EP1998652A1 - Contenant anti-debordement pour boisson - Google Patents

Contenant anti-debordement pour boisson

Info

Publication number
EP1998652A1
EP1998652A1 EP06808765A EP06808765A EP1998652A1 EP 1998652 A1 EP1998652 A1 EP 1998652A1 EP 06808765 A EP06808765 A EP 06808765A EP 06808765 A EP06808765 A EP 06808765A EP 1998652 A1 EP1998652 A1 EP 1998652A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
liquid
container
venting means
outlet
drink
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP06808765A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Nicholas Jim Stone
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Slurpcup Ltd
Original Assignee
Nicholas Jim Stone
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nicholas Jim Stone filed Critical Nicholas Jim Stone
Publication of EP1998652A1 publication Critical patent/EP1998652A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
    • A47G19/00—Table service
    • A47G19/22—Drinking vessels or saucers used for table service
    • A47G19/2205—Drinking glasses or vessels
    • A47G19/2266—Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
    • A47G19/2272—Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
    • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
    • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/14—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars
    • B65D51/145—Rigid discs or spherical members adapted to be held in sealing engagement with mouth of container, e.g. closure plates for preserving jars by means of an additional element connected directly to the container

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a non-spill drinks container for use in circumstances where a normal open-ended receptacle would result in a risk of spillage.
  • risk of spillage could arise because of the circumstances of use, e.g. if the user is engaged in a physical activity or is located in a moving vehicle; or it could be because the user, being very young, old or handicapped, cannot be relied upon to hold the container steadily during use.
  • This invention provides a drink container comprising an outlet positioned to allow liquid to pour out when the container is tipped from an upright position to a drinking position, and venting means for allowing air to enter the container during such pouring, characterised in that: the venting means is located at a position so that it becomes covered with liquid when the container is tipped beyond the drinking position; and is of a size so that the liquid is prevented by surface tension from escaping through it; and the outlet is of a size that liquid is prevented from escaping through it when the venting means is covered but is large enough that liquid is free to escape when the venting means is open.
  • the outlet can be just a simple hole or slot sufficiently large to allow the liquid to pour through it without the application of suction from the user's lips as is needed in many prior devices.
  • the venting means similarly can be a small hole or a number of holes.
  • the venting means comprises a hole flared towards the outside of the container so that any liquid, held by surface tension in the hole, can easily be removed by blowing on the hole.
  • the outlet can be just a simple hole or slot sufficiently large to allow the liquid to pour through it without the application of suction from the user's lips as is needed in many prior devices.
  • the inventor has realised that, because the surface tension effect, that prevents liquid from flowing through the outlet when the vent is covered, is not dependent upon the number of holes, but rather the size of the hole, it is possible to replace the single outlet hole or slot with a group of holes thereby achieving improved flow rates of liquid out of the container together with reducing the tendency for spillage.
  • a drink container comprising an outlet positioned to allow liquid to pour out when the container is tipped from an upright position to a drinking position, and venting means for allowing air to enter the container during such pouring, characterised in that the venting means is located at a position so that it becomes covered with liquid when the container is tipped beyond the drinking position; and is of a size so that the liquid is prevented by surface tension from escaping through it and that the outlet comprises a plurality of holes of a size so that, when the venting means is covered, liquid is prevented by surface tension from escaping through the outlet.
  • a third aspect of this invention provides a drink container comprising a main body for holding the drink and an anti-spill cover member defining a restricted opening to allow the liquid to pour out; characterised by a rim designed to attach onto the main body with the cover member being held between the main body and the rim; the rim defining a repository for a small amount of the liquid after being poured from the opening.
  • an anti-spill lid for a drinks container characterised by an outlet positioned to allow liquid to pour out when the container is tipped from an upright position to a drinking position, and venting means for allowing air to enter the container during such pouring and further characterised in that the venting means is located at a position so that it becomes covered with liquid when the container is tipped beyond the drinking position; and is of a size so that the liquid is prevented by surface tension from escaping through it, - A -
  • Fig 1 is an exploded perspective view from one side of a non-spill drinking mug constructed in accordance with the invention and shown in an upright position;
  • Fig 2 is a perspective view of the same mug but as seen from above so as to show outlet and vent holes;
  • Fig 3 is an axial cross-section through the mug of Figs 1 and 2, showing it tilted to a drinking position;
  • Fig 4 is similar to Fig 3 but shows the mug after tilting beyond a position for normal drinking.
  • Fig 5 is a plan view of the mug illustrating an alternative arrangement of outlet and venting holes .
  • the illustrated non-spill drinking vessel is made from just three components each moulded from synthetic plastics material.
  • a main body 1 is transparent so that the user can see how much liquid it contains and has a short quarter-turn thread on the outside surface of its upper lip.
  • a spill-prevention cover disc 2 is received in a rebate formed on the lower edge of a rim member 3.
  • the latter has an internal screw thread co-operating with the thread on the main body 1 so as to clamp the cover 2 in watertight relationship with the parts 1 and 3.
  • the rim 3 is moulded integrally with a handle 3 A.
  • the disc 2 is formed with an outlet slot 2 A and an array of vents 2B. Each of these vents is flared towards the outside as can be seen in Figs 3.
  • Slot 2 is of a size that freely allows the escape of liquid out of the container when the vent is clear, but is small enough that the surface tension effect of the liquid is strong enough to prevent liquid from escaping when the vent 2B is covered.
  • Fig 3 shows the mug tipped during use.
  • the liquid contents of the mug pours out of the slot 2A so as to occupy a space enclosed by the rim 3 from where it can be drunk in a conventional manner.
  • the liquid inside the mug covers the vents 2B, preventing the ingress of air and therefore preventing spillage of liquid.
  • the mug is returned to a position as shown in Fig 3, some of the liquid is retained, by the action of surface tension, at the narrow inner end of each vent holes 2B. The user then blows into the relatively wide outer ends of the vent holes 2B and, because of their tapered shape this easily clears the blockage caused by the retained liquid.
  • the mug may also be designed so that, when dropped, it is unlikely to come to rest in a position with the aperture 2A at the bottom.
  • the illustrated device has no drinking spout or valve mechanism, it is simple to manufacture and easy to assemble/dissemble and clean. It can also allow the user to appear to be drinking from a conventional mug. Drinking from the open edge of the mug teaches a child to drink correctly in terms of breathing etc. and can accelerate progress towards normal drinking from a cup. The principle of operation is effective for teaching correct use of the mug because excessive tilting, such as would for a normal mug cause spillage, simply cuts off the supply of drink from the user. Furthermore, is believed that there may be some orthodontic advantage to drinking in this way.
  • FIG. 5 there is illustrated a plan view of a disc with an alternative arrangement of venting and outlet holes.
  • the outlet is formed from a group or array of holes 4A, whilst the vent is formed by a single hole 4B.
  • the holes 4A although smaller than the slot 2A, are still large enough to allow liquid to flow through freely when the vent 4B is clear.
  • the surface tension effect is not dependent upon the number of holes but rather their size, it is possible by using a plurality of holes, to create a vent having a larger total area than would be possible using a single hole or slot without losing the surface tension effect which maintains the liquid within the cup when the vent is blocked.
  • the flow rate of liquid out of the cup can be easily controlled by adjusting the number of outlet holes 4A.
  • the disc 2 and/or the rim 3 may be combined into a single moulded component or lid for a drinking container.
  • the lid formed from synthetic plastics material may be adapted so as to clip/affix onto a rim of a drinking cup such as those commonly used for containing take-away coffee, soft drinks etcetera.
  • suitable locating means may be included to ensure the correct relative rotational positions of parts 2 and 3 for left or right-handed users.
  • the components 2 and 3 could be combined as a single moulded component designed specifically either for a right or left handed user or if used solely for the purpose as a not spill lid, may not comprise a handle at all.
  • vents positioned as shown at 2B instead of vents positioned as shown at 2B, a single vent could be positioned at the centre of the disc 2, though this would not be effective in preventing spillage when the mug contained just a small amount of liquid, equally in the embodiment shown in Fig 5, the vent 4B may be positioned closer to the outlet as shown at 2A.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pediatric Medicine (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
  • Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

L'art antérieur concernant les contenants anti-débordement pour boisson a utilisé des méthodes qui contraignent l'utilisateur à boire différemment de lorsqu'il boit normalement, ce qui peut s'avérer non seulement peu pratique mais aussi gênant pour celui-ci. L'invention concerne un gobelet (1) doté d'un couvercle (2) de protection contre les débordements définissant une sortie (2A) et un moyen (2B) de passage d'air. La sortie (2A) et le moyen (2B) de passage d'air sont tous deux d'une certaine taille et dans une position telles que, lorsque le gobelet (1) est incliné dans une position permettant de boire, le liquide puisse s'écouler librement mais ne puisse pas sortir lorsque le gobelet (1) est incliné au-delà d'une position permettant de boire. Le couvercle (2) est logé sur le bord inférieur d'un rebord (3) qui cache le couvercle (2) et permet à l'utilisateur de boire au gobelet (1) normalement.
EP06808765A 2005-11-21 2006-11-20 Contenant anti-debordement pour boisson Withdrawn EP1998652A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0523639.3A GB0523639D0 (en) 2005-11-21 2005-11-21 Non-spill drink container
GB0614524A GB2432361A (en) 2005-11-21 2006-07-21 Non-spill drink container
PCT/GB2006/050401 WO2007057716A1 (fr) 2005-11-21 2006-11-20 Contenant anti-debordement pour boisson

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1998652A1 true EP1998652A1 (fr) 2008-12-10

Family

ID=35580390

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP06808765A Withdrawn EP1998652A1 (fr) 2005-11-21 2006-11-20 Contenant anti-debordement pour boisson

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1998652A1 (fr)
GB (2) GB0523639D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007057716A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10631675B1 (en) 2013-09-25 2020-04-28 Ingeniri, LLC Combination lid and straw for a drinking container

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012007523A1 (de) * 2012-04-17 2013-10-17 Feldmann+Schultchen Design Studios Gmbh Trinkbecherdeckel mit Trinkdurchlass

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3739938A (en) 1971-05-20 1973-06-19 N Paz Non-spill cup
US3727808A (en) 1971-08-13 1973-04-17 Nospil Ltd Non-spill drinking cup top
US3730399A (en) 1972-02-22 1973-05-01 Nospital Ltd Non-spill drinking cup top
US4412629A (en) * 1981-11-04 1983-11-01 Dart Container Corporation Non-spill drink-through lid
US4986437A (en) 1985-03-18 1991-01-22 Farmer Herbert B Spill resistant lid
US5079013A (en) 1990-08-30 1992-01-07 Belanger Richard A Dripless liquid feeding/training containers
US5284261A (en) 1992-07-20 1994-02-08 Zambuto Sam C Baby bottle air vent
US5624053A (en) * 1995-06-06 1997-04-29 James River Corporation Of Virginia Drink-thru cup lid
US6976604B2 (en) * 2001-10-05 2005-12-20 The First Years Inc. Restricting flow in drinking containers
MXPA04012153A (es) 2002-06-03 2005-09-21 Advanced Porous Tech Llc Cierres ventilados para contenedores.
US20040169045A1 (en) 2002-10-28 2004-09-02 Giraud Jean Pierre Application and assembly suited for use as a disposable leak proof child drinking cup

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2007057716A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10631675B1 (en) 2013-09-25 2020-04-28 Ingeniri, LLC Combination lid and straw for a drinking container

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0614524D0 (en) 2006-08-30
GB2432361A (en) 2007-05-23
GB0523639D0 (en) 2005-12-28
WO2007057716A1 (fr) 2007-05-24

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Owner name: SLURPCUP LIMITED

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Inventor name: STONE, KATE JESSIE

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