MXPA97003802A

MXPA97003802A - Container cover and unit to successliqui

Info

Publication number: MXPA97003802A
Application number: MXPA/A/1997/003802A
Authority: MX
Inventors: G Iodice Jerry
Original assignee: Ansa Company Inc
Priority date: 1994-11-28
Filing date: 1997-05-23
Publication date: 1997-08-01

Abstract

A novel cover (10) designed to facilitate the use of a flexible tube (11) to consume fluids and provide a liquid tight seal when the lid is firmly secured to the container (9). In addition, the lid (10) is designed to form a shape as animal head, thereby lightening inherent cleaning that occur in asymmetric or irregular covers

Description

CONTAINER CAP AND UNIT TO SUCTION LIQUIDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I_s_ fai »of the Invention The present invention, in general, relates to covers for containers or bottles and, more particularly, to a novel cover that is designed to facilitate the use of a flexible tube to consume fluids and provide a liquid tight seal when the lid is firmly secured to the container. In addition, the lid is designed to form a regular or smooth interior center for decorative structures shaped like animal heads, so as to alleviate the inherent difficulties in cleaning that arise in asymmetric or irregular covers.

II. Description of the Prior Art. U.S. Patent No. 2,744,661 issued to Davis discloses a container having a removable pick and filter unit. The removable spout unit has a means for storing the spout. However, the container unit only works when depressed, due to the container's flexibility. U.S. Patent No. 2,770,399 issued to Gross discloses P1219 / 97 MX also a flexible fluid dispenser. Although this dispenser is useful with all fluids, it is especially suitable for the controlled delivery of oily or viscous fluids. U.S. Patent No. 2,844,267 issued to Petriccione discloses a closure cap for bottles combined with a straw for sucking, so that when removing a portion of the cap, the straw is immediately available. US Patents Nos. 4,165,814 and 4,244,477 issued to Seel disclose containers for potable liquid that have two holes in the upper part to secure a straw, so that the curl formed by the straw can serve as a handle. In addition, one of the holes acts as ventilation for the container while the end through which the liquid is sucked is being used. Finally, U.S. Patent No. 4,462,544 issued to Rutzel et al. and U.S. Patent No. 5,048,705 issued to Lynd et al. they describe, both, devices to dispatch and drink liquids. U.S. Patent No. 4,462,544 discloses a device with many flexible tubes for use by a plurality of drinkers and U.S. Patent No. 5,048,705 discloses a device that discharges liquid by applying moderate pressure with the hand. None of the patents mentioned above expose P1219 / 97 MX or suggests the advantages of the present invention. Clearly there is a need for a container lid that provides for the use and storage of a flexible drinking tube and decreases the possibility of leakage. There is an additional need for a lid that eliminates the cleaning difficulties associated with decorative lids of irregular shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, a molded, fto-conical, unitary container lid is provided for use in the consumption of liquids. The lid has an upper wall and a circumferential tubular side wall hanging down, having an edge for securing the upper part of a container. The tubular side wall has a hole therethrough to receive a flexible tube for sucking fluid from the container. Above the hole, the lid has a cavity formed in the circumferential wall for storing the end of the drinking tube, which extends from the hole. The cavity has an opening for air ventilation to facilitate the liquid being sucked from the container, when the end of the drinking tube is removed from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the P1219 / 97 MX edge of the lid is threaded to hold the lid to the container. In addition, the hole through the tubular side wall of the lid has a circumferential projection extending outwardly., angled downwards, to guide the flexible tube. The cavity above the orifice has a circumferential projection extending outward, angled downward, to store the end of the hose that serves to suck. The projections of the orifice that extend in an angled shape and the cavity provide effective use of the flexible tube without twisting. In another embodiment of the invention, a container and lid assembly for the consumption of liquids is provided. The assembly comprises a unitary molded plastic frusto-conical screw cap to be attached to the container, which as described above is a plastic bottle. The lid has an upper wall and a circumferential tubular wall that hangs down, having an edge that is threaded and has a hole therethrough to receive an elongated tube made of flexible plastic that is used for drinking and through which a person can suction liquid from the container. The hole in the lid has a circumferential flange that extends outward and is angled upward P1Ü9 / 97 MX to guide the flexible tube. The circumferential wall also has a cavity formed above the hole for storing the drinking end of the tube extending from the hole. Specifically, the cavity has a circumferential flange or projection that extends outwardly and angles downward to receive and store the drinking end of the flexible tube and a vent opening to facilitate suction of the liquid within the container, when the end to drink the tube is removed from the cavity. As a further advantage, the drinking hose has a tight fit with the cavity in the wall, to close the ventilation opening and prevent the liquid from leaving the container. The location of the cavity and the vent opening above the holes facilitates ventilation when in use and effective storage of the tube when not in use. Moreover, in another embodiment, the lid serves as the regular or smooth inner center for an asymmetric or irregular decorative cover shaped as an animal head. The decorative head cover can take any form of animal head that is attractive, especially for children or babies. A regular or smooth interior surface for the center of the lid is easily cleaned. In addition, the decorative head covers Pl19 / 97 MX can be exchanged. The foregoing advantages of the present invention, as well as others, will become more fully apparent upon consideration of the invention in light of the following drawings and detailed description, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an elevational and perspective view of the preferred embodiment showing an elongated drinking tube and a container attached to the lid, the lid having a decorative head-shaped cover shown in dotted lines, with the drinking end of the elongate tube, stored in the cavity of the lid, - Figure 2 is a partial sectional view, of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1 showing the elongated drinking tube, separated from the cavity, in FIG. preparation for suction, and a decorative head cover in dotted lines; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of Figure 1 showing a hole in the lid receiving, through it, the elongated drinking tube and the end of the drinking tube is stored in the cavity that It has a ventilation opening.

Pl 1 9/97 MX DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE With reference to Figure 1, the container lid unit of this invention is generally indicated as 8. The container 9 has a cylindrical shape but can take a variety of forms depending on of particular use. A molded plastic frusto-conical unitary lid 10 having a decorative head cover 7, shown in dashed lines, is secured to the container 9. The lid 10 has an upper wall and a circumferential tubular side wall 17 which hangs towards below, which ensures a flexible and elongated drinking tube 11, which extends through the opening 15 towards the container 9 and into the liquid contained therein so that it can be sucked. The flexible tube 11 is of a sufficient length so that a first end 13 can extend towards the interior of the bottom of the container, with a second end extending to a sufficient length beyond the hole 15 to promote easier suction and to be stored in the cavity 16. The tube 11 is made of transparent, flexible plastic that facilitates effective cleaning. In addition, the flexibility of the plastic allows the drinking end to be stored without difficulty in the cavity 16. As shown further in Figures 2-3, the lid 10, shaped as a head, has a wall P1219 / 97 circumferential MX 17 that is secured to container 9 in its upper portion shown, in general, as 18. The lid 10 can be made of any suitable material but the preferred material is plastic and is screwed in 20. The domed design is advantageous because it provides an interior center for a decorative shape of the head animal. The animal head cover 7 has an opening generally shown as 19, which cooperates with the hole 15 in the lid and the cavity 16. In addition, the interior surface of the center, generally regular or smooth, is easily cleaned. Therefore, cleansing of cracks is eliminated. It is further shown in Figure 3 that the flexible tube 11 is received and secured through the orifice 15. The tube 11 is positioned so that the suction operation through its second end 15 is easily accessible. Referring more particularly to Figure 3, a cross-sectional view of the domed, unitary shaped lid 10, made of molded plastic, having a circumferential wall 17, secured to the upper portion 18 of a plastic container 9 is presented. The cap 10 has a threaded female portion 20 which is attached to the container 9 by the threaded male portion 20A thereof. The drinking tube 11, elongated and flexible, is received through the hole 15 of the lid 10. The P1219 / 97 MX end 14 simply slides into the cavity 16 having a diameter sized to provide tightening. The cavity 16 has a vent opening 21 which facilitates the use of the drinking tube 11, allowing air to flow into the container 9 during the suction of the liquid. The flexible drinking tube 11 also fits into the cavity 16 and blocks the ventilation opening 21, preventing the liquid from leaking out of the container 9, creating a liquid-tight seal in the assembly, when not in use. The hole 15 has a circumferential rim 22 extending outward, angled upwards, to guide the flexible tube 11. The cavity 16 that lies above the opening 15 also has a circumferential rim 23 that extends downward to store the drinking end 14 of the flexible tube 11. The flanges extending outwardly of the opening 15 and the cavity 16 are advantageous for the reasons set forth above. In operation, the container 9 is provided with an amount of liquid for drinking by suction. The flexible tube 11 extends through the hole 15 at a sufficient distance to reach the bottom of the container 9, where the liquid is located. When the drinking end 14 is not stored or attached to the cavity 16 and thus the opening 21 of P1219 / 97 MX ventilation and no access to the drinking end, can be used to suck as there is no vacuum that inhibits the withdrawal of liquid. While the principles and advantages of this invention have been described in relation to a preferred and specific embodiment, it is clearly understood that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Therefore, having described my invention, many modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this belongs, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the scope of the following claims .

P1219 / 97 MX

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. A frusto-conical, unitary, molded container lid, to be used in the suction of liquids, the lid has an upper wall and a tubular side wall hanging from it, downward; the tubular side wall of the lid has an edge for securing the lid to the mouth of a container, the tubular side wall has a hole therethrough to receive a flexible tube for sucking the liquid contained in the container, said lid having a cavity that opens outwards, formed in the tubular side wall above said hole, to store the drinking end of the tube extending from the hole, said cavity has a ventilation opening to facilitate the suction of the liquid inside the container when the drinking end of the tube is removed from said cavity. The lid according to claim 1 having a threaded protrusion to fit said container. The lid according to claim 1 wherein the hole has a circumferential flange extending outward, and angled downwardly to P1219 / 97 MX guide the flexible tube, - the cavity has, above the hole, a circumferential flange that extends outward, angled downwards, for the storage of the drinking end of said flexible tube. 4. A molded plastic, screwed, unitary molded plastic container for the suction of liquids, said lid has an upper wall and a tubular side wall hanging from it, downwards, the tubular side wall has an edge to secure the mouth of a container, the tubular side wall has a hole therethrough to receive a flexible tube for sucking liquids from the container, the hole has a circumferential projection extending outward and angled upward to guide the container. flexible tube; the lid has a cavity that opens outwards, formed in the tubular side wall, above the hole, for storing a drinking end of the tube extending from said hole, the cavity has a circumferential projection extending towards the mouth. outer and angled down to store the end, to drink from the flexible tube, and a vent opening to facilitate suction of the liquid inside the container, when the drinking end of the tube is removed from the cavity. 5. The lid according to claim 1, in P1219 / 97 MX combination with an asymmetric decorative cover, said lid has a smooth inner surface for easy cleaning. The lid according to claim 5, wherein the decorative cover is formed as an animal head. The lid according to claim 6, wherein the cover has an opening that cooperates with the cavity and the hole of the lid. 8. A container and lid unit for the consumption of liquids, comprising: a frustoconicói cap, threaded, unitary, molded, made of plastic, to be attached to a container, the lid has an upper wall and a tubular wall hanging from thereto down, the tubular side wall has a projection to be secured to the mouth of the container, the tubular side wall has a hole therethrough to receive a flexible tube for sucking liquids from the container, the orifice has a circumferential projection extending outwardly and angled upwards to guide the flexible tube, said lid has an outward opening cavity, formed in a tubular side wall above the hole, for storing a drinking end of said tube extending from the hole, the cavity has P1219 / 97 MX a circumferential projection extending outwards and angled downwards to store the drinking end of the flexible tube and a ventilation opening to facilitate suction of liquid from the container, when the drinking end of said tube is withdrawn of the cavity; and a container for liquid that can be dispensed therefrom, the container has a threaded mouth to hold the molded lid. The assembly of claim 8, in combination with a flexible and elongated drinking tube, for use with the lid and the container. 10. The assembly of claim 8, in combination with an asymmetric decorative cover for said lid, the lid has a generally smooth interior to facilitate cleaning. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the asymmetric decorative cap is an animal head conformation. The lid of claim 8, wherein the lid has an opening that cooperates with the hole and the cavity of the lid. P1219 / 97 MX