CN1324226A

CN1324226A - No-spill drinking cup apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN1324226A
Application number: CN99812329A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 努利·E·哈其姆
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-21
Filing date: 1999-08-20
Publication date: 2001-11-28
Also published as: EP1104252B1; JP2003530271A; AR022980A1; EP1104252A4; CN1332860C; AU5687499A; CA2341418A1; WO2000010434A9; CN1515467A; ATE325565T1; EP1714592A1; DE69931264D1; EP1104252A1; WO2000010434A1; ES2264825T3; BR9906710A; CA2341418C; DE69931264T2; JP4455761B2

Abstract

A no-spill cup (22) and valve assembly (31) which provides an seal against accidental liquid flow. The sucking action at the cup spout creates negative pressure against a valve member (37, 39) near the spout (14) having an opening therein, causing the valve member (37, 39) and opening to move off of a protruding member, thereby unblocking the opening in the valve. When the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout. When not in use, the valve sits in a closed position, with the opening in the valve sitting on a protruding member and pressed against the protruding member's base, sealing off the opening in the valve assembly (31). The closed position provides a seal against fluid leakage during inadvertent spills. The cup assembly allows variable liquid flow rates by rotating the position of the valve assembly in the cover (11) of the cup.

Description

Non-spill drinking cup apparatus

Inventor: exert sharp E and breathe out its nurse Louisiana, Monroe

Related application

The application requires all priority of No. the 09/138th, 588, the U.S. Patent application of submitting on August 21st, 1998 and the U.S. Patent application of submitting on March 18th, 1999 the 09/271st, No. 779, their announcement is whole quote at this for reference.No. the 60th, 056,218, the U.S. Provisional Patent Application of submitting on August 21st, 1997 is also whole quote at this for reference.

Invention field

The present invention relates to a kind of non-spill cup assembly, it has improved valve mechanism, can prevent that when when not required liquid from flowing out from cup.

Background of invention

Non-spill cup assembly is well-known in the art.In the past, multiple this class component is developed out and renders in the market.In general, do not have the purpose of overflowing cup and provide a kind of structure, when not needing trickle, promptly when the user does not drink, can reduce as far as possible or prevent that liquid from overflowing from cup.But although this assembly in the prior art all attempts to prevent this type of accident, their structure can not provide avoids unwanted enough reliable protection of overflowing or leaking.Therefore, when being inverted this type of cup, perhaps more importantly, when acutely shaking cup, liquid usually can therefrom overflow.This is a special problem for the child, and these cups normally design to the child.Therefore, need the modified cup assembly that can prevent that unwanted liquid from overflowing in the art.

Brief summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a kind of improved nothing and overflow cup assembly.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of cup assembly, and when the user did not drink, it can prevent that liquid from flowing out from cup.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of cup assembly, and it can reduce and/or eliminate unexpected or unwanted liquid as far as possible and flow out or overflow cup.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of cup assembly, and it can regulate the flow velocity that liquid flows out cup.

Another object of the present invention provides a kind of cup assembly, and it can use to the child, can prevent that liquid from unexpectedly overflowing from cup.

Be combined in this open description, other purposes of the present invention will become very clear.

According to the present invention, a kind of improved Cup structure and valve member are provided, it provides and can prevent that liquid is from the unexpected sealing especially reliably of flowing out of cup outlet.According to the present invention, the user can be placed on his or her mouth the outlet of cup assembly when needing, and sucks liquid from cup in addition.Valve in the relative cup outlet of action that suck in the cup exit produces negative pressure or parital vacuum, causes valve to begin turning, or makes its inside to turning up, and opens an opening thus, such as through hole in the valve or slit.In preferred embodiment, valve top part is applied negative pressure make and move away a base portion that extends through the protrusion of this opening on the opening in the valve part.In case opening is opened, liquid can freely flow out by valve and outlet.

On the contrary, when not in use, valve is held on a stop, closed position, and opening is pressed against central hermetic unit, has sealed the opening in the valve member, slit or through hole thus.Therefore, at its relaxation state, owing to do not apply negative pressure, valve is held on a closed position, and fluid openings is sealed by central hermetic unit.In preferred embodiment, protrusion extends through opening with male-female relation, makes through hole closely be held on the protrusion against the bottom of protrusion and the base portion of central hermetic unit or seal.

In one embodiment, provide a kind of double valve device, it has a contiguous valve, and this valve seals when not applying negative pressure similarly, blocks the blow vent in the cup cap thus, further prevents the possibility that liquid flows out.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the valve closing position can provide the sealing especially reliably of avoiding fluid to leak, thereby can stop overflowing accidentally of liquid, even make such as coming intentionally liquid to be done out also to be not enough to succeed outside the cup by cup being inverted or being shaken cup.

In another embodiment of the present invention, this cup assembly allows by the position of rotating valve assembly in the cup cap, regulates liquid flow between common or Peak Flow Rate and minimum flow velocity.Valve seat is configured to two sub-unit blocks, and a sub-component has supported slit or the big slit of Kong Yaoda or a valve in hole that has the valve of ratio second subelement that is used for fluid flow.Therefore, rotating valve, low-speed flow movable valve or flow at high speed valve just all can be arranged in the hole of leading to outlet.In this way, provide a kind of dual position valve member, allowed common fluid flow state or minimum fluid flow state.

The accompanying drawing summary

Fig. 1 (a) does not have the decomposition front view that overflows cup assembly according to of the present invention one.Fig. 1 (b) is the exploded perspective view that the nothing shown in Fig. 1 (a) is overflowed cup assembly.

Fig. 2 (a) is the decomposition front view that overflows second embodiment of cup assembly according to a nothing of the present invention.Fig. 2 (b) is the exploded perspective view that the nothing shown in Fig. 2 (a) is overflowed cup assembly.

Fig. 3 is the stereogram according to valve member of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is the exploded perspective view that overflows another embodiment of cup valve member according to nothing of the present invention.

Fig. 5 (a) is the decomposition front view of cup assembly of the present invention, and it shows valve seat or assembly and rotates and enter the two replaceable positions that can be placed in the cup cap.Fig. 5 (b) is an exploded perspective view, and it illustrates valve seat and is placed in the cap with any one position in the two positions shown in Fig. 5 (a).

Fig. 6 (a)-(e) is a series of appended drawings of valve seat or the assembly of Fig. 3.Fig. 6 (a) is the vertical view of this valve seat.Fig. 6 (b) is the front view of this valve seat.Fig. 6 (c) is the side view of this valve seat.Fig. 6 (d) is the cutaway view of this valve seat, and wherein this valve is in relaxation state, has sealed flowing of fluid.Fig. 6 (e) is the cutaway view of this valve seat, and it shows the valve that is in inversion state, allows liquid to flow through this valve.

Fig. 7 is the exploded perspective view that overflows another embodiment of cup valve member according to nothing of the present invention.

Fig. 8 (a)-(e) is a series of appended drawings of another embodiment of valve member shown in Figure 6.Fig. 8 (a) is the vertical view of this valve seat or assembly.Fig. 8 (b) is the front view of this valve seat.Fig. 8 (c) is the side view of this valve seat.Fig. 8 (d) is the cutaway view of this valve seat, and wherein this valve is in relaxation state, has sealed flowing of fluid.Fig. 8 (e) is the cutaway view of this valve seat, and it shows the valve that is in inversion state, allows liquid to flow through this valve.

Fig. 9 (a)-(e) is a series of appended drawings of another embodiment of valve member shown in Figure 8.Fig. 9 (a) is the vertical view of this valve seat or assembly.Fig. 9 (b) is the front view of this valve seat.Fig. 9 (c) is the side view of this valve seat.Fig. 9 (d) is the cutaway view of this valve seat, and wherein this valve is in relaxation state, has sealed flowing of fluid.Fig. 9 (e) is the cutaway view of this valve seat, and it shows the valve that is in inversion state, allows liquid to flow through this valve.

Figure 10 is that one of the flexible gripping area that has of the present invention does not have the side view that overflows cup.

Figure 11 (a)-(c) is a series of appended drawings of another embodiment of lid of the present invention.Figure 11 (a) has a partial sectional view inserted mode system or that be bonded in a lid of liner wherein according to the present invention.Figure 11 (b) is the sectional view of the lid of Figure 11 (a).Figure 11 (c) is the vertical view cutaway drawing of the lid of Figure 11 (b).

Figure 12 (a)-(c) is a series of appended drawings of another embodiment of lid of the present invention.Figure 11 (a) is the partial sectional view that has a lid of a molded flange according to the present invention, and this flange is wedged the inner surface of this cup.Figure 12 (b) is the sectional view of the lid of Figure 12 (a).Figure 12 (c) is the vertical view cutaway drawing of the lid of Figure 12 (b).

Figure 13 is the sectional view that has a lid of a flexible outlet according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is the sectional view that has a lid of the outlet that reduces volume according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 (a)-(f) is a series of appended drawings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and wherein central backstop is through revising, and the opening in the valve is the through hole or the hole of sub-circular.

Figure 15 (a) is the vertical view of the valve seat of the modified valve of maintenance of the present invention.

Figure 15 (b) is the cutaway view of the valve seat of Figure 15 (a), wherein expresses modified valve, and it comprises that this backstop has a protrusion once the central backstop of revising.The opening that has a sub-circular in this valve, this opening is blocked by the protrusion that extends through wherein.

Figure 15 (c) is the side view of the valve seat of Figure 15 (a).

Figure 15 (d) is the end-view of the valve seat of Figure 15 (a).

Figure 15 (e) is the cutaway view of the interior valve of the valve seat of Figure 15 (a), expresses the quick flow valve of the embodiment of the invention, and wherein central backstop has one from its protrusion that extends out through modification.

Figure 15 (f) is the cutaway view of the interior valve of the valve seat of Figure 15 (a), expresses the flow valve at a slow speed of the embodiment of the invention, and wherein central backstop has one from its protrusion that extends out through modification.

Figure 16 (a)-(d) is a series of views of a valve seat subelement of the valve seat shown in Figure 15 (a)-(f).Figure 16 (a) is the vertical view of valve seat subelement, and it is used to be connected in one does not have the cap that overflows cup.Figure 16 (b) is the cutaway view of the valve seat subelement of Figure 16 (a).Figure 16 (c) is the side view of the valve seat subelement shown in Figure 16 (a).Figure 16 (d) is the stereogram of this valve seat subelement.

Figure 17 (a)-(d) is a series of views of the valve of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 15 (a)-(f) and Figure 16 (a)-(d).Figure 17 (a) is the vertical view of this valve, and it is used to be arranged in the valve seat subelement as shown in Figure 16 (a)-(d) or is arranged in the valve seat as shown in Figure 15 (a)-(f).Figure 17 (b) is the cutaway view of the valve of Figure 17 (a).Figure 17 (c) is the side view of the valve shown in Figure 17 (a).Figure 17 (d) is the exploded view of the part of the valve shown in Figure 17 (b).

The detailed description of the present invention and preferred embodiment thereof

In conjunction with the accompanying drawings, with disclosing a kind of cup assembly of novelty, overflow with the accident that can prevent liquid.Fig. 1 (a) and Fig. 1 (b) are respectively front view and the stereograms according to an embodiment of cup assembly of the present invention.Can adjust the volume of cup or assembly receiving fluids part according to need.In one embodiment, as described in Figure 1, provide one 7 ounces drinking glasses.In addition, Fig. 2 is described to be one 9 ounces drinking glasses, and the cup of 6.5 ounces or other required sizes can certainly be provided.

For the user can hold cup, the avris of cup can not be provided with handle, the handle of a handle, two handles or other numbers is set.The size of this handle preferably adapts to children's hand.In addition, the appearance of cup and/or cap can be a kind of monochromes, perhaps are printed on any required figure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in figure 10, provide a kind of nothing that has flexible gripping area to overflow cup.According to this embodiment, around the arranged outside of cup one soft ring 102.This ring can be required any width, and as a finger handle, so that secure grip cup easily.Preferably, this ring is approximately two inches wide (2 ").In a preferred embodiment, soft ring 102 has shape or the pattern 106 that cuts into, for example star, ellipse or the like.And hard cup has and these shapes or corresponding lifting region of pattern or protuberance.Soft ring closely is engaged on these lifting region of cup, and each outstanding hard shape is fit into the cut place of soft ring, and when this ring was inserted on the cup, the surface of lifting region and soft ring flushed.

In one embodiment of the invention, cup is made with Merlon.In another embodiment, cup is made with polypropylene.If desired, can utilize pure polypropylene.In addition, can use other any suitable materials to make and not have the member that overflows cup.The member of cup is all made with durable material, can be anti-fracture, safe in utilization and preferably be difficult for fading in dishwashers.

According to the present invention, cup 7 has non-spill cap or lid 11, a valve seat or assembly 31 and cup 22.Non-spill cap 11 has an outlet 14, with drinkable liquid from cup.Outlet is sized to make the people mouth can be placed in the outlet, to drink from there.In this preferred embodiment, the size of this outlet is set the mouth that adapts to children for, particularly childhood children.

Non-spill cap 11 has formed a lid that can be placed on the cup 22.In the time of on being fixed on cup 22, just formed a firm sealing, therefore do not had liquid and between cap 11 and cup 22, overflow.In use, cap 11 enough is securely fixed on the cup 22, so rock cup assembly, cup falls on the floor, and perhaps the strenuous exercise of cup assembly perhaps applies impulsive force to it, all deficiency so that cap separate from cup.

In one embodiment, non-spill cap 11 and cup 22 have the negative and positive screw thread that is complementary, so cap 11 is screw-type caps, and it can easily be spun on the cup 22, as shown in Figure 2.In another embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, used a snap-on cap.In this embodiment, the elastic ring of cap 11 part can be assemblied on the flange 10 of cup 22 securely, and this is well-known in the art.Although show screw-type and snap-on cap as two preferred embodiments,, also can use other any suitable mechanism that cap can be fixed on the cup in addition.

No matter screw-type cap or snap-on cap all can be provided with a sealing ring 110 again between cup and cap, with the connection between further sealing cup and the cap.The sealing circle can be the part of cup 22 or cap 11, or is inserted in an independent member between cap and the cup.In a preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 11 (a)-(c), sealing ring 110 is parts of cap 11.

Another program is, a less annular inward flange can be set in the cap inboard, and this flange plays the effect of sealing ring.Shown in Figure 12 (a)-(c), when cap was screwed in or is placed on the cup, this flange was just wedged cup inside.This flange can prevent further that liquid from flowing out from the contact position between cup and the cap.

In a preferred embodiment, the arranged outside of cap has finger grip portion, for example groove or analog.These grip portions have made things convenient for pulling down and loading onto of cap, particularly in the embodiment that cap need be screwed on the cup and back out.

This cap also preferably is common to the cup of various different sizes.In this embodiment, although each cup itself is different volume, the wheel rim of each cup has identical diameter.For example, the cap of same size can use on the cup of 6.5 ounces, 7 ounces and/or 9 ounces etc.

In another embodiment of cap, as shown in figure 13, cap has a flexible outlet 130.Preferably, outlet is made with thermoelastic material.Outlet 130 can moldedly be embedded on the polypropylene cap, has in order to be connected the hard part on the cup and the combination cap of a flexible exit portion to provide a kind of.Preferably, outlet has the therefrom less passage by extending, to reduce to be trapped in the liquid capacity in the exit portion.

In another embodiment of cap, cap has the outlet that reduces of volume as shown in figure 14.The outlet 140 that volume reduces is designed to can to reduce to be trapped in the liquid capacity in the outlet.The outlet 140 that volume reduces has a volume reduction member 144 that inserts in it, with the internal capacity that reduces to export, and provides a passage 148 of circulation for liquid.Preferably, valve member subelement 142 extends upward in the outlet 140, further to reduce to be trapped in the amount of liquid in the outlet 140.Valve member subelement 142 extensible entering in the volume reduction member 144 for example.Therefore, this embodiment has reduced valve and has drunk space between the opening of outlet, to reduce being trapped in this regional amount of liquid.

Shown in Fig. 1 (b), nothing is overflowed cap 11 and is had valve member bearing 16 and 18.In this preferred embodiment, valve member bearing 16 and 18 is arranged on the bellmouth on the cap downside.Valve member bearing 18 or bellmouth 18 lead to an open outlet 14, and flowing to liquid provides a passage.Therefore, valve member bearing or hole 18 are wide-open in its both sides, and its end face leads to outlet 14, and its bottom surface is relative with cup 22, so that liquid can flow out from cup 22, enter into user's mouth by hole 18 and outlet 14.

Comparatively speaking, the passage that valve member bearing or bellmouth 16 provide air in use to enter cup is so that liquid can flow out by relative hole 18 and outlet 14.Hole 16 in the one side, be that the lower surface of relative cup 22 is open.In an opposite side, hole 16 meets at the inner surface of cap 11.The inner surface of cap 11 also is provided with and one or morely is preferably less blow vent or hole of flowing for air so that air can be in use blow vent and hole 16 by cap 11 enter into cup assembly.

As illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, do not have and to overflow cup 7 and also have valve seat or assembly 31.Valve seat 31 is preferably made with resistant to elevated temperatures ABS material, and its size can make it closely be assemblied in the cap 11.In this preferred embodiment, valve seat is to be assemblied in the independent assembly of one in the cap 11.In addition, valve seat also can be arranged to the part that becomes one with cap 11 and/or cup 7.For example, valve seat 31 can be molded as the part of cap 11, so this valve seat and cap are inseparable.

In this preferred embodiment, valve seat 31 is the two subelement assemblies that connect by bridging part 34.The size of each subelement of two subelement assemblies can make it frictionally be fitted into and be bearing among in each bellmouth 16 and 18 one.Distance between each subelement of distance between the bellmouth 16 and 18 and valve seat 31 equates, therefore can easily valve seat be fixed in the cap 11.Hole 16 and 18 size and the size of tapering and valve seat 31 are configured to suitable dimensions, to provide between valve member and the bellmouth one firmly, cooperate closely.In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the top of valve seat (being an export-oriented side) and valve one side of cup (promptly towards) has different diameters.The big I at top closely is assemblied in the bellmouth it, and the size of bottom then makes it can not be inserted in hole 16 or 18.In this way, provide a kind of valve seat that prevents with the orientation of mistake, promptly be inserted into mechanism in the hole upside down.

Fig. 3 is the amplification exploded perspective view of valve seat of the present invention.Valve seat 31 is made up of two the

valve seat subelements

37 and 39 that link together by bridging part 34.Each valve seat subelement has supported a single valve within it.As shown in the figure, valve or valve part 42 are suitable for being placed in the subelement 37, and valve or valve part 45 are suitable for being placed in the subelement 39.Valve 42 and 45 all has for liquid the slit or the through hole of circulation.This slit or through hole be the middle part by valve preferably, and its size is set on demand liquid is passed through with predetermined flow velocity.

Valve seat subelement

37 and 39 is opened the rear and is respectively sealing unit 37a and 39 (a) and valve maintenance circle or end cap 37b and 39 (b).With the example of subelement 37 as each subelement function, as shown in Figure 3, subelement is in an enable possition at first, and wherein sealing unit and valve retainer have been drawn back or hinged separating.In one embodiment, sealing unit has small pieces 60 that are connected them with valve retainer, for good and all separates because of accident to prevent member.In addition, as Fig. 4 and shown in Figure 7, valve retainer can be by welding location (for example by sonic welded (sonic welding)).Sealing unit respectively has at least one open section 58, so at the disassembled state of valve member, fluid can unhinderedly flow through sealing unit, because valve is not in the position.Similarly, valve retainer all is open in both sides, when valve is not in the position, makes fluid unhinderedly pass through valve retainer at disassembled state.

In order to assemble valve member,, valve is inserted in the valve seat by valve 42 is placed between sealing unit 37a and the valve retainer 37b.After a valve has been placed in one or two subelement, valve retainer can turn back or hinged returning around small pieces 60, put in place to close subelement, as shown in Figure 5 in (or under sealing unit 39, position as shown in the figure) on the sealing unit 37 and engaging.The elasticity of sealing unit makes can set up sealing closely between valve retainer and sealing unit.When closing, each subelement has sealed or has encapsulated valve in it securely, and this valve is remained on appropriate location in the valve seat.For the purpose of clear, mainly narrate subelement 37, but except the size of valve openings,

subelement

37,39 preferably has identical feature.For the purpose of discussing at present, suppose that subelement 37 is intended to be placed at first the subelement in the hole 18.

Shown in Fig. 5,6,8 and 9, when closing a subelement (for example subelement among Fig. 3 37), valve 42 is put on the central authorities' sealing backstop or central backstop 52 that is against among the sealing unit 37a securely, and the opening 70 in the valve 42 is concordant with central sealing backstop 52.Valve 42 has a top, towards the nearside of cap outlet with when valve is placed in the valve seat 31, be shelved on central authorities and seal a distal side on the backstop.

The function of central authorities' backstop 52 is hermetic unit or stop members as valve member, and it can seal or stop the fluid that flows through valve.In a preferred embodiment, central backstop 52 comprises a solid central area or a part 56, and flowing liquid can not pass this part.In another preferred embodiment, central backstop or hermetic unit 101 have a protrusion 108 that extends out from the base portion of central hermetic unit, as shown in figure 15.

Around central area or part 56, a neighboring area or position 58 can be provided, it has open zone, and for example groove or the like passes through for liquid, for example, shown in Fig. 8 (a).Central area 56 or central backstop 52 also have bar 74.As shown in Figure 9, bar 74 also adds intrinsic tie rod (brace) 72, and tie rod 72 is footings, and it provides the extra strength of materials that connects between bar and the valve seat.

When being in normal stop position, valve 42 loosens and closely puts and leans against on the central backstop 52, shown in Fig. 8 (d).At this stop position, the opening of valve 42 or through hole 70 are pressed against on the central area 56 of central backstop 52 securely, prevent that liquid from flowing through valve, valve are remained on the form of closing.In another embodiment, through hole can be put securely and be against on the protrusion 108, as shown in figure 15.

In order to drink from cup, it is other also by outlet 14 sucking liquid that the user lifts his or her mouth with cup.In this process, the top of user's relative valve 42 in subelement 37 has produced a negative pressure or a parital vacuum.In one embodiment, valve 42 is with elastomeric materials, and because of the top of valve 42 has relatively produced a parital vacuum, valve 42 can overturn and make outwards inner fully, perhaps begin turning and make inner outside, shown in Fig. 8 (e).For example, valve 42 is all or part of is a barrier film.Preferably, valve is made with craton (Kraton) or silicone.If use silicone, hardometer measured value are 45 silicone, for example Lims 6045 is preferable, it can obtain from the Wei Ke (Wacker) (subsidiary of Bayer (Bayer)) of General Electric Co. Limited or Germany.Material as valve member and member thereof is very durable and high temperature resistant, so whole valve member can be placed in the dishwashers or boil.

In one embodiment, valve material homogenous material body plan, the central-region material thickness that is sealed on the central backstop is bigger, is the thin part of material on sidewall.Provide thin sidewall sections to help the elasticity of valve at its edge, this further helps the upset of valve, causes valve at first in the side-walls bending when there applies negative pressure.The preferred dimensions of valve thickness approximately is 0.4mm at sidewall, approximately is 0.9mm in the central area.

In first embodiment, because of the upset of valve 42, opening or through hole 70 are removed from the central area 56 of central backstop 52.Opening 70 has been got through in the upset of valve, makes liquid flow through this subelement.As the top that negative pressure is applied to the contiguous valve 42 that exports, negative pressure similarly is applied to the bottom of the adjacent valve in another subelement, and this subelement is arranged in another bellmouth of bowl cover.Therefore, remove from its central backstop by making the opening in another valve, this negative pressure has also been opened second valve.But the upset of valve 42 makes two subelements of fluid flowing through component.Liquid will flow through a subelement that is connected to outlet of valve member, and another of air flowing through component is connected the subelement of blow vent simultaneously.In this way, liquid steadily and easily flows through valve member, outlet, and flows out from cup.

In another preferred embodiment, valve member is provided with a flow bridge 84.Flow bridge 84 stops the motion of valve 42 or stretch to surpass certain ultimate range, too stretches to prevent valve self, prevents that perhaps it from bearing too big stress or expansion, shown in Fig. 8 (e).Therefore, flow bridge can prevent that the upset of valve from surpassing certain position, and it no longer can easily turn back to its initial position to surpass this position.In addition, flow bridge provides a kind of barrier or guard shield, can prevent that valve from coming to harm.Therefore, in dishwashers or other places, it can stop that objects such as spoon damage valve easily.

When outlet disappears or eliminated negative pressure, valve turns back to its stop position, and fluid can not flow through the slit or the through hole of closing in the valve.At stop position, will not have liquid and overflow or spill cup.

Other embodiment of valve seat and assembly are illustrated among Fig. 4,7-9 and the 15-17.As shown in Figure 4, not valve retainer shown in Figure 3, and provide a kind of dismountable snap fit valve retainer 81.Perhaps, as shown in Figure 7, also can provide a kind of valve retainer 94.

Valve retainer

81 and 94 has the identical functions with valve retainer 37b and 39 (b), and valve is supported and is fixed in the valve member.No matter utilized that embodiment, preferably use the valve retainer of sonic welded, can not remove or break away to guarantee valve from valve seat.

Therefore according to the present invention, provide the system that when not using cup, can keep the tight seal fluid to flow.Violent shaking provide a kind of sealing especially reliably, so also can not make fluid flow out cup.Significantly, disclosed valve mechanism overflows cup assembly than the nothing in the prior art and has more closely sealing.According to the present invention, unless the user sucks by outlet, liquid that can not flows through valve.

In this preferred embodiment, except the through hole in the through hole in the valve 42 or slit and the valve 45 or the size of slit,

subelement

37 and 39 preferably is identical in all fields.A valve is preferably provided with bigger opening than another valve, for example in the valve than longer slit of another valve or bigger through hole.In one embodiment, a valve is provided with the opening of form of slits, and the length of this slit is approximately one inch 200/1000ths (200/1000), second valves and is provided with about 50/1000ths feet slit.In addition, according to the present invention, can certainly use other length and size.

By changing the size and/or the shape of valve split shed, the inventor also provides a kind of double action running system in order to the adjusting fluid flow of novelty.In this system, in use can easily regulate the liquidity of trickle from cup.The rotating valve assembly just can be regulated simply, and cup can be changed between a very fast or higher fluid flow and a slower or lower running system.

As shown in Figure 5, valve seat 31 can be inserted in the cap 11 with the arbitrary structure in two kinds of structures.In first structure, valve 45 with big opening or through hole or slit is placed on and exports 14 holes that communicate 18.In this structure, when the user sucked liquid by outlet, because of having used the valve that has big opening in it, this had just set up the first higher liquidity of the liquid that flows through valve.By 16 and 18 removing valve seat 31, and, another valve 42 with smaller opening can be inserted in the hole 18 valve seat 31 upsets 180 degree (180 °) from the hole.This valve 42 provides the second lower flow regime, and wherein liquid still can flow out outlet, but lower than the flow velocity that flows through first valve.In this way, can regulate the flow velocity that liquid flows out cup by father and mother.Although disclose the system of two kinds of liquidities, by changing the number of the subelement that is connected that has valve in it, perhaps by changing the valve seat that has different size opening 70 in it, can higher or lower liquidity is provided.But, in all structures,, having only when the user sucks by outlet as above disclosed, liquid just can flow through valve.

In valve, can utilize the opening of any desired form of the passage that is suitable for required liquid flow degree.Opening 70 can be for example a slit, a notch, through hole (comprising any type of hole) or the like.Similarly, for " opening " speech, the opening or the other forms of opening of a plurality of these types can be set also.

In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, opening 70 is notches 78 of " X " shape.In another preferred embodiment, also as shown in Figure 7, opening is a "T"-shaped notch 76.Use X-shaped groove mouth 78 shown in Figure 7, will provide than shown in the higher flow velocity of T-slot mouth 76.Certainly, flow velocity depends on the total length of notch, in a word, depends on the size of opening.Therefore, X-shaped groove and T-slot all can use in single valve member, respectively are placed in its each subelement.In this preferred embodiment,, provide a system with two kinds of liquidities as above-mentioned discussion.

In another embodiment, two openings all are X-shapeds, and another is big for aperture efficiency.The opening of a 7mm (the end-to-end length of each transposition arm of " X ") can be used on very fast side, and the opening of a 6mm is used in slow side.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, valve comprises that a valve part 126 and has the central backstop or the hermetic unit of a protrusion.The preferred construction of valve and size are shown among Figure 15-17.

As shown in Figure 17 (a), valve part 126 comprises a opening such as through hole or hole 118, and preferably a barrier film or flexible material part.Valve part and protrusion can be made by suitable flexibility or plastic material, such as silicone, craton, latex or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)).

Valve part 126 preferably is packaged in a valve member subelement 114,116 or 130, and the valve member subelement is shown in Figure 15 (a) and 16.Valve member subelement 130 has the opening by it, for the side of liquid when valve is shown in an open position by subelement, then by valve, again by the opposite side of subelement, allows the user can drink when valve being applied negative pressure or sucking.This valve subelement or be arranged near the valve part another suitable anti-canting spare or excessive upset that flow bridge can be further used for stoping valve part.According to this embodiment, the sidepiece of valve subelement or anti-canting spare is arranged to close enough in valve part, makes when valve part being applied negative pressure or sucking the sidepiece of valve part knockson unit before overturning fully.

In preferred embodiment, central backstop or seal 101 have a protrusion 108 that extends out from a base portion 104, shown in Figure 15 (b) and Figure 15 (e)-(f).Protrusion 108 is a public sealing or protrusion, and it extends through through hole 118 at the valve closing state.Preferably use a through hole circle or sub-circular, but also can use the through hole of Any shape according to the invention.

And public sealing or protrusion 108 be bar or pin preferably, such as a bar frustoconical or taper, or a finger.118 extensions from base portion 104 towards through hole of public sealing or protrusion 108 as a projection or ledge.Best, sealing or protrusion 108 are tapered.Particularly, in preferred embodiment, the diameter that the diameter that protrusion 108 is located at its bottom (near the base portion 104 of central hermetic unit) is located greater than its top.In preferred embodiment, base portion 104 is flat substantially.

According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, protrusion 108 is provided with respect to female through hole 118, makes the through hole 118 in protrusion 108 and the central hermetic unit form a male-female matching relationship.At relaxation state, if do not apply negative pressure, then central hermetic unit 101 is pressed against through hole 118, and protrusion 108 closely extends through through hole and forms one and stops fluid to flow through the sealing of valve.Because cooperating between seal and the through hole, and because being tapered of the bigger seal of the base portion place of protrusion diameter, through hole is posted by the major diameter bottom of protrusion 108, thereby forms a sealing very reliably that stops fluid to flow through.In addition, in preferred embodiment, protrusion 108 extends beyond through hole 118, just at the valve closing state, the top of projection or seal 108 extends through and extend through through hole 118, thereby further stops fluid to flow through valve, and prevents through hole from too moving and move away protrusion.According to the present invention,, do not have fluid yet and flow through valve even firmly shake the cup that has this valve.In fact, shake cup and can further make protrusion 108 wedgings go into through hole 118, thereby further strengthen the sealing between protrusion and the bore periphery.

In this preferred embodiment, as children or user cup is receded and drink and when sucking the top of valve, the negative pressure that he or she puts on valve top part can upwards be drawn the valve part that contains opening and be left valve and protrusion, thereby opens valve.Therefore, leave protrusion if opening or through hole are pulled, opening or through hole will be opened, and liquid can flow into user's mouth by opening.

According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, a variable flow rate valve is provided, make that the sucking dynamics of user in outlet is big more, the flow of the liquid that flows out by valve is just big more.Because valve part preferably is held on the pyramidal projections part, such as taper or frustoconical part, thereby the negative pressure on the valve part top is high more, and just the sucking dynamics of user in outlet is big more, and valve part just is pulled that to leave cone severe more.Along with further being spurred the base portion that leaves protrusion 108, valve part also makes progress through its height (height of the process cone that for example makes progress), opening in the valve part or through hole are opened gradually because of the protrusion 108 of taper, become big cross-sectional area gradually and flow through for fluid thereby expose one.

Further, valve top part is applied negative pressure can cause the valve partial switching, thereby protrusion is left in the valve lifting, but preferably be not to overturn fully according to the embodiment shown in Figure 15-17.Along with valve begins turning, through hole is raised and leaves protrusion, thereby partially opens through hole, and fluid is flow through, and discloses as above.

In preferred embodiment, the through hole in the valve part 124 is rounded, is about 3/32 inch+/-1/16 inch for its diameter of valve side at a slow speed, is about 1/8 inch+/-1/16 inch for its diameter of quick flow valve.Best, on quick flow valve, in 1/8 ', the diameter at its place, top is about 1/16 inch to protrusion in the slightly larger in diameter at its base portion place, and on flow valve at a slow speed, the diameter at the base portion place surpasses 3/32, and the diameter at the place, top is about 1/32 inch.Opening in the valve part 124 or Kongzui well also fall into circular arc from the teeth outwards, as shown in the amplification detail view of the through hole of Figure 17 (b) and Figure 17 (d), so that valve part 124 can more easily move up and down along protrusion, and it can not adhered on the protrusion in operating process.In preferred embodiment, arc radius is 0.0100 inch.

In one embodiment, valve is to be used to be connected in one or more subelement 114 of a non-spill valve member 120 of drinking cup or its cap and/or a part of 116.In another embodiment of the present invention, valve is to drink the cap of cup or the integral part of cover cap.In the preferred versions of this embodiment, valve seat is overmolded to the cap or the cover cap of cup, and perhaps cover cap is molded as the inside and is inserted with valve.In another preferred versions of this embodiment, only use a single valve, this valve has the protrusion that a tapering is about seven (7) degree.

In one embodiment of this invention, provide two valves, laid respectively at each side of the lid or the cap of cup.In this embodiment, the tapering of the protrusion of flow side is about seven (7) degree fast, and the tapering of the protrusion of flow side is about nine (9) degree at a slow speed.In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, use a single valve, this valve has the protrusion that a tapering is about seven (7) degree.

In various embodiments of the present invention, preferably also valve seat is carried out mark, to show which subelement is suitable for liquid and flows through it with high flow capacity, which is suitable for liquid and flows through it with low discharge.Therefore, valve seat can clearly be indicated " fast " and " at a slow speed ", respectively shown in Fig. 7 and 9.Another kind method, perhaps additionally, subelement or valve seat can indicate a hare or rabbit and represent to flow fast, and indicate a tortoise or green turtle and represent to flow at a slow speed, respectively as shown in Fig. 7 and 9.Be connected in the subelement of outlet yes the subelement of control liquid flow rate.Valve seat is mark on subelement itself for example, or is marking in the zone that is close to subelement on the bridging part, as shown in FIG..In one embodiment, valve seat marks (being exactly respectively the sidepiece in the face of outlet and cup) on top and bottom, thereby when inserting valve seat, can see symbol and/or literal from the top, and in case after inserting, can see symbol and/or literal from the bottom, thereby the valve of determining which kind of speed is in the outlet.In another embodiment, literal and/or symbol only are positioned on the bottom of valve, thereby the user can see them from the bottom when inserting valve seat, and in case after inserting, also can see valve seat from the bottom.

Described the present invention by specific embodiment, be understood that, these descriptions also do not mean that it is that the present invention is limited to some extent, because be open-and-shut to their further modification, are conspicuous in the art technical staff perhaps.The application should contain all such modification and improvement.

Claims

1. device that in drinking process, prevents to overflow, described device comprises:

One valve, described valve comprise a protrusion and an opening, and described valve has a closed position and an open position,

Described closed position is a kind of like this configuration, wherein said protrusion extend through described opening and block liquid by described opening,

Described open position is a kind of like this configuration, and wherein said protrusion and the described closed position of described aperture efficiency more separate, to allow liquid by described opening.

2. device as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, described protrusion is tapered to small part, and described opening is positioned at an elastomeric valves part, and described valve part begins turning after having negative pressure to put on described valve part and upgrades and leaves described pyramidal projections part.

3. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described device comprises that one is used for the cap of a cup.

4. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described device comprises drinks cup.

5. device as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described device comprises a valve member.

6. device that in drinking process, prevents to overflow, described device comprises:

One valve, described valve comprise a protrusion and a valve part, and described valve part comprises an opening, and described valve has a closed position and an open position,

Described closed position is a kind of like this configuration, wherein said protrusion extend through the described opening of described valve part and block liquid by described opening,

Described valve also is movable to an open position, and be pulled at valve part described in this open position and leave described protrusion and for liquid by described opening,

Described valve moves to described open position from described closed position after having negative pressure to put on described valve part.

7. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, described device comprises that one is used for the cap of a cup.

8. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, described device comprises that one is used for cup.

9. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that described device comprises a valve member.

10. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, described device comprises a valve member and a cup, and described valve is the part of described valve member, and described valve member and cap are configured to and make described valve member can be connected in described cap.

11. device as claimed in claim 6 is characterized in that, it also comprises a seal, and described seal comprises a described protrusion and a base portion, and described protrusion is connected in described base portion.

12. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described base portion is smooth substantially.

13. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described protrusion is a bar.

14. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, described protrusion is tapered.

15. device as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that, at least a portion of described bar is tapered.

16. a non-spill drinking device comprises:

One valve, described valve comprise a seal and an elastomeric valves part, and described seal comprises a protrusion and a base portion, comprise an opening in the described valve part;

Described valve has a closed position and an open position, and described closed position is a kind of like this configuration, and wherein said valve part is held near described base portion place, make described protrusion extend through described opening and block liquid by described opening;

Described valve also is movable to an open position, and described open position is the position of a described valve part away from described base portion, and described opening is partially opened at least, thereby allows liquid by described valve.

17. device as claimed in claim 16 is characterized in that, described valve is held on described closed position, and begins turning when having negative pressure to put on described valve part and move to described open position from described closed position.

18. a non-spill drinking device comprises:

One valve, described valve comprises a seal and a valve part, and described seal comprises a protrusion and a base portion, comprises the opening that a base portion is rounded in the described valve part, described protrusion has a top and a bottom, and described upper part diameter is less than described bottom;

Described valve moves to one position when the described device of liquid sucking-off is applied negative pressure with mouth to described opening the user, described open position is that a described valve part moves to the position that separates with described opening away from described base portion place, makes described opening partially open at least and allows liquid to pass through described opening and described valve.

19. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described device comprises that one is used for the cap of a cup.

20. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described device comprises drinks cup.

21. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described device comprises a valve member.

22. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described protrusion is tapered.

23. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, the tapering of at least a portion of described protrusion is seven (7) degree.

24. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, the tapering of at least a portion of described protrusion is nine (9) degree.

25. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, in described closed position, described protrusion extends through described opening and extends to beyond it.

26. device as claimed in claim 18, it is characterized in that, described device also comprises an anti-canting spare, and described anti-canting spare is arranged at this valve part place of close enough, makes this valve part will clash into described anti-canting spare and be prevented from further upset before the upset fully.

27. device as claimed in claim 18 is characterized in that, described valve part comprises a flexible material.