Beverage Container With Integral Flow Control Member Having Vent And Outlet Pinhole Membranes And Safety Button
A non-spill beverage container includes a cap having a tube-like spout and a baffle mounted inside the spout, and a flow control member having a spout (first) membrane supported over the spout opening. A vent (second) membrane that is disposed adjacent to the spout and is supported over a vent opening defined in the cap. The spout and vent membranes are punctured to form multiple, substantially round pinholes that remain closed to prevent fluid flow under normal atmospheric conditions, and open to facilitate fluid flow under an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child). The baffle limits the differential pressure applied to the spout membrane when the container is not in use. The flow control member can only be removed from the cap by removing the cap from the container body and pressing a flexible safety button from an inside surface of the cap.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent application for “NON-SPILL CONTAINER WITH FLOW CONTROL STRUCTURE INCLUDING BAFFLE AND ELASTIC MEMBRANE HAVING NORMALLY-CLOSED PINHOLES”, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/131,721, filed May 17, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to fluid flow control devices for beverage containers, and more specifically it relates to elastic flow control members for, e.g., child sippy cups, and adult “travel” mugs and sports bottles.
RELATED ARTSippy cups, travel mugs and sports bottles represent three types of beverage containers that utilize flow control devices to control the ingestion of beverage in response to an applied sucking force. Sippy cups are a type of spill-resistant container typically made for children that include a cup body and a screw-on or snap-on lid having a drinking spout molded thereon. An inexpensive flow control element, such as a soft rubber or silicone outlet valve, is often provided on the sippy cup lid to control the flow of liquid through the drinking spout and to prevent leakage when the sippy cup is tipped over when not in use. Adult non-spill “travel” mugs are usually fabricated from a thermally insulating material, and have a narrow spout that restricts flow of a hot beverage (e.g., coffee). A valve similar to that used on child sippy cups is sometimes incorporated into such travel mugs to prevent spills. Sports bottles are often similar to sippy cups and travel mugs in that they include container body and cap having a spout with a pull-open valve or other flow control member.
“No drip” sippy cup flow control valves typically include a sheet of the elastomeric material located between the inner cup chamber and the open end of the drinking spout that defines one or more slits formed in an X or Y pattern. As a child tilts the container and sucks liquid through the drinking spout, the slits yield and the flaps thereof bend outward, thereby permitting the passage of liquid to the child. When the child stops sucking, the resilience of the causes the slits to close once more so that were the cup to be tipped over or to fall on the floor, liquid cannot pass out of the container through the drinking spout.
One problem associated with conventional non-spill cups is that the elastomeric material used to form the slit-type “no drip” flow control valves can fatigue in the region of the slits and/or become obstructed over time, and the resulting loss of resilience can cause leakage when the slit flaps fail to fully close after use. This failure of the slit flaps to close can be caused by any of several mechanisms, or a combination thereof. First, repeated shearing forces exerted at the end of each slit due to repeated use can cause tearing of the elastomeric material in this region, thereby reducing the resilient forces needed to close the slit flaps after use. Second, thermal cycling or mechanical cleaning (brushing) of the elastomeric material due, for example, to repeated washing, can cause the elastomeric material to become less elastic (i.e., more brittle), which can also reduce the resilience of the slit flaps. Third, solid deposits left by liquids passing through the slits can accumulate over time to impede the slit flaps from closing fully.
A second problem associated with conventional non-spill cups is that the “no drip” flow control valves are typically located inside the short, straw-like drinking spout such that a small, open upper section of the spout is located above the valve. During each sip, liquid is drawn through the valve (which is pulled open by the applied suction), and the passes through the open upper section of the drinking spout into the drinker's mouth. Because the valve closes at the end of each sip (i.e., when the applied suction is terminated), a small amount of liquid is typically “trapped” (retained) in the upper section (i.e., between the now-closed valve and the open end of the drinking spout). Because the upper end of the drinking spout is open to the air, this small amount of liquid can drip or be shaken from the end of the drinking spout and create, for example spots on a light colored carpet.
Another problem associated with conventional beverage containers is that vents are required to allow air into the cup as liquid is drawn out to prevent a vacuum condition inside the beverage chamber. Conventional non-spill cups typically utilize elastomeric vent devices having slits that function in a manner similar to the conventional flow control valve used in the drinking spouts, and thus are subject to clogging and tearing problems similar to those described above with respect to the drinking spout valve.
An additional problem associated with child sippy cups is a safety requirement that no small part of the sippy cup can be easily removed and ingested by a child, and thus pose a potential choke-type hazard. To meet this safety requirement, flow control members are typically secured to the sippy cup cap in a way that requires removal of the cap from the container body in order to separate the flow control member from the cap.
What is needed is a flow control member for beverage containers (such as child sippy cups and adult travel mugs and sports bottles) that exhibits superior non-spill, no-drip characteristics. What is also needed is a flow control member that automatically adjusts its fluid flow rate to the applied suction, and avoids the clogging and tearing problems associated with conventional slit-type elastic flow control structures. What is also needed is a vent assembly that reliably regulates air pressure inside a beverage container without leakage. What is also needed is a flow control member that is securely attached to the sippy cup such that the flow control member cannot be easily removed by a child.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to a flexible flow control member for a beverage container (e.g., a child sippy cup, an adult travel mug, or a sports bottle) that addresses the various problems associated with conventional structures by providing at least one of a spout assembly that utilizes a baffle and membrane mechanism to eliminate leakage, an air vent mechanism utilizing a vent membrane including normally-closed pinholes, and a safety button mechanism for securely attaching the flow control member to the beverage container cap. In a disclosed embodiment, the beverage container includes a container body defining a beverage storage chamber and an upper opening, a cap mounted on the container body such that an upper wall of the cap covers the upper opening of the container body, and a flexible flow control element mounted on the cap in a manner that provides at least one of the outlet membrane disposed over a spout opening formed in the cap, the vent membrane disposed over a vent opening formed in the cap, and a safety button that is securely connected to a socket formed in the cap. Although the invention is described herein using a specific embodiment that incorporates all three of these novel features in an integrally molded flow control member, these novel features may be utilized independently.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the spout assembly includes a spout structure that utilizes a baffle disposed in a tube-like spout wall to minimize liquid pressure on an outlet membrane mounted over an end of the spout wall. The tube-like spout wall defines a flow channel extending from the upper wall of the cap to a spout opening, and the baffle, which is integrally formed on an inside surface of the spout wall. The baffle includes a wall that is substantially perpendicular to the flow channel, and defines a relatively small opening (in comparison to a width of the flow channel) between a beverage storage chamber and the outlet membrane. The baffle functions to limit fluid pressure in the region between the baffle and the outlet membrane (i.e., in the presence of a higher fluid pressure downstream of the baffle), thereby reducing fluid pressure on the outlet membrane, and thus reducing the chance of leakage through the outlet membrane. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the spout wall is flexible to facilitate flow through the outlet membrane.
In one embodiment, the outlet membrane is formed from a suitable elastomeric material (e.g., soft rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or silicone) that is punctured to form multiple, substantially round pinholes that remain closed to prevent fluid flow through the membrane and flow channel under normal atmospheric conditions (i.e., while the membrane remains non-deformed), thereby providing a desired “no drip” characteristic. Conversely, when subjected to such an applied pressure differential (e.g., when sucked on by a child), the membrane stretches (deforms), thereby causing some or all of the pinholes to open and to facilitate fluid flow rate through the membrane, which is substantially unimpeded by the baffle under these conditions. Because the amount that the pinholes open, and the associated fluid flow through the pinholes, is related to the applied pressure differential, the present invention provides a flow control structure that automatically adjusts its fluid flow rate to the applied suction. In addition, because the pinholes are substantially round, the pinholes resist the clogging and tearing problems associated with slit-type flow control structures.
In an alternative embodiment, the beverage container utilizes the spout structure described above (i.e., including the baffle), but the outlet membrane includes a conventional (e.g., slit-like) opening. This alternative embodiment would reduce dripping through the slit-like opening due to the pressure reducing function of the baffle, but would be subject to the problems described above.
According to another aspect of the invention, the beverage container includes a vent mechanism including a vent opening that is defined, for example, in the upper wall of the cap adjacent to the spout assembly, and a vent (second) membrane that is disposed over the vent opening. Similar to the outlet membrane mounted over the spout, the vent membrane includes normally-closed pinholes that open in response to an applied pressure differential (i.e., a vacuum condition inside the cup caused by liquid being drawn through the spout), thereby allowing air to pass through the vent membrane and vent opening into the cup. The vent membrane closes when a user finishes drinking and the pinholes close, so beverage that may be located between the vent opening and the vent membrane is prevented from passing through the vent membrane, thus avoiding the dripping problem associated with conventional non-spill beverage containers. To facilitate deformation of the vent membrane (e.g., toward the cap to facilitate the venting process), the vent membrane is spaced from (e.g., supported over) the upper wall of the cap such that an air gap is present between the vent opening and the vent membrane. In one embodiment, the vent opening is disposed in a bowl-shaped depression that is integrally molded with the upper wall of the cap, and disposed below a round vent membrane, thus providing a bowl-shaped clearance for deformation of the round vent membrane to facilitate air flow into the container.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the flow control member includes a spout portion including a relatively thick tube-like elastomeric wall that is mounted on the rigid spout wall and supports the outlet membrane over the spout opening, and a base portion that is disposed in a recess formed on the upper wall of the cap, and a safety button that extends from the base portion and is secured to the cap. The flow control member is thus secured to the cap at one end by the spout portion, which is securely mounted on the spout structure of the cap, and at its opposite end by the safety button, which extends from a lower side of the base portion and is press-fit into a socket (opening) formed in the cap. The recess formed in the cap receives the outer edge of the base portion such that an upper surface of the base portion is flush with an upper surface of the cap, thereby preventing a child from lifting the peripheral edge of the base portion and possibly removing the flow control member. In addition, the safety button is secured to the socket such that the safety button can only be easily disconnected from the cap by pushing the safety button through the socket from the underside surface of the cap, thereby meeting the safety requirement requiring that the cap be removed from the container body before the flow control member can be removed from the cap.
The present invention will be more fully understood in view of the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are top and cross-sectional side views, respectively, showing the flow control structure of
FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) are simplified diagrams illustrating tensile forces generated in flat and curved membranes;
FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are simplified enlarged cross-sectional views showing a pinhole formed in the flow control element of
FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are cross-sectional side views showing the flow control structure of
FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are cross-sectional side views showing the flow control structure of
The present invention relates to an improved flow control member for a beverage container. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. As used herein, directional terms such as “upper”, “upwards”, “lower”, “downward”, “front”, “rear”, are intended to provide relative positions for purposes of description, and are not intended to designate an absolute frame of reference. In addition, the phrases “integrally connected” and “integrally molded” is used herein to describe the connective relationship between two portions of a single molded or machined structure, and are distinguished from the terms “connected”, or “coupled” (without the modifier “integrally”), which indicates two separate structures that are joined by way of, for example, adhesive, fastener, clip, threaded screw or movable joint. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed.
Flow control structure 40 includes a molded (first) member 50 including a tube-like wall 54 defining a channel 56, a membrane 55 mounted on an upper (first) end 54A of wall 54, and a baffle (or vent hole structure) 65 mounted inside channel 56 between upper end 54A and a lower end 54B of wall 54. Wall 54 is a relatively rigid (i.e., compared to membrane 55) tube-like structure extending generally along a central axis X between upper end 54A and lower end 54B. As indicated in
Membrane 55 is relatively elastic (i.e., compared to wall 54) and is connected to wall 54 adjacent to (i.e., at or slightly inset from) upper end 54A such that membrane 55 is disposed across channel 56 to impede flow between channel 56 and an external region ER. In the disclosed embodiment, membrane 55 has a circular outer perimeter 57 that is secured to upper end 54A of wall 54. In one embodiment, elastic membrane 55 is formed from a suitable material (e.g., soft rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, or silicone) having a thickness T1 in the range of 0.01 to 0.1 inches (more particularly 0.01 to 0.03 inches), and wall 54 is formed from the same material and has a thickness T2 in the range of 0.05 to 0.12 inches. According to the present invention, membrane 55 defines a plurality of spaced-apart pinholes 59 formed using the procedure describe below such that when membrane 55 is subjected to normal atmospheric conditions (i.e., remains non-deformed), pinholes 59 remain closed to prevent fluid flow between channel 56 and external region ER through membrane 55. As described in additional detail below, pinholes 59 are also formed such that when membrane 55 is deformed (stretched) in response to an applied pressure differential between channel 56 and external region ER, pinholes 59 open to facilitate fluid flow through membrane 55. Accordingly, pinholes 59 facilitate adjustable fluid flow through membrane 55 that increases in direct relation to the applied pressure differential, thereby facilitating both a non-spill outlet membrane and a leak-proof vent membrane.
As indicated in
Although the preferred embodiment includes a substantially flat (planar) membrane, a curved membrane may also be used, although such membrane would necessarily be relatively thin (i.e., relative to a flat membrane formed from the same material) in order to facilitate a similar amount of deformation in response to an applied pressure. A problem posed by using a relatively thin membrane is the increased chance of rupture and/or tearing of the membrane material, which may result in the unintended ingestion of membrane material.
Referring to
According to an aspect of the present invention, wall 54 and baffle 65 have a greater rigidity than the membrane 55 such that, when an applied pressure differential is generated between channel 56 and external region ER, membrane 55 undergoes a greater amount of deformation than wall 54 and baffle 65. In one embodiment, membrane 55 and wall 54 are integrally connected to form an single-piece member 50, which is molded from a suitable material (i.e., both wall 54 and elastic membrane 55 are molded in the same molding structure using a single molding material, e.g., silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, or soft rubber), and the increased rigidity is provided by forming wall 54 to include a thickness T1 that is greater than the thickness T2 of membrane 55. In an alternative embodiment, wall 54 may be formed at least partially from a relatively rigid material (e.g., a hard plastic), and membrane 55 may be separately formed from a relatively elastic material and then secured to wall 54.
Referring again to
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, several pinholes 59 are formed in membrane 55 to facilitate liquid flow from channel 56 to external region ER in response to an applied pressure differential (e.g., an applied suction). As indicated in
Baffle 65 is an annular structure located inside channel 56 and spaced from membrane 55 such that an upper (first) flow channel region 56A is defined between baffle 65 and membrane 55, and a lower (second) flow channel region 56B is located on a side of baffle 65 that is opposite to membrane 55 (e.g., between baffle 65 and a beverage reservoir). Flow channel regions 56A and 56B communicate through opening 67, which has a relatively small diameter D2 (
FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) are cross-sectional side views showing a simplified beverage container 500A including flow control structure 40 during operation in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention in which flow control structure 40 is utilized to control the flow of a liquid beverage (BVG). Beverage container 500A includes a container body 510A having an outer wall 511 defining a beverage storage chamber 517 containing liquid beverage BVG, and an opening 519. Flow control structure 40 is mounted over open end 519 such that flow channel section 56B communicates directly with chamber 517 via open end 519, and baffle 65 is positioned between chamber 517 and flow channel section 56A.
According to another aspect of the present invention, baffle 65 and membrane 55 combine to further enhance the no-drip/non-spill characteristic of flow control structure 40. First, the inventor discovered that providing baffle 65 in flow channel 56 limits the static pressure transmitted to membrane 55 while container 500B is held in the inverted position indicated in
FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) are cross-sectional side views showing a simplified beverage container 500B during operation in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention in which flow control structure 40 is utilized as a vent mechanism to regulate air pressure inside beverage container 500B. Beverage container 500B includes a container body 510B having an outer wall 511 defining a beverage storage chamber 517 containing a liquid beverage BVG, an opening 519, and a spout 520 having a flow channel 525. Flow control structure 40 is mounted over opening 519 such that baffle 65 is positioned between chamber 517 and membrane 55.
The present invention will now be described with reference to a specific embodiment.
In accordance with an aspect of the present embodiment, flow control structure 640 is an integral (molded) flexible structure including a spout portion 650 having a tube-like outer spout section 654 and an outlet membrane 655 formed at an upper end thereof, a substantially flat base portion 660 having a vent membrane 665 formed thereon, and an engagement portion 670 disposed at an end of base portion 660 that is opposite to spout portion 650. Outlet membrane 655 and vent membrane 665 are constructed in the manner described above with reference to
As shown in
According to another aspect of the present invention that is depicted in
In accordance with another benefit of the present invention because membrane 655 is located at the end of spout 634/654, when a user finishes drinking and membrane 655 closes, beverage that may be retained in upper flow channel region 656A is prevented from dripping or otherwise discharging from spout 634/654, thus avoiding the dripping problem associated with conventional non-spill beverage containers.
In addition to the general and specific embodiments disclosed herein, other features and aspects may be added to the novel flow control structures that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the following claims.
For example, one or more of the novel features described herein (e.g., the vent mechanism) may be utilized separately from the other features (e.g., in conjunction with a conventional, slit type spout structure), and the features may also be used in other types of beverage containers, such as sports bottles or other hydration systems. In such alternative embodiments, the vent opening would be formed in an outer wall of the container and the vent membrane disposed over the vent hole in a manner similar to that described in the embodiments described above.
In another alternative embodiment shown in
Claims
1. A beverage container comprising:
- a container body defining a beverage storage chamber and an upper opening;
- a cap mounted on the container body such that an upper wall of the cap covers the upper opening, wherein the cap includes a spout structure including: a tube-like spout wall having a first end and a second end, the spout wall defining a fluid flow channel extending from the first end to the second end of the spout, the flow channel having a first width; and a baffle disposed in the flow channel such that a first flow channel region is defined between a first side of the baffle and the first end of the spout wall, and a second flow channel region is located between a second side of the baffle and the second end of the spout wall, wherein the baffle defines an opening communicating between the first and second flow channel regions, said opening having a second width that is smaller than the first width of the flow channel; and
- a flexible flow control member mounted on the cap and including an outlet membrane mounted over the second end of the spout wall.
2. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the outlet membrane comprises at least one of a slit and a plurality of normally-closed pinholes.
3. The beverage container of claim 1, wherein the outlet membrane comprises a plurality of normally-closed pinholes formed such that, when the outlet membrane is subjected to a relatively low pressure differential and the outlet membrane remains non-deformed, the plurality of pinholes remain closed to prevent fluid flow between the fluid flow channel and the external region through the outlet membrane, and when the outlet membrane is deformed in response to an applied relatively high pressure differential, the plurality of pinholes open to facilitate fluid flow through the outlet membrane.
4. The beverage container according to claim 3,
- wherein the spout wall defines a central axis,
- wherein the outlet membrane is substantially flat and arranged perpendicular to the central axis, and
- wherein the baffle is parallel to the outlet membrane, and the opening is aligned with the central axis.
5. The beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the spout wall and the baffle respectively have a greater rigidity than the outlet membrane such that, when an applied pressure differential is generated between the fluid flow channel and the external region, the outlet membrane undergoes a greater deformation than the spout wall and the baffle.
6. The beverage container according to claim 5, wherein the flow control member further comprises a tube-like outer spout section disposed over the spout wall, wherein the outlet membrane is integrally molded with the outer spout section, and wherein both of the outer spout section and the outlet membrane comprise at least one of silicone, a thermoplastic elastomer, and soft rubber.
7. The beverage container according to claim 1,
- wherein the spout wall includes a lower spout wall section formed from a relatively rigid material, and an upper spout wall section formed from a relatively flexible material, the upper spout wall section having a lower end that is secured to lower spout wall section and an upper end that defines an outlet opening,
- wherein the baffle is integrally connected to the lower spout wall section, and
- wherein the outlet membrane is disposed over the outlet opening of the upper spout wall section.
8. The beverage container according to claim 1,
- wherein the flow control member comprises a substantially flat base portion disposed on the upper wall of the cap, and a tube-like outer spout section integrally connected to the base portion and disposed over the spout wall, and
- wherein the outlet membrane is integrally connected to an upper end of the outer spout section.
9. The beverage container according to claim 8,
- wherein the upper wall of the cap defines a vent opening, and
- wherein the base portion of the flow control member further comprises a vent membrane disposed over the vent opening, wherein the vent membrane defines a plurality of normally-closed pinholes.
10. The beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the cap further comprises a bowl-shaped depression disposed on the upper wall, wherein the vent opening is defined in the bowl-shaped depression, and wherein the vent membrane is disposed over and spaced from the bowl-shaped depression.
11. The beverage container according to claim 10, wherein the cap further comprises an annular groove surrounding the bowl-shaped depression, wherein the flow control member includes an annular rib extending from a lower surface of the base portion and surrounding the vent membrane, wherein the flow control member is mounted on the cap such that the annular rib is received in the annular groove.
12. The beverage container according to claim 8,
- wherein the upper wall of the cap further defines a socket, and
- wherein the flow control member further comprises a safety button extending from a lower surface of the base portion and engaged in the socket such that an end section of the safety button is disposed on a lower surface of the upper wall of the cap.
13. The beverage container according to claim 12,
- wherein the upper wall of the cap defines a recess surrounding the spout wall and the socket, and
- wherein the base portion of the flow control member is mounted in the recess such that an upper surface of the base portion is flush with an upper surface of the upper wall of the cap.
14. A beverage container comprising:
- a container body defining a beverage storage chamber and an opening;
- a cap mounted on the container body such that an upper wall of the cap covers the opening, wherein the cap includes a spout opening and a vent opening; and
- a flexible flow control member mounted on the cap and including a vent membrane disposed over the vent opening, wherein the vent membrane defines a plurality of normally-closed pinholes formed such that when the vent membrane is subjected to a relatively low pressure differential and the membrane remains undeformed, the plurality of pinholes remain closed to prevent air flow through the vent membrane and the vent opening into the beverage storage chamber, and when the vent membrane is deformed in response to an applied relatively high pressure differential, the plurality of pinholes open to facilitate air flow through the vent membrane and the vent opening into the beverage storage chamber.
15. The non-spill beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the cap further comprises a bowl-shaped depression disposed on the upper wall, wherein the vent opening is defined in the bowl-shaped depression, and wherein the vent membrane is disposed over and spaced from the bowl-shaped depression.
16. The non-spill beverage container according to claim 14, wherein the flexible flow control member includes a base portion disposed on the upper wall of the cap, and wherein the vent membrane is disposed on the base portion.
17. The non-spill beverage container according to claim 16,
- wherein the cap further comprises a tube-like spout wall disposed on the upper wall, the spout wall defining a fluid flow channel communicating between the beverage storage chamber and the spout opening, and
- wherein the flow control member further comprises a spout portion having a relatively thick wall section integrally connected to the base portion and mounted on the spout wall, and an outlet membrane disposed at an upper end of the wall section and positioned over the spout opening.
18. The beverage container according to claim 17,
- wherein the upper wall of the cap further defines a socket, and
- wherein the flow control member further comprises a safety button extending from a lower surface of the base portion and engaged in the socket such that an end of the safety button is disposed on a lower surface of the upper wall of the cap.
19. A beverage container comprising:
- a container body defining a beverage storage chamber and an opening;
- a cap mounted on the container body such that an upper wall of the cap covers the opening, wherein the cap includes a socket opening defined in the upper wall, and a spout structure including a tube-like spout wall extending from the upper wall and defining a fluid flow channel therethrough; and
- a flexible flow control member mounted on the cap, the flexible control member including: a substantially flat base portion disposed on the upper wall of the cap, a tube-like outer spout section integrally connected to an upper surface of the base portion and disposed over the spout wall, and a safety button extending from a lower surface of the base portion and engaged in the socket opening such that an end of the safety button is disposed on a lower surface of the upper wall of the cap.
20. The beverage container according to claim 17,
- wherein the cap defines a vent opening, disposed between the spout wall and the socket opening, and
- wherein the flow control member comprises an outlet membrane that is integrally connected to an upper end of the outer spout section and disposed over an open end of the spout wall, and a vent membrane disposed on the base portion and located over the vent opening.
21. A vent mechanism for a container, the container including an outer wall defining a storage chamber, the vent mechanism comprising:
- a vent opening defined in the outer wall of the container; and
- a vent membrane disposed over the vent opening,
- wherein the vent membrane defines a plurality of normally-closed pinholes formed such that when the vent membrane is subjected to a relatively low pressure differential and the membrane remains undeformed, the plurality of pinholes remain closed to prevent air flow through the vent membrane and the vent opening into the beverage storage chamber, and when the vent membrane is deformed in response to an applied relatively high pressure differential, the plurality of pinholes open to facilitate air flow through the vent membrane and the vent opening into the beverage storage chamber.
22. A flow control mechanism for a beverage container, the flow control mechanism comprising:
- a tube-like spout wall including a lower wall section and an upper wall section that collectively define a flow passage and an outlet opening;
- a baffle disposed in the flow passage; and
- an outlet membrane disposed over the outlet opening,
- wherein the lower wall section comprises a relatively rigid material and the upper wall section comprises a relatively flexible material, and
- wherein the outlet membrane defines a plurality of normally-closed pinholes.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 25, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 8, 2007
Applicant: Insta-mix, Inc., Subsidiary A (dba UMIX, Inc.) (Colorado Springs, CO)
Inventor: James Holley (Colorado Springs, CO)
Application Number: 11/552,950
International Classification: B65D 51/16 (20060101); A47G 19/22 (20060101);