U.S. patent application number 10/155636 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-12 for leak-proof cup assembly with flow control element.
This patent application is currently assigned to Playtex Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Manganiello, Francis X..
Application Number | 20020185495 10/155636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21794911 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020185495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manganiello, Francis X. |
December 12, 2002 |
Leak-proof cup assembly with flow control element
Abstract
A drinking cup assembly including a cup having an open end; a
cap adapted to enclose the open end, the cap including a drinking
spout and an air vent and mating surfaces adjacent or incorporated
into the drinking spout and the air vent; and a flow control valve
including two stacks adapted to engage the mating surfaces, each of
the two stacks having a concave valve face at a top portion
thereof.
Inventors: |
Manganiello, Francis X.;
(Pompton Plains, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES N.J. RUGGIERO, ESQ.
OHLANDT, GREELEY, RUGGIERO & PERLE, L.L.P.
ONE LANDMARK SQUARE, 10TH FLOOR
STAMFORD
CT
06901-2682
US
|
Assignee: |
Playtex Products, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
21794911 |
Appl. No.: |
10/155636 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10155636 |
May 23, 2002 |
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09645975 |
Feb 4, 2000 |
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6422415 |
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10155636 |
May 23, 2002 |
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09019765 |
Feb 6, 1998 |
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6050445 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/714 ;
220/717 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/2031 20130101;
B65D 51/165 20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/714 ;
220/717 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A drinking cup assembly comprising: a cup having an open end; a
cap adapted to enclose said open end, said cap including a drinking
spout and an air vent and mating surfaces adjacent or incorporated
into said drinking spout and said air vent; and a flow control
valve including two stacks adapted to engage said mating surfaces,
each of said two stacks having a concave valve face at a top
portion thereof.
2. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said
concave valve faces has a single valve slit therethrough.
3. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein said two stacks
are of substantially equal height.
4. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein said stacks have a
stepped outer contour.
5. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said two
stacks has a smooth inner contour.
6. The drinking cup assembly of claim 5, where said smooth inner
contour is selected from the shape consisting of cylindrical,
frustoconical, and a combination thereof.
7. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein said flow control
valve comprises two separate pieces, each of which bears one of
said two stacks.
8. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein said mating
surfaces comprise cylindrical recesses.
9. The drinking cup assembly of claim 1, wherein said valve face is
about 0.023 inches thick.
10. A flow control element for use in a spill-proof cup assembly,
said element comprising two stacks adapted to engage a drinking
spout and an air vent, respectively, each of said two stacks having
a concave valve face at a top portion thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to an improved
leak-proof cup. More particularly, the present invention relates to
a cup assembly having a cap bearing a drinking spout at one side
and an air vent spaced from the drinking spout, with a flow control
element frictionally engaged in the vicinity of the drinking spout
and air vent to allow passage of liquid out and air in during use,
while preventing significant leakage through the spout and vent
when not in use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Enclosed cups having drinking spouts and separate air vents,
which allow the user to drink from the spout without creating
excessive vacuum in the cup, are known in the art. However,
drinking spouts and air vents are liable to leak liquid stored in
the cup between feedings, or if dropped during use. Accordingly,
certain cups have been developed that use valving mechanisms at the
spout and at the air vent. These valves respond to suction
generated during feeding to open and allow liquid to pass through
the spout and to allow air to enter the air vent when a vacuum is
developed in the interior of the cup.
[0003] Two patents disclosing such valves are U.S. Pat. No.
5,079,013 to Belanger and U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,670 to Morano, both
commonly assigned or licensed to the assignee of the present
application. Applicant hereby incorporates the disclosure of those
two patents herein by reference. Applicant has on the market a cup
that employs a valve assembly similar to that shown in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,079,013 that is secured to sleeves in the underside of the
cup's top, but in which the valves are mounted on a single base
element. Applicant is also aware of a competitive product having a
flow control element of the configuration depicted in FIG. 1, sold
as part of the Tumble Mates Spill Proof Cup by the First Years.
[0004] Despite the effectiveness of these cup mechanisms, applicant
has discovered an improved flow control element and corresponding
valve configuration that provides improved fluid flow rates without
sacrificing the valve's resistance to spills or the valve's
durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved valve mechanism for a cup assembly that is substantially
leak-proof even when upended, dropped or shaken.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved valve mechanism for a leak-proof cup that gives higher
fluid flow rates at normal suction forces without sacrificing
durability or resistance to spills.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an improved valve mechanism, cap and cup that are easy to clean and
easy to assemble.
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a drinking cup
assembly including a cup having an open end; a cap adapted to
enclose the open end, the cap including a drinking spout and an air
vent and mating surfaces adjacent or incorporated into the drinking
spout and the air vent; and a flow control valve including two
stacks adapted to engage the mating surfaces, each of the two
stacks having a concave valve face at a top portion thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art valve
mechanism;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cup, cap and valve
assembly according to the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a section diagram taken along the lines 3-3' in
FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the valve of FIG. 3; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top view of the valve of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Referring to the figures and, in particular, FIGS. 2 through
4, the cup, cap and valve assembly of the present invention is
generally referred to by reference numeral 10. The assembly 10
includes a cup 12, a cap 14 and a flow control valve 20. Cap 14 is
adapted to seal cup 12, with the exception of the apertures in the
spout 16 and air vent 18 formed in its surface. Flow control valve
20 is adapted to communicate with spout 16 and air vent 18, to form
the substantially spill-proof assembly 10.
[0015] Cap 14 is formed with mating surfaces, preferably adjacent
to or incorporated into spout 16 and air vent 18, to frictionally
engage flow control valve 20 and place the flow control valve in
fluid communication with spout 16 and air vent 18. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, cap 14 is formed with cylindrical
recesses 17 within spout 16 and below air vent 18. These recesses
17 are configured to accept flow control valve 20.
[0016] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, flow control
valve 20 includes two stacks 24. Stacks 24 include lower portions
26, upper portions 28 and valve faces 30 bearing slits 32. These
stacks 24 are adapted to be pressed into recesses 17 to friction
fit flow control valve 20 into cap 14. Accordingly, when recesses
17 have a lower cylindrical portion, as preferred, lower portions
26 of stacks 24 are also preferably substantially cylindrical in
shape.
[0017] As also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each stack 24 is elongated.
In addition, each stack 24 is of significant diameter and of
substantially equal height. The elongated shape of stacks 24
enables them to place valve faces 30 and slits 32 (see FIG. 5) in
close proximity to the apertures in spout 16 and air vent 18. The
diameter of stacks 24 permits significant, relatively unconstrained
fluid flow to the area of slits 32. It has been found that this
arrangement provides optimal balancing of suction needed to open
slits 32 and the fluid flow through the slits. Similarly, its
substantial cylindrical diameter and resulting inner contour
presents a simple, wide opening and tube to enable thorough
cleaning of the stacks 24 after use and to minimize the number of
corners and niches in which dried or congealed liquid can be
deposited. It is preferred that the outer contour of stacks 24 be
stepped, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but that the inner contour of
the stacks be a constant diameter or of constantly diminishing
diameter, thus presenting a smooth, unstepped inner face. Thus, the
smooth inner face is preferably either cylindrical, frustoconical,
or a combination of the two. This smooth inner face further
enhances free fluid flow and promotes easy cleaning of stacks 24.
The fact that this preferred flow control valve 20 is easy to clean
is very important both to the proper and sanitary functioning of
the assembly 10, and also to consumer acceptance of the valve.
[0018] It has also been discovered that the preferred concave shape
of valve faces 30, in conjunction with the attendant curved shape
of slits 32, provides superior fluid flow rate through slits 32
than existing valve configurations. This makes the assembly 10
easier to drink from and less frustrating and tiring to use.
Furthermore, it has been found that elongated single slits 32 are
preferred to cross-cuts or other types of apertures through valve
faces 30. It is also preferred that slits 32 extend substantially
from edge to edge of concave valve faces 30.
[0019] Most preferably, the radius of curvature of the valve face
30 that is aligned with spout 16 is about 0.267 inches. The most
preferred radius of curvature of the valve face 30 that is aligned
with air vent 18 is also about 0.267 inches. The most preferred
length of slit 32 that is aligned with spout 16 is about 0.235
inches. The most preferred length of slit 32 that is aligned with
air vent 18 is about 0.170 inches. The most preferred inner
diameter of the stack 24 that is aligned with spout 16 is from
about 0.301 inches to about 0.368 inches, ideally a frustoconical
shape having the foregoing as minimum and maximum diameters. The
most preferred inner diameter of the stack 24 that is aligned with
air vent 18 is from about 0.252 inches to about 0.368 inches,
ideally a frustoconical shape having the foregoing as minimum and
maximum diameters. The most preferred height of the stack 24 that
is aligned with spout 16 is about 0.803 inches from top to bottom,
and about 0.521 inches from indentation to bottom. The most
preferred height of the stack 24 that is aligned with air vent 18
is about 0.730 from top to bottom, and about 0.550 from indentation
to bottom. The two stacks 24 are preferably 1.60 inches on center.
The preferred outer diameter of the lower portion 26 of the stack
24 that is aligned with spout 16 is about 0.522 inches. The
preferred outer diameter of the lower portion 26 of the stack 24
that is aligned with air vent 18 is about 0.457 inches. These
dimensions provide an interference fit with a cup lid having
cylindrical recesses 17 having preferred inner diameters of about
0.499 inches and about 0.439 inches, respectively. All of the
foregoing measurements are subject to a preferred tolerance of plus
or minus about 0.005 inches. In addition, a further dimension that
is most preferred is the thickness of valve face 30. It is most
preferably about 0.023 inches thick, with a preferred tolerance of
only about plus or minus 0.002 inches. This dimension has been
found to be very important in providing proper flexion of the valve
faces 30 and opening of slits 32 under suction during use.
[0020] It is preferred that the flow control valve 20 be formed
from a single piece of elastomeric material to facilitate easy
insertion into and removal from recesses 17. However, flow control
valve 20 can be formed of two separate valving elements, each
adapted to be inserted into recesses 17 or otherwise engage cap 14.
The elastomeric material used is most preferably silicone, but TPE
(thermoplastic elastomer), natural rubber, and synthetic rubber
(e.g., isoprene) are also preferred.
[0021] The following data demonstrate the improved flow rates of a
flow control valve 20 according to the present invention. Six
samples of a flow control valve as depicted in FIG. 3 (Valve A)
were tested against six samples of a flow control valve as depicted
in FIG. 1 (Valve B) and against ten samples of a flow control valve
as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,013 to Belanger (Valve C).
1 Valve A Suction to Suction for Sample Start Flow Continuous Time
to Evacuate Number (psi) Flow (psi) 100 ml water (sec.) 1 1.23 2.21
49 2 1.47 2.21 37 3 1.47 2.46 51 4 1.47 2.33 44 5 1.23 2.33 56 6
1.23 2.21 50 Avg. 1.35 2.29 48
[0022]
2 Valve B Suction to Suction for Sample Start Flow Continuous Time
to Evacuate Number (psi) Flow (psi) 100 ml water (sec.) 1 0.98 2.82
58 2 0.98 2.95 41 3 1.72 2.46 44 4 1.72 2.70 57 5 1.47 2.70 63 6
1.23 2.46 75 Avg. 1.35 2.68 56
[0023]
3 Valve C Suction to Suction for Sample Start Flow Continuous Time
to Evacuate Number (psi) Flow (psi) 100 ml water (sec.) 1 2.46 4.42
36 2 2.95 4.54 27 3 2.95 4.42 76 4 2.46 3.93 24 5 2.95 4.42 38 6
3.19 4.17 33 7 2.46 3.93 78 8 3.19 4.42 29 9 2.46 3.93 40 10 2.95
3.93 26 Avg. 2.80 4.21 40.7
[0024] These data show that the Valve A, a valve according to the
present invention, requires lower suction to generate a continuous
flow than the prior art valves, and requires less time to evacuate
100 ml of water than the prior art elastomeric valve, Valve B.
Moreover, this Valve A is more consistent from sample to sample
than the controls. This provides a more acceptable product.
[0025] Various modifications may be made to the foregoing
disclosure as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus,
it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the
foregoing description and drawings are merely illustrative of
certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that
various obvious modifications can be made to these embodiments in
accordance with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *