Abstract: A cup (22) includes a base (26) and a wall (30) with an integral straw (36). A lid (24) includes a flange (52) for mating with the cup (22) to establish an assembled position of the drinking assembly (20). The lid (24) defines an orifice (66) aligned with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position, and a flexible straw (68) is disposed within the orifice (66). The flexible straw (68) has a nipple portion (70) extending to an inlet end (72) disposed in abutting relationship with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position to establish a compression fit between the flexible straw (68) and the integral straw (36). The lid (24) is also stackable with identical lids (24) and includes a cavity (60) extending between first and second ends (62, 64). The orifice (66) is disposed about one of the ends (64) and the cavity (60) has an open portion (90) disposed about the other of the ends (62) for receiving a nipple portion (70) of the identical lid (24) being stacked in alternating relationship.

Abstract: A cup (22) includes a base (26) and a wall (30) with an integral straw (36). A lid (24) includes a flange (52) for mating with the cup (22) to establish an assembled position of the drinking assembly (20). The lid (24) defines an orifice (66) aligned with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position, and a flexible straw (68) is disposed within the orifice (66). The flexible straw (68) has a nipple portion (70) extending to an inlet end (72) disposed in abutting relationship with the integral straw (36) in the assembled position to establish a compression fit between the flexible straw (68) and the integral straw (36). The lid (24) is also stackable with identical lids (24) and includes a cavity (60) extending between first and second ends (62, 64). The orifice (66) is disposed about one of the ends (64) and the cavity (60) has an open portion (90) disposed about the other of the ends (62) for receiving a nipple portion (70) of the identical lid (24) being stacked in alternating relationship.

Abstract: A cap device for capping an open wine bottle includes a base with a lower cylindrical portion that defines an interior space. The lower cylindrical portion engages the interior of the wine bottle. A pumping element engages an upper cylindrical portion of the base to define an interior portion in communication with the interior space. A first valve assembly is disposed in the lower cylindrical portion and is in communication with the interior space and the interior of the wine bottle. The first valve assembly is movable between an open and closed position for pulling air from the wine bottle. A second valve assembly is disposed in the upper cylindrical portion of the base and is in communication with the interior portion and the atmosphere. The second valve assembly is movable between an open and closed position for pushing air from the interior portion to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A self-return teeter tauter lid assembly (10) includes a cap (12), a release lever (14) and a spring (16) operatively coupled thereto. The cap (12) has a self-gripping handle (18), a top face (20), a sip and vent ports (22), (24) integrally formed in the top face (20). The release lever (14) is detachably and pivotally coupled to the cap (12) about pivot points (28), (29) and is moveable between a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration. The release lever (14) has a thumb pad (26) on first side of the pivot point (28), (29) and a sip and vent plugs (30), (32) on a second side of the pivot points (28), (29). The sip and vent plugs (30), (32) seal the sip and vent ports (22), (24) in the sealed configuration. The spring (16) urges the release lever (14) to the sealed configuration, whereby a user applying force between the thumb pad (26) and the self-gripping handle (18) achieves the unsealed configuration.

Abstract: A self-return teeter tauter lid assembly (10) includes a cap (12), a release lever (14) and a spring (16) operatively coupled thereto. The cap (12) has a self-gripping handle (18), a top face (20), a sip and vent ports (22), (24) integrally formed in the top face (20). The release lever (14) is detachably and pivotally coupled to the cap (12) about pivot points (28), (29) and is moveable between a sealed configuration and an unsealed configuration. The release lever (14) has a thumb pad (26) on first side of the pivot point (28), (29) and a sip and vent plugs (30), (32) on a second side of the pivot points (28), (29). The sip and vent plugs (30), (32) seal the sip and vent ports (22), (24) in the sealed configuration. The spring (16) urges the release lever (14) to the sealed configuration, whereby a user applying force between the thumb pad (26) and the self-gripping handle (18) achieves the unsealed configuration.

Abstract: A one-piece soft spout valve assembly (10) for attachment to a drinking cup (12) includes a diaphragm (11) having a body (17), a spout portion (20) and a valve portion (22) integrally formed in the body (17). The body (17) has an outward surface (30), an inward surface (32), and a peripheral edge (16). The peripheral edge (16) delineates the outward surface (30) from the inward surface (32). Furthermore, a groove (18) is circumferentially formed in the peripheral edge (16) for fixedly attaching to a drinking cup (12). The spout portion (22) and the valve portion (22) form a cavity (23) within the inward surface (32) of the body (17) and a drinking opening (21) within the spout portion (20) on the outward surface (30) of the body (17), whereby fluid may pass from the cavity (23) to the drinking opening (21) through the valve portion (22) when the valve portion (22) is forcibly actuated by the spout portion (20) in response to an externally applied force by an user.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 valve in communication therewith, and an outlet passage with an outlet valve in communication therewith, each of the valves including a resiliently flexible diaphragm member. In a preferred embodiment, 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 centrally abuts the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its seating.

Abstract: An automatically sealing cup composed generally of a cup body, a lid sealingly and releasably connected with the cup body, and an automatic sealing feature that includes, generally, a flexible tube communicating with the interior space of the cup body, an aperture in the lid through which the flexible tube sealingly passes, a pivotable handle associated with the lid wherein the position of the handle determines pinching or unpinching of the tube, and, consequently, sealed and open states, respectively, of the automatically sealing cup, and a biasing member associated with the lid which automatically biases the handle to provide the sealed state. To switch the automatically sealing cup to the open state in which liquid may be extracted therefrom through the tube, a user must continuously apply pressure to the handle, upon the cessation of which the automatically sealing cup automatically reverts to the sealed state.