U.S. patent application number 14/565620 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for closure device for a fluid vessel.
The applicant listed for this patent is MAGICUP MARKETING LIMITED. Invention is credited to Stewart HUMPHREY, Steven LE MASURIER, Darren PARSONS.
Application Number | 20150090714 14/565620 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38529104 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150090714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LE MASURIER; Steven ; et
al. |
April 2, 2015 |
CLOSURE DEVICE FOR A FLUID VESSEL
Abstract
A closure device for a fluid vessel can comprise a bistable
valve arrangement which includes first and second valve rim
portions and a valve member engageable with either of the rim
portions respectively to define an open position in which fluid can
exit the vessel and a closed position in which fluid is
substantially prevented from exiting the vessel The valve can be
arranged to close automatically when an impulse is exerted against
the valve member. This can occur for example when the vessel is
knocked over and the fluid therein exerts pressure against the
valve member.
Inventors: |
LE MASURIER; Steven; (St.
Lawrence, GB) ; HUMPHREY; Stewart; (St. Quen, GB)
; PARSONS; Darren; (Leicester, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAGICUP MARKETING LIMITED |
Whetstone |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
38529104 |
Appl. No.: |
14/565620 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
12452993 |
Apr 8, 2010 |
8931654 |
|
|
PCT/GB2008/002610 |
Jul 31, 2008 |
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14565620 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/202 ;
220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2313/04 20130101;
B65D 47/24 20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/202 ;
220/714 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2007 |
GB |
0714968.5 |
Claims
1-63. (canceled)
64. A lid for a fluid vessel, comprising: a valve that controls
flow of fluid from the fluid vessel, and wherein the valve
comprises a plastics material impregnated with a magnetic
material.
65. The lid of claim 64, wherein the valve comprises a valve seat,
and wherein the valve seat includes the plastics material
impregnated with the magnetic material.
66. The lid of claim 64, wherein the valve comprises a valve member
that selectively permits and restricts flow through a valve
aperture, and wherein the valve member includes the plastics
material impregnated with the magnetic material.
67. The lid of claim 64, wherein the valve comprises a valve member
that selectively engages first and second valve seats in respective
closed and open positions of the valve, and wherein each of the
first and second seats includes the plastics material impregnated
with the magnetic material.
68. The lid of claim 67, wherein a magnetic attraction between the
valve member and the first valve seat is greater than a magnetic
attraction between the valve member and the second valve seat.
69. The lid of claim 64, wherein the valve controls flow of the
fluid through a valve aperture, and wherein the fluid flows through
the valve aperture, irrespective of a rotational orientation of the
lid, when the valve is in an open position and the vessel is tilted
from an upright position.
70. A lid for a fluid vessel, comprising: a valve that controls
flow of fluid from the fluid vessel through a valve aperture, and
wherein the valve aperture is circumscribed by a valve rim portion
over which the fluid flows, irrespective of a rotational
orientation of the lid, when the valve is in an open position and
the vessel is tilted from an upright position.
71. The lid of claim 70, wherein a valve member engages the valve
rim portion in a closed position of the valve.
72. The lid of claim 71, wherein the valve member comprises a
disc.
73. The lid of claim 71, wherein a first magnetic force maintains
the valve member engaged with the valve rim portion.
74. The lid of claim 73, wherein a second magnetic force maintains
the valve in the open position, and wherein the first magnetic
force is greater than the second magnetic force.
75. The lid of claim 70, wherein the fluid vessel comprises a
drinking cup, and wherein a user can drink from any side of a
periphery of the valve aperture.
76. The lid of claim 70, wherein the lid covers an opening of the
fluid vessel, and wherein the valve aperture has a substantially
same size as the opening of the fluid vessel.
77. A lid for a fluid vessel, comprising: a valve disc; first and
second valve seats positioned on opposite sides of the valve disc;
in a closed position, a periphery of the valve disc engages a valve
rim portion of the first valve seat, wherein the valve rim portion
circumscribes a valve aperture; and in an open position, the valve
disc engages the second valve seat and permits relatively
unobstructed flow through the valve aperture.
78. The lid of claim 77, wherein a first magnetic force maintains
the valve disc engaged with the first valve seat in the closed
position.
79. The lid of claim 78, wherein a second magnetic force maintains
the valve disc engaged with the second valve seat in the open
position.
80. The lid of claim 79, wherein the first magnetic force is
greater than the second magnetic force.
81. The lid of claim 77, wherein the valve disc comprises a
plastics material impregnated with a magnetic material.
82. The lid of claim 77, wherein at least one of the first and
second valve seats comprises a plastics material impregnated with a
magnetic material.
83. The lid of claim 77, wherein a fluid flows through the valve
aperture, irrespective of a rotational orientation of the lid, when
the valve disc is in the open position and the vessel is tilted
from an upright position.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to closure mechanisms for
fluid vessels, and particularly to non-spill drinking vessels.
[0002] Various closure mechanisms for fluid vessels are known in
the prior art. For example, WO0197663 discloses a spill-proof
closure and cup, comprising a closure assembly for fitting to an
open-ended drinking vessel including a lid with a spout. The spout
has a valve including a flexible portion openable to allow a flow
of fluid when a pressure differential is applied to the spout by
sucking thereon. In the absence of a pressure differential, the
flexible portion shuts off the valve.
[0003] US2006226146 discloses a drinking vessel comprising a cup
and lid portion including a closure flap, which is deflectable by
means of an operating handle hingedly supported on the lid to open
a fluid outlet. The closure flap is resilient so that it returns to
its closed position when pressure is released from the operating
handle.
[0004] With the prior art devices, each time the user wishes to
take a sip from the vessel, it is necessary to apply an opening
force to the closure assembly, whether this force be from suction
or a manually applied force, in order to allow fluid to exit the
vessel. In the absence of the opening force, the closure assemblies
automatically revert to the closed position.
[0005] The present invention provides a closure device for a fluid
vessel comprising a bistable valve which defines an open position
in which fluid can exit the vessel and a closed position in which
fluid is substantially prevented from exiting the vessel, wherein,
preferably, the valve is arranged to close in response to fluid
inside the vessel pressing against a valve member of the valve.
[0006] It is possible for the closure mechanism to effect a partial
closure, rather than a full closure of the valve when the mechanism
is in the closed position. This would still allow fluid to exit the
vessel but at a reduced rate compared with the flow rate possible
when the valve is in the open position.
[0007] By virtue of the valve being bistable, it remains in the
open or closed position until an external influence alters its
position. This means that it is not necessary to actuate any
opening handle or to suck on a spout, for example, each time it is
wished to take a sip from the vessel. The present invention
therefore conveniently allows a user to drink from the vessel in
much the same way as if drinking from a standard open-topped cup.
In particular, with the invention it is possible to allow fluid to
exit the vessel at any position around the rim and there is no need
for the user to align a spout with their mouth. This makes the
invention suitable for use by all age groups and not just toddlers
The device could be used for training toddlers how to drink from a
normal open-topped glass. It is envisaged that the invention will
be of use to many different groups, for example it could be used as
a travel cup, a camping mug, a disability breaker and a children's
cup etc. the invention could also be embodied in disposable form.
The device is equally usable with both hot and cold drinks.
[0008] The closure device can also be applied to any vessel where
it is desirable to guard against spillage. This includes fuel cans,
vessels for use in a laboratory, pharmacy or medical environment,
vessels for use in industrial or manufacturing processes, vessels
for use in the home such as cleaning products and toiletries and
numerous other applications which a skilled person would know to
apply the benefits of this device to. The applications illustrated
herein are for small-scale devices however it is also possible to
use the closure device with larger scale devices such as containers
used to transport, store or dispense fluids on an industrial
scale.
[0009] The closure device can also be applied to a dispensing
device wherein the outflow point from a vessel is on the underside
or side part of a vessel. A user could place a receiving vessel
underneath the closure device and open the device to a full extent
when the device would be held in the open position and flow could,
for example, be measured out. The closure device could
alternatively be opened to a lesser extent to permit outflow from
the vessel without fully opening the valve holding the valve in an
intermediate position where fluid outflow could be more controlled
by a user.
[0010] Advantageously, the valve can be arranged to close
automatically when an impulse is exerted against a valve member of
the valve. When the vessel is accidentally knocked over from its
standing position or is dropped, the fluid contained in the vessel
will naturally tend to move chaotically inside the vessel and push
against the closure mechanism, and the bistable valve is adapted to
move from the open position to the closed position under the
influence of this force. Equally, if the user decides deliberately
to close the valve, one way in which this can be done is by shaking
the vessel and closure assembly briefly in one direction, whereby
the inertia imparted to the closure assembly acts to close it. To
close the valve, the force exerted by fluid inside the vessel on
the valve member must be greater than or equal to a predetermined
force in order to overcome a force on the valve which holds the
valve member in the open position.
[0011] The valve is preferably a unitary moving part, whereby the
construction of the device is simple so there is a low likelihood
of mechanical failure, compared to prior art devices utilising
hinged mechanisms for example.
[0012] Advantageously, if the vessel contains a hot fluid and the
closure device is in the closed position, a pressure build up
caused by hot air within the vessel expanding will not cause any
adverse effects. A pressure build-up will not act to open or weaken
the valve, rather it will act in the same direction as the valve,
complimenting the valve mechanism. The closure device is also
comprised of parts whose dimensions will not alter under pressure
or heat so as to affect the valve properties. The vessel itself can
be made of a more resilient material which may expand in certain
regions when a hot fluid is within the vessel. A further advantage
of the closure device is that the valve can be opened easily by a
user if the valve is pressurised by hot air within the vessel. The
large surface area of the valve body enables a user to apply an
opening force over a large area of the vessel itself. An aperture
provides access to the valve member for a user. An aperture may be
comprised by the closure device and/or the vessel. Such benefits
could prove especially advantageous were the closure device to be
employed on portable vessels containing hot beverages.
[0013] If a pressure build up was greater than desired, the closure
device can be realised in such a way that a pressure relieving or
releasing means can easily be incorporated into the closure device
or a vessel with which the closure device were to be
associated.
[0014] Further advantageous optional features of the invention are
set out in the sub-claims.
[0015] There now follows a detailed description of embodiments of
the invention by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded side elevation of a closure
device and vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the closure device and vessel
shown in FIG. 1 wherein a valve of the closure device is open;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the closure device and vessel
shown in FIG. 1 wherein a valve of the closure device is
closed;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a valve part;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another valve part;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of further valve part;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side view of the closure device and vessel shown
in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a further side view of the closure device and
vessel shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a partially exploded side elevation of a closure
device and vessel with a different valve body to that shown in FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of a
closure device and vessel according to the invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side view of a third embodiment of a closure
device and vessel according to the invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a cross-section of a front view of a closure
device and vessel shown in FIG. 11 in the open position;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a cross-section of a perspective view of a
closure device and vessel shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in the open
position;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a cross-section of a front view of a closure
device and vessel shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 in the closed
position;
[0030] FIG. 15 is a cross-section of a perspective view of a
closure device and vessel shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 in the closed
position;
[0031] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of part of the closure
device;
[0032] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a valve part; and
[0033] FIG. 18 is a side view of a valve part.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a closure device 2 and vessel 1, including a
main vessel part 7 for holding a fluid and a removable lid or rim
part 6 for direct application to the user's mouth. The rim part 6
is readily removable from the vessel to allow the vessel to be
easily filled and/or cleaned, although these operations could be
carried out with the rim part 6 in place. A push-on flange (not
shown) extending around the circumference of the vessel can be used
to secure the rim part 6 to the main vessel part 7. Alternatively,
the rim part 6 and the main vessel part 7 can be attached to one
another by a threaded connection.
[0035] The closure device 2 comprises a bistable valve including a
valve member 3, in the form of a valve disc, and a first and a
second valve seat 34, 35 comprising first and second valve rim
portions 4,5. The valve member 3 is movable between the first and
second valve rim portions 4,5 and when engaged therewith defines
respectively the closed and open positions of the valve. When the
vessel is upright, the first valve rim portion 4 is situated above
the second valve rim portion 5. Therefore, in order to open the
valve, a downward force, or a force towards the inside of the
vessel 1 is required to act on the valve member 3, and in order to
close the valve, a force in the opposite direction, i.e. away from
the inside of the vessel 1 is required. In this way, the valve can
be opened by depressing the valve member 3 when it is desired to
drink from the vessel 1. It is possible to arrange the valve member
3 so that it can be depressed by the user's nose or lip for example
when taking a sip from the vessel 1. Advantageously, the valve
member 3 can be constructed as unitary moving part.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows the closure device 2 and vessel 1 of FIG. 1
with the valve disc 3 in the open position, i.e. engaged with the
second valve rim portion 5. The valve member 3 includes a number of
perforations 10, and the valve rim portion 5 is dimensioned so that
fluid 9 may flow through gaps defined by the perforations, as shown
more clearly in FIG. 5.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows the closure device 2 and vessel 1 of FIG. 1
with the valve member 3 in the closed position, i.e. engaged with
the first valve rim portion 4. The dimensions of the first valve
rim portion 4 are such that the perforations around the periphery
of the valve disc are closed off when the valve member 3 engages
with the first valve rim portion 4 and so no fluid can escape.
[0038] The first and second valve rim portions 4,5 include at least
one magnet to hold the valve disc in position. Preferably the valve
rim portions 4,5 are made from a magnetic material, such as a
plastics material impregnated with magnetic material and the valve
disc is made from a metallic material capable of being attracted to
the magnets. It is possible for just the upper valve rim portion 4
to be magnetized to hold the valve member 3 in the closed position,
and to rely on gravity to hold the valve member 3 against the lower
valve rim portion 5 when the valve is open. Instead of magnetic
means for holding the valve disc 3 in place, mechanical means such
as a latching mechanism can be utilised.
[0039] FIG. 4 shows the first valve rim portion 4 in plan view,
nested within the rim part 6 of the vessel 1. The valve rim portion
4 can be integrally formed with the vessel rim part 6 can be formed
separately and affixed thereto. The valve rim portion 4 defines a
central circular aperture 12 through which fluid passes when the
valve is open. The valve rim portion may comprise or be at least in
part comprised by a gasket or seal.
[0040] FIG. 5 shows the valve member 3 in plan view including the
perforations 10 distributed evenly around the periphery of the
member 3. The valve member 3 may also include a pressure releasing
means 32, such as a safety valve.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows in plan view the second valve rim portion 5
nested within the walls 8 of the main vessel part 7. Preferably,
the valve member 3 is retained more firmly in the closed position
than in the open position, to ensure that when the device is
closed, it remains closed, until the user decides to open it, and
helping to avoid leakage from the vessel. Further, the force
required to hold the valve member 3 in the open position is
optimised to make sure that when the user drinks from the vessel,
this action does not cause the valve to close, but the force
holding the valve open should be weak enough so that if the vessel
is knocked over or dropped, the valve member 3 is pushed into the
closed position. One way of achieving this magnetically is to make
the second valve rim portion 5 magnetically weaker than the first
valve rim portion 4. In the example shown, this is achieved by
forming the second valve rim portion 5 with less magnetic material
Than the first valve rim portion 4, in particular using a saw tooth
configuration for the second valve rim portion 5. An aperture 13 is
defined by the second valve rim portion 5 through which fluid may
pass when the valve is open. The valve member 3 is constructed such
that this aperture is not closed when valve member 3 is seated on
valve rim portion 5 when the device is in the closed position.
[0042] An alternative construction of the vale rim portions, not
shown in the drawings, utilises one or more magnetic bands arranged
around the inner periphery of the vessel, into which the valve disc
can fit, rather than abutting against the valve rim portions as it
does in the above embodiment. An additional flange can be provided
below and/or above the magnetic band or bands to prevent the valve
disc falling out of the closure device.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates the closure device 2 and vessel 1 of FIG.
1 with the valve member 3 in the open position, wherein the vessel
is inclined and a user is drinking therefrom. Arrows A show the
path which fluid takes to exit the vessel. Firstly, the fluid
passes through the aperture 13 of the second valve rim portion 5
and between the perforations 10 of the valve member 3. The fluid
then passes through the aperture 12 defined by the first valve rim
portion 4 and over the vessel rim part 6 into the user's mouth.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 8, the strength of the magnet in the second
valve rim portion 5 can be chosen such that if the user inclines
the vessel beyond a certain angle to the vertical, depending on the
quantity of fluid that is inside the main vessel part 7, the valve
member 3 can move into the closed position under the fluid
pressure. Equally, if the device is dropped or knocked over, the
fluid pressure will move the valve member 3 into the closed
position. The valve can also be constructed so as to close when a
user shakes the vessel. The device can be reopened by simply
depressing the valve member 3.
[0045] FIG. 9 shows a variation on the valve member 3, wherein a
dome-shaped protrusion is provided on the upper surface of the
valve member 3. The protrusion 14 helps to guide any residue of
fluid within the closure device back into the main part 7 of the
vessel. Further, the protrusion 14 can act as a button facilitating
the depression of the valve member 3 by the user.
[0046] Preferably, the surface 8 of the main vessel part 7 has a
curved surface profile. By virtue of this feature, fluid currents
occurring when the vessel is knocked over are damped, which reduces
the amount of water escaping through the valve before it actually
seals shut.
[0047] FIG. 10 shows a different embodiment of the closure device,
wherein the valve member comprises first and second motion limiting
elements 22, 23 connected to one another and engageable with the
valve seat 25 which comprises a valve rim portion 24. The first
motion limiting element 22 is arranged above the second motion
limiting element 23 when the vessel is upright, and in the open
position of the valve, the first motion limiting element engages
the valve rim portion 24. The second motion limiting element is
arranged below the first motion limiting element, and in the closed
position of the valve engages the valve rim portion 24. The first
motion restricting element 22 includes a series of perforations
around its periphery, which allow fluid to pass therethrough when
the first motion restricting element 22 is in contact with the
valve rim portion 24.
[0048] The device according to FIG. 10 works in much the same way
as the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, with the difference that
instead of providing two valve rim portions and a valve member,
preferably in the form of a flat valve disc, there is only one
valve rim portion and two disc elements on the valve member. The
two disc elements can be connected to one another by a spindle
21.
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the closure device
according to the invention, including a main vessel part 7 for
holding the fluid and a rim part 6 which forms an upper lid of the
vessel. The rim part 6 is readily removable from the vessel to
allow the vessel to be easily filled with fluid and/or cleaned,
although these operations could be carried out with the rim part in
place.
[0050] The closure device 2 comprises a bistable valve with a valve
member 3 (not shown in FIG. 11) and first and second valve seats
34,35. The first valve seat 34 is comprised by the rim part 6 and
the second valve seat 35 is comprised by the main vessel part 7.
The closure device also comprises a seal or gasket 26 which closes
the path which fluid would take to exit the vessel when the valve
is in the closed position. The seal 26 form an important component
of the first valve portion 4. The operation of the device will be
further explained with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.
[0051] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of the
closure device seen in FIG. 11 in the open position.
[0052] The valve member 3 is held in position against the second
valve seat 35. Valve seat 35 is comprised of a ring 28, located at
least partially in a groove which extends around the circumference
of the exterior of the main vessel 7. It is alternatively
envisioned that the first valve seat 34 is located on the main
vessel part 7 or that the second valve seat 35 is located on the
rim part 6 however this is not shown in the drawings. Valve seat 35
also comprises a valve rim or flange 29 against which the valve
member 3 abuts when in the closed position. The rim 29 is formed at
least partially around an inner circumference of an interior part
of the vessel 1. Rim 29 defines a lower limit stop which derives a
maximum extent of movement for valve member 3.
[0053] Valve member 3 is held in the closed position by means of a
magnetic force. Ring 28 can be comprised by a material which is
attracted to magnets, such as steel. In this case, valve member 3
is comprised by or comprises a material which exerts a magnetic
force of attraction towards ring 28. Alternatively, the ring 28
could also comprise or be comprised by a material which is also
capable of generating a magnetic force of attraction. In this case,
the valve member 3 may instead be comprised of a material which is
attracted by a magnetic force, or may also be comprised of a
magnetic material which generates a magnetic force of
attraction.
[0054] The magnetic attraction between the ring 28 and valve member
3 is present, even though the valve rim portion 30 is arranged
between the ring 28 and the valve member 3. An advantage of the
rings 28, 30 being located on the outside of the vessel 1 is that
they do not come into contact with fluid inside the vessel 1.
[0055] If the vessel is knocked over, the inside fluid will be
knocked onto the valve member 3 and the force of the fluid on the
member will act against the magnetic force of attraction between
the ring 28 and the valve member 3. The size of the attractive
force is such that if a user drinks from the cup, the fluid force
on the valve member is not great enough to overcome the magnetic
force of attraction, but if the cup is knocked over, the force will
be great enough to overcome the attractive force and move the valve
member from the valve seat 35 towards the opposite valve seat
34.
[0056] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the closure device in
the open position, as seen in FIG. 12. Fluid can flow out of the
vessel, for example when a user wishes to drink from the vessel,
since valve member 3 comprises a number of perforations 10, located
around the periphery of the valve member 3 through which fluid can
flow. The part of valve member 3 which is in contact with the valve
seat 35 does not include the perforations 10 so fluid flow is
unobstructed.
[0057] FIG. 14 shows the device in the closed position. Valve
member 3 is held in position against the first valve seat 34 by a
magnetic force of attraction between valve ring 27 and valve member
3. Valve seat 34 can have the same properties or features as
previously described in relation to valve seat 35. Valve rim or
flange 29 is formed by an inner part of the valve rim 6 against
which valve member 3 engages when held in the closed position.
Alternatively, the first valve seat 34 could be arranged in the
main vessel 7 (not shown) as long as the first valve seat is
located above the second valve seat when the vessel is in the
upright position.
[0058] The closure device comprises a seal or gasket 26 located
above the first valve seat 34. The seal is arranged such that when
the valve member is in the closed position, the perforation 10 in
the valve member 3 are covered by the seal such that fluid paths
out of the vessel are closed. It is alternatively envisioned that
the seal could only partially cover the perforations (not shown) so
that in the closed position, a level of flow can still exit the
vessel. A comparison of FIGS. 13 and 15 shows that when the closure
device is in the open position (FIG. 13) the perforations 10 in the
valve member 3 are unobstructed so fluid can exit the vessel 1. In
FIG. 15, the seal 26 covers the perforations so fluid cannot exit
the vessel 1.
[0059] FIG. 16 provides a zoomed-in view of part of a cross-section
of the closing device.
[0060] Valve member 3 is seen in both the open and the closed
positions, with the member shown in dotted lines in the closed
position. In the open position, valve member 3 rests on the second
valve rim 30. The magnetic force of attraction between the valve
member and the ring 28 holds the valve member in position. Fluid
can leave the vessel through perforations 10, at the
circumferential location indicated on the figure. In the open
position, valve member 3 abuts the first valve rim 29. The magnetic
force of attraction between the valve member 3 and the ring 27
holds the valve member in the open position. Seal 26 is located
above the first valve seat 34 and engages with the valve member 3,
blocking the path which fluid could otherwise take from the
interior of the main vessel part 7 out of the vessel.
[0061] The vessel 1 is shown to be comprised by a room or lid part
6, secured to the main vessel part 7 by a snap-fit connection 33.
The rim part 6 is removable. Other forms of attachment are possible
which are not shown here, such as a threaded connection.
[0062] To open the vessel from the closed position seen in FIGS. 14
and 15, a user can apply a force to valve member 3 through an
aperture 12 in the top of the vessel which allows a user access to
the valve member 3. The valve member 3 can be pushed by a user
towards the open position where it sits against the second valve
seat 35, if the user pushes hard enough to overcome the magnetic
force of attraction between the valve member 3 and the ring 27. The
direction in which a user would push to open the closure device is
indicated by an arrow on FIG. 15.
[0063] The valve body 3 could be retained more firmly in the open
position than the closed position. This could be achieved by having
a lesser thickness of the inner rim 28 than the inner rim 29.
[0064] FIG. 17 illustrates the valve member 3 of FIGS. 11 to 15 in
the form of a disc. Perforations 10 are equally spaced around an
outer circumference of the disc within a main area of the disc. An
irregular spacing of the perforations is also possible. The valve
member 3 also has a raised rim 31 surrounding the periphery of the
disc which abuts against the first and second valve rim portions
4,5 when the valve is in the open and closed positions
respectively. The valve member 3 can be made of a plastics material
impregnated by magnets. A pressure-releasing means 32 can be
located on the disc. This member could be located off-centre of the
valve member alternatively (not shown). This means may be a safety
valve.
[0065] FIG. 18 also illustrates the valve body. The raised rim 31
can be seen as well as a protrusion 14 on the upper surface of the
disc. The protrusion is dome-shaped.
[0066] It is possible to provide a locking position of the closure
device, in which the valve is locked open or closed. This can be
effected using lugs within the closure device which can lock the
valve body in place for example by rotating the valve body into
engagement with the lugs.
[0067] The closure device may also be fully located within the rim
part, wherein the rim part forms an upper lid of a vessel,
removable from the main vessel.
[0068] The vessel may comprise, at least in part, a flexible
material which expands when a hot fluid is located within the
vessel. The sides of the main vessel could take a concertina-like
form to permit this expansion. The sealing properties of the valve
will not be compromised by such an arrangement.
[0069] Alternatively, or in addition to part of the vessel
comprising a flexible material, the vessel may comprise a means of
relieving pressure within the container when a hot fluid is sealed
within the vessel. A wide variety of such means is known and may
include, for example, a safety valve located on the closure device
or vessel. The safety valve may be located on the valve disc
itself. The safety valve may, for example, be a silicon safety
valve.
[0070] Features disclosed in the context of each of the figures can
also be combined to form other embodiments not illustrated here
within the scope of protection defined by the claims.
[0071] References herein to fluid are intended to cover any
substance which can be placed in the vessel and poured therefrom,
including for example liquids and powders or granulated
substances.
[0072] In embodiments of the present invention such as those
described above, it will be appreciated that the magnetic force
attracting the valve member to a valve seat may be generated by
using a magnetic material (which produces a magnetic field) in the
manufacture of the valve member. The valve seats may then be made
of a material attracted by a magnet, such as steel. The valve seats
may themselves be made of a magnetic material, in which case the
valve member need not then be of a magnetic material but merely of
a material attracted by a magnetic force (such as steel).
[0073] In use of the present invention, it should also be
understood that a vessel may be filled or refilled with the valve
member initially in the closed position and without removing a
closure of the vessel. The liquid (or other pourable material, such
as granulated solids) to be used in filling the vessel may be
poured onto the top of the valve member so that the weight of the
liquid overcomes the force retaining the valve member in the closed
position and moves the valve member to the open position thereby
allowing access to the interior of the vessel. The liquid may then
flow into the interior of the vessel. This feature is particularly
useful in topping-up drinks containers.
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