface 126. The cap segment 110 includes a thinner central section 130. The lower surface 128 of the cap segment 110 at the thinner central section 130 deviates from the retainer 16. The cap segment 110 also includes a fluid channel that allows fluid to flow through the cap segment 110. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the fluid channel is composed of three fluid channel openings 132. The fluid channel openings 132 extend through the cap segment 110 and therefore extend through the valve member 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first seal 102 is disposed on the cap section 110 and surrounds the fluid passage opening 132. The first seal 102 may be disposed elsewhere (e.g., where the valve mounting structure is differently configured) to isolate the vent 50 from the drinking passage 40. The fluid passage opening 132 is offset inwardly from the first seal 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the first seal 102 is annular and extends upwardly from the cap section 110 of the valve member 14. When the valve member 14 is housed in the cavity 76, the first seal 102 contacts the valve mounting structure 64 between the drinking passage 40 and the vent 50 (and the vent hole 70). In embodiments where the valve mounting structure 64 does not extend into the mouthpiece 24, the first seal 102 may contact the lower surface 30 of the cap 12 between the drinking passage 40 and the vent 50.

A valve stem 112 extends downwardly from the cap section 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve stem 112 is cylindrical and centrally located so as to extend downwardly from a thinner central section 130. A diaphragm 114 is disposed at the lower end of the valve stem 112. The diaphragm 114 in the illustrated embodiment is dome-shaped. The diaphragm 114 includes a third seal 106 at its lower end.

An outer wall 116 extends downward from the cap section 110 surrounding the valve stem 112 and diaphragm 114. Outer wall 116 defines an outer surface 140 of the valve member 14. When the valve member 14 is housed in the cavity 76 and the retainer 16 is connected to the valve mounting structure 64, the outer surface 140 deviates inwardly from the inner surface 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the flap 118 is annular and extends outwardly away from the outer wall 116. The flap 118 includes a second seal 104 at its distal edge. The second seal 104 selectively contacts the inner surface 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the flap 118 is positioned at the lower end of the outer wall 116; however, the flap 118 may be positioned elsewhere. The flap 118 is configured to move relative to the outer wall 116 when a force is applied to the flap 118 by a vacuum within the drinking container 18. The vacuum force does not need to be high. The amount of suction required to move the diaphragm 114 away from the holder 16 may result in the force required to move the tab 318 .

An inward flange 122 extends inwardly from the outer wall 116. The inward flange 122 cooperates with the retainer 16 to attach the valve member 14 to the retainer 16.

The posts 124 are provided to help bias the outer surface 140 of the valve member 14 away from the inner surface 72 of the wall 66. The posts 124 may also provide the valve member 14 with overall rigidity.

The retainer 16 in the illustrated embodiment is made of a rigid plastic material. The retainer 16 includes a head 160. The head 160 defines a top surface 162 of the retainer. In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface 162 is flat and contacts the lower surface 128 of the cap section 110 of the valve member 14 (except for the relatively thin center section 130) when the cap assembly 10 is assembled. In the illustrated embodiment, the head 160 is circular in plan view to facilitate connection with the valve member 14. The retainer 16 further includes a recess 164, which is centered on the retainer 16 in the illustrated embodiment. The recess 164 is formed by a counterbore side wall 166, which is cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, and a counterbore lower wall 168, which is circular in plan view. The retainer 16 further includes a drinking valve opening 172. In the illustrated embodiment, the drinking valve opening 172 extends through the counterbore lower wall 168.

The retainer 16 further includes a shoulder 174, wherein the head 160 transitions to a lower retainer sidewall 176. The inward flange 122 on the valve member 14 engages the shoulder 174 on the retainer 16 to connect the valve member 14 to the retainer 16. The retainer 16 further includes a lower flange 178. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower flange 178 is a circular configuration and extends outward from the lower retainer sidewall 176 at its lower end. Tabs 182 (two spaced tabs 182 are shown in the illustrated embodiment) extend outward from the lower flange 178. The tabs 182 cooperate with the flange 74 of the valve mounting structure 64 to provide a bayonet connection between the retainer 16 and the cap 12. Wings 190 are provided on the retainer 16 to allow an operator to grasp the retainer 16 to facilitate the connection of the retainer 16 to the cap 12.

To attach the valve member 14 to the retainer 16, the retainer 16 is inserted into the valve member 14 so that the inwardly facing flange 122 on the valve member 14 engages the shoulder 174 on the retainer 16. As the valve member 14 is connected to the retainer 16, both the retainer 16 and the valve member 14 are inserted into the cavity 76 with the tab 182 offset from the flange 74 so as not to contact the flange 74 during insertion. The retainer 16, with the valve member 14 attached, is then rotated so that the tab 182 passes over the flange 74 so that the tab 182 contacts the flange 74.

The cap 12 with the valve member 14 and retainer 16 is then attached to the drinking container 18. The second seal 104 contacts the inner surface 72 of the valve mounting structure 64 and isolates the vent 50 from the liquid in the drinking container 18 until it is moved to the open position. The third seal 106 cooperates with the retainer 16 to prevent flow along the drinking valve passage 200 between the drinking valve opening 172 and the drinking passage 40 until it is moved to the open position. The third seal 106 selectively contacts the countersunk lower wall 168 of the retainer 16 around the drinking valve opening 172 until it is moved to the open position. To drink from the drinking container 18, a person sucks on the spout 24, causing the diaphragm 114 to move, causing the third seal 106 to move away and no longer contact the countersunk lower wall 168 of the retainer 16. Liquid is drawn through the drinking valve opening 172 in the retainer 16 and along the drinking valve passage 200 through the drinking passage 40 and out of the drinking outlet 42. The vacuum formed in the drinking container 18 causes the flap 118 on the valve member 14 to move downward (in the orientation shown in FIG3 ), causing the second seal 104 to move away from and no longer contact the inner surface 72. The valve member 14 includes an outer surface 140 that deflects away from the valve mounting structure 64 when the valve member 14 is received within the cavity 76, thereby defining a vent passage 202 between the outer surface 140 and the inner surface 72. When the second seal 104 is not in contact with the inner surface 72, air enters the drinking container 18 via the vent passage 202. The first seal 102 isolates the vent 50 (and vent passage 202) from the drinking passage 40 (and the drinking valve passage 200), so that no short circuit exists between the vent 50 (and the vent hole 70) and the drinking passage 40 during drinking.

FIG4 depicts an alternative embodiment of a valve member 214 similar to valve member 14. Valve member 214 is selectively receivable within cavity 76 and includes a first seal 302, a second seal 304, and a third seal 306. Valve member 214 in FIG4 is formed from a resilient material such as silicone. Because valve member 214 is housed within valve mounting structure 64, when cap 12 is assembled to drinking vessel 18, first seal 302 isolates vent 50 from drinking passage 40, second seal 304 selectively isolates vent 50 from liquid in the drinking vessel, and third seal 306 selectively isolates drinking passage 40 from liquid in the drinking vessel.

The valve member 214 includes a cap section 310, an outer wall 316 extending downwardly from the cap section 310, and tabs 318 extending outwardly away from the outer wall 316. The valve member 214 further includes an inward flange (not visible in FIG. 4 , but similar in configuration to the inward flange 122) extending inwardly from the outer wall 316 for connecting the valve member 14 to the holder 16. The valve member 314 also includes a vertical post 324 disposed on and extending away from the outer wall 116.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG4 , the cap segment 310 is circular in plan view. The cap segment 310 defines an upper surface 326 and a lower surface (not visible) opposite the upper surface 326. The cap segment 310 may include a relatively thin central section that may be part of a diaphragm that constitutes the cap segment 310 (similar to the relatively thin central section 130). The cap segment 310 also includes a fluid passageway that allows fluid to flow through the cap segment 310. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG4 , the fluid passageway is formed by a slit 332. The slit 332 extends through the cap segment 310 and, therefore, through the valve member 214.

The first seal 302 is disposed on the cap section 310 and surrounds the slit 332. The slit 332 deviates inwardly from the first seal 302. In the illustrated embodiment, the first seal 302 is annular and extends upward from the cap section 310 of the valve member 214. When the valve member 14 is housed in the valve mounting structure 64, the first seal 302 contacts the valve mounting structure 64 or the lower surface 30 of the cap 12 between the drinking passage 40 and the vent 50. The first seal 302 can also be disposed on the outer wall 316 to isolate the drinking passage 40 from the vent 50. For example, a shorter cylindrical wall (not shown) can be positioned inside the wall 66 shown in Figures 2 and 3. The shorter cylindrical wall will surround the drinking passage 40, but will not include the vent 50. In this example, the first seal 302 can be on the outer wall 316 and contact the inner surface of the shorter cylindrical wall to isolate the drinking passage 40 from the vent 50. The second seal 304 will still selectively contact the wall 66 .

Similar to the valve member 14 described above, the valve member 214 does not include a valve stem (similar to the valve stem 112) or a diaphragm (similar to the diaphragm 114). Instead, the third seal 106 is formed by a slit 332, and the septum on the cap segment 310 selectively opens and closes to allow fluid to pass through the slit 332 on its way to the drinking passage 40. If desired, the cap segment 310 (or a portion of the septum forming the cap segment 310 surrounding the slit 332) can be recessed inward to help seal the slit 332.

An outer wall 316 extends downward from the cap section 310 surrounding the slit 332. The outer wall 316 defines an outer surface 340 of the valve member 214. When the valve member 14 is housed in the cavity 76 and the retainer 16 is connected to the valve mounting structure 64, the outer surface 340 deviates inwardly from the inner surface 72 of the wall 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the flap 318 is annular and extends outwardly away from the outer wall 316. The flap 318 includes a second seal 304 at its distal edge. The second seal 304 selectively contacts the inner surface 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the flap 318 is positioned at the lower end of the outer wall 316; however, the flap 318 may be positioned elsewhere. The flap 318 is configured to move relative to the outer wall 316 when a force is applied to the flap 318 by the vacuum in the drinking container 18. The vacuum force does not need to be high. The amount of suction required to open the slit 334 may result in the force required to move the flap 318 .

The valve member 214 operates similarly to the valve member 14 described above, with the first and second seals 302, 304 sealing similarly to the first and second seals 102, 104. The valve member 214 connects to the holder 16 in a similar manner to the valve member 14. The valve member 214 differs from the valve member 14 in that when a person sucks on the mouthpiece 24, the slit 332 opens. Fluid passes through the slit 332 on its way to the drinking passage 40, initially through the drinking valve opening 172. When suction is removed, the slit 332, which acts as the third seal 306, reseals.

The cap assembly and valve member for such an assembly have been described in detail above. Modifications and alterations may be made to the foregoing detailed description by those who have read and understood it. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments. Rather, the present invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or variations thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. In addition, various currently unforeseen or unexpected alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art, which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims (10)

1. A lid assembly for a drinking container, comprising: A cap configured to be fitted onto a drinking container, the cap including a mouthpiece and a vent, the mouthpiece defining a drinking channel extending through the cap, and the vent extending through the cap and offset from the drinking channel; A wall, which hangs downward from the lower surface of the cap and surrounds the drinking channel and the vent; and A valve component, selectively accommodated within a cavity defined by the wall and comprising a first seal, a second seal, and a third seal, wherein, since the valve component is accommodated within the cavity and the cap is fitted onto the drinking container, the first seal isolates the vent from the drinking passage, the second seal is movable relative to the wall and selectively contacts the wall to selectively isolate the vent from liquid in the drinking container, and the third seal selectively isolates the drinking passage from liquid in the drinking container; and, A retainer, which is selectively connected to the wall and configured to connect to the wall to secure the valve member in the cavity; wherein the retainer includes a drinking valve opening, and the third seal cooperates with the retainer to selectively prevent flow along the drinking valve passage between the drinking valve opening and the drinking passage; The valve component includes a fluid passage opening that is offset inwardly from and surrounded by the first seal, and the fluid passage opening is positioned along the drinking valve passage; and... The valve component includes a diaphragm having the third seal at its lower end; the valve component also includes a cap section and a valve stem extending downward from the cap section, wherein the drinking passage extends through the cap section and the diaphragm is disposed at the lower end of the valve stem. 2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member includes an outer surface that is offset from the wall when the valve member is received in the cavity, wherein a ventilation passage is defined between the outer surface and the wall, the ventilation passage extending from the vent to the second seal. 3. The cover assembly of claim 2, wherein the valve member includes a flap extending outwardly away from the outer surface, wherein the flap includes the second seal at its distal edge. 4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the wall is cylindrical. 5. The cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the valve member comprises a cap section having a fluid passage opening, a valve stem extending downward from the cap section, a diaphragm disposed at a lower end of the valve stem, an outer wall extending downward from the cap section surrounding the valve stem and the diaphragm, and a flap extending outward away from the outer wall. 6. The cap assembly of claim 5, wherein the first seal is disposed on the cap section between the outer wall and the fluid passage opening. 7. The cover assembly of claim 6, wherein the second seal is disposed on the distal edge of the flap. 8. A valve member for use with a cap assembly configured to connect with a drinking container for closing an open top of the drinking container, the valve member comprising: The cap section includes a fluid channel through which fluid can flow; The outer wall extends downward from the cap section surrounding the fluid channel; A first seal is disposed on the cap section or outer wall and surrounds the fluid passage; A flap extending outward away from the outer wall, the flap having a second seal disposed on the distal edge of the flap, and the flap being configured to move relative to the outer wall when a force is applied to the flap by a vacuum in the drinking container; The valve stem extends downward from the cap section and is surrounded by the outer wall; and A diaphragm is disposed at the lower end of the valve stem, the diaphragm having a third seal disposed at the lower end of the diaphragm; The fluid channel includes multiple fluid channel openings. 9. The valve component according to claim 8, further comprising an inward flange extending inward from the lower end of the outer wall. 10. A component for a drinking container, comprising: The valve component according to claim 8, and A retainer configured to connect to the cap of the valve member and the associated cover assembly to secure the valve member to the cap.