Receptacles – Container attachment or adjunct – Drinking device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-22
2001-11-27
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Container attachment or adjunct
Drinking device
C215S011400, C215S387000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321931
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a no-spill cup assembly with an improved valve mechanism to prevent liquid from flowing out of the cup when not desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
No-spill cup assemblies are well known in the art. In the past, a variety of such assemblies have been developed and marketed. In general, the goal of a no-spill cup is to provide a construction which minimizes or prevents liquid from emerging out of the cup when liquid flow is not desired, i.e. when the user is not drinking. However, though the assemblies of the prior art are intended to avoid such accidents, their construction is such that they generally do not provide a secure enough protection against undesirable spilling or leakage. Thus, when such cups are inverted, or more significantly, when they are shaken vigorously, liquid will often emerge from them. This can be a particular problem with young children, for whom these cups are usually intended. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved cup assembly for preventing undesired spilling of liquids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved no-spill cup assembly.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cup assembly which prevents liquid from flowing out of the cup when the user is not drinking.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cup assembly which minimizes and/or eliminates accidental or undesirable liquid flow or spillage out of the cup.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cup assembly which provides the ability to regulate the flow rate of liquid out of the cup.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a cup assembly which can be used by young children, to avoid accidental spilling of liquid therefrom.
Further objects of the invention will become apparent in conjunction with the disclosure herein.
In accordance with the invention, an improved cup construction and valve assembly is provided which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. Further to the invention, a user places his or her mouth against the spout of the cup assembly to suck liquid out of the cup when desired. The act of sucking at the spout of the cup creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against a valve in the cup spout, causing the valve to invert, or turn inside out, either partially or totally, thereby unblocking an opening such as an orifice or slit in the valve. Once the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout.
In contrast, when not in use, the valve sits in a resting, closed position, with the valve pressed against the center seal-off, thereby sealing off the opening or slit in the valve assembly. Thus, in its relaxed state, with no negative pressure applied, the valve sits in a closed position with the fluid opening sealed by the center seal-off. Moreover, in accordance with the dual valve nature of the device in the preferred embodiment, an adjacent valve similarly seals when no negative pressure is applied, thereby blocking off the air vents in the cover of the cup, and further preventing the possibility of fluid flow. Consequently, the closed position provides an extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills or even deliberate attempts to force liquid outside of the cup, such as by turning the cup upside down, or shaking the cup, are ineffective.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the cup assembly allows liquid flow to be regulated between regular or maximum flow and minimal flow levels or rates by rotating the position of a valve assembly in the cap or cover of the cup. The valve holder is constructed as a two subunit assembly, with one subassembly holding a valve with a larger slit or orifice for fluid flow than the valve in the second subunit. Thus, upon rotation of the valve holder, either a low-flow valve or a higher flow valve can be positioned in the hole leading to the spout. In this manner, a dual position valve assembly is provided allowing either regular flow or minimal liquid flow conditions.
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Hakim Nouri E.
Solomon Victor R.
Cohen Morris E.
Moy Joseph M.
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