A DRINKING VESSEL CLOSURE
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drinking vessel closure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spill-resistant drinking vessel closure.
Background to the Invention
A drinking vessel, such as a cup, may typically comprise a liquid container for holding liquids.
Such a drinking vessel may be prone to spillage, especially when used by a child whilst learning to drink from such drinking vessels. It may therefore be desirable to provide a drinking vessel that is resistant to spillage during use.
Known spill-resistant drinking vessels may comprise a valved drinking vessel closure that allows a user to drink from any side of the vessel by tilting the vessel and sucking on an edge of the valve, and automatically seals once the user stops drinking. However, such drinking vessels may comprise a plurality of components, and assembly may be complex. A consequence of the assembly complexity is that leaks may result from an inaccurate assembly of the vessel. Such spill-resistant drinking vessels, sometimes known as 360 cups, may rely on a smooth surfaced, flexible gasket-valve sealing over surface features of a vessel wall beneath. If said gasket-valve is removed, for example for cleaning, these surface features may be exposed, and the remaining vessel may be unpleasant to drink from due to the surface features interfering with a liquid flow.
The present invention has been devised to mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned problems.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a drinking vessel closure comprising: a rim portion comprising: a rim wall having a free edge defining a drinking rim; a rim floor extending from the rim wall, the rim floor comprising an aperture configured to facilitate fluid communication between a drinking vessel and the free edge; and a connection means configured to facilitate connection of the rim portion to the drinking vessel; and a valve portion having a body portion adapted to partially occupy the aperture, and a sealing portion extending from an upper edge of the body portion; wherein the valve portion comprises an engagement portion configured to facilitate detachable engagement with the rim portion; wherein the valve portion is configured to alternate between a first position and a second position; wherein, in the first position, the valve portion is configured to seal the rim portion; and wherein, in the second position, the valve portion is configured to allow fluid communication between the aperture and the free edge.
The present invention may therefore provide a drinking vessel closure comprising two components, the rim portion and the valve portion. The rim portion may provide a drinking rim from which a user may drink from, and may provide a means for attaching the drinking vessel closure to a drinking vessel. The valve portion may provide a means for preventing fluids from unintentionally escaping a drinking vessel by sealing the rim portion in the first position, and allowing fluid communication between the aperture and the drinking rim. The valve portion may be detachably engaged with the rim portion via the engagement portion, such that the valve portion can be detached from the rim portion, for example if cleaning is required. Since the valve portion comprises the engagement portion, when the valve portion is detached from the rim portion, the rim portion can be used alone as a drinking rim with minimal flow interruption.
The present invention may advantageously provide a spill-resistant drinking vessel closure having fewer components than known drinking vessel closures, such as known valved drinking vessel closures. Fewer components may advantageously reduce the complexity of assembly of the device. Furthermore, the present invention may advantageously be more comfortable to drink fluid from the vessel when the closure is removed from the vessel.
Preferably, the body portion is compressible. In this way, the body portion may be compressed such that a width or radius of the body portion can be reduced to fit inside the aperture. Advantageously, attachment and detachment of the valve portion may be easier.
Preferably, the engagement portion comprises a plurality of separated abutments extending laterally from a lower end of a main portion of the body portion, arranged to engage with a lower surface of the rim floor. The abutments may provide a means for the valve portion to engage with the rim portion, whilst also allowing fluid flow through the aperture. The abutments may advantageously reduce an undesired axial displacement of the valve portion, which may prevent unwanted fluid loss.
Preferably, the plurality of abutments each comprise a lower face having a generally curved profile and an upper face having a generally planar profile. In this way, a force applied to the lower face of the abutments may cause the body portion to decrease in size, thereby making it easier to attach the valve portion to the rim portion. Furthermore, the generally planar profile of the upper face may advantageously prevent the body portion from decreasing in size when a force is applied to the upper face, thereby stopping the valve portion from being pulled out accidentally.
In some embodiments, the abutments are flexible. In this way, the abutments themselves may provide a reduction in width or diameter of the body portion.
Preferably, the sealing portion is flexible. Preferably, the sealing portion is configured to sealingly contact the free edge of the rim portion when the valve portion is in the first position; and provide a separation from the free edge of the rim portion when the valve portion is in the second position. In this way, the sealing portion may facilitate an easier change between the first position and the second position.
Preferably, the sealing portion comprises a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is preferably configured to prevent the creation of a vacuum within the drinking vessel closure, for example when a suction force is applied. Advantageously, the pressure relief valve may provide an improved fluid flow.
Preferably, the rim wall is substantially cylindrical. Preferably, the rim wall varies in height from a first side of the rim wall to a second side of the rim wall, wherein a higher side of the rim wall defines the drinking rim.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a drinking vessel comprising: a drinking vessel body having a first connecting portion; and a drinking vessel closure having a second connecting portion, the drinking vessel closure being connectable to the drinking vessel body via the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
Preferably, the first connecting portion comprises a first threaded portion; and the second connecting portion comprises a second threaded portion configured to cooperate with the first threaded portion.
Additionally or alternatively, the second connecting portion comprises a flexible receiving portion biased in a first position; and the first connecting portion comprises a rigid portion configured to move the flexible receiving portion to a second position; wherein, in the second position, the flexible receiving portion is configured to apply a retaining force to the rigid portion.
It will be appreciated that any features described herein as being suitable for incorporation into one or more aspects or embodiments of the present invention are intended to be generalizable across any and all aspects and embodiments of the present invention. Other aspects of the present invention can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a drinking vessel in accordance with a second
aspect of the present disclosure;
Figure 2A shows a side cross-sectional view of a drinking vessel closure in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure; Figure 2B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a drinking vessel closure in accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure; Figure 3A shows a plan view from the bottom of a valve portion and a lower surface of a rim floor of the drinking vessel closure of Figures 2A and 2B; Figure 3B shows a frontal view of the valve portion of Figure 3A; and Figure 3C shows a side view of the valve portion of Figure 3A.
Detailed Description
Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a drinking vessel 100 comprising: a drinking vessel body 102 having a first connecting portion 104; and a drinking vessel closure 106 having a second connecting portion 108, the drinking vessel closure 106 being connectable to the drinking vessel body 102 via the first connecting portion 104 and the second connecting portion 108.
The first connecting portion 104 comprises a first threaded portion 104; and the second connecting portion 108 comprises a second threaded portion 108 configured to cooperate with the first threaded portion. The first and second connecting portions may therefore provide a means for securing the drinking vessel closure 106 to the drinking vessel body 102.
Additionally or alternatively, the second connecting portion 108 comprises a flexible receiving portion biased in a first position; and the first connecting portion 104 comprises a rigid portion configured to move the flexible receiving portion to a second position; wherein, in the second position, the flexible receiving portion is configured to apply a retaining force to the rigid portion.
It will be appreciated that any suitable first and second connecting portion may be used to connect the drinking vessel closure 106 to the drinking vessel 102.
Figure 2A shows a side cross-sectional view of the drinking vessel closure 106. Figure 2B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the drinking vessel closure 106.
The drinking vessel closure 106 comprises a rim portion 110. The rim portion 110 comprises a rim wall 112 having a free edge 114 defining a drinking rim. The rim wall 112 varies in height from a first side of the rim wall 112 to a second side of the rim wall 112, wherein a higher side of the rim wall defines the drinking rim. The rim portion 110 further comprises a rim floor 116 extending from the rim wall 112, the rim floor 116 comprising an aperture 118 configured to facilitate fluid communication between the drinking vessel body 102 (or a drinking vessel) and the free edge 114. That is, the aperture 118 provides a means for fluid to pass through the rim floor 116 to the free edge 114. The rim portion 110 further comprises a connection means configured to facilitate connection of the rim portion 110 to the drinking vessel body 102. In particular, the connection means is the second connecting portion 108 configured to facilitate connection of the drinking vessel closure 106 to the drinking vessel body 102. In use, a user places their lips at the drinking rim and applies a suction force to drink from the drinking vessel 102.
The drinking vessel closure 106 also comprises a valve portion 120. Figure 3A shows a plan view from the bottom of the valve portion 120 and a lower surface 132 of the rim floor 116. More particularly, Figure 3 shows a bottom-up view of the body portion 122 of the valve portion 120. Figure 3B shows a frontal view of the valve portion 120. Figure 3C shows a side view of the valve portion 120.
The valve portion 120 comprises a body portion 122 adapted to partially occupy the aperture 118 of the rim portion 110. The body portion 122 only partially occupies the aperture 118, (such as is shown in Figure 2A, wherein a gap is present between a lower part 124 and an edge of the aperture 118), such that fluid is able to pass through the gap and reach the free edge 114 when the body portion 122 occupies the aperture 118. The valve portion 120 also comprises a sealing portion 126 extending from an upper edge of the body portion 122. The sealing portion 126 is flexible.
The valve portion 120 comprises an engagement portion configured to facilitate detachable engagement with the rim portion 110. That is, the engagement portion is configured to engage with the rim portion 110, but is also able to facilitate detachment of the valve portion 120 from the rim portion 110.
The engagement portion comprises a plurality of separated abutments 130 extending laterally from a lower end of a main portion of the body portion 122, arranged to engage with a lower surface 132 of the rim floor 116. The abutments 130 each comprise a lower face, shown in Figure 3A, having a generally curved profile. The abutments 130 also each comprise an upper face (not shown) having a generally planar profile. It is the upper face of the abutments 130 that engages with the lower surface 132 of the rim floor 116. The abutments 130 extend out from the body portion 122 such that a width of the body portion 122 at the lower end of the body portion 122 is greater than a diameter of the aperture 118. In this way, the abutments 130 provide a means for retaining the valve portion 120 to the rim portion 110. A gap is present between each of the abutments 130, so as to allow fluid to pass between the abutments 130 and through the aperture 118.
As shown in Figure 3B and Figure 3C, each abutment 130 comprises an indent 131 configured to receive a rim of the aperture 118. That is, the indents 131 provides a section of the body portion 122 that has a lower width or diameter than the diameter of the aperture 118, such that when the rim of the aperture 118 occupies the indent 131, axial movement of the valve portion 120 is restricted, thus facilitating a more secure connection.
The body portion 122 is compressible, at least along its lateral axis, such that a width or diameter of the body portion 122 can be decreased. The valve portion 120 can therefore engage with the rim portion 110 by applying a force along the force axis 136 shown in Figure 2B. Due to the generally curved profile of the lower face of the abutments 130, the applied force causes the body portion 122 to compress from an initial width when contacting the rim floor 116. In this way, a width of the lower end of the body portion 122 (i.e., including the abutments 130) decreases until it is less than a diameter of the aperture 118, thereby allowing the body portion 122 to pass through the aperture 118. Once the indents 131 of the abutments 130 are level with the rim of the aperture 118, a force is no longer applied to the lower surface of the abutments, and the body portion 122 returns to the initial width. In this position, the rim of the aperture 118 occupies the indents 131. Also, the width of the lower end of the body portion 122 is greater than the diameter of the aperture 118 and the upper face of the abutments 130 contacts the lower surface 132 of the rim floor 116, thereby providing an engagement with the rim portion 110.
The valve portion 120 is dimensioned such that when the abutments 130 engage with the lower surface 132, the sealing portion 126 sealingly contacts the free edge 114 of the rim portion 110.
To remove the valve portion 120 from the drinking vessel closure 106, the drinking vessel closure 106 can be detached from the drinking vessel body 102 by, for example, unscrewing the drinking vessel closure 106 from the drinking vessel body 102. A pair of generally opposing lateral forces 138, 140 (shown in Figure 3A) can be applied by the user to the lower end of the body portion 122, or to the abutments 130, such that the width of the body portion 122 is decreased until it is less than the diameter of the aperture 118. Once the width of the body portion 122 is less than the diameter of the aperture 118, the valve portion 120 can be removed from the drinking vessel closure 106. In this way, the components of the drinking vessel closure 106 may be more easily cleaned.
The valve portion 120 is configured to alternate between a first position and a second position.
In the first position, the valve portion 120 is configured to seal the rim portion 110 such that fluid communication between the drinking vessel 102 and the free edge 114 is prevented.
Figure 2A depicts the valve portion 120 in the first position. The valve portion 120 is configured to prevent fluid communication between the drinking vessel 102 and the free edge 114 via the sealing portion 126 of the valve portion 120. In particular, the sealing portion 126 of the valve portion 120 is configured to sealingly contact the free edge 114 of the rim portion 110, such that fluid is able to traverse the aperture 118, but is unable to arrive at the free edge 114.
Accordingly, the valve portion 120 prevents fluid escaping the drinking vessel when not in use.
In the second position, the valve portion 120 is configured to allow fluid communication between the aperture 118 and the free edge 114, such that fluid communication between the drinking vessel 102 and the free edge 114 is allowed. The valve portion 120 is configured to move to the second position in response to a negative pressure, for example when a user applies a suction force to the free edge 114. The negative pressure causes the sealing portion 126 of the valve portion 120 to separate from the free edge 114 of the rim portion, such that fluid is able to travel out of the separation and to the user. Accordingly, the sealing portion 126 provides a separation from the free edge 114 of the rim portion 110 when the valve portion is in the second position.
The valve portion 120 further comprises a pressure relief valve 142 configured to prevent the creation of a vacuum within the drinking vessel closure 106. In particular, when a vacuum is generated within an internal volume of the drinking vessel closure (i.e., a volume between the rim portion 110 and the valve portion 120), the pressure relief valve 142 opens and relieves the pressure. In the present example, the pressure relief valve 142 is located on the sealing portion 126.
In some embodiments, the abutments 130 may be additionally or alternatively flexible. That is, the body portion 122 may be rigid except for the abutments 130, which may be flexible, although it will be appreciated that the body portion 122 may still be compressible. In this alternative embodiment, when forces are applied to the abutments 130, a width of the body portion 122 still decreases for attachment or detachment.
The description provided herein may be directed to specific implementations. It should be understood that the discussion provided herein is provided for the purpose of enabling a person with ordinary skill in the art to make and use any subject matter defined herein by the subject matter of the claims.
It should be intended that the subject matter of the claims not be limited to the implementations and illustrations provided herein, but include modified forms of those implementations including portions of implementations and combinations of elements of different implementations in accordance with the claims. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions should be made to achieve a developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business related const1raints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort may be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having benefit of this invention.
Reference has been made in detail to various implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention provided herein. However, the invention provided herein may be practiced without these specific details. In some other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure details of the embodiments.
It should also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element.
The first element and the second element are both elements, respectively, but they are not to be considered the same element.
The terminology used in the description of the invention provided herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations and is not intended to limit the invention provided herein.
As used in the description of the invention provided herein and appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The terms "includes," "including," "comprises," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
While the foregoing is directed to implementations of various techniques described herein, other and further implementations may be devised in accordance with the invention herein, which may be determined by the claims that follow. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.