GB2484013A

GB2484013A - Non-spill cup with a plurality of sipping apertures

Info

Publication number: GB2484013A
Application number: GB1117168.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chawarin Sakulsacha
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-10-05
Filing date: 2011-10-05
Publication date: 2012-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2031-10-05
Also published as: GB201117168D0; GB2484013B

Abstract

A drinking container 1 comprises a vessel 10 for containing liquid having a lid 11. The lid has a plurality of apertures 131 from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel and a valve 143 is associated with each aperture. The valves each comprise a resiliently deformable body 142 and each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture, with a valve seat 140 in communication with each resiliently deformable body. The drinking container may have one or more handles 121, a removable cap or cover 15 and may have areas with a non-slip or textured surface. In use, each valve is operable to pass liquid from the vessel to the aperture in response to suction applied to the aperture such that the user may draw liquid from the vessel at any point around the circumference of the rim thereof. As a result, the drinking vessel is especially suited for use as a training cup for infants or for use by the disabled, elderly or infirm.

Description

Containers This invention relates to a drinking container and is especially, but not exclusively, s related to a drinking container for use as a trainer cup for infants.

Trainer cups are well known. The principal purpose of such trainer cups is to bridge the gap between use of a conventional feeding bottle and use of a normal cup or beaker.

It is a feature of most trainer cups that they are non-spill (even when turned upside down). Thus, trainer cups are also often used by the elderly or disabled who may find it difficult to drink from normal cups independently.

Most conventional trainer cups comprise a single spout for the drinker to obtain liquid therefrom. However, this can be problematic, especially where an infant is being taught to drink from the cup in a manner as you would from a normal cup or beaker.

This is because the action of drinking from a spout is not the same as the action from drinking from the rim of a normal cup or beaker. Thus, there are doubts that conventional trainer cups sufficiently prepare infants for drinking from normal cups or beakers.

Moreover, the presence of a single spout means that in order for the drinker to access liquid from the cup, the spout must be orientated correctly, i.e. such that the spout faces the mouth of the drinker. As will be appreciated, this may require the drinker to rotate the cup which may be difficult to do independently.

Further, most conventional trainer cups comprise only a single valve for controlling the flow of liquid. Thus, should the valve become blocked or damaged the valve must be replaced or fixed before the cup can be used again.

s It is an object of the present invention to provide a drinking container which overcomes, or at least substantially reduces, the disadvantages associated with the known types of trainer cups discussed above.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a drinking container comprising: * a vessel for containing liquid; * a lid having a plurality of apertures from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel; and * a valve associated with each aperture, wherein each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture, each valve being operable to pass liquid from the vessel to the aperture in response to suction applied to the aperture.

Preferably, each aperture is spaced, e.g. evenly spaced, around the periphery of the lid such that liquid may be obtained by suction on any peripheral portion of the lid.

Preferably, the lid comprises from between two and up to thirty two apertures, e.g. from between two and up to 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 or32 apertures.

Preferably, the lid is a two-part lid comprising first and second parts.

Preferably, the first part is detachably connectable to the second part, e.g. by an interference fit or snap-fit or screw-fit type arrangement. Other arrangements may also be envisaged.

s Preferably, the first and second parts comprise alignment means so as to ensure that the two parts are accurately aligned when mated together.

Preferably, the alignment means comprises at least one male member and at least one female member.

Preferably, at least one of the male or female members is located on the first part of the lid and the other of the male or female members is located on the second part of the lid.

Preferably, each valve comprises a resiliently deformable body.

Preferably, each valve comprises a valve seat in communication with the or a resiliently deformable body.

Preferably, the resiliently deformable body is adapted to sit on the valve seat when no suction is applied to prevent the passage of liquid from the vessel to a, the or each aperture.

Preferably, the resiliently deformable body is adapted to at least partially lift from the seat when suction is applied to allow the passage of liquid from the vessel to a, the or each aperture.

Preferably, the resiliently deformable body comprises a plurality of apertures defining at least a portion of the flow path.

Preferably, each valve further comprises one or more secondary apertures located s adjacent the valve seat, the or each secondary aperture defining at least a portion of the flow path.

Preferably, each valve comprises a pair of secondary apertures.

Preferably, each valve seat is formed as an integral part with one of the first or second parts of the lid. In alternative arrangements, each valve seat may be connected to the lid part as a separate integer.

Preferably, there is a gap between the valve and the part of the lid comprising the apertures to which suction is to be applied.

Preferably, the lid part having the valve seat further comprises one or more rebates.

Preferably, the or each rebate extends at least partially along an axis extending between the periphery and the centre of the lid.

Preferably, the resiliently deformable body comprises one or more leg portions receivable in the or each rebate.

Preferably, the container further comprises a cover for capping the lid.

Preferably, the container further comprises one or more arms or handles.

The or each arm or handle may be located on the first and/or second part of the lid and/or on the vessel.

Preferably, the container further comprises areas having a non-slip or textured s surface. For instance, at least a portion of the base of the vessel and/or at least a portion of the lid and/or at least a portion of the or each arm or handle may comprise an anti-slip surface to enable the container to be safely gripped and/or to prevent the container from sliding when placed on a surface.

Preferably, the non-slip or textured surface is detachable from the container, e.g. by a snap-fit arrangement.

Preferably, the vessel and/or lid and/or cover and/or arms or handles comprise a plastics material, e.g. a thermoplastic polymer such as polypropylene.

Preferably, the deformable body comprises a resilient material, e.g. a resilient polymer such as silicone.

In a second aspect the invention provides a drinking container comprising: * a vessel for containing liquid; * a lid having a plurality of apertures from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel; and * a valve associated with each aperture, wherein each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture and wherein each valve is a two-way valve.

S

As used herein, the term "two-way valve" refers to a valve which may be adapted to allow liquid to flow from the vessel to the respective aperture when suction is applied thereto and which may be adapted to allow air to flow along the reverse flow path.

s It is to be appreciated that in use suction from the container may be continuous.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment of the container in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the drinking container; Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the drinking container; Figure 3 shows an exploded side view of the drinking container; Figure 4a shows a side view of the drinking container and Figure 4b shows a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 4a; and Figures 5 and 6 show detailed views of the valve arrangement.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a drinking container, indicated generally at 1, comprises a vessel 10 and a lid 11, the lid comprising first 12 and second parts 13.

Referring to Figure 2 and 3 the vessel 10 comprises a cup-like container having a base 100, a wall 101 and an opening 102 located at the opposite end to the base 100. The vessel 10 further comprises a screw-like thread 103 extending about the outer circumference at the top of the vessel 10. The screw-like thread 103 is located adjacent to the opening 102.

The first part 12 of the two-part lid 11 comprises a substantially annular body 120 having a pair of arms 121 extending therefrom. As shown in Figure 4b, the annular body 120 comprises a complementary screw-like thread 121 extending about the inner circumference of the body 120. In use, the vessel 10 may be detachably s connected to the lid 11 by screwing the threads 103, 121 together. Other means of attachment may be envisaged such as snap-fit or interference fit and so on.

Referring back to Figures 2 and 3 the second part 13 of the two-part lid 11 comprises a substantially annular body 130 having a plurality of apertures 131 located around the circumference thereof. In the embodiment being described there are twelve io apertures 131 evenly spaced around the circumference. The second part 13 further comprises an inner seal portion 132 which depends from an inner edge of the annular body 130 and provides a barrier to prevent liquid from leaking from the vessel 10.

A plurality of valves 14 are located between the first 12 and second 13 parts of the two-part lid 11.

As is shown more clearly in Figures 5 and 6, each valve 14 comprises a deformable body 142 and a valve seat 140. The deformable body 142 is formed from a resilient material such as a silicone rubber or the like. The deformable body 142 is located between a pair of secondary apertures 141a, 141b and aperture 131. The secondary apertures 141a, 141b extend through an upper surface 122 of the annular body 120 and define a first portion of the flow path between the vessel 10 and aperture 131.

The deformable body 142 comprises a further aperture 143. The deformable body 142 sits on the valve seat 140 such that the further aperture 143 defines a second portion of the flow path between the vessel 10 and aperture 131.

In the embodiment being described the valve seat 140 is formed integrally with the upper surface 122 of the annular body 120. In alternative embodiments the upper surface 122 may be part of a separate component which is distinct from the annular body 120. In such embodiments, the upper surface 122 and annular body 120 may s be connectable by mechanical means such as rivets, fasteners and so on or by chemical means such as adhesive.

The deformable body 142 may comprise legs 144 depending therefrom, which legs 144 are arranged to be received in use by correspondingly shaped rebates 123 in the io upper surface 122. The annular body 130 of the second part 13 also comprises legs 133 depending therefrom. Each pair of legs 133 or legs 144 thus defines an individual valve 14.

Referring back to Figures 2 and 3 the container I may further comprise a cover 15, e.g. a cap. The cover 15 is shaped and sized so as to provide an interference fit with the second part 13 of the lid 11. In order to remove the cover 15 from the lid 11, the cover 15 is provided with a handle 150 which may be grasped by a user. In alternative embodiments the cover 15 may engage the second part 13 by other means such as a snap-fit or screw-fit and so on.

One of a number of ways of assembling the container I will now be described. A desired quantity of liquid is first introduced to the vessel 10. The first part 12 of the lid 11 is then screwed tightly onto the vessel 10 via the complementary screw-threads 103, 121. The deformable body 142 is then laid on the upper surface 122 of the first part 12 50 that the rebates 123 of the first part 12 receive the legs 144 of the deformable body 142 and that the aperture 143 of the deformable body 142 sits on valve seat 140. Once the deformable body 142 has been correctly located the second part 13 of the lid 11 is mated with the first part 12. Alignment means in the form of male 124 and female 134 members ensure that the legs 133 of the second part 13 correspond with the legs 144 of the deformable body 142 and the rebates 123 of the first part 12. Thus, the components in between each pair of legs 133 or s legs 144 may be considered to be a discrete valve 14.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, use of the container I will now be described.

Figure 5 shows the valve 14 in a closed orientation. In this orientation liquid (indicated by arrows X) cannot flow through the second portion of the flow path io because the deformable body 142 is engaging the valve seat 140. In use, a user applies suction to any one or more apertures 131 of the lid 11 to lift or at least partially lift the deformable body 142 off the valve seat 140 to an open orientation as shown in Figure 6. When the container I is inverted this enables liquid (indicated by arrows Y) to flow from the vessel 10 to the aperture 131 along the flow path. As the user continues to apply suction a negative pressure starts to build inside the container 1. This pressure is equalised as air vents into the container via one or more of the remaining valves 14, i.e. along the reverse flow path. This ensures that continuous suction can be applied without negative pressure building inside the container I such that the vessel 10 becomes difficult to drink therefrom. As will be appreciated each valve may be considered to be a "two-way valve" because when suction is applied thereto either liquid may pass from the vessel to the aperture or air may pass from the outside to the vessel.

After use, the user may attach the cover 15 to the lid 11 in order to prevent the lid 11 from exposure to contamination.

It will be appreciated that since the container 1 comprises plural valves 14, should one or more of the valves 14 become blocked or damaged the container 1 may still function as described above.

Claims

Claims 1. A drinking container comprising: * a vessel for containing liquid; s * a lid having a plurality of apertures from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel; and * a valve associated with each aperture, wherein each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture, each valve being operable to pass liquid from the vessel to the aperture in to response to suction applied to the aperture.
2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein each aperture is spaced, e.g. evenly spaced, around a periphery of the lid such that liquid may be obtained by suction at any part of the periphery.
3. A container according to Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the lid is a two-part lid.
4. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein each valve comprises a resiliently deformable body.
5. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein each valve comprises a valve seat in communication with the or a resiliently deformable body.
6. A container according to Claim 5, wherein the resiliently deformable body is adapted to sit on the valve seat when no suction is applied to prevent the passage of liquid from the vessel to a, the or each aperture.
7. A container according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the resiliently deformable body is adapted to at least partially lift from the valve seat when suction is applied to allow the passage of liquid from the vessel to a, the or each aperture.s 8. A container according to any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the resiliently deformable body comprises a plurality of apertures defining at least a portion of the flow path.9. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the lid further io comprises one or more rebates.10. A container according to Claim 9, wherein the or each rebate extends at least partially along an axis extending between the periphery and the centre of the lid.i 11. A container according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the or a resiliently deformable body comprises one or more leg portions receivable in the or each rebate.12. A container according to any preceding Claim further comprising one or more arms or handles.13. A container according to Claim 12, wherein the or each arm or handle is located on the first and/or second part of the lid and/or on the vessel.14. A container according to any preceding Claim further comprising areas having a non-slip or textured surface.15. A drinking container comprising: * a vessel for containing liquid; * a lid having a plurality of apertures from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel; and s * a valve associated with each aperture, wherein each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture and wherein each valve is a two-way valve.16. A drinking container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to io the accompanying drawings.Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A drinking container comprising: * a vessel for containing liquid; * a lid having a plurality of apertures from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel; * a valve associated with each aperture; and * a resiliently deformable body, wherein each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture, each valve comprising a valve seat in communication with the resiliently deformable body and wherein, in use, each valve is operable to pass liquid from the vessel to the aperture in response to suction applied to the aperture.2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein each aperture is spaced, e.g. evenly V" spaced, around a periphery of the lid such that liquid may be obtained by suction at any part ofthe periphery. C)1'"' 3. A container according to Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the lid is a two-part lidS 4. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein each valve is a two-way valve.5. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the resiliently deformable body is adapted to sit on the valve seat when no suction is appiied to prevent the passage of liquid from the vessel to a, the or each aperture.6. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the resiliently deformable body is adapted to at least partially lift from the valve seat when suction is applied to allow the passage of liquid from the vessel to a, the or each aperture.7. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the resiliently deformable body comprises a plurality of apertures defining at least a portion of the flow path.
8. A container according to any preceding Claim, wherein the lid further comprises one or more rebates.
9. A container according to Claim 8, wherein the or each rebate extends at least partially along an axis extending between the periphery and the centre of the lid.
10. A container according to Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein the or a resiliently deformable body comprises one or more leg portions receivable in the or each rebate. c\J11. A container according to any preceding Claim further comprising one or more arms C or handles. C) r12. A container according to Claim 11, wherein the or each arm or handle is located on the first and/or second part of the lid and/or on the vessel.13. A container according to any preceding Claim further comprising areas having a non-slip or textured surface.14. A drinking container comprising: * a vessel for containing liquid; * a lid having a plurality of apertures from which the liquid is drawable from the vessel; and * a valve associated with each aperture, wherein each valve is located in a flow path between the vessel and the respective aperture and wherein each valve is a two-way valve.15. A drinking container, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. c\J r c\J C) r