WO2002034637A1

WO2002034637A1 - Opening and closing apparatus for beverage vessel

Info

Publication number: WO2002034637A1
Application number: PCT/KR2001/001811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hee Kwon Rho
Original assignee: Hee Kwon Rho
Priority date: 2000-10-27
Filing date: 2001-10-26
Publication date: 2002-05-02
Also published as: AU2002212790A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a valve device for a beverage vessel which includes a body coupled to the opening of the beverage vessel, a rotating member fitted in the body so that it is rotatable, a vertical moving member received in the body so that it is vertically movable, and adapted to move downwardly when the rotating member rotates normally, thereby opening the opening of the beverage vessel, while moving upwardly when the rotating member rotates reversly, thereby closing the opening f the beverage vessel, and a lid separately fitted around the body and adapted to rotate the rotating member. When the lid rotates, the rotating member is rotated, thereby causing the vertical moving member to be vertically moved. Accordingly, the opening of the beverage vessel can be conveniently opened and closed. Since the user can open and close the opening of the beverage vessel without coming into contact with the opening of the beverage vessel, it is possible to maintain the opening to be clean. Accordingly, an improved sanitation effect is obtained.

Description

OPENING AND CLOSING APPARATUS FOR BEVERAGE VESSEL

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a valve device for a beverage vessel, and more particularly to a valve device for a beverage vessel which is installed at the opening of the beverage vessel and adapted to open and close the opening, thereby allowing the user to selectively drink the contents of the beverage vessel.

Background Art

In order to open and close the opening of a beverage vessel, a valve device is typically coupled to the opening. Among such valve devices, there are two types, that is, a separation type in which the valve device is completely separated from the beverage vessel upon opening the beverage vessel, and an integral type in which the valve device opens the beverage vessel without being separated from the opening of the beverage vessel. For beverage vessels for use outdoors, the integral type valve device is mainly used in that it provides convenience in use.

Referring to Fig. 11, a conventional integral type valve device for a beverage vessel is illustrated. As shown in Fig. 11, the valve device includes a body 101 coupled to the opening of the beverage vessel denoted by the reference numeral 100, a sealing member 110 attached to the opening of the beverage vessel 100, a vertical slide member 102 fitted around an upper portion of the body 101 while being vertically slidable, and a lid 103 fitted around an intermediate portion of the body 101 while surrounding the vertical slide member 102. Where it is desired to drink the contents of the beverage vessel 100, the user first separates the body 101 from the beverage vessel 100, and then removes the sealing member 1 10. Thereafter, the user again couples the body

101 to the opening of the beverage vessel 100. In this state, the user separates the lid 103 from the body 101 , and then upwardly slides the vertical slide member 102 while grasping the vertical slide member 102 by the fingers, so that the upper surface 102a of the vertical slide member 102 is vertically spaced from the head portion 101a of the body 101. As a result, the opening of the beverage vessel 100 is opened. In this state, the user can drink the contents of the beverage vessel 100 by tilting the beverage vessel 100. Where it is unnecessary to further drink the contents of the beverage vessel 100, the user downwardly presses the vertical slide member 102 using his hand, thereby causing the vertical slide member 102 to return to its original position, that is, a closed position. Thus, the opening of the beverage vessel 100 is closed. However, this valve device is inconvenient in use because it is necessary to perform procedures of separating the body 101 of the valve device from the beverage vessel 100, removing the sealing member 1 10, and then again coupling the separated body 101 to the beverage vessel 100, in order to use the valve device. Furthermore, where it is desired to drink the contents of the beverage vessel 100, the user should upwardly move the vertical slide member 102 using his fingers. After drinking, the user has to downwardly move the vertical slide member 102 to its original position using his fingers. As a result, there is a sanitation problem in that the portion of the valve device, from which the contents of the beverage vessel is outwardly discharged, may be contaminated upon opening or closing the valve device.

Furthermore, the conventional valve device has an insufficient sealing effect because it seals the opening of the beverage vessel, only using the sealing member 1 10 having a thin disc structure. For this reason, this valve device has a problem in that it cannot be applied to beverage vessels adapted to contain carbonated beverages.

Disclosure of the Invention

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above mentioned problems involved with the prior art, and an object of the invention is to provide a valve device for a beverage vessel which is capable of conveniently and easily opening and closing the opening of the beverage vessel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve device for a beverage vessel which allows the user to open and close the opening of the beverage vessel without coming into contact with the opening of the beverage vessel, thereby maintaining the opening to be clean. Another object of the invention is to provide a valve device for a beverage vessel which is capable of reliably sealing the opening of the beverage vessel, so that it is applicable to beverage vessels containing carbonated beverages under pressure. Another object of the invention is to provide a valve device for a beverage vessel which is capable of achieving a simple and convenient assembling process thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve device for a beverage vessel which is capable of conveniently and simply keep a lid included in the valve device when it is separated from the valve device.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects are accomplished by providing a valve device for a beverage vessel comprising: a body coupled to an opening of the beverage vessel; a rotating member fitted in the body so that it is rotatable; a vertical moving member received in the body so that it is vertically movable, and adapted to move downwardly when the rotating member rotates normally, thereby opening the opening of the beverage vessel, while moving upwardly when the rotating member rotates reversely, thereby closing the opening of the beverage vessel, and a lid separately fitted around the body. The rotating member is configured to be rotated in accordance with rotation of the lid.

When the lid rotates, the rotating member is rotated, thereby causing the vertical moving member to be vertically moved. Accordingly, the opening of the beverage vessel can be conveniently opened and closed. Since the user can open and close the opening of the beverage vessel without coming into contact with the opening of the beverage vessel, it is possible to maintain the opening to be clean.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a valve device for a beverage vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the valve device coupled to a beverage vessel.

Fig. 3a is a sectional view illustrating a body included in the valve device of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A - A of Fig. 3a; Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a rotating member included in the valve device of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5a is a sectional view illustrating a lid included in the valve device of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B — B of Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a is a sectional view illustrating a vertical moving member included in the valve device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6b is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C - C of Fig. 6a;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a state in which the opening of the beverage vessel is opened by the valve device in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the lid is separated from the valve device of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D - D of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a valve device including a body having a configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 1 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional valve device for a beverage vessel.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a valve device for a beverage vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the valve device coupled to a beverage vessel.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the valve device includes a body 10 coupled to the opening of a beverage vessel 1 , a rotating member 20 rotatably fitted in the body 10, a lid 30 fitted around an upper portion of the body 10 and adapted to rotate the rotating member 20, and a vertical moving member 40 threadedly coupled to the rotating member 20 in the interior of the body 10 and adapted to move vertically in accordance with rotation of the rotating member 20, thereby opening or closing the opening of the beverage vessel.

As shown in Figs. 1 , 2, 3a and 3b, the body 10 includes upper and lower hollow cylindrical portions 1 1 and 12 each opened at both vertical ends thereof. The lower cylindrical portion 12 is provided at its inner surface with female threads 14 to be threadedly coupled with male threads 1 a formed at the opening of the beverage vessel 1. A horizontal partition plate 13 is formed between the upper and lower cylindrical portions 1 1 and 12 in the interior of the body 10. The horizontal partition plate 13 has a circular central hole 13a, and a plurality of radial slots 13b arranged around the central hole 13a to extend radially from the periphery of the central hole 13a while being uniformly spaced from one another. In the state in which the valve device is assembled to the beverage vessel, the horizontal partition plate 13 is positioned on the upper end of the opening of the beverage vessel. The upper cylindrical portion 1 1 has a diameter smaller than that of the lower cylindrical portion 12. The upper cylindrical portion 1 1 is also provided at its inner and outer surfaces with inner and outer annular steps 15 and 16 which are radially protruded.

Although not shown, a skirt member extends downwardly from the lower end of the lower cylindrical portion 11 so that it comes into close contact with the outer surface of the beverage vessel around the vessel opening in the assembled state of the valve device. When the body 10 is rotated, it is separated from the skirt member, so that it is seperated from the vessel opening.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the rotating member 20 rotatably fitted in the upper cylindrical portion 11 of the body 10 has a hollow cylindrical structure opened at its upper and lower ends. The rotating member 20 includes a head 21, and a cylindrical side wall 22 extending downwardly from the head 21 while being fitted in the upper cylindrical portion 11 of the body 10. The peripheral surface of the head 21 is outwardly protruded in a radial direction beyond the side wall 22, so that it is seat on the upper end of the upper cylindrical portion

1 1. A plurality of teeth 21b are formed at the outer periphery of the head 21. An inner wall 25 extends from the upper end of the head 21 while being radially spaced from the inner surface of the side wall 22. The inner wall 25 is provided at its lower end with an annular upwardly-bent portion 25a. The head 21 has an upper surface gradually reduced in level as it extends outwardly in the radial direction. Accordingly, when a beverage is discharged from the beverage vessel 1 through a central hole 26 formed at the head 21 as the beverage vessel 1 is inclined, it does not flow along the upper surface of the heat 21. Female threads 22a are formed at the inner surface of the side wall 22. The side wall 22 is also provided at its outer surface with annular steps 23a.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6a, and 6b, the vertical moving member 40 includes a column 41 fitted in the side wall 22 of the rotating member 20 and formed with a radially-extending cross-shaped ribs 41a, a neck 42 formed at the upper end of the column 41 and fitted in a space defined by the inner wall 25 of the rotating member 20, a cross-shaped stopper 43 formed at the upper end of the neck 42, and a disc-shaped seal plate 44 formed at the lower end of the column 41. Each rib 41a has male threads 41c to be engaged with the female threads 22a. The seal plate 44 is disposed beneath the partition plate 13 of the body 10. The cross-shaped stopper 43 is outwardly protruded in a radial direction beyond the bent portion 25a of the rotating member 20 so that it is positioned on the bet portion 25a.

The seal plate 44 has a size capable of completely sealing the central hole 13a and radial slots 13b formed at the partition plate 13, at the lower surface of the partition plate 13.

A recess 45 is formed at the lower end of the vertical moving member 40 so as to reduce the amount of the material used to manufacture the vertical moving member 40 while achieving an improved workability in the assembling process.

As show in Figs. 1, 2, 5a, and 5b, the lid 30 is fitted around the upper cylindrical portion 1 1 of the body 10 and provided at its inner surface with teeth

31 to be engaged with the teeth 21b formed at the head 21 of the rotating member 20. The lid 30 is also provided at its lower end with a seal strip 32. An annular step 32a is formed at the inner surface of the seal strip 32.

The central hole 13a and radial slots 13b formed at the partition plate 13 are configured to allow the ribs 41 a to pass therethrough. The number of radial slots 13b is determined to be more than that of the ribs 41a. In the illustrated case, the number of radial slots 13b is eight, whereas the number of ribs 41 a is four.

Alternatively, the number of radial slots 13b may be identical to the number of ribs 41 a. In this case, it is necessary for the central hole 13a and radial slots 13b to have increased sizes so as to allow the contents of the beverage vessel to pass through gaps defined between the slots 13b and the ribs 14a and between the central hole 13a and the column 41.

The male threads 41c formed at the ribs 41 a of the vertical moving member 40 is downwardly inclined, whereas the female threads 22a formed at the inner surface of the rotating member 20 is upwardly inclined. Accordingly, the engagement between the mail threads 41 c and the female threads 22a can be easily achieved by simply inserting the vertical moving member 40 into the rotating member 20.

Now, the process for assembling the elements of the valve device according to the present invention will be described in conjunction with Figs. 1 and 2.

First, a seal member 50 is bonded to the lower surface of the partition plate 13 formed at the body 10. In this state, the vertical moving member 40 is upwardly inserted into the body 10 at the lower end of the body 10. In accordance with the insertion of the vertical moving member 40, the stopper 43 and column 41 pass through the central hole 13a and slots 13b. The insertion of the vertical moving member 40 is carried out until the seal plate 44 of the vertical moving member 40 comes into contact with the seal member 50.

Alternatively, annular seals 18 and 19 may be provided at the lower surface of the partition plate 13 of the body 10, as shown in Fig. 10. In this case, the seal 18 provides a sealing effect between the opening of the beverage vessel 1 and the partition plate 13, whereas the seal 19 provides a sealing effect between the partition plate 13 and the seal plate 44. In this case, therefore, it is unnecessary to use the seal member 50.

Thereafter, the rotating member 20 is downwardly inserted into the body 10 at the upper end of the body 10. In accordance with the insertion of the rotating member 20, the bent portion 25a of the inner wall 25 included in the rotating member 20 comes into contact with the stopper 43 of the vertical moving member 40, and then passes the stopper 43 as it is outwardly bent in a radial direction. The downward movement of the rotating member 20 is carried out until the bent portion 25a of the inner wall 25 comes into contact with the upper ends of the ribs 41 a. Thus, the side wall 22 of the rotating member 20 is fitted between the upper cylindrical portion 1 1 of the body 10 and the ribs 41 a of the vertical moving member 40. At this time, the female threads 22a of the side wall 22 are engaged with the male threads 41 c of the ribs 41 a. Also, the annular steps 23a of the side wall 22 are engaged with the annular steps 15 of the upper cylindrical portion 1 1 , thereby allowing the rotating member 22 to rotate with respect to the body 10 without being vertically moved. Subsequently, the lid 30 is fitted around the upper cylindrical portion 1 1 of the body 10 so that the teeth 31 of the lid 30 are engaged with the teeth 21 b formed at the head 21 of the rotating member 20. At this time, the annular step 32a of the seal strip 32 is engaged with the annular step 16 of the upper cylindrical portion 1 1. Thus, the assembling process for the elements of the valve device is completed.

The assembled valve device of the present invention is threadedly coupled to the opening of the beverage vessel 1 , as shown in Fig. 2.

Now, the method of using the valve device coupled to the beverage vessel 1 will be described. Fig. 2 illustrates the state in which the opening of the beverage vessel 1 is closed by the valve device according to the present invention. Fig. 7 illustrates the state in which the opening of the beverage vessel 1 is opened by the valve device.

When the user applies a rotating force to the lid 30 in a normal direction in the state of Fig. 2, the lid 30 is rotated while being separated from the seal strip 32. As the lid 30 is normally rotated, the rotating member 20 is normally rotated because the teeth 31 of the lid 30 is engaged with the rotating member 20. In accordance with the normal rotation of the rotating member 20, the vertical moving member 40 is downwardly moved because the male threads 41c of the vertical moving member 40 is threadedly coupled to the female threads

22a of the rotating member 20. As the vertical moving member 40 moves downwardly, the seal plate 44 is moved away from the seal member 50, as shown in Fig. 7. When the lid 30 is separated from the body 10 of the valve device in the state of Fig. 7, and the beverage vessel 1 is then inclined, the beverage contained in the beverage vessel 1 is outwardly discharged from the beverage vessel 1 via a space l b defined between the seal member 50 and the seal plate 44, those of the slots 13b not engaged with the ribs 41 a, and spaces 41b each defined between adjacent ones of the ribs 41 a, and a space defined between the stopper 43 of the vertical moving member 40 and the hole of the head 21 included in the rotating member 21. Thus, the user can drink the discharged beverage.

Although Fig. 7 illustrates the vertical moving member 40 lowered to its lowest point, the beverage contained in the beverage vessel 1 can be outwardly discharged even in a state in which the vertical moving member 40 is slightly lowered, thereby causing the seal plate 44 from the seal member 50.

Meanwhile, when the lid 30 is continuously rotated in a normal direction in a state in which the vertical moving member 40 is slightly lowered, the vertical moving member 40 is continuously lowered until the stopper 43 of the vertical moving member 40 comes into contact with the bent portion 25a of the rotating member 20, as shown in Fig. 7. When the stopper 43 comes into contact with the bent portion 25a of the rotating member 20, the downward movement of the vertical moving member 40 is stopped by the bent portion 25a.

At this time, the rotating member 20 is idly rotated in a state in which its side wall 22 is slightly widened. Accordingly, the vertical moving member 40 is prevented from being separated from the rotating member 20 to fall into the beverage vessel 1.

When the user desires to close the opening of the beverage vessel 1 after drinking the contents of the beverage vessel 1 , he first fits the lid 30 around the upper cylindrical portion 1 1 of the body 10 in such a fashion that the teeth 31 of the lid 30 are engaged with the teeth 21b of the rotating member 20. In this state, the lid 30 is reversely rotated. In accordance with the reverse rotation of the lid 30, the rotating member 20 is reversely rotated, thereby causing the vertical moving member 40 to be upwardly moved. The upward movement of the vertical moving member 40 is carried out until the seal plate 44 of the vertical moving member 40 comes into close contact with the seal member 50.

As a result, the opening of the seal member 50 is closed.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the seal member

50 is attached to the lower surface of the partition plate 13 of the body. However, the seal member 50 may be dispensed with. In this case, the seal plate 44 of the vertical moving member 40 is configured to come into direct contact with the partition plate 13, thereby closing the opening the beverage vessel 1.

Although not shown, lid attaching means may be provided at the body 10 so as to temporarily attach the lid 30, separated from the upper cylindrical portion 11 of the body 10, to the body 10, thereby keeping the lid 30.

The lid attaching means may comprise a vertically-extending protrusion formed at the outer surface of the lid 30, and a vertically-extending groove adapted to be engaged with the protrusion. In this case, the protrusion of the lid

30 can be engaged with the groove of the body 10 the lid 30 in a state in which the lid 30 is separated from the body 10. Accordingly the separated lid 30 can be kept in a state in which it is attached to the body 10.

Industrial Applicability As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a valve device for a beverage vessel which includes a body coupled to the opening of the beverage vessel, a rotating member fitted in the body so that it is rotatable, a vertical moving member received in the body so that it is vertically movable, and adapted to move downwardly when the rotating member rotates normally, thereby opening the opening of the beverage vessel, while moving upwardly when the rotating member rotates reversely, thereby closing the opening of the beverage vessel, and a lid separately fitted around the body and adapted to rotate the rotating member. When the lid rotates, the rotating member is rotated, thereby causing the vertical moving member to be vertically moved. Accordingly, the opening of the beverage vessel can be conveniently opened and closed. Since the user can open and close the opening of the beverage vessel without coming into contact with the opening of the beverage vessel, it is possible to maintain the opening to be clean. Accordingly, an improved sanitation effect is obtained. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A valve device for a beverage vessel comprising: a hollow body coupled to an opening of the beverage vessel and opened at upper and lower ends thereof; a hollow rotating member rotatably fitted in the body and opened at upper and lower ends thereof; a vertical moving member fitted in the body so that it is vertically movable, and adapted to move downwardly when the rotating member rotates normally, thereby opening the opening of the beverage vessel, while moving upwardly when the rotating member rotates reversely, thereby closing the opening of the beverage vessel; and a lid separately fitted around the body and adapted to rotate the rotating member.

2. The valve device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating member and vertical moving member are threadedly coupled to each other.

3. The valve device according to claim 1 , wherein the body comprises upper and lower hollow cylindrical portions, and an annular horizontal partition plate formed between the upper and lower cylindrical portions in the interior of the body and positioned on an upper end of the opening of the beverage vessel.

4. The valve device according to claim 3, wherein the body further comprises a seal member attached to or formed at a lower surface of the partition plate.

5. The valve device according to claim 3, wherein the partition plate has a central hole allowing the contents of the beverage vessel to pass therethrough.

6. The valve device according to claim 5, wherein the central hole has a plurality of radial slots arranged therearound.

7. The valve device according to claim 5, wherein the vertical moving member is provided with a seal plate adapted to the central hole of the partition plate.

8. The valve device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotating member comprises a cylindrical side wall fitted in the body, and a head formed at an upper end of the cylindrical side wall, the head having a peripheral surface outwardly protruded in a radial direction beyond the side wall so that it is seat on an upper end of the body.

9. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member further comprises a plurality of teeth, and the lid is provided at an inner surface thereof with teeth adapted to be engaged with the teeth of the rotating member.

10. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the vertical moving member comprises a column formed with a plurality of radially-extending ribs, and a seal plate formed at a lower end of the column and adapted to open and close the opening of the beverage vessel.

11. The valve device according to claim 10, wherein the vertical moving member further comprises male threads formed at the ribs, and the rotating member is provided with female threads adapted to be engaged with the male threads of the vertical moving member.

12. The valve device according to claim 11 , wherein each of the male threads has a downwardly inclined thread surface, and each of the female threads has an upwardly inclined thread surface.

13. The valve device according to claim 1 , further comprising: separation preventing means for preventing the vertical moving member from being separated from the body.

14. The valve device according to claim 13, wherein the separation preventing means comprises a radially-protruded stopper formed at an upper end of the vertical moving member, and a bent portion inwardly protruded from an inner surface of the rotating member so that it is engagable with the stopper.

15. The valve device according to claim 1 , further comprising: movement preventing means for preventing the rotating member from moving vertically with respect to the body.

16. The valve device according to claim 15, wherein the movement preventing means comprises an annular step formed at an outer surface of the rotating member, and an annular step formed at an inner surface of the body so that it is engagable with the annular step of the rotating member.

17. The valve device according to claim 1, further comprising: lid attaching means for temporarily attaching the lid to the body.

18. The valve device according to claim 17, wherein the lid attaching means comprises a protrusion formed at an outer surface of the lid, and a groove formed at an outer surface of the body and adapted to receive the protrusion.

19. A valve device for a beverage vessel comprising: a body coupled to an opening of the beverage vessel; a rotating member rotatably fitted in the body; a vertical moving member fitted in the body and adapted to move vertically when the rotating member rotates, thereby opening or closing the opening of the beverage vessel; and a lid separately fitted around the body.

20. The valve device according to claim 19, wherein the rotating member and lid are coupled to each other so that the rotating member is rotated in accordance with rotation of the lid.