Title:
IMPROVED VALVE ARRANGEMENT FOR AN AUTOMATICALLY SEALING CUP
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001035801
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A self-sealing drinking container (10) includes a cup body (12) having a hollow interior (14) for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly (20) which fits sealingly on the cup body (12). The lid assembly (20) has an inlet passage (24) with an inlet valve (34) in communication with an outlet valve (32) in communication therewith, each of the valves (32, 34) including a resilient flexible diaphragm member (52, 84). Each of the inlet and outlet valves (34, 32) includes a cage (80, 48, respectively) having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, each cage (80, 48) having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member (52, 84). Each diaphragm member (52, 84) is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post (64, 76) in each cage (80, 48) is secured to the diaphragm member (52, 84) thereof to ensure its sealing. A predetermined level of fluid pressure differential across each diaphragm members (52, 84) courses, respectively, the diaphragm members (52, 84) to concavely bend away from their respective seat and thereby allow fluid flow through the valves. However, below the respective predetermined levels of fluid pressure differential, the diaphragm members (52, 84) sealingly abut their respective seats, thereby sealing the cup.
Inventors:
BELCASTRO DOMENIC
Application Number:
PCT/US2000/041595
Publication Date:
February 21, 2002
Filing Date:
October 26, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
NIKO PRODUCTS INC (US)
International Classes:
A47G19/22; F16K15/14; (IPC1-7): A47G19/22; F16K15/14
Foreign References:
| CH370253A | 1963-06-30 | |||
| US5890620A | 1999-04-06 | |||
| US2936779A | 1960-05-17 | |||
| US4337873A | 1982-07-06 | |||
| US3685803A | 1972-08-22 |
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