US20240051716A1

US20240051716A1 - Cup cap for straw cup and straw cup

Info

Publication number: US20240051716A1
Application number: US18/267,162
Authority: US
Inventors: Bao Min Wang; Che Chung PANG; Yi Bing Pan
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Current assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
Priority date: 2020-12-18
Filing date: 2021-12-22
Publication date: 2024-02-15
Also published as: WO2022130025A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a cup cap 20 for a straw cup and a straw cup 1. The cup cap for the straw cup proposed herein comprises a cap body 30 and a movable cap 40 mounted on the cap body. The movable cap is movable between a closed position and an open position. The cap body is provided with a suction nozzle 34 and a normally closed valve 32. A guide track 46 is provided on a side of the movable cap facing the cap body. During a movement of the movable cap between the closed position and the open position, the guide track passes through the normally closed valve and applies a force to the normally closed valve to open the normally closed valve to balance the pressure inside and outside the straw cup. The present disclosure further provides a straw cup comprising such a cup cap. Embodiments of the present disclosure may prevent leakage, and may prevent hot water in the cup from spilling out from the suction nozzle and causing scald during the opening of the straw cup.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a beverage container, and more specifically to a cup cap and a straw cup including the same.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are many types of straw cup designs in the market. A type of straw cup is without a pressure relief device, especially without a pressure relief device during opening. Especially when the straw cup is filled with a hot liquid (e.g., hot water or boiled water), due to a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the straw cup, the liquid in the cup will spill out of the opening of the straw under the action of the inside pressure during opening of the straw cup, which might result in scalding. In addition, since the interior of the cup is not communicated with the exterior during drinking, a problem of unsmooth drinking will be caused.
Another type of straw cup design comprises a normally open pressure relief device such as a hole or normally open valve. Since the hole or normally open valve is normally open when opening the cup cap, when the cup cap is opened for drinking, water might flow out through the hole or normally open valve acting as a pressure relief hole/venting hole, thereby causing leakage.
In addition, CN106395118A, CN208002570U, CN107985785A, CN103496499A and CN108652374A also disclose beverage containers having pressure relief devices. However, these pressure relief devices are structurally complicated and have a high manufacturing cost. Furthermore, in these pressure relief devices an action for opening the valve is applied instantaneously, so the problem of insufficient pressure relief might be caused. In addition, these pressure relief devices apply an external force for opening the valve only in one direction (in other words, on a single side). Therefore, this requires a relatively large external force, and is prone to cause wear or permanent deformation of the valve, reducing the useful life of the pressure relief device.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cup cap and a straw cup including the cup cap, to at least partially solve the above-mentioned and other potential problems of a traditional solution.
In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cup cap for a straw cup. The cup cap includes a cap body provided with a suction nozzle and a normally closed valve; and a movable cap mounted on the cap body and able to move between a closed position and an open position. A guide track is provided on one side of the movable cap facing the cap body. During a movement of the movable cap between the closed position and the open position, the guide track passes through the normally closed valve and applies a force to the normally closed valve to open the normally closed valve to balance the pressure inside and outside the straw cup.
Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved pressure relief device for a straw cup. The pressure relieving function can be achieved by using only two parts, namely, the normally closed valve and the guide track. The structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is low. The normally closed valve is normally closed, so it may prevent water from flowing out from the normally closed valve and causing leakage when drinking. In the course of opening the movable cap, the guide track passes through the normally closed valve, and the normally closed valve opens upon being subject to an external force from the guide track to balance the pressure inside and outside the straw cup. In this way, it is possible to prevent hot water in the cup from spilling out from the suction nozzle and causing scald under the action of the inside pressure when the straw cup is opened. The use of the guide track may further bring about additional advantages. On the one hand, since the guide track has a certain length, when the guide track passes through the normally closed valve, a force may be applied to the normally closed valve for a period of time, so that opening of the normally closed valve may take a period of time rather than being instantaneous, thereby achieving sufficient pressure relief. On the other hand, the guide track may apply forces to the normally closed valve in a plurality of directions (in other words, on a plurality of sides). This makes the forces on the normally closed valve more uniform, and relatively small forces are required to open the normally closed valve. Therefore, this may reduce the wear of the normally closed valve, prevent the permanent deformation, and increase the useful life.
Optionally, in some embodiments the guide track is formed by a first side wall, a second side wall, and a channel between the first side wall and the second side wall. The normally closed valve has a protrusion protruding out of the cap body, wherein a dimension of the protrusion in a width direction of the channel is greater than a width of the channel, so that when the guide track passes through the normally closed valve, the guide track is suited to apply the force to the protrusion. With the side walls, a simple way to implement the guide track is provided. That the dimension of the protrusion is greater than the width of the channel ensures that the guide track may apply a force to the normally closed valve. In addition, the two side walls may apply forces to the normally closed valve in at least two directions (or on two sides). The applied forces are relatively symmetrical and uniform, and therefore only relatively small forces are required to open the valve. This prevents excessive wear and permanent deformation of the valve and may increase the useful life of the normally closed valve.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the channel includes a wide portion and a narrow portion. The width of the wide portion is greater than a width of the narrow portion. The dimension of the protrusion in the width direction of the channel is greater than the width of the narrow portion of the channel. The wide portion is suited to guide the normally closed valve into or out of the guide track, and the narrow portion is suited to apply the force to the normally closed valve. Such an embodiment provides a guide track having a varying width. The provision of the wide portion with a longer width enables the normally closed valve to enter or leave the guide track smoothly, while the narrow portion ensures that the guide track may apply force to the normally closed valve.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve is a one-way valve. The one-way valve opens when the internal air pressure of the straw cup is lower than an external air pressure, and closes when the internal air pressure of the straw cup is higher than the external air pressure. With the one-way valve being used as a normally closed valve, when the air pressure in the cup drops below the external air pressure during drinking, the normally closed valve may open to balance the pressure inside and outside the cup so that drinking the water becomes smooth. On the other hand, the one-way valve is closed when the internal air pressure of the straw cup is higher than the external air pressure, which prevents the beverage in the cup from flowing out through the normally closed valve and thereby prevents leakage.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve is a spherical or V-shaped one-way normally closed silicone valve. The use of silicone allows the one-way valve to be low-cost and facilitates the manufacture of the normally closed valve.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve is made of an elastic material. The force squeezes the normally closed valve to deform it, thereby opening the normally closed valve. With the elastic material being used, the normally closed valve may be easily deformed to switch between the closed state and the open state. In addition, the normally closed valve made of the elastic material may easily revert to its original state after the external force disappears. This also increases the useful life of the normally closed valve and the straw cup.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve includes a membrane and a slit in the center of the membrane, wherein the membrane is placed at or near the protrusion of the normally closed valve, and the force opens the slit. Such an embodiment provides a simple implementation of the normally closed valve. With the membrane being provided at or near the protrusion, the force applied by the guide track to the protrusion may be easily transferred to the membrane to easily open the slit.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the membrane is flat, spherical or V-shaped, and the thickness of the membrane of the normally closed valve is in the range of 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm. Optionally, in some embodiments, the thickness of the membrane of the normally closed valve is 0.6 mm. The membrane with such a thickness is not too thin, which prevents water from leaking from the valve due to water pressure when the straw cup is inverted. Moreover, the membrane with such a thickness may maintain sensitivity to the external force, so that the normally closed valve can easily be opened in response to the force from the guide track.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve is arranged in such a way that an extending direction of the slit of the normally closed valve is parallel to the width of the channel. In such an embodiment, only a relatively small force from the guide track is needed to open the normally closed valve.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve and the guide track are arranged relative to the suction nozzle such that before the suction nozzle is released, the guide track passes through the normally closed valve to open the normally closed valve. In this way, the high air pressure in the straw cup may be relieved through the opened normally closed valve before the suction nozzle is released, thereby better preventing the hot water from spilling out from the suction nozzle and causing scald.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve is placed at the top of the cap body. When the movable cap is in the closed position, the guide track is located between the normally closed valve and the suction nozzle and is close to the normally closed valve. Arranging the normally closed valve on the top of the cap body may leave a larger area for bending the suction nozzle. Positioning the guide track close to the normally closed valve ensures that the guide track deforms and opens the normally closed valve before the suction nozzle is released.
Optionally, in some embodiments, an extending direction of the guide track is parallel to a moving direction of the movable cap. This may facilitate the normally closed valve to enter, pass through, or leave the guide track easily and smoothly. Moreover, this may cause the guide track to apply symmetrical forces to the normally closed valve.
Optionally, in some embodiments, the movable cap is rotatably or slidably mounted on the cap body.
In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a straw cup comprising: a cup body and the cup cap according to the first aspect for connecting to the cup body. The embodiments in the second aspect may have the same advantages as those in the first aspect. The function of relieving the pressure when opening the cup cap can be achieved by using only two parts, namely, the normally closed valve and the guide track. The structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is low. Use of the normally closed valve may prevent water from leaking through the normally closed valve when the water is being drunk or the cup is tilted. During the opening of the cup cap, the guide track opens the normally closed valve to relieve the pressure, which may prevent the hot water in the cup from spilling out from the suction nozzle and causing scald when the straw cup is opened. That is, the straw cup according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not only structurally simple but also has an anti-spill and anti-leakage function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become easier to understand through the following detailed depictions with reference to the following drawings. In the figures, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated in an exemplary but not restrictive manner, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a straw cup according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a movable cap is in a closed position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram in which the movable cap of the straw cup of FIG. 1 is at an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram in which the movable cap of the straw cup of FIG. 1 is in the open position;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the movable cap of the straw cup shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a normally closed valve of the straw cup shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the normally closed valve is in a closed state;

FIG. 5B illustrates the normally closed valve shown in FIG. 5A, wherein the normally closed valve is in an open state;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between the movable cap shown in FIG. 4 and the normally closed valve, wherein the normally closed valve is not in a guide track; and

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram showing a relative positional relationship between the movable cap shown in FIG. 4 and the normally closed valve, wherein the normally closed valve enters the guide track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The principles of the present disclosure will now be illustrated with reference to various exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated that the description of these embodiments is only for enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and further implement the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It should be noted that similar or identical reference signs may be used in the figures where feasible, and similar or identical reference signs may represent similar or identical functions. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that from the following depictions, alternative embodiments of the structures and methods described herein can be adopted without departing from the principles of the present invention described herein.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cup cap and a straw cup including the cup cap. An improved pressure relief device is provided through the cooperation between a normally closed valve on a cap body and a guide track on a movable cap. The pressure relief device will not only prevent water from leaking through the pressure relief device, but also avoid scalding caused by hot water in the cup spilling out from a suction nozzle while the straw cup is opened. That is, the straw cup according to the embodiments of the present disclosure has an anti-spill and anti-leakage function. Hereinafter, the principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6B.
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a straw cup 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein a movable cap 40 is in a closed position. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of another state of the straw cup 1, wherein the movable cap 40 is in an intermediate position between an open position and the closed position. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a further state of the straw cup 1, wherein the movable cap 40 is in the open position.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , the straw cup 1 mainly includes a cup body 10 and a cup cap 20 connected to the cup body 10. Cup body 10 can contain any kind of beverage, such as water. Cup cap 20 may be adapted to be connected to an opening of cup body 10.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cup cap 20 may include a cap body 30 and a movable cap 40 mounted on the cap body 30. There may be a gap for ventilation between the movable cap 40 and the cap body 30. In other words, airtightness is not provided between the movable cap 40 and the cap body 30. Specifically, the cap body 30 of the cup cap 20 may be adapted to be connected to the opening of the cup body 10. As an example, but not limiting, cap body 30 and cup body 10 may have a threaded connection. Movable cap 40 may move relative to the cap body 30 between a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1 ) and an open position (as shown in FIG. 3 ), thereby closing or opening the straw cup 1. Movable cap 40 may also be referred to as a sliding cover or a rotary cover.
A straw 50 may be attached to the cap body 30 and may extend from the cap body 30 into the cup body 10. An end of the straw 50 may contact the beverage in the straw cup (1) to facilitate suction of the beverage. The cap body 30 may be provided with a suction nozzle 34 for contact with the user's mouth. The suction nozzle 34 communicates with the straw 50. In some embodiments, the suction nozzle 34 is straw-shaped. In this case, when the movable cap 40 is in the closed position (as shown in FIG. 1 ), the straw-shaped suction nozzle 34 is bent by the pressure from the movable cap 40; when the movable cap 40 is moved to the open position (as shown in FIG. 3 ), the suction nozzle 34 pops up and is released so that the beverage may be sucked through a pipe orifice in the suction nozzle 34.
A normally closed valve 32 may also be provided on the cap body 30. Since the normally closed valve 32 is normally closed, when movable cap 40 is opened for drinking water, the water will not flow out through the normally closed valve 32, thereby preventing leakage. The normally closed valve 32 may serve as a pressure relief device for balancing the pressure inside and outside the straw cup 1. In order to cooperate with the normally closed valve 32, a guide track 46 (not shown in FIGS. 1-3 ) is provided on a side of the movable cap 40 facing the cap body 30 (i.e., on an inner side of the movable cap 40). During movement of the movable cap 40 between the closed position and the open position (the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2 ), the guide track 46 passes through the normally closed valve 32. When the guide track 46 passes through the normally closed valve 32, the guide track 46 may apply a force to the normally closed valve 32. This force may open the normally closed valve 32 to balance the pressure inside and outside the straw cup 1. In this way, guide track 46 may be used as a mechanism for opening the normally closed valve 32. For example, the normally closed valve 32 may enter the guide track 46 and be subject to a squeezing force from guide track 46.
When the straw cup 1 is filled with hot water, evaporation of the hot water will increase the air pressure inside the straw cup 1, making the air pressure inside the straw cup 1 greater than the air pressure outside the straw cup 1 (for example, atmospheric pressure). In the traditional solution without a pressure relief device, when the straw cup is opened, hot water will spill out from the suction nozzle under the action of the air pressure inside the cup, causing scald. In contrast, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, before the movable cap 40 is moved to the open position (i.e., before the suction nozzle 34 pops up), the guide track 46 passes through the normally-closed valve 32 to apply a force to the normally closed valve 32 and open the normally closed valve 32. As such, during the opening of the straw cup 1, the guide track 46 may open the normally closed valve 32 so that the high air pressure in the straw cup 1 may be relieved. When the movable cap 40 is moved to the open position (i.e., when the suction nozzle 34 pops up), the high air pressure in the straw cup 1 is relieved through the opened normally closed valve 32, and the air pressure inside and outside the straw cup 1 reach equilibrium. This prevents hot water from spilling out from the suction nozzle 34 under the action of the internal air pressure, thereby avoiding the risk of scalding. Therefore, an improved pressure relief device for the straw cup 1 is provided by using the normally closed valve 32 and the guide track 46, and the structure is simple. After the guide track 46 leaves the normally closed valve 32, the external force disappears, and the normally closed valve 32 may return to the normally closed state again, to prevent the water from leaking through the normally closed valve 32 for example when the straw cup 1 is tilted. Thus, the cup cap 20 and the straw cup 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may have an anti-spill and anti-leakage function.
In addition, the use of the guide track 46 may further bring about many advantages. On the one hand, since the guide track 46 has a certain length, when the guide track 46 passes through the normally closed valve 32, a force may be applied to the normally closed valve 32 for a period of time, so that the opening of the normally closed valve 32 may take a period of time, rather than being instantaneous, thereby achieving sufficient pressure relief. On the other hand, the guide track 46 may apply forces to the normally closed valve 32 in a plurality of directions (in other words, on a plurality of sides). This makes the forces on the normally closed valve 32 more uniform, and relatively small forces are required to open the normally closed valve 32. Therefore, this may reduce the wear of the normally closed valve 32, prevent the permanent deformation of the normally closed valve 32, and increase the useful life of the normally closed valve 32 and even the cup cap 20 and the straw cup 1.
In some embodiments, the movable cap 40 may be rotatably or slidably mounted on the cap body 30 so that the movable cap 40 may be moved between the closed position and the open position. For example, the movable cap 40 may be connected to the cap body 30 by a pivot structure, so as to be able to rotate relative to the cap body 30. Alternatively, the movable cap 40 may be connected to the cap body 30 by using a sliding groove structure, so as to be able to slide relative to the cap body 30.
It is noted that the straw cup 1 may further include other components not shown in the figures, for example a handle that is convenient for the user to grasp. The straw cup 1 may be any kind of cup/bottle. For example, the straw cup 1 may be a baby trainer cup or a thermos bottle. In particular, the straw cup 1 may be a straw cup for use by infants and young children.
FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the movable cap 40 of the straw cup 1 shown in FIG. 1 . The guide track 46 is provided on the inner side of the movable cap 40. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the guide track 46 is formed by a first side wall 46A, a second side wall 46B, and a channel between the first side wall 46A and the second side wall 46B. The first side wall 46A and the second side wall 46B may be integrally formed with the movable cap 40, or may be manufactured separately and then attached to the movable cap 40 by for example screws. It may be seen that with the side walls 46A and 46B, a simple way to implement the guide track 46 is provided, and the manufacturing of the guide track 46 becomes flexible. It may be understood that the guide track 46 may also be implemented in other ways. For example, the guide track 46 may be formed merely by a smooth channel that allows an object to pass through.
The normally closed valve 32 may have a protrusion 32C (as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) protruding out of the cap body 30. The protrusion 32C may be circular or elliptical, which may facilitate the entry of the normally closed valve 32 into the guide track 46. However, it may be appreciated that the protrusion 32C in any other suitable shapes is also possible. A dimension D of the protrusion 32C in a width W direction of the channel may be greater than a width W of the channel. In this way, when the guide track 46 passes through the normally closed valve 32, the protrusion 32C enters the channel and is subject to a squeezing force from the channel with a smaller width, to open the normally closed valve 32. The dimension D of the protrusion 32C may be its outer diameter. Although FIG. 4 shows the channel of the guide track 46 as having a varying width, the first side wall 46A and the second side wall 46B may be parallel to each other as shown schematically by the dashed line in FIG. 4 , so that the channel of the guide track 46 has a uniform width W. In the case where the width of the channel of the guide track 46 varies, the width W may be the width of any section of the channel. In particular, the width W may be a minimum width of the channel.
In addition, the first side wall 46A and the second side wall 46B of the guide track 46 may apply a squeezing force to the protrusion 32C, respectively. Therefore, as shown by arrows 61 and 62 in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the guide track 46 may apply forces to the normally closed valve 32 in at least two directions (or on both sides). The applied forces are relatively symmetrical and uniform, and therefore only relatively small forces are required to open the normally closed valve 32. This prevents excessive wear and permanent deformation of the normally closed valve 32, and may increase the useful life of the normally closed valve 32.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first side wall 46A and the second side wall 46B are not parallel, so that the channel of the guide track 46 includes a wide portion and a narrow portion. A width W1 of the wide portion is greater than a width W2 of the narrow portion. In this way, the channel of the guide track 46 may have a varying width in the valve-sliding direction. The dimension D of the protrusion 32C in the width direction of the channel may be greater than the width W2 of the narrow portion of the channel, so that the narrow portion may be adapted to apply the force to the normally closed valve 32. The wide portion having the larger width W1 may be adapted to guide the normally closed valve 32 into or out of the guide track 46. Therefore, the provision of the wide portion may facilitate the normally closed valve 32 to enter or leave the guide track 46 more smoothly. The wide portion may be provided at one end or both ends of the guide track 46.
FIG. 5A illustrates an example of the normally closed valve 32 of the straw cup 1 shown in FIG. 1 , wherein the normally closed valve 32 is in a closed state. FIG. 5B illustrates the normally closed valve 32 shown in FIG. 5A, wherein the normally closed valve 32 is in an open state. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram showing positions of the movable cap 40 shown in FIG. 4 and the normally closed valve 32, wherein the normally closed valve 32 is not in the guide track 46, and at this point, the normally closed valve 32 is closed. FIG. 6B illustrates a schematic diagram when the movable cap 40 shown in FIG. 4 passes through the normally closed valve, wherein the normally closed valve 32 is in the guide track 46, and at this point, the normally closed valve 32 is opened.
As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, in some embodiments, the normally closed valve 32 may include a membrane 32A and a slit 32B at a center of the membrane 32A. The membrane 32A may be provided at or near the protrusion 32C of the normally closed valve 32. In this way, the force applied by the guide track 46 to the protrusion 32C may be easily transferred to the membrane 32A. In response to the force from the guide track 46 (as shown by arrows 61 and 62 in FIGS. 5B and 6B), the normally closed valve 32 is deformed, and the slit 32B may be opened, thereby opening the normally closed valve 32. The embodiment including the membrane 32A and the slit 32B provides a simple implementation of the normally closed valve 32. In addition, as shown by arrows 61 and 62 in FIGS. 5B and 6B, the guide track 46 may apply forces to the protrusion 32C in at least two directions (for example, in two opposite directions), so that the applied forces are relatively symmetrical and uniform. Therefore, the normally closed valve 32 of the present disclosure may be opened more easily, and is not prone to wear or permanent deformation, which increases the service time.
Although the membrane 32A is shown as a spherical membrane in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, it may be understood that the membrane 32A may also be a flat membrane, a V-shaped membrane, or have any other suitable shape. When the membrane 32A is a spherical membrane (for example, a hemispherical membrane), the membrane 32A may have a convex shape toward the interior of the straw cup 1. When the membrane 32A is a V-shaped membrane (for example, the normally closed valve 32 is a duckbill valve), the tip of the V-shaped membrane may be positioned close to the interior of the straw cup 1. The spherical membrane and the V-shaped membrane as described above may realize the function of a one-way valve.
In some embodiments, a thickness of the membrane 32A of the normally closed valve 32 may be in a range of 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the membrane 32A may be 0.6 mm. The membrane 32A with such a thickness is not too thin, which prevents water from leaking through the valve due to water pressure when the straw cup 1 is inverted. Moreover, the membrane 32A with such a thickness may maintain the sensitivity to the external force, so that the membrane 32A is not too thick to open in response to the external force. It is noted that the above specific numerical values are only exemplary and not restrictive.
In some embodiments, the normally closed valve 32 and the guide track 46 are arranged in such a way that an extending direction of the slit 32B is parallel to the width W direction of the channel. In this way, a relatively small force from the guide track 46 may cause the slit 32B to open. Alternatively, other orientations of the normally closed valve 32 and the guide track 46 are also possible. For example, the extending direction of the slit 32B may be at a certain angle to the width W direction of the channel.
In some embodiments, the normally closed valve 32 may be made of an elastic or flexible material, and the force from the guide track 46 squeezes the normally closed valve 32 to deform it, thereby causing the normally closed valve 32 to open. With the elastic material being used, the normally closed valve 32 may be easily deformed to switch between the closed state and the open state. In addition, the normally closed valve 32 made of the elastic material may easily restore to its original state after the external force disappears. This also increases the useful life of the normally closed valve 32 and the straw cup 1.
In some embodiments, the normally closed valve 32 may be a one-way valve. The one-way valve opens when an internal air pressure of the straw cup 1 is lower than an external air pressure, and closes when the internal air pressure of the straw cup 1 is higher than the external air pressure. In the traditional solution without a pressure relief device, since the interior of the cup is not communicated with the exterior during drinking, the air pressure in the cup drops after one or more suctions, thereby causing the problem of unsmooth drinking. In contrast, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, with the one-way valve being used as the normally closed valve 32, when the air pressure in the cup drops below the external air pressure during drinking, the normally closed valve 32 may be opened to balance the pressure inside and outside the cup, so that the drinking of the water becomes smooth. On the other hand, the one-way valve is closed when the internal air pressure of the straw cup 1 is higher than the external air pressure (when there is no force applied by the guide track), which prevents the beverage in the cup from flowing out through the normally closed valve 32 under the action of higher internal pressure, and thereby prevents leakage.
By way of example, and not limitation, the normally closed valve 32 may be a spherical or V-shaped one-way normally closed silicone valve. This provides a specific example for implementing the normally closed valve 32. The use of silicone may enable the one-way valve in a low-cost manner and facilitate the manufacture of the normally closed valve (32).
In some embodiments, the normally closed valve 32 and the guide track 46 are arranged relative to the suction nozzle 34 such that before the suction nozzle 34 is released, the guide track 46 passes through the normally closed valve 32 to open the normally closed valve 32. In this way, the high air pressure in the straw cup 1 may be relieved through the opened normally closed valve 32 before the suction nozzle 34 is released, thereby better preventing the hot water from spilling out from the suction nozzle 34 and causing scald. Alternatively, it is possible that while the suction nozzle 34 is released, the guide track 46 passes through the normally closed valve 32 to open the normally closed valve 32.
Reference is made to FIG. 1 again to describe a specific manner of positioning the normally closed valve 32, the guide track 46 and the suction nozzle 34. The normally closed valve 32 may generally be provided at the top of the cap body 30. When the movable cap 40 is at the closed position shown in FIG. 1 , the guide track 46 may be located between the normally closed valve 32 and the suction nozzle 34 and may be close to the normally closed valve 32. Specifically, when the movable cap 40 is in the closed position, as viewed in the moving direction from the closed position to the open position, the guide track 46 is located in front of the suction nozzle 34, and the normally closed valve 32 is located in front of the guide track 46. Arranging the normally closed valve 32 on the top of the cap body 30 may leave a larger area for bending the suction nozzle 34. Positioning the guide track 46 close to the normally closed valve 32 may make the normally closed valve 32 enter the guide track 46 shortly after the movable cap 40 starts to move from the closed position, thereby deforming and opening the normally closed valve 32. This ensures that the guide track 46 may deform and open the normally closed valve 32 before the suction nozzle 34 is released.
In some embodiments, an extending direction (i.e., the length direction perpendicular to the width W direction) of the guide track 46 may be parallel to a moving direction of the movable cap 40. This may facilitate the normally closed valve 32 to enter, pass through, or leave the guide track 46 easily and smoothly. Moreover, this may cause the guide track 46 to apply symmetrical forces to the normally closed valve 32. Alternatively, the extending direction of the guide track 46 may be at a certain angle to the moving direction of the movable cap 40.
Hereinafter, reference is made to FIGS. 1-3 to describe an example operation process of the straw cup 1 according to the present disclosure. When the cup body 10 of the straw cup 1 is filled with hot water, as shown in FIG. 1 , the movable cap 40 at the closed position presses the suction nozzle 34; at this point, the normally closed valve 32 is in the closed position to prevent water from leaking through the normally closed valve 32, and the air pressure inside the straw cup 1 will not be released. As shown by the arrow 21 in FIG. 2 , when the user (especially, an infant or young child) pushes the projection 42 on the movable cap 40 to open the movable cap 40, the normally closed valve 32 is first guided into the guide track 46 of the movable cap 40 before the suction nozzle 34 is released; the guide track 46 (for example, its narrow portion) squeezes the normally closed valve 32 to open the normally closed valve 32. As shown by the arrow 22 in FIG. 2 , the gas in the straw cup 1 overflows and is released from the opening of the normally closed valve 32 under the action of the high internal pressure. Assuming that the movement from the closed position to the open position corresponds to a movement of 0°-90°, the process of the guide track 46 passing through the normally closed valve 32 may be completed within a range of approximately 15°-75°. When the normally closed valve 32 slides out of the squeezing guide track 46 of the movable cap 40, the air pressure in the straw cup 1 has been completely released. After that, the movable cap 40 may be moved to the open position as shown in FIG. 3 , and the suction nozzle 34 pops up. As a result, it is possible to prevent hot water from spilling out from the popped-up suction nozzle 34, thereby preventing the scald.
After the normally closed valve 32 reaches the wide portion from the narrow portion of the guide track 46, or slides out of the guide track 46, the normally closed valve 32 may return to its normal function, that is, return to the normally closed state, to prevent water leakage. In the case where the normally closed valve 32 is a one-way valve, after the normally closed valve 32 slides out of the guide track 46, the normally closed valve 32 may return to the normal function of the one-way valve. That is, as shown by arrows 37 and 38 in FIG. 3 , when the infant or young child is drinking water by sucking the suction nozzle 34, the air pressure in the cup drops below the external pressure, at which point the one-way valve opens to allow outside air to enter (as shown by arrow 36 in FIG. 3 ). As a result, the air return may be achieved after the pressure in the cup is reduced as the infant or young child drinks water, and the infant or young child's smooth drinking can be ensured. When the pressure in the cup is greater than or equal to the external pressure, the one-way valve closes to prevent water leakage.
As mentioned above, through the cooperation between the normally closed valve 32 disposed on the cap body 30 and the guide track 46 disposed on the movable cap 40, the pressure relieving function when the cup cap is opened can be achieved by using only two parts. The manufacturing of the normally closed valve 32 and the guide track 46 is relatively simple, which reduces the manufacturing cost. The normally closed valve 32 is normally closed, so it may prevent water from leaking through the normally closed valve 32 when water is being drunk or when the straw cup 1 is tilted. The guide track 46 opens the normally closed valve 32 to relieve the pressure during the opening of the cup cap 20, which may prevent the hot water in the cup from spilling out from the suction nozzle 34 and causing scald when the straw cup 1 is opened. That is, the straw cup 1 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is not only simple in structure, but also has an anti-spill and anti-leakage function. In addition, the guide track 46 may apply relatively symmetrical and uniform forces to the normally closed valve 32 in at least two directions. Therefore, only relatively small forces are required to open the normally closed valve 32. This prevents excessive wear and permanent deformation of the normally closed valve 32, and may increase the useful life of the normally closed valve 32, the cup cap 20 and the straw cup 1. At the same time, when the normally closed valve is set as a one-way valve, the anti-spill function and the air return function can be achieved simultaneously by using only two parts. The structure is simple and delicate, and easy to manufacture.
Although the claims in the present application have been formulated for specific combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure also includes any novel features or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly, or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim.

Claims

1. A cup cap for a straw cup, comprising:

a cap body provided with a suction nozzle and a normally closed valve; and

a movable cap mounted on the cap body and being able to move between a closed position and an open position;

wherein a guide track is provided on a side of the movable cap facing the cap body, and wherein during a movement of the movable cap between the closed position and the open position, the guide track passes through the normally closed valve and applies a force to the normally closed valve to open the normally closed valve to balance the pressure inside and outside the straw cup.

2. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein the guide track is formed by a first side wall, a second side wall, and a channel between the first side wall and the second side wall, the normally closed valve has a protrusion protruding out of the cap body, wherein a dimension of the protrusion in a width direction of the channel is greater than a width of the channel, so that when the guide track passes through the normally closed valve, the guide track is suited to apply the force to the protrusion.

3. The cup cap according to claim 2, wherein the channel includes a wide portion and a narrow portion, a width of the wide portion is greater than a width of the narrow portion, the dimension of the protrusion in the width direction of the channel is greater than the width of the narrow portion of the channel, the wide portion is suited to guide the normally closed valve into or out of the guide track, and the narrow portion is suited to apply the force to the normally closed valve.

4. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein the normally closed valve is a one-way valve, the one-way valve opens when an internal air pressure of the straw cup is lower than an external air pressure, and closes when the internal air pressure of the straw cup is higher than the external air pressure.

5. The cup cap according to claim 4, wherein the normally closed valve is a spherical or V-shaped one-way normally closed silicone valve.

6. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein the normally closed valve is made of an elastic material, and the force squeezes the normally closed valve to deform it, thereby opening the normally closed valve.

7. The cup cap according to claim 3, wherein the normally closed valve includes a membrane and a slit at a center of the membrane, wherein the membrane is disposed at or near the protrusion of the normally closed valve, and the force opens the slit.

8. The cup cap according to claim 7, wherein the membrane is flat, spherical or V-shaped, and a thickness of the membrane of the normally closed valve is in a range of 0.3 mm to 1.2 mm.

9. The cup cap according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the membrane of the normally closed valve is 0.6 mm.

10. The cup cap according to claim 7, wherein the normally closed valve is arranged in such a way that an extending direction of the slit of the normally closed valve is parallel to the width direction of the channel.

11. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein the normally closed valve and the guide track are arranged relative to the suction nozzle such that before the suction nozzle is released, the guide track passes through the normally closed valve to open the normally closed valve.

12. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein the normally closed valve is disposed at a top of the cap body, and wherein when the movable cap is at the closed position, the guide track is located between the normally closed valve and the suction nozzle and is close to the normally closed valve.

13. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein an extending direction of the guide track is parallel to a moving direction of the movable cap.

14. The cup cap according to claim 1, wherein the movable cap is rotatably or slidably mounted on the cap body.

15. A straw cup, comprising:

a cup body; and

the cup cap according to claim 1 for connecting to the cup body.