Patents Assigned to Niko Products, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6732876
    Abstract: An automatically sealing lid assembly (10) includes a cap portion (12) selectively coupled to a cup (16) so as to cover a mouth (14) of the cup (16). The cap portion (12) has a sip hole (34) and a vent hole (36) integrally formed therein. The cap portion (12) also has a disk portion (42) rotatably coupled thereto between a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration. The disk portion (42) has a sip plug (52) and a vent plug (54). The sip plug (52) seals the sip hole (34) in the sealed configuration. Likewise, the vent plug (54) seals the vent hole (36) in the sealed configuration. The cap portion (12) and the disk portion (42) have a biasing member assembly (62) operatively coupled therebetween. The biasing member assembly (62) biases the disk portion (42) to the sealed configuration. The biasing member assembly (62) further includes an actuating surface (80) for receiving an application of force by a user thereby selectively disposing the lid assembly (10) to the unsealed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Patent number: 6732882
    Abstract: A no-spill cover assembly (14) includes a lid assembly (16) that is releasably mated to the drink container (10). The lid assembly (16) has an outlet channel (22) and an inlet channel (24) integrally formed therein. Furthermore, the cover assembly (14) includes a one-piece valve assembly (18) for attachment to the lid assembly (16). The one-piece valve assembly (18) is an integral one-piece structure that is formed of a flexible material and includes has an outlet valve portion (36) and an inlet valve portion (38). The outlet valve portion (36) includes a resilient outlet flange (44) that is positioned within the outlet channel (22) for selectively permitting a first flow therethrough and out of the drink container. The inlet valve portion (38) includes a resilient inlet flange (54) that is positioned within the inlet channel (24) for selectively permitting a second flow therethrough and into the drink container (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Publication number: 20030209555
    Abstract: A no-spill cover assembly (14) includes a lid assembly (16) that is releasably mated to the drink container (10). The lid assembly (16) has an outlet channel (22) and an inlet channel (24) integrally formed therein. Furthermore, the cover assembly (14) includes a one-piece valve assembly (18) for attachment to the lid assembly (16). The one-piece valve assembly (18) is an integral one-piece structure that is formed of a flexible material and includes has an outlet valve portion (36) and an inlet valve portion (38). The outlet valve portion (36) includes a resilient outlet flange (44) that is positioned within the outlet channel (22) for selectively permitting a first flow therethrough and out of the drink container. The inlet valve portion (38) includes a resilient inlet flange (54) that is positioned within the inlet channel (24) for selectively permitting a second flow therethrough and into the drink container (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Publication number: 20020092851
    Abstract: An automatically sealing lid assembly (10) includes a cap portion (12) selectively coupled to a cup (16) so as to cover a mouth (14) of the cup (16). The cap portion (12) has a sip hole (34) and a vent hole (36) integrally formed therein. The cap portion (12) also has a disk portion (42) rotatably coupled thereto between a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration. The disk portion (42) has a sip plug (52) and a vent plug (54). The sip plug (52) seals the sip hole (34) in the sealed configuration. Likewise, the vent plug (54) seals the vent hole (36) in the sealed configuration. The cap portion (12) and the disk portion (42) have a biasing member assembly (62) operatively coupled therebetween. The biasing member assembly (62) biases the disk portion (42) to the sealed configuration. The biasing member assembly (62) further includes an actuating surface (80) for receiving an application of force by a user thereby selectively disposing the lid assembly (10) to the unsealed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Publication number: 20010042755
    Abstract: A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet value in communication with an outlet value in communication therewith, each of the values including a resilient flexible diaphragm member. Each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage is secured to the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its sealing. A predetermined level of fluid pressure differential across each diaphragm member courses, respectively, the diaphragm members to concavely bend away from their respective seat and thereby allow fluid flow through the valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Patent number: 6276560
    Abstract: An improved automatically sealing cup (100) (“cup device”) includes a compression member (152), a one-way air valve (144), and releasable handle (104). A lid (106) is releasably mated to a cup (118) in order to cover a cup opening (120) of the cup (118). The lid (106) has a pair of tapered slots (110), a lid port (122), and an aperture (142) integrally formed therein. The tapered slots (110) are subject to selectively receive and release a handle (104). The handle (104) is pivotally attached to the lid (106) and moveable between a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration. The handle (104) comprises a compression member (152) and a handle hole (154). The handle hole (154) is offset from an exterior tubular portion (146) of the lid port (122) such that a flexible tube (114) engaged to the exterior tubular portion (146) and passing though the handle hole (154) is compressed by the compression member (152) in the sealed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
  • Patent number: 6269968
    Abstract: A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet value in communication with an outlet value in communication therewith, each of the values including a resilient flexible diaphragm member. Each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage is secured to the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its sealing. A predetermined level of fluid pressure differential across each diaphragm member courses, respectively, the diaphragm members to concavely bend away from their respective seat and thereby allow fluid flow through the valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Niko Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Domenic Belcastro