U.S. patent application number 11/101177 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for dispensing vessels.
Invention is credited to Mandy Nicola Haberman.
Application Number | 20060226146 11/101177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37082213 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060226146 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haberman; Mandy Nicola |
October 12, 2006 |
Dispensing vessels
Abstract
A drinking vessel comprising: an open-mouthed container; a lid
for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion
for a person to drink from; the lid at least partially defining a
liquid outlet arranged below the level of the rim or rim-portion to
allow liquid to flow from the interior of the container and over
the rim or rim-portion as the drinking vessel is tilted; the lid
having a support part extending partially across the open-mouth of
the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to the support
part across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped
container, the closure flap being biased towards a closed position
in which the closure flap closes the liquid outlet to prevent flow
of liquid therethrough; there being provided a mechanism configured
to move or deflect the closure flap against said bias to open said
liquid outlet and permit the flow of liquid therethrough.
Inventors: |
Haberman; Mandy Nicola;
(Radlett, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JULIA CHURCH DIERKER;DIERKER & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
3331 W. BIG BEAVER RD. SUITE 109
TROY
MI
48084-2813
US
|
Family ID: |
37082213 |
Appl. No.: |
11/101177 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/203.04 ;
220/212.5; 220/715 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2272
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/203.04 ;
220/715; 220/212.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/16 20060101
B65D051/16; B65D 25/28 20060101 B65D025/28; A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A dispensing vessel, comprising: an open-mouthed container; a
lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a
rim-portion; the lid at least partially defining an outlet arranged
below the level of the rim or rim-portion to allow contents of the
vessel to flow from the interior of the container and over the rim
or rim-portion as the vessel is tilted; the lid having a support
part extending partially across the open-mouth of the container and
a closure flap hingedly connected to the support part across at
least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped container, the
closure flap being biased towards a closed position in which the
closure flap closes the outlet to prevent flow of said contents
therethrough; and a mechanism configured to move or deflect the
closure flap against said bias to open said outlet and permit the
flow of said contents therethrough.
2. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein said closure
flap has a free edge and is arranged such that when in said closed
position, the closure flap extends from said support part to a
position below the level of the rim or rim-portion where the free
edge releasably seals against an inner wall-surface of the
container or of the lid to prevent the flow of contents between the
inner wall-surface and the closure flap; and wherein said mechanism
is configured to move or deflect the closure flap from said closed
position such that its free edge becomes released from its seal
against said inner wall-surface, so as to permit contents to flow
from the interior of the container, between said inner wall-surface
and the closure flap, and over the rim or rim-portion as the
dispensing vessel is tilted.
3. A dispensing vessel according to claim 2, wherein said inner
wall-surface is provided with an inwardly directed formation
against which said free edge of the closure flap seals.
4. A dispensing vessel according to claim 3, wherein said free edge
is substantially arcuate.
5. A dispensing vessel according to claim 2 wherein said free edge
is generally dished in configuration.
6. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein the closure
flap hinged connection comprises one of a fold or a crease or a
living hinge extending generally diametrically across the
open-mouth of the container.
7. A dispensing vessel according to claim 2, wherein the outlet is
defined between the lid and the container.
8. A dispensing vessel according to claim 7 wherein the outlet is
defined between the free edge of the closure flap and the inner
wall-surface of a sidewall of the container.
9. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the rim or
rim-portion has a raised circumference.
10. A dispensing vessel according to claim 9 wherein the raised
circumferential rim or rim-portion is provided on the lid.
11. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the lid is
removable from the container.
12. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein the lid is
formed integrally with the container.
13. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism
comprises at least one moveable element arranged for actuation by
the hand of a person dispensing contents from the vessel.
14. A dispensing vessel according to claim 13, wherein said
moveable element forms part of a handle.
15. A dispensing vessel according to claim 14, wherein the handle
is pivotally mounted to the lid or container.
16. A dispensing vessel according to claim 13, wherein said
moveable element comprises part of the container being resiliently
deformable, the arrangement being such that deforming said part of
the container causes movement or deflection of said closure
flap.
17. A drinking vessel according to claim 6 wherein the mechanism
comprises at least one moveable element arranged for actuation by
the hand of a person dispensing contents from the vessel, and
wherein actuation of the or each moveable element causes deflection
or distortion of said fold or living hinge which, in turn, imparts
said movement or deflection on said closure flap.
18. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 having said
rim-portion provided as part of a spout or mouthpiece.
19. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing
vessel comprises a drinking vessel, adapted to dispense liquid
contents of the vessel as it is tilted.
20. (canceled)
Description
[0001] THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a dispensing vessel,
suitable for dispensing flowable contents. More particularly, a
preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a
non-spill drinking vessel having a circumferential rim or
rim-pinion from which a user can drink.
[0002] Trainer cups (that is a cup or mug provided with a lid
having a mouthpiece or spout associated therewith) are well-known
and have been designed to bridge the gap between use of a baby's
feeding bottle and use of a normal cup or glass by a young child.
Such a trainer cup will often be a child's first step in learning
to feed itself. As will be appreciated, young children have a
tendency to knock or throw their cups and even though the existence
of the lid may reduce or at least delay spillage of liquid from the
cup, it has previously been found to be advantageous to provide a
non-spill trainer cup.
[0003] A non-spill trainer cup is disclosed in EP0634922B1, which
comprises a mouthpiece generally in the form of a spout, and a
membrane slit-valve provided therebelow. This arrangement is
configured such that the membrane slit valve will open upon the
application of suction to the mouthpiece by a person drinking from
the cup, and the membrane slit valve will thereafter reseal, to
prevent inadvertent spilling from the cup.
[0004] However, the above-mentioned known trainer cup and other
similar devices, whilst largely eliminating the problems associated
with spillage, still rely upon the provision of a mouthpiece in the
form of a spout activated by sucking, biting or suckling to
activate flow, and so a young child using this type of cup is not
taught how to drink in a more adult manner by using oral motor
function to manipulate a bolus of liquid from the front to the back
of the mouth, and to drink from the circumferential rim of a
cup.
[0005] Also, because the above-mentioned known trainer cup and
other similar devices have been effective in preventing spillages,
many mothers rely on them for a continued period after their
child's development, which could slow the child's advancement to
drink from a conventional open cup having a rim. It is therefore
desirable to provide an alternative type of drinking vessel, which
could be used by young children, but also by adults, for example
for convenience when travelling or for use by the elderly or
infirm, and which enables the child or person to drink from the cup
in a more adult manner, but wherein the cup is still substantially
spill-proof.
[0006] It is also considered to be advantageous to provide a simple
and attractive sealing mechanism for such cups which could, for
example, be formed cheaply and conveniently from material such as
paper or polystyrene, to enable the entire cup assembly to be
produced as a single-use, disposable unit for use, for example, by
the fast food industry. It is also envisaged that a similarly
simple and attractive sealing mechanism could be provided on a
dispensing vessel to dispense flowable contents other than drinking
liquids, for example powders and granulated foodstuffs or the
like.
[0007] The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved
dispensing vessel,
[0008] According to the present invention there is provided; a
dispensing vessel comprising:
[0009] an open-mouthed container;
[0010] a lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a
rim-portion;
[0011] the lid at least partially defining an outlet arranged below
the level of the rim or rim-portion to allow contents of the vessel
to flow from the interior of the container and over the rim or
rim-portion as the vessel is tilted;
[0012] the lid having a support part extending partially across the
open-mouth of the container and a closure flap hingedly connected
to the support part across at least part of the open-mouth of the
cup-shaped container, the closure flap being biased towards a
closed position in which the closure flap closes the outlet to
prevent flow of said contents therethrough;
[0013] there being provided a mechanism configured to move or
deflect the closure flap against said bias to open said outlet and
permit the flow of said contents therethrough.
[0014] Preferably, said closure flap has a free edge and is
arranged such that when in said closed position, the closure flap
extends from said support part to a position below the level of the
rim or rim-portion where the free edge releasably seals against an
inner wall-surface of the container or of the lid to prevent the
flow of contents between the inner wall-surface and the closure
flap; and wherein said mechanism is configured to move or deflect
the closure flap from said closed position such that its free edge
becomes released from its seal against said inner wall-surface, so
as to permit contents to flow from the interior of the container,
between said inner wall-surface and the closure flap, and over the
rim or rim-portion as the drinking vessel is tilted.
[0015] Advantageously, said inner-wall-surface is provided with an
inwardly directed formation against which said free edge of the
closure flap seals.
[0016] Conveniently, said free edge is generally arcuate.
[0017] Preferably, said closure flap is generally dished in
configuration.
[0018] Advantageously, said fold or living hinge extends generally
diametrically across the open-mouth of the container.
[0019] Conveniently, the outlet is defined between the lid and the
container.
[0020] Preferably, the outlet is defined between the free edge of
the closure flap and the inner wall-surface of a side wall of the
container.
[0021] Advantageously, the raised circumferential rim or
rim-portion is provided on the container.
[0022] Conveniently, the raised circumferential rim or rim portion
is provided on the lid.
[0023] Preferably, the lid is removable from the container.
[0024] Advantageously, the lid is formed integrally with the
container.
[0025] Conveniently, the closure mechanism comprises at least one
moveable element arranged for actuation by the hand of a person
dispensing contents from the vessel.
[0026] Preferably, said moveable element forms part of the
handle.
[0027] Advantageously, the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid
or container.
[0028] Conveniently, the said moveable element comprises part of
the container being resiliently deformable, the arrangement being
such that deforming said part of the container causes movement or
deflection of said closure flap.
[0029] Preferably, actuation of the or each said moveable element
causes deflection or distortion of said fold or living hinge which,
in turn, imparts said movement or deflection on said closure
flap.
[0030] Advantageously, said rim-portion is provided as part of a
spout or mouthpiece.
[0031] Preferably, the dispensing vessel takes the form of a
drinking vessel to dispense liquid contents from the vessel as it
is tilted.
[0032] So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so
that further features thereof may be appreciate, embodiments of the
invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which;
[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing vessel in the
form of a drinking vessel in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the drinking vessel
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 3a is a view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 2,
but illustrating only the handle part of the drinking vessel;
[0036] FIG. 3b is a side elevational view of the handle illustrated
in FIG. 3a;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid of the drinking
vessel illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the lid in a first
condition;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to that of FIG.
4, illustrating the lid in an alternate condition;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing vessel in the
form of a drinking vessel in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the drinking vessel
illustrated in FIG. 6;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid of the drinking
vessel illustrated in FIG. 6, showing the lid in a first
condition;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 8,
illustrating the lid in a second, alternate condition; and
[0043] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alternative component for
use with the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0044] The embodiments described below are all drinking vessels
intended to be used to dispense liquid. However, it should be
appreciated that variants of the invention could be used to
dispense other flowable contents from the vessel such as, for
example, granulated or powdered substances.
[0045] Turning initially to consider FIGS. 1 and 2, there is
illustrated a drinking vessel 1 in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention. The drinking vessel 1
comprises an open-mouthed generally cup-shaped container 2,
provided with a removable lid 3 to close the open mouth of the
cup-shaped container 2. The lid 3 comprises a skirt 4 sized to
engage sealingly the uppermost edge of the cup-shaped container 2.
The lid 3 also has a raised circumferential rim 5 which, as best
seen in FIG. 2, has a portion 6 thereof raised significantly higher
than the rest of the rim 5. It is intended that a person drinking
from the drinking vessel 1 will put his or her lips to the
circumferential rim 5, and most particularly the raised part 6, and
drink from the cup in the generally conventional manner, by tilting
from the cup so that liquid flows from the interior of the
container 2 over the raised rim portion 6.
[0046] Also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drinking vessel 1
comprises an operating handle 7 in the form (in this example) of a
lever, which takes a generally L-shaped configuration as
illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3b, with its larger limb 8
extending downwardly from the lid 3, substantially adjacent the
side wall of the cup-shaped container 2, at a position
diametrically opposed to the raised rim portion 6 of the lid 3. The
outermost surface of the major limb 8 of the operating handle 7 is
preferably provided with a plurality of raised ridges or contours 9
to improve a person's awareness of and contact with the handle 7.
The smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 extends generally across the
lid 3 towards the raised rim portion 6. At the junction between the
large limb 8 and the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7, the handle 7
is provided with a pair of outwardly directed spigots 11 which, as
will be described in more detail hereinafter, serve to mount the
handle 7 pivotally to the upper part of the lid 3.
[0047] Preferably, the larger limb 8 of the handle 7 is at least
partially received within a correspondingly-shaped recess 12 formed
in the side wall of the cup-shaped container 2, so that the handle
7 does not protrude too far from the otherwise smooth surface of
the cup-shaped container 2.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 3b, at approximately half-way down
the main limb 8, the handle is provided with a rearwardly and
downwardly directed resilient finger 13 which is configured to bear
against the innermost extent of the recess 12 within which the
handle 7 is received.
[0049] In use, a person drinking from the drinking vessel 1 is able
to operate the handle 7 with the fingers of his or her hand being
used to hold the drinking vessel, actuation of the handle being
effected by pressing the main limb 8 inwardly relative to the
cup-shaped container 2, against the inherent bias provided by the
resilient finger 13 bearing against the recess 12. Pulling the main
limb 8 of the handle inwardly in this manner causes the handle to
pivot about its spigots 11 relative to the lid 3, thereby raising
the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 which extends across the lid
3.
[0050] As also illustrated in FIG. 3b, the innermost end of the
smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 is provided with a
forwardly-extending flange 14 spaced slightly below the
undersurface of the smaller limb 10. The function of this flange 14
will be described hereinafter in more detail.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates the lid 3 in more detail, with the handle
7 being omitted. As mentioned previously, the lid 3 is provided
with a skirt 4 for engagement with the uppermost rim of the
cup-shaped container 2, and a raised circumferential rim 5 also
projects upwardly from the skirt 4, the raised rim 5 being
significantly higher at its most raised portion 6. The skirt 4, at
its position diametrically opposite the raised rim portion 6, is
provided with a recess 15 sized and configured to receive the
uppermost part of the handle 7, In this region, the raised rim 5 is
also cut away, and a pair of opposed bores or apertures 16 are
provided extending into the raised rim 5, away from the recess 15.
Each of these apertures or bores 16 is sized and configured to
receive a respective spigot 11 extending outwardly from the handle
7, to provide a pivotal mounting for the handle 7 with respect to
the lid 3.
[0052] Extending across the lid, there are provided two main parts.
The first of these parts is a support part 17 which, in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, takes the form of a generally
horizontal wall portion. The support part 17 is sealingly and
securely engaged (preferably co-moulded with) the innermost wall
surface of the skirt 4 and its associated raised circumferential
rim 5. At a position spaced slightly inwardly of the recess 15, the
support part 17 is provided with a downwardly and forwardly
extending notch 1 8 which is sized and configured to receive the
flange 14 carried by the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7, when the
handle is pivotally mounted to the lid 3.
[0053] It is to be appreciated that the support part 17 is
preferably moulded from resilient plastics material which is
arranged to deform slightly, but always to remain secured in
intimate contact to (or integral with) the inner wall surface of
the circumferential rim 5. It will therefore be appreciated that
actuation of the operating handle 7 by a person holding the
drinking vessel 1, by pressing the main limb 8 inwardly relative to
the cup-shaped container 2, causes the smaller limb 10 of the
handle 7 to lift, pulling with it the central region of the support
part 17, by virtue of the engagement between the flange 14 and the
notch 18. This causes the central region of the support part 17 to
lift or deflect in an upwards manner.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support part 17 extends only
part-way across the open mouth of the cup-shaped container. The
support part 17 supports and is formed integrally with a closure
flap 19 by a substantially arcuate fold, crease or living hinge 20,
The closure flap 19 extends substantially completely across the
remainder of the open mouth of the cup-shaped container such that
its free arcuate edge 21 (which extends from one end of the arcuate
fold or living hinge 20 to the other end of the fold or living
hinge 20) sealingly engages the innermost wall surface of the
raised rim 5 of the lid 3.
[0055] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
radius of curvature of the arcuate free edge 21 of the closure flap
19 is greater than the radius of the circumferential rim 5 which,
together with the arcuate configuration of the living hinge 20,
causes the closure flap 19 to adopt a concave configuration, in
which it is dished inwardly of the drinking vessel.
[0056] The present invention is not, of course, limited to an
arcuate free edge 21, and it is envisaged that the free edge 21 may
be elliptical, parabolic, or any other suitable shape.
[0057] The closure flap 19 is preferably moulded integrally with
the support part 17 from the same resiliently deformable material,
and by virtue of its inwardly-dished configuration, is resiliently
biased to adopt its initial position substantially as illustrated
in FIG. 4, in which the arcuate free edge of the closure flap 19
sealingly engages against the inner side wall of the lid 3.
However, it will readily be appreciated that, should the free edge
21 of the closure flap 19 become disengaged from the inner wall
surface of the lid 3, then a liquid outlet will be opened, between
the inner surface of the side wall and the free edge 21, allowing
liquid contents of the cup-shaped container 2 to flow through the
liquid outlet, between the inner wall surface and the free edge 21
and over the raised rim portion 6 as the drinking vessel 1 is
tilted.
[0058] The closure flap 19 can be selectively opened by actuation
of the operating handle 7. As previously explained, by pressing the
main limb 8 of the operating handle 7 inwardly relative to the body
of the cup-shaped container 2, the support part 17 of the lid 3 is
caused to lift or deflect upwardly. This upwards movement of the
support part 17 causes the radius of curvature of the living hinge
20 to alter, the tendency of this being to deflect or move the
closure flap 19 downwardly so that its free edge 21 moves away from
the inner wall surface against which it is initially sealingly
engaged (as illustrated in FIG. 5). This operation of the handle 7,
therefore opens up the liquid outlet defined between the closure
flap 19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.
[0059] Releasing the inwards pressure on the operating handle 7,
removes the lifting force applied to the central region of the
support part 17 and therefore, the support part 17 and its
associated closure flap 19 both return to their original conditions
by virtue of their inherent resiliency, thereby returning the
closure flap 19 to its closed position in which the liquid outlet
is substantially scaled by virtue of the sealing engagement between
the free edge 21 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.
[0060] It should therefore be understood that the support part 17,
and the lid 3 effectively comprise a mechanism configured to move
or deflect the flap 19 against its inherent bias, to open an outlet
and to permit the flow of liquid (or in other variants, any
convenient flowable contents) therethrough.
[0061] However, it is also envisaged that the closure flap 19 could
be actuated simply by squeezing together diametrically opposed
regions of the sidewall of the cup-shaped container 2 in the
regions spaced generally vertically below the two ends of the
arcuate living hinge 20 (as illustrated by arrows A in FIGS. I and
2). Because of the engagement of the skirt 4 of the lid and the
uppermost edge of the cup-shaped container 2, the deflection of the
sidewalls of the container 2 created by squeezing in this manner is
also imparted to the raised circumferential rim 5 of the lid, with
the result that the arcuate living hinge 20 is deflected such that
the closure flap 19 is again moved or deflected downwardly to
release its seal against the inner wall surface. The inwardly
deformable sidewalls of the container 2, and the support part 17 of
the lid can also therefore be considered to represent a mechanism
configured to move or deflect the flap 19 against its inherent
bias, to open a liquid outlet and to permit the flow of liquid
therethrough.
[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
effectiveness of the seal between the free edge 21 of the closure
flap 19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3 may be improved by
providing the inner wall surface and/or the free edge 21 with a
soft, elastorneric-type material such as, for example, Evoprene
(.TM.). Also, it is envisaged that the effectiveness of the seal
could be further or alternatively improved by providing a small
inwardly-directed formation such as a lip or ridge around the
innermost wall surface of the lid 3 against which the uppermost
part of the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 can engage.
[0063] In any event, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the closure
flap 19 extends downwardly from the living hinge 20 and so should
the drinking vessel 1 become upturned for any reason, then the
pressure of the liquid contents of the drinking vessel acting
against the undersurface of the closure flap 19 will serve to
tighten the seal between the closure flap 19 and the inner wall
surface of the lid 3.
[0064] Turning now to consider FIGS. 6 through to 10, an
alternative embodiment of the present invention will be described.
However, it should be appreciated that the embodiments illustrated
in FIGS. 6 to 10 are largely identical to the embodiment described
with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the main difference being simply
the mechanism configured to move or deflect the closure flap. In
particular, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of FIG. 6
to 10 again comprise a generally cup-shaped container 2 and lid 3
of largely identical form to those illustrated and described with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The lid 3 is again provided a similar
support part 17 and closure flap 19, the configuration of each
being substantially identical to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.
However, as will be readily apparent from FIG. 6, the operating
handle 7 of the previously-described embodiment is replaced by an
alternative configuration of handle-operated mechanism.
[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a handle
assembly 30 is provided which extends substantially transversely
across the lid 3, and has two handle arms 31 which extend generally
downwardly adjacent opposed sides of the cup-shaped container
2,
[0066] As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 6, the handle assembly
30 has two main parts 32, 34 arranged substantially adjacent one
another, but separated across almost their entire extent, apart
from in the region of the lowermost ends of the handle arms 8.
However, as illustrated, the two main parts 34, 32 are separated by
a thin flexible membrane or web 33.
[0067] The handle assembly 30 is preferably moulded from
resiliently deformable plastics material and hence one part 34 of
the handle assembly 30 is moveable towards the other part 32,
against a bias provided by the inherent resiliency of the plastic
material.
[0068] The part 32 of the handle assembly 30 is secured to the
uppermost part of the support part 17 of the lid 3 by virtue of a
pair of fasteners indicated generally at 35. This part 32 of the
handle assembly 30 is therefore fixed with respect to the lid 3.
The fasteners may be attached to the part 32 of the handle assembly
30, for instance by welding, or may alternatively be formed
integrally therewith.
[0069] However, the other part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is
moveable with respect to the lid 3, and is provided, in its central
region, with an elongate slot 36 which is configured to slidingly
receive a spigot 37 projecting upwardly from the support part 17,
in the region of the living hinge 20. The moveable part 34 of the
handle assembly 30 can therefore be moved towards the fixed part 32
of the handle assembly 30, against the inherent resilient bias of
the handle assembly 30, such that the spigot 37 slides within the
elongate slot 36. The slot has a length such that, as the moveable
part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moved towards the fixed part
32, there will come an instant in time when the upstanding spigot
37 becomes engaged with the end of the slot 36, whereafter further
movement of the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly towards the
fixed part 32, will cause the spigot 37 itself to be deflected
towards the fixed part 32 of the handle assembly 30. This
deflection of the upstanding spigot 37 causes the
resiliently-deformable support part 17 of the lid 3 also to deform,
so that the radius of curvature of the living hinge 20 is increased
which, in a substantially identical manner to that of the previous
embodiment, causes the closure flap 19 to deform downwardly, so
that its free edge 21 moves away from the inner wall surface of the
lid 3 against which it was initially sealed, by opening up the
liquid outlet between the free edge 21 and the inner wall
surface.
[0070] When it is desired subsequently to re-close the liquid
aperture, a person drinking from the drinking vessel simply needs
to release the pressure previously applied to both handle arms 31
to move the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 towards the
fixed part 32. When this pressure is released, the inherent
resiliency of the handle assembly 30, and the support part 17,
causes the spigot 37 to return to its initial position, thereby
returning the arcuate living hinge 20 to its initial radius of
curvature and hence re-sealing the liquid outlet.
[0071] Because the slot 36 is sized so as to allow an initial
degree of movement of the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly
30 towards the fixed part 32 without causing the spigot 37 also to
move, the opening mechanism of this embodiment ensures that a
person, for example, a small child or infant, grasping only one
handle arm 31, and urging the moveable part 34 of that handle arm
towards the fixed part 32 will be unsuccessful in deflecting the
spigot 37, and hence will not open the liquid outlet. Only when the
moveable parts 34 of both handle arms 31 are moved towards their
respective fixed parts 32, will the slot 36 be moved sufficiently
for its end to engage the spigot 37, to thereby deflect the spigot
37, distort the arcuate hinge 20, and open the liquid aperture.
This safety feature serves to prevent inadvertent opening of the
liquid aperture as an infant child carries the drinking vessel 1 by
simply grasping tightly a single handle arm 31. The arrangement is
configured only to open the liquid aperture when both handle arms
are grasped as the child safely drinks from the drinking vessel in
a controlled manner.
[0072] It is envisaged that the embodiment described above with
reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, could be modified slightly, by providing
a forwardly-extending flange 38 carried by the central moveable
part 34 of the handle assembly 30. This modification is illustrated
schematically in side view in FIG. 10, from which it will be seen
that the forwardmost part of the flange 38 carries a
downwardly-depending bearing surface 39. As the central moveable
part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moved towards the fixed part
32 during actuation of the handle assembly 30, it will be
understood that the bearing surface 39 is therefore caused to move
towards the closure flap 19 as indicated by arrow 40, and so the
downwardly-depending bearing surface 39 will be caused to bear
against the outermost surface of the closure flap 19, and to
deflect the closure flap 19 downwardly so that its free edge 21
moves away from its sealing engagement with the inner wall surface
of the lid. This feature could be provided in addition to the
spigot 37, or, if preferred, as an alternative means to open the
closure flap 19, without relying upon forced distortion of the
radius of curvature of the arcuate living hinge 20.
[0073] A further possible modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 6
to 9 involves providing the support part 17 as a separate component
from the skirt 4. It is envisaged that the support part 17 could,
for example, be configured so as to be releasably engageable,
around its arcuate periphery, with the skirt 4 of the lid. The
skirt 4 and support part 17 in such an arrangement must be
engageable in a liquid-tight manner and to remain in intimate
contact with one another.
[0074] It is to be appreciated, that whilst the specific
embodiments have been described in detail with reference to
particular features, certain modifications could be made without
departing from the scope of the claimed invention. For example,
whilst, in each of the above-described embodiments, the raised rim
or rim portion from which a person is intended to drink from the
drinking vessel is formed as part of the lid 3, the circumferential
rim or rim portion could, instead, be formed as part of the
cup-shaped container 2. In this sort of arrangement, it is also
envisaged that the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 could
sealingly engage against an inner wall surface of the side wall of
the cup-shaped container 2, rather than against an inner wall
surface carried by the lid 3 itself Furthermore, it is also
envisaged that the lid 3 could alternatively be formed integrally
with the cup-shaped container, to permanently close the otherwise
open-mouth of the cup-shaped container. Such an arrangement would
be particularly suitable for use as part of a single use,
disposable drinking vessel which would be particularly attractive
for use in the fast food industry.
[0075] As regards the materials from which the drinking vessel of
the invention could be manufactured, it should be appreciated that
a large variety of different materials could be used. For example,
a drinking vessel in accordance with the present invention intended
for use by young children, or elderly adults, could be moulded from
robust plastics materials, However, the drinking vessel could,
alternatively, be made from polystyrene, or paper materials which
would make the arrangement particularly attractive for use in the
fast food industry, where the drinking vessel would need to be
readily disposable and recyclable,
[0076] In each of the above-mentioned embodiments., it should be
appreciated that the outlet which opens as the free edge 21 of the
closure flap 19 moves out of the sealing engagement with its
associated inner wall surface, is relatively large when compared to
the re-sealable liquid outlet apertures of known products such as a
child's trainer cup. This allows the drinking vessel of the present
invention to be used successfully with hot drinking liquids, as the
relatively wide opening allows steam and aroma to escape, thus
providing a person drinking from the drinking vessel with a full
sense of appreciation of both the flavour and temperature of the
contents. It has also been found that the increased size of the
re-sealable liquid outlet allows the drinking vessel to be used
with fizzy or carbonated drinks so that pressure build-up within
the sealed drinking vessel can be safely released, without the
tendency to spurt, which can be a problem with conventional
re-sealable trainer cups where the valved outlet aperture is only
very small.
[0077] However, it may also be desirable for certain applications
to limit the size of the crescent-shaped aperture of the outlet.
This could be done, for example, by providing a flexible gusset
between the free edge 21 of the closure flap and its associated
wall surface, the gusset being provided with a relatively small
aperture to allow the out-flow of flowable contents from the
vessel.
[0078] It is also envisaged that in each of the embodiments
described above, a mouthpiece or spout could be provided above the
position where the free edge of the closure flap seals against the
associated inner wall surface. In such an arrangement, the
mouthpiece or spout would define the rim or rim portion of the
dispensing vessel.
[0079] It may also, in some circumstances, be appropriate to
provide the closure flap 19 in a form made from highly flexible
material, reinforced with a more rigid skeleton-type structure,
comprising, for example, a plurality of strengthening ribs or the
like.
[0080] In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or
consists of" and "comprising" means "including or consisting
of".
[0081] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the
following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their
specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed
function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed
result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of
such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse
forms thereof,
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