U.S. patent application number 15/042707 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-18 for drinking container with a drinking vessel and a drinking lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAPA Gmbh. The applicant listed for this patent is MAPA Gmbh. Invention is credited to Jurgen Lohn.
Application Number | 20160235229 15/042707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52468929 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160235229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lohn; Jurgen |
August 18, 2016 |
Drinking Container with a Drinking Vessel and a Drinking Lid
Abstract
A drinking container including a drinking vessel having an
interior and vessel neck with a vessel opening, a drinking lid
which has a bottom wall, at least one through-channel with an
opening to the interior and an opening to the surroundings, a valve
seat and holding devices for releasably holding the drinking lid on
the drinking vessel, a valve element that is held on the valve seat
and consists of soft elastic material and has a plate-shaped main
body that blocks the through-channel, the main body having a
passage which is open when the main body is in an undeformed state,
and a clamping device with at least one clamping surface that is
perpendicular to the plate-shaped main body and exerts a clamping
force on the outer edge of the plate-shaped main body which closes
the passage.
Inventors: |
Lohn; Jurgen; (Gross
Meckelsen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MAPA Gmbh |
Zeven |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
MAPA Gmbh
Zeven
DE
|
Family ID: |
52468929 |
Appl. No.: |
15/042707 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K 15/147 20130101;
A47G 19/2222 20130101; B65D 47/06 20130101; B65D 51/165 20130101;
A47G 19/2272 20130101; B65D 47/2031 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 47/06 20060101 B65D047/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 13, 2015 |
EP |
15 155 040.7 |
Claims
1. A drinking container comprising a drinking vessel (2) having an
interior (13) and vessel neck (9) with a vessel opening (10), a
drinking lid (3) which has a bottom wall (15), at least one
through-channel (23) with an opening to the interior (13) and an
opening to the surroundings, a valve seat (18) and holding devices
(4) for releasably holding the drinking lid (3) on the drinking
vessel (2), a valve element (24) that is held on the valve seat
(18) and consists of soft elastic material and has a plate-shaped
main body (26) that blocks the through-channel (23), the main body
having a passage (27) which is open when the main body is in an
undeformed state (25), and a clamping device (18) with at least one
clamping surface that is perpendicular to the plate-shaped main
body (26) and exerts a clamping force on the outer edge of the
plate-shaped main body (26) which closes the passage (27).
2. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the
clamping device (18) has a clamping surface with a circular
contour, and the valve element (24) has an outer edge with a
contour deviating from a circular contour.
3. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the main
body (26) has an outer edge with an oval contour.
4. The drinking container according to claim 3, wherein the passage
(27) has a main direction of extension perpendicular to the main
direction of extension of the oval contour.
5. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the passage
(27) is lens-shaped when the main body (26) is in an undeformed
state.
6. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the edges
(35, 36) of the passage (27) have contours which are oblique
relative to the mid-plane of the main body (26) when the passage
(27) is open, and abut each other when the passage (27) is closed
so that the main body (26) bends out to one side of the
mid-plane.
7. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the valve
element (24) has a tubular support body (30), the passage of which
is blocked by the plate-shaped main body (26).
8. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the valve
seat is a tubular holder (18) on the bottom side of the bottom wall
(15) onto which the valve element (24) is clamped, or in which the
valve element (24) is clamped.
9. The drinking container according to claim 7, wherein the
clamping device is a tube (48) that is clamped in the support body
(30) or is clamped thereupon.
10. The drinking container according to claim 8, wherein the
drinking lid (3) is a drinking aid with a mouthpiece (16) having a
drinking opening (17) on the outside of the bottom wall (15), and a
tubular holder (18) connected so as to communicate with the
mouthpiece (16) on the inside of the bottom wall (15), and a
pot-shaped valve element (24), wherein the support body (30) forms
the side wall and the main body (26) forms the bottom, and the end
of the holder (18) distant from the bottom wall (15) is clamped
thereupon or therein.
11. The drinking container according to claim 10, wherein another
tubular holder (19) is on the inside of the bottom wall (15) and is
connected so as to communicate with a ventilation hole (20) in the
outside of the bottom wall (15), and another pot-shaped valve
element (25), wherein the additional support body (32) forms the
side wall and the additional main body forms the bottom (29), is
clamped onto or in the additional holder (19).
12. The drinking container according to claim 10, wherein the valve
element (24) and the additional valve element (25) are connected to
each other as a single part by means of a tab (32).
13. The drinking container according to claim 12, wherein the tab
(32) has a reinforcing rib (33) on the top side, and/or a gripping
rib (34) on the bottom side.
14. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein a middle
section (44) of a straw (40) comprises the support body (30), and
the clamping device is a tubular holder (18) on the bottom side of
the bottom wall (15) into which the middle section (44) of the
straw (40) is inserted, wherein a bottom section (48) of the straw
projects into the interior (13) of the drinking vessel (2), and a
top section (47) of the straw (40) projects outward to the outside
of the drinking lid (3).
15. The drinking container according to claim 14, wherein the straw
(40) has an expansion (49) on the bottom end in which or on which a
tube (48) is clamped which forms the bottom section of the
straw.
16. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein a middle
section (44) of a straw (40) has the support body (30) which is
held in a tubular holder (18), and the clamping device is a tube
(48) which is clamped in the middle section (44) or onto the middle
section and forms a bottom section of the straw (40) which projects
into the interior (13), and a top section (47) of the straw (40)
projects outward from the drinking lid (3).
17. The drinking container according to claim 1, wherein the
tubular holder (30) is connected at the bottom to an upwardly
expanding sealing section (42) of the drinking lid (3), and the
straw (40) has an upwardly expanding flange (45) and a peripheral
projection (46) at a distance above the flange (45), wherein the
flange (45), when the straw is an installed state, sealingly lies
against the bottom side of the sealing section (42), and the
projection (46) abuts the top edge of the holder (18).
18. The drinking container according to claim 17, wherein the
sealing section (42) has a least one ventilation opening (43) that
extends from the outside of the bottom wall (15) to the inside of
the bottom wall, and is covered by the flange (45) when a negative
pressure does not predominate in the interior (13), and is released
by the flange (45) when a negative pressure predominates in the
interior.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a drinking container comprising a
drinking vessel and a drinking lid. The drinking vessel can be
designed in particular as a drinking bottle (feeding bottle,
drinking cup or food bag) and the drinking lid as a drinking aid
(e.g. feeding spout or drinking spout) or as straw according to
European standard EN 14350-1.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Drinking vessels have an inner space and a vessel neck with
a vessel opening which enables access to the inner space through
the vessel neck. Drinking lids have a bottom wall, a ring flange
surrounding the bottom wall for sealing fastening on the edge of
the vessel opening by means of a fastening ring and a mouthpiece
protruding outward from the bottom wall. The fastening ring is
connected integrally with the ring flange or is a separate
component, which overlaps the ring flange of the drinking lid in
order to hold it on the edge of the vessel opening. On the outside,
the mouthpiece has a drinking opening, which is connected with the
inside of the mouthpiece via a through-channel so that liquid from
the inner space can flow out through the through-channel.
[0005] A suction valve, which opens when negative pressure is
applied, is integrated into the mouthpiece. Furthermore, a
ventilation valve is integrated in the bottom wall and opens when
negative pressure builds up in the drinking vessel. Preferably, the
mouthpiece, bottom wall, ring flange and, if applicable, fastening
ring are designed as one piece made of hard plastic. The valves are
slit valves with main bodies made of silicone produced through
injection molding, into which slits are incorporated later by means
of knives or through tearing by means of special devices. The
valves are for preventing the drinking container from leaking. The
involved production of the slit valves is disadvantageous.
Furthermore, the edges of the slits lie against each other with
only slight pressure so that liquid can drain in spite of the slit
valves. In addition, a slit valve opens even when less negative
pressure is applied than that which a child generates during
natural nursing. For the development of the child, a drinking
container should be better which approaches the conditions during
nursing.
[0006] Furthermore, drinking lids with a straw are known. These
have a tubular holder in the bottom wall, into which a straw is
inserted in a sealing manner. A top section of the straw protrudes
over the top side of the bottom wall and a bottom section protrudes
into the drinking vessel from the bottom side of the bottom wall so
that the drink is withdrawn from the drinking vessel upon sucking
on the top section. The straw can abut a cone in the bottom wall of
the straw holder via a conical flange. The cone in the bottom wall
is provided with ventilation holes. In the event of negative
pressure in the drinking vessel, the flange of the straw can lift
off the ventilation holes so that air can flow in from the
outside.
[0007] The straw can be sealed for example through the bending and
fixing of the bent straw by means of a cover clamped onto the
drinking lid. The sealing through the bending of the straw is
unreliable and is subject to wear and tear. Furthermore, a suction
valve can be integrated in the straw. The suction valve is formed
by a partition which blocks the passage of the straw, and slits are
incorporated in the partition with a knife. It is complicated to
produce the suction valve in the straw, and there is a danger that
the suction valve will open when there are slight differences in
pressure.
[0008] Against this background, an object of the invention is to
create a drinking container which has more favorable production
properties, seals reliably, and enables drinking which more closely
approximates natural nursing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The drinking container according to the invention comprises
[0010] a drinking vessel having an interior and a vessel neck with
a vessel opening, [0011] a drinking lid which has a bottom wall, at
least one through-channel with an opening to the interior and an
opening to the surroundings, a valve seat and holding devices for
releasably holding the drinking lid on the drinking vessel, [0012]
a valve element that is held on the valve seat and consists of soft
elastic material and has a plate-shaped main body that blocks the
through-channel, the main body having a passage which is open when
the main body is in an undeformed state, and [0013] a clamping
device with at least one clamping surface that is perpendicular to
the plate-shaped main body and exerts a clamping force on the outer
edge of the plate-shaped main body which closes the passage.
[0014] With the drinking container according to the invention, the
passage in the valve element is open when the valve element is
undeformed. Accordingly, the valve element can be produced when the
passage is open, preferably by injection-molding silicone,
thermoplastic elastomer or another soft elastic material.
Consequently, the valve element is economical to produce. When the
valve element is installed in the drinking container, the passage
is closed by the clamping device. To accomplish this, the clamping
surfaces of the clamping device exert a clamping force on the outer
edge of the main body which causes the passage to close. In an
installed state, the valve element opens when different pressures
are on the two sides of the plate-shaped main body. In this
context, the plate-shaped main body can bend toward the side with
the lower pressure and open the passage. Another advantage of the
invention is that the pressure differential required for the
opening in the passage is adjustable by the clamping force exerted
by the clamping device on the main body. The valve element can be
used to close a drinking opening of a leak-proof drinking vessel,
or as a ventilation valve. Combinations of the two uses are also
possible.
[0015] Preferably, the valve seat is simultaneously the clamping
device for the valve element. For example, the valve element is a
plate-shaped main body which is clamped in a valve seat, wherein
the outer contour of the main body, when in an undeformed state,
deviates from the inner contour of the valve seat and adapts to it
by clamping. Alternatively, the clamping device is separate from
the valve seat. For example, the clamping device is a ring in which
the main body is clamped and that is held on the valve seat.
[0016] According to one preferred embodiment, the clamping device
has a clamping surface with a circular contour, and the main body
has an outer edge with a contour deviating from a circular contour.
According to another embodiment, the main body has an outer edge
with an oval contour. When the clamping surface with the circular
contour acts on the edge of the main body with the oval contour,
the oval contour is deformed into a circular contour, and this
closes the passage.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the passage has a main
direction of extension perpendicular to the main direction of
extension of the oval contour. The main body is compressed by the
circular contour of the clamping device in the main extension
direction of the oval contour, and this closes the passage.
[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the passage is
lens-shaped when the main body is in an undeformed state. When the
passage is in a closed state, the two edges of the passage lie
against each other in a sealing manner.
[0019] According to another embodiment, the edges of the passage
have contours which are oblique relative to the mid-plane of the
main body when the passage is open, and abut each other when the
passage is closed so that the main body bends out to one side of
the mid-plane. This can control a deformation of the valve element
to one side of the mid-plane of the main body. This is advantageous
for realizing a specific opening and closing pressure of the valve
element.
[0020] According to another embodiment, the main body has, on at
least one side, at least one rib or bar projecting upward or
downward which conducts the clamping force acting on the outer edge
of the main body to the edges of the passage in order to close it.
The closing force acting on the edges of the passage can be
increased by means of the rib or bar.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one rib or
the at least one bar is directed radially away from the outer edge
toward the center of the main body.
[0022] According to another embodiment, the at least one rib or the
at least one bar is aligned perpendicular or at an angle relative
to an edge of the passage.
[0023] According to another embodiment, the valve element has a
tubular support body, the passage of which is blocked by the
plate-shaped main body. Preferably, the contour of the support body
is geometrically similar to the contour of the main body. In this
context, the contour of the support body can have the same
dimensions as the main body, or dimensions deviating therefrom. The
support body can be advantageously used to clamp the valve element
on or in a valve seat of the drinking lid. In this context, the
valve seat can be designed as a tubular holder on the bottom side
of the bottom wall. In this embodiment, the valve seat
simultaneously forms the tensioning device. Alternatively when the
valve element has a tubular support body, the tensioning device can
be formed separately from the valve seat, for example by a tube
which is clamped in the support body, or clamped thereupon.
[0024] According to another embodiment, the drinking lid is a
drinking aid with a drinking spout having a drinking hole on the
outside of the bottom wall, and a tubular holder connected so as to
communicate with the drinking hole on the inside of the bottom
wallon the inside of the bottom wall, and a pot-shaped valve
element, wherein the support body forms the side wall and the main
body forms the bottom, and which is clamped upon or in the end of
the holder distant from the bottom wall. In this embodiment, the
tubular holder simultaneously forms the tensioning device.
Alternatively, the valve element comprises two pot-shaped elements
which point in opposite directions and have the main body as a
common bottom, wherein the top pot-shaped element is clamped on or
in the tubular holder, and the bottom pot-shaped element is the
valve element, the sidewall of which is the support body and in or
onto which a tube is clamped. With this embodiment, the tubular
holder is the valve seat, and the additional tube is the clamping
device.
[0025] According to another embodiment, another tubular holder is
on the inside of the bottom wall and is connected so as to
communicate with a ventilation hole in the outside of the bottom
wall, and another pot-shaped valve element, whose side wall is
formed by the support body and whose bottom is formed by the main
body, is clamped onto or in the additional holder. As result, a
ventilation valve is advantageously realized in a drinking aid.
Alternatively, the ventilation valve comprises two pot-shaped
elements facing opposite directions with the main body as a common
bottom, and an additional tube as the clamping device as is the
case with the alternative valve element.
[0026] According to another embodiment, the valve element and the
other valve element are connected to each other as a single part by
means of a tab. The two valve elements are permanently connected to
each other by the tab which makes it easier to handle the valve
elements, in particular when installing and cleaning the drinking
container.
[0027] According to another embodiment, the tab has a reinforcing
rib on the top side, and/or a gripping rib on the bottom side. This
makes it even easier to handle the valve elements.
[0028] According to another embodiment, a middle section of a straw
comprises the support body, and the clamping device is a tubular
holder on the bottom side of the bottom wall into which the middle
section of the straw is inserted, wherein a bottom section of the
straw projects into the interior of the drinking vessel, and a top
section of the straw projects outwardly to the outside of the
drinking lid. As a result, a drinking container with a straw is
thereby advantageously realized.
[0029] According to another embodiment, the bottom end of the straw
has an expansion in or onto which the tube is clamped which forms
the bottom section of the straw. This embodiment is advantageous
for installing the straw. In addition, tube designs consisting of a
hard material ensure that the bottom opening in the tube retains
its position in the drinking vessel which is advantageous for
draining the drinking container.
[0030] According to another embodiment, a middle section of a straw
comprises the support body which is held in a tubular holder,
wherein the clamping device is a tube which is clamped in the
middle section or onto the middle section and forms a bottom
section of the straw which projects into the interior, and a top
section of the straw projects outward from the drinking lid. With
this embodiment, the clamping device is realized by the tube.
[0031] According to another embodiment, the tubular holder is
connected at the bottom to an upwardly expanding sealing section of
the drinking lid, and the straw has an upwardly expanding flange
and a peripheral projection at a distance above the flange, wherein
the flange, when the straw is an installed state, sealingly lies
against the bottom side of the sealing section, and the projection
abuts the top edge of the holder. This brings about a fixation of
the straw in the drinking lid which is advantageous for installing
and removal. According to another embodiment, the sealing section
and/or the flange is conical.
[0032] According to another embodiment, the sealing section has a
least one ventilation opening that extends from the outside of the
bottom wall to the inside of the bottom wall, and is covered by the
flange when a negative pressure does not predominate in the
interior, and is released by the flange when a negative pressure
predominates in the interior. A ventilation valve is thereby easily
realized.
[0033] According to a further embodiment, the valve element is made
of silicone or thermoplastic elastomer.
[0034] According to a further embodiment, the valve element is a
single part. According to a further embodiment, the straw is a
single part.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0035] The invention will be further explained with reference to
the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. The drawings
show:
[0036] FIG. 1 A drinking container with a drinking lid in the form
of a drinking aid, and valve elements for protection against
spilling and ventilation in a vertical section;
[0037] FIG. 2 Vertical section of valve elements of the same
drinking container in an undeformed state;
[0038] FIG. 3 Plan view of valve elements of the same drinking
container in an undeformed state;
[0039] FIG. 4 Vertical section of a drinking container with a
drinking lid having a straw;
[0040] FIG. 5 Enlarged vertical partial section of a straw of the
same drinking container in an undeformed state;
[0041] FIG. 6 Plan view of the main body of the same straw in an
undeformed state;
[0042] FIG. 7 Enlarged vertical partial section of the same straw
in a deformed state;
[0043] FIG. 8 Plan view of the same main body in a deformed
state;
[0044] FIG. 9 Vertical section of an alternative design of the
straw with the main body on an expansion on or in which a tube is
to be clamped in an undeformed state;
[0045] FIG. 10 Bottom view of the same straw in an undeformed
state;
[0046] FIG. 11 Bottom view of the same straw with a clamped-in
tube;
[0047] FIG. 12 Bottom view of the same straw with a clamped-on
tube;
[0048] FIG. 13 Vertical section of an alternative valve element in
an undeformed stage; and
[0049] FIG. 14 Plan view of the valve element in an undeformed
state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] In this application, the terms "top" and "bottom" as well as
"horizontal" and "vertical" refer to an alignment of the drinking
container, in which the vessel neck is aligned vertically, the
drinking lid on top and the drinking vessel on the bottom.
[0051] Furthermore, in the following explanation of different
exemplary embodiments, components with the same name are provided
with the same reference numbers.
[0052] According to FIG. 1, a drinking container 1 has a drinking
vessel 2 in the form of a cup, and a drinking lid 3 in the form of
a feeding spout made of hard plastic, and a threaded ring 4 for
mounting the drinking lid 3 on the drinking vessel 2.
[0053] The threaded ring 4 has an inner thread 4.1 in a cylindrical
jacket part 4.2. The upper edge of the shell part 4.2 is connected
with an inwards protruding threaded ring flange 4.3. The threaded
ring flange 4.3 surrounds a circular opening 4.4 in the threaded
ring 4.
[0054] The drinking vessel 1 has an elongated bottle body 5 with a
bottle bottom 6 and a sleeve-like bottle side wall 7. On the top
end of the bottle side wall 7, the drinking vessel 2 has a shoulder
8, from the inner periphery of which a cylindrical vessel neck 9
(bottle neck) sticks up. The bottle neck 9 surrounds a circular
vessel opening 10.
[0055] The top front surface of the bottle neck 9 forms a circular
annular opening edge 11, which surrounds the vessel opening 10. The
bottle neck 9 has an external thread 12 on the outer periphery.
[0056] The drinking vessel 2 defines an inner space 13, which can
be filled with a beverage.
[0057] The drinking lid 3 has an annular-disk-shaped ring flange
14. This is connected at its peripheral, inner edge to a conical or
dome-shaped bottom wall 15. A mouthpiece 16, which gradually tapers
toward the top, projects from the bottom wall 15. The mouthpiece 16
is substantially conical and has an oval shape in each horizontal
section. The mouthpiece 16 is arranged eccentrically on the bottom
wall 15 at a short distance from the ring flange 14.
[0058] The drinking lid 3 is inserted with the dome-shaped bottom
wall 15 and the mouthpiece 16 into the opening 4.4 of the threaded
ring 4. The threaded ring flange 4.3 overlaps the ring flange 14.
When the inner thread 4.1 of the threaded ring is screwed tight
onto the outer thread 12, the bottom side of the ring flange 14 is
sealingly fixed on the opening edge 11.
[0059] In the exemplary embodiment, the drinking lid 3 and threaded
ring 4 are different components which are assembled and affixed on
the drinking container 1. The invention also comprises alternative
embodiments in which the drinking lid 3 and threaded ring 4 are
formed as a single part such that they do not have to be installed
and removed for cleaning. A soft elastic drinking lid 3 and a
threaded ring 4 consisting of hard plastic can for example be
produced by a multi-component injection molding method as a
single-part component. Given the single-part design of the drinking
lid 3 and threaded ring 4, the threaded ring flange 4.3, or
respectively the ring flange 14, can be at least partially
discarded, and the drinking lid 3 can be directly connected with
smooth transitions to the threaded ring 4.
[0060] At the top end, the mouthpiece 16 has a drinking opening 17
which is formed by one or more drinking holes.
[0061] A tubular holder 18 projects downward as a valve seat and
clamping device from the bottom side of the bottom wall 15. The
holder 18 is arranged below the mouthpiece 16, wherein the holder
18 opens into the mouthpiece 16. The holder 18 projects downward
with respect to the rain flange 14.
[0062] As an additional valve seat and additional clamping device,
an additional tubular holder 19 projects from the bottom side of
the bottom wall 15 diametrically opposite the holder 18. The bottom
wall 15 has a ventilation hole 20 above the additional holder 19.
The inner and outer diameter of the additional holder 19 are
smaller than the corresponding diameters of the holder 18. The
holder 18 and additional holder 19 each have a circular geometry.
Furthermore, the holder 18 has an outer step 21 on the outer
perimeter, and the additional holder 19 has an additional outer
step 22 on the outer perimeter, which are arranged in the same
horizontal plane.
[0063] The drinking lid 3 has a through-channel 23 which extends
from the drinking opening 17 to the bottom end of the holder
18.
[0064] A valve element 24 is clamped onto the outside of the holder
18, and an additional valve element 25 is clamped onto the outside
of the additional holder 19. The valve element 24 has a
plate-shaped main body 26 with a passage 27, and the additional
valve element 25 has an additional plate-shaped main body 28 with
an additional passage 29.
[0065] The plate-shaped main body 26 is connected at the outer edge
as a single part to a tubular support body 30 of the valve element
24. The additional plate-shaped main body 28 is also connected at
the outer edge as a single part to an additional tubular support
body 31.
[0066] The tubular support body 30 and the additional tubular
support body 31 are connected to each other by a strip-shaped tab
32 at the top edge. The tab 32 has a reinforcing rib 33 on the top
side, and a gripping rib 34 on the bottom side.
[0067] According to FIG. 3, the passage 27 and additional passage
29 are open when the valve elements 24, 25 are not clamped on the
holder 18 and the additional holder 19. The passage 27 and the
additional passage 29 are each lens-shaped. The edges 35, 36 of the
passage 27 are beveled, wherein their downward distance from each
other increases. The edges 37, 38 of the additional passage 29 are
also beveled, wherein their upward distance from each other
increases.
[0068] The main body 26 and the support body 30 each have a
geometrically similar outer contour which is elliptical in the
example. The main and minor axes of the contour are axes of
symmetry with the passage 27. The main direction of extension of
the passage 27 is arranged perpendicular to the main axis of the
ellipse.
[0069] The additional main body 28 and the additional support body
31 also each have geometrically similar outer contours which are
elliptical in the example. The main and minor axes of the contour
are simultaneously axes of symmetry with the additional passage 29.
The main direction of extension of the additional passage 29 is
aligned perpendicular to the main axis of the ellipse.
[0070] The valve element 24 and the additional valve element 25 are
injection molded from silicone or thermoplastic elastomer in the
configuration shown in FIG. 3.
[0071] The valve arrangement 39 is clamped onto the holders 18, 19
until the support elements 30, 31 contact the outer steps 21,
22.
[0072] When the valve element 24 of the valve arrangement 39 is
clamped on the holder 18 and the additional valve element 25 is
clamped onto the additional holder 19, the main bodies 26, 28 are
expanded toward the minor axes and compressed toward the main axes.
Consequently, the passage 27 and the additional passage 29 close.
In this context, the edges 35, 36 of the passage lie against each
other, and the main body 26 bends slightly upward as a consequence
of the angle of the edges 35, 36. Furthermore, the edges 37, 38 of
the additional passage 29 lie against each other, and as a
consequence of their angle, the additional main body 28 bends
slightly downward. In this pretensioned state, the valve element 24
and additional valve element 25 are closed. This situation is shown
in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0073] When suction is exerted on the mouthpiece 16, the passage 27
opens due to the negative pressure predominating above the main
body 26, and liquid can flow out of the drinking container 1. When
the negative pressure rises in the interior 13, the additional
passage 29 opens due to the negative pressure existing below the
additional main body 28, and the pressure is equalized with the
surroundings.
[0074] When suction is not exerted on the mouthpiece 16, the
passages 27, 29 close. This protects the beverage in the drinking
container 1 and prevents it from being unintentionally spilled.
[0075] According to FIG. 4, a drinking vessel 1 with a straw 40 has
a drinking lid 3 with an annular-disk-shaped ring flange 14 and a
dome-shaped bottom wall 15 connected to the inner edge of the ring
flange 14. In the center, the bottom wall 15 has a cone 41 tapering
toward the interior 13. The bottom side of the cone 41 forms a
sealing section 42 that expands conically upward. The inner edge of
the cone 41 is connected to an upwardly extending tubular holder
18.
[0076] Ventilation openings 43 are provided in the cone 41 which
extend from the outside to the inside of the bottom wall 15.
[0077] The projecting elements of the drinking lid 1 are formed in
a single-part component of plastic.
[0078] A middle section 44 of the straw 40 is held in the holder
18. The middle section 44 has a tubular support body 30 in which a
plate-shaped main body 26 with a passage 27 is arranged.
Furthermore, the middle section 43 has a conical, upwardly
expanding flange 45 on the outer perimeter. A small projection 46
is above the flange 45 on the outer perimeter of the middle section
44 and is designed conical in the example. The bottom side of the
projection 46 forms a stop.
[0079] At the top, the middle section 44 is abutted by a tubular,
top section 47 of the straw 40 and at the bottom, it is abutted
either by a tubular bottom section 48 or an expansion 49 in which a
tube 48 is inserted that forms a bottom section of the straw.
[0080] According to FIGS. 5 and 6, the passage 27 is open when the
straw 40 is undeformed. In an undeformed state, the main body 26
again has an elliptical outer contour. The main direction of
extension of the lens-shaped passage 27 is aligned with the minor
axis and is perpendicular to the main axis of the ellipse. When the
passage 27 is in an open state, the straw 40 according to FIGS. 4
to 8 is injection-molded from silicon, thermoplastic elastomer or
another soft elastic plastic.
[0081] At least the middle and top section 44, 47 of the straw 40
are preferably manufactured as a single part from silicone,
thermoplastic elastomer or another soft elastic material. When
designed as a separate tube, the bottom section 48 of the straw 40
can also be manufactured from a hard plastic.
[0082] For installation, the top part of the straw 40 is inserted
from below into the holder 18, the projection 46 is passed through
the holder 18 until its bottom side contacts the top edge of the
holder 18 and the flange 45 contacts the bottom side of the sealing
section 41.
[0083] In an installed state, the outer contour of the middle
section 44 and the main body 26 fit the circular inner contour of
the holder 18 such that they close the passage 27. The edges of the
passage 27 are in turn oblique to the vertical such that the main
body 26 curves upward slightly in the area of the passage 27 in a
closed state.
[0084] When suction is exerted on the straw 40, the passage 27
opens due to the negative pressure predominating above the main
body 26. When a negative pressure builds up in the interior 13, the
flange 45 bends downward slightly away from the sealing section 42,
and the pressure is equalized with the surroundings through the
ventilation openings 43.
[0085] When suction is not exerted, the passage 27 closes, the
flange 45 seals the ventilation openings 43, and the beverage is
separate from the surroundings and protected from unintentionally
leaking.
[0086] The straw 40 in FIGS. 9 to 12 differs from the above
described in that the plate-shaped main body 26 with the passage 27
is formed below the middle section 44 as a bottom of an expansion
49. In an undeformed state, the main body 26 has an oval outer
contour. If a tube with a circular contour is clamped in or on the
expansion 49, the bottom of the expansion 49 also assumes a
circular contour and closes the passage 27 as shown in FIGS. 11 and
12. Proceeding from this state, that passage 27 can be opened by
sucking on the straw 40. The drinking container 1 is vented as in
the above exemplary embodiment.
[0087] When in an open state, the straw 40 according to FIGS. 9 to
12 is injection-molded from silicon, thermoplastic elastomer or
another soft elastic plastic.
[0088] An alternative valve element 24 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14
which has radial ribs 50 on the top side of the main body 26. In
the example, the valve element 24 is provided with three ribs 50.
On the outer edge, the main body 26 is connected as a single part
to a regular cylindrical support body 30 which for example is a
straw. The ribs 50 extend radially from the outer edge of the main
body 26 and from the inside of the support body 30 to the center of
the main body 26. In the example, the height of each rib 50
decreases toward the center. The ribs 50 terminate at a distance
from the passage 27. They are aligned perpendicular or at an angle
to each neighboring edge 35, 36 of the passage 27.
[0089] The valve element 24 can be inserted in a holder 18 with a
regular cylindrical cross-section as shown in FIG. 4. This closes
the passage 27. In this context, the ribs 50 advantageously bring
about a transference of the clamping force acting on the outer edge
of the main body 26 to the edges 35, 36 of the passage 27 such that
the passage 27 is closed very tightly. Alternatively, the valve
element 24 can be shoved onto a holder 18 on the outside with its
seat below the main body 26 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0090] This version of a valve element 27 serves to close a
through-channel for liquid (in the drinking lid 3). It can be used
to close ventilation openings in drinking lids.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0091] 1 Drinking container
[0092] 2 Drinking vessel
[0093] 3 Drinking lid
[0094] 4 Threaded ring
[0095] 5 Bottle body
[0096] 6 Bottle bottom
[0097] 7 Bottle sidewall
[0098] 8 Shoulder
[0099] 9 Bottleneck
[0100] 10 Vessel opening
[0101] 11 Opening edge
[0102] 12 Outer thread
[0103] 13 Interior
[0104] 14 Ring flange
[0105] 15 Bottom wall
[0106] 16 Mouthpiece
[0107] 17 Drinking opening
[0108] 18 Holder
[0109] 19 Additional holder
[0110] 20 Ventilation hole
[0111] 21 Outer step
[0112] 22 Outer step
[0113] 23 Through-channel
[0114] 24 Valve element
[0115] 25 Additional valve element
[0116] 26 Main body
[0117] 27 Passage
[0118] 28 Main body
[0119] 29 Passage
[0120] 30 Support body
[0121] 31 Additional support body
[0122] 32 Tab
[0123] 33 Reinforcing rib
[0124] 34 Gripping rib
[0125] 35, 36 Edges
[0126] 37, 38 Additional edges
[0127] 39 Valve arrangement
[0128] 40 Straw
[0129] 41 Cone
[0130] 42 Sealing section
[0131] 43 Ventilation openings
[0132] 44 Middle section
[0133] 45 Flange
[0134] 46 Projection
[0135] 47 Top section
[0136] 48 Tube
[0137] 49 Expansion
[0138] 50 Rib
* * * * *