CAP FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A cap for a container for storing liquid comprising a base comprising at least one passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The cap comprises a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising a depressible portion, a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion, and a seal stem extending downwardly from the depressible portion. The seal is movable between a first position, wherein the depressible portion is above the flange portion and a second position, wherein the flange portion is above the depressible portion. The cap also comprises a valve connected to the seal stem and movable between a closed position, wherein the valve prevents the outward passage of the consumable liquid through the passage and an open position, wherein the valve allows passage of the consumable liquid through the passage. In use, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the valve is moved into the open position and the seal is moved into the second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on the flange portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved upwardly such that the valve is moved into the closed position and the seal is moved into the first position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cap for a container adapted to carry a liquid suitable for human consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for holding liquid, and more specifically consumable liquid require caps for selectively prevent escape of the liquid from the interior of the container. Once such container is known as a travel mug, which is intended to store coffee or other hot beverages to be drank directly therefrom while on the go.

While ambulating with a travel mug, it is desirable for the liquid held in the travel mug not to splash or spill outward. This is particularly true when the liquid held therein is hot or non-transparent and may burn or stain if spilled.

Current caps for travel mugs have one or more passage that can be blocked. However, in such caps passages are often blocked by sliding an obtrusion over the passage, which does not form a perfect seal. Such caps are liable to leak at the passage even when closed and get wet or even splash liquid from the cap. Furthermore, current caps do not protect the upper surface or the passages in the cap from impurities and dust, rain or other impurities can fall onto or into the cap while it is closed. In addition current closing systems for caps tend to leave a weak point in the insulation, covering the passage with only a small obstruction that can transfer heat from the inside outwards.

Moreover current caps tend to require two-handed operation as manual actuators on the cap often must be operated by the hand not holding the container.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,678 describes a cap that comprises a valve that is operable by a push-button disposed on the top of the cap. The cap comprises two openings including a discharge opening and a vent hole. The two openings can be blocked by a valve. The construction and operation of the valve actuator is similar to the construction and operation of actuators in push-button ball-point pens. A spring biases the valve in the closed position and a spinner interacts with a hub. The spinner and the hub each have angled surfaces for causing the spinner to spin upon pressure being applied to the push-button and to come to rest at a one of two possible relative positions, the two possible relative positions corresponding, respectively, to an open or closed state of the valve. The system described comprises several small components and may be complicated and expensive to assemble. Furthermore, the discharge opening and vent hole are not covered from the top.

Clearly, there remains a need in the industry to provide a cap for a liquid container that provides a better seal when closed and allows to selectively permit liquid to flow outwards while remaining relatively simple to handle even with a single hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first broad aspect, the invention provides a cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storing consumable liquid. The cap comprises a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, the base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and extending between the upper aperture and the lower aperture, the base further defining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis of the cap. The cap further comprises a seal made of an elastomeric material. The seal comprises a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion for overlapping the upper aperture. The seal further comprises a peripheral wall extending downwardly through the central aperture of the base, the peripheral wall having a lower end mounted to the base. The seal further comprises a seal stem extending downwardly from the depressible portion through the central aperture of the cap and along the central longitudinal axis. The seal is movable between a first position, wherein the depressible portion is above the flange portion and the upper aperture is covered, and a second position, wherein the flange portion is above the depressible portion and the upper aperture is uncovered. The cap further comprises a valve connected to the seal stem and movable between a closed position wherein the valve blocks the lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through the passage and an open position wherein the valve frees the lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through the passage. In use, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the valve is moved into the open position and the seal is moved into the second position, and upon pressure of the user on the flange portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved upwardly such that the valve is moved into the closed position and the seal is moved into the first position.

The invention also provides a cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storing consumable liquid, the cap comprising: a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, the base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and extending between the upper aperture and the lower aperture, the base further defining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis of the cap; a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising: a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion for overlapping the upper aperture, the depressible portion having a bottom wall defining an abutting surface; a peripheral wall extending downwardly through the central aperture of the base, the peripheral wall having a lower end mounted to the base; and a seal stem extending downwardly from the depressible portion through the central aperture of the cap and along the central longitudinal axis; wherein the seal is movable between a first position, wherein the depressible portion is above the flange portion and the upper aperture is covered, and a second position, wherein the flange portion is above the depressible portion and the upper aperture is uncovered; (c) a valve connected to the seal stem and movable between a closed position wherein the valve blocks the lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through the passage and an open position wherein the valve frees the lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through the passage, the valve comprising a section projecting upwardly for encircling the seal stem, the section having an upper end abutting the abutting surface; wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the valve is moved into the open position and the seal is moved into the second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on the flange portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved upwardly such that the valve is moved into the closed position and the seal is moved into the first position.

These and other aspects and features of the present invention will now become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container with a cap in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 with its seal shown in a first position and its valve shown in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1 with its seal shown in a second position and its valve shown in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the cap of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the cap of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

To facilitate the description, any reference numeral designating an element in one figure will designate the same element if used in any other figures. In describing the embodiments, specific terminology is resorted to for the sake of clarity but the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is understood that each specific term comprises all equivalents.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure. Similarly, the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

FIG. 1 shows a container 12 for holding consumable liquid upon which is affixed a cap 10. In the example shown here, the container 12 is a mug for holding a warm drink such as coffee. In this example, the container may be characterized as a travel mug. A travel mug is generally insulated to keep hot liquids hot (or to keep cold liquids cold), has a handle 13 and a spill-resistant cap system that can be closed in such a way as to prevent spilling during ordinary ambulation and opened to allow a user to drink from the container. However, it should be understood that the container 12 may be any container for holding consumable liquid.

The container 12 has a mouth (hidden by the cap 10 in FIG. 1) that is covered by the cap 10, which selectively allows liquid to flow outwards from the inside of the container.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the cap 10 has a base 14 that is adapted to being affixed to the container 12. When affixed, the base 14 covers the mouth of the container 12. The base 14 can be affixed to the container 12 by any suitable means. In the example shown here, the base 14 comprises a lower peripheral wall 16 which is adapted to be affixed to the container 12. In the present case, the lower peripheral wall 16 is dimensioned to be inserted into the mouth of the container 12 and tightly fit therein. The lower peripheral wall 16 also comprises a retaining means, which here is a groove 18 that is adapted to receive a complementary ridge in the container 12. Of course, other retaining means are possible, as will be evident to a person skilled in the art. For example, the lower peripheral wall 16 may be threaded to be twisted within the container 12. Furthermore, the lower peripheral wall 16 may take on a different configuration as shown here. For example, the lower peripheral wall 16 may project downwardly from the base 14. In such a case, the lower peripheral wall 16 may comprise a retaining means, such as threads, on the outer periphery thereof to contact the interior of the container 12 or, alternatively, it may comprise a retaining means, again such as threads, on the inner periphery thereof to contact an external surface of the container 12. Other means of retaining the cap 10 onto the container 12 may be envisaged.

The base 14 has an upper surface 20, a lower surface 22 and at least one passage 28 extending between the upper surface 20 and the lower surface 22. In the example shown here, the base 14 has a plurality of passages 28. As shown in FIG. 5, each passage extends between an upper aperture 24 in the upper surface 20 and a lower aperture 26 in the lower surface 22. The passages 28 are adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container 12.

As illustrated, the cap 10 may comprise an upper peripheral wall 80, extending upwardly from the base 14 around the periphery thereof. Although shown here as extending upwardly around the entire periphery of the base 14, it will be understood that the upper peripheral wall 80 may extend around only a portion thereof. The upper peripheral wall 80 may define a peripheral lip 82 against which a user may place his/her mouth to drink consumable liquid from the container 12.

The cap 10 has a central longitudinal axis 32, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7. When affixed to the container 12, the longitudinal axis of the cap may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the container. It should be understood, however, that in certain embodiments the longitudinal axes of the cap 10 and the container 12 may not coincide.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the base 14 defines a central aperture 30 encircling the central longitudinal axis 32 of the cap 10. Here, the central aperture 30 is circular and the base 14 comprises a central ring 34 extending upwardly around the central aperture 30. The ring 34 has an inner peripheral wall 36 and an outer peripheral wall 37.

The cap 10 is comprises a valve 60 that is movable between a closed position in which the lower apertures 26 are blocked to prevent the passage of the outward consumable liquid through the passages 28 and an open position in which the lower apertures 26 are freed to allow passage of the consumable liquid through the passages 28. When the valve 60 is in the closed position, the entire passages 28 are blocked such that consumable liquid does not enter into passages 28 until the moment has come when a user desires to actually dispense the liquid. Furthermore, as will be explained later, the central aperture 30 is sealed, thus preventing any passage of liquid outwards when the valve 60 is in the closed position. It will thus be appreciated that when the valve 60 is in the closed position, a real seal is formed and air is generally prevented from flowing in or out of the container 12, thus improving insulation and retarding the cooling of potentially warm liquids in the container 12 (or the warming of potentially warm liquids in the container 12). However, it is to be understood that in embodiments where thermal insulation is undesirable, it is possible to design the container 12, and cap 10, including the valve 60 in thermally conductive manners, such as by making them from thermally conductive materials.

The valve 60 may be made of any suitable material and in the example shown here, is made of a hard plastic.

Because of the substantially air-tight conditions in the container 12 during dispensing of the liquid, there will result a decrease in air pressure which would disadvantageously cause a reduction in the rate at which the liquid can be dispensed. To prevent disadvantages associated with this scenario, a circuit is created between the interior and the exterior of the container 12. This is achieved by providing the plurality of passages 28 disposed in a circular arrangement in base 14 such that when the container 12 with the cap 10 is tilted at an angle, there is always a passage 28 exposed to the liquid and a passage 28 exposed to the air, thus allowing air to flow into the container 12 as liquid escapes out therefrom. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that this may be accomplished in other manners. For example, a larger passage 28 extending between upper and lower apertures 24, 26 that cover a sufficiently large portion of the upper and lower surfaces 20, 22, may allow both liquids to flow outwards and air to flow inwards into the container 12 simultaneously. Other alternatives are possible still, such as providing an air intake passage elsewhere in the cap 10 or container 12, including in positions unaffected by the valve 60.

The valve 60 includes a valve head 62 and a section 64 projecting upwardly therefrom. In the present case, the section 64 is a cylindrical section. The valve head 62 is designed to seal the passages 28 by blocking the lower apertures 26 when the valve 60 is in the closed position. To this end, the lower surface 22 of the base 14 comprises a valve seat 66 surrounding the lower apertures 26, which receives the valve head 62 when the valve 60 is in the closed position. The valve seat 66 may be simply embodied by a surface having a shape complementary to a contacting surface of the valve head 62 for permitting a snug fit therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve seat 66 is a flat surface against which abuts the top surface 68 of the valve head 62, which is flat in the area abutting the valve seat 66.

In the present case, the valve head 62 is provided with a ring 70 made of elastomeric material (e.g. food grade silicone) which, when the seal is in the closed position, abuts against the valve seat 66 to improve the seal formed therewith. The ring of elastomeric material 70 is received in a cavity 71 in the valve head 62 and is dimensioned to fit therein. The ring 70 may be held in place by friction or otherwise affixed to the valve head. For example, the ring 70 may be glued or overmolded to the valve head 62.

With reference to FIG. 4, when the valve 60 is in the closed position, the valve head 62 is held upwardly against the lower surface 22 of the base 14 such that the top surface 68 of the valve head 62 is held tightly against the valve seat 66 in the lower surface 22 of the base 14 in an area adjacent the lower openings 26. The valve 60 thus forms a seal around the lower openings 26, effectively blocking passages 28 and preventing the outwards passage of consumable liquids from the interior of the container 12 through the passages 28.

With reference to FIG. 5, when the valve 60 is in the open position, the valve head 62 is lowered downwardly into the interior of the container 12 such that it no longer forms a sealing contact around the lower apertures 26 and frees the lower apertures for allowing the passage of consumable liquid outwards through the passages 28. It is understood that the valve 60 does not extend peripherally all the way to the interior surface of the container 12 along the entire periphery thereof, but that space exists between the peripheral edge of the valve 60 and the interior surface of the container 12 to allow consumable liquid to flow around the valve 60 and outward through the passages 28 when the valve 60 is in the open position.

The cap 10 also comprises a seal 40 made of an elastomeric material such as food grade silicone which may be injection molded or compression molded, for example, or other suitable elastomeric materials. In the present example, the materials may have a hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore. The seal 40 has a depressible portion 42 and a flange portion 44, and a peripheral wall 46 extending downwardly through the central aperture and having a lower end 47 mounted to base 14 in an area adjacent the central aperture 30. The seal also comprises a seal stem 43 extending downwardly from the depressible portion 42 through the central aperture 30 for connecting the seal 40 to the valve 60. As will be described more fully below, the depressible portion 42 and the flange portion 44 move relative to one another when the valve 60 moves between the open and the closed position.

In the example shown here, the upper peripheral wall encircles the longitudinal axis of the cap 10 and the depressible portion 42 and the flange portion 44 are contained within an area surrounded by the upper peripheral wall 80.

The depressible portion is located around the longitudinal axis 32 of the cap 10 and overlying the central aperture 30. The flange portion 44 at least partially surrounds the depressible portion 42. In the example shown, the flange portion 44 completely surrounds the depressible portion 42. However, it is to be understood that the flange portion 44 could surround only a portion of the depressible portion 42. As will be discussed below, the flange portion 44 covers the upper apertures 24 when the valve 60 is in the closed position. To this end, the flange portion 44 should extend around the depressible portion 42 wherever along the periphery thereof upper apertures 24 are present in the base 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when the valve 60 is in the closed position, the seal 40 is in a first position wherein the depressible portion 42 is above the flange portion 44 and the flange portion 44 overlaps and covers the upper apertures 24 to obstruct the passage of liquid, air or impurities such as dust through the passages 28. The flange portion 44 comprises an external edge 48 which contacts the upper surface 20 of the base 14 in an area radially outwards from the upper apertures 24. Alternatively, the external edge 48 may contact the upper peripheral wall 80 instead of the upper surface 20 of the base 14.

The seal 40 may thus serve as an additional safeguard by retaining liquid trapped in the passages 28 or present on the upper surface 20 of the base 14 within the internal space between the seal 40 and the valve 60. The seal 40 may also serve to prevent impurities such as dust or other liquids from entering into the container 12 when the valve 60 is in the closed position. As an additional advantage, the seal 40 may serve an insulating function. Firstly the seal 40 itself may be composed of insulating material. Secondly, the seal 40 may also serve to prevent or limit the flow of air in and around passages 28 when the valve 60 is in the closed position, thus creating a pocket of air between the seal 40 and the valve 60, air being a good insulator.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the valve 60 is in the open position, the seal 40 is in a second position wherein the flange portion 44 is above the depressible portion 42 such that the upper apertures 24 are uncovered to allow passage of consumable liquid outwards from the interior of the container 12 through passages 28. As can be seen in FIG. 5, although the upper apertures 24 are freed to allow liquid flow, the flange 44 may still at least partially overlie the upper apertures 24. However, when the container 12 is tilted to cause the outward flow of consumable liquid through passages 28, consumable liquid exiting through upper apertures 24 will fall out from the upper surface 20 of the base 14.

The upper peripheral wall 80 is optional and if absent, liquid will simply fall off the upper surface 20 of the base 14. In the embodiment shown, however, consumable liquid exiting through the upper apertures 24 will be guided along the upper peripheral wall 80 to its peripheral lip 82, where it may be poured or drank. As shown, the upper peripheral wall 80 defines an inclined surface converging towards the top surface 20 of the base 14 such that, when the cap 10 is upright, liquid on the upper peripheral wall 80 is urged downward towards the top surface 20. Thus, after pouring, the container 12 is returned to the upright position, any liquid remaining on the upper peripheral wall 80 will fall back towards the base where it will reach the upper surface 20, and may be received back into the passages to return within the container 12. When the valve 60 is returned to the closed position and the flange portion 44 covers the upper apertures 24, any liquid remaining in passages 28 or on the upper surface 20 of the base 14, radially inwards from the external edge 48 of the flange portion 44 retained within the internal space between the seal 40 and the valve 60.

Returning to the second position of the seal 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, one should appreciate that by virtue of overlapping the upper apertures 24, the flange portion 44 serves to block any liquid splashing directly upwards out of the passages 28. Furthermore, the flange portion 44 and central ring 34 block liquid splashing radially inwards from upper apertures 24 while the upper peripheral wall 80 guards against most liquids splashing radially outwards or tangentially outwards from the upper apertures 24. Thus, when the valve 60 is in the open position and the seal 40 is in the second position, the cap 10, allows the outwards pouring of consumable liquid from the interior of the container 12 while substantially preventing the outward splashing of liquid.

The elastomeric material of the seal 40 has a resilience and the seal has dimensions such that the flange portion 44 is maintained below the depressible portion 42 when the valve 60 is in the closed position and such that the flange portion 44 is maintained above the depressible portion 42 after pressure of a user on such depressible portion is ended and the valve 60 is in the open position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the peripheral wall 46 of the seal 40 extends downwardly from an area on or adjacent the periphery of the depressible portion 42. An upper end 50 of the peripheral wall 46 connects between the flange portion 44 and the depressible portion 42 in an area surrounding the depressible portion 42. The peripheral wall 46 extends downwardly through the central aperture 30 from the upper end 50 to the lower end 47.

To hold the seal 40 in place, the peripheral wall may be held against the inner peripheral wall 36 of the ring 34 extending upwardly from the base 14, or the lower end 47 may be affixed to the base 14. Other methods of holding the seal 40 in place can be envisaged, such as making the seal 40 integral with the base 14. In the embodiment illustrated here, the peripheral wall is held against the central wall 36 and the lower end 47 is held against the base 14. An insert ring 90 is dimensioned to be inserted in the central aperture 30 such as to fit tightly therein and to hold the peripheral wall 46 against the central wall 36 and simultaneously to hold the lower end 47 against the base 14. The insert ring 90 may be held in place by friction and may optionally comprise a retaining means for holding it in place. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the insert ring 90 comprises a rib 92 that fits in a complementary groove 94 in the base 14. Of course, the rib 92 may be located in the base and the groove 94 in the insert ring 90.

Since the peripheral wall 46 of the seal 40 lies alongside the ring 34 and is at least partially sandwiched by the insert ring 90, the ring 34 and insert ring 90 support the peripheral wall 46 and prevents it from collapsing while holding it in place. Thus, even when pressure is exerted on the peripheral wall 46, for example from the depressible portion 42 or flange portion 44 being pressed downwards, the peripheral wall 46 still maintains its shape and position.

The upper end 50 of the peripheral wall 46 may comprise a live hinge 54 that comprises a thinned section of the peripheral wall 46 that is readily deformable to allow the flange portion 44 and the depressible portion 42 to move relative to one another while the remainder of the peripheral wall 46 remains substantially unchanged.

Being held against the inner peripheral wall 36 of the ring 34, the peripheral wall 46 prevents any flow of liquid from or into the central aperture 30. Indeed, the peripheral wall 46 forms a seal with the entire periphery of the central aperture 30 and no liquid can flow outward through the central aperture 30 at all, leaving only passages 28 as possible outwards passage for consumable liquid in the container 12.

In the example shown here, the peripheral wall 46 extends downwardly around the entire periphery of the depressible portion 42, however it is to be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the peripheral wall 46 may be disposed differently. For example, the peripheral wall 46 could extend only below the upper end of the ring 34 and be itself glued or otherwise affixed to the inner peripheral wall 36 of the ring 34 of the base 14. Furthermore, the peripheral wall 46 may be held against the inner peripheral wall 36 by means other than a ring such as gluing or overmolding.

When a user applies pressure on the depressible portion 42 of the seal 40, the depressible portion 42 is moved downwardly along the longitudinal axis 32 of the cap 10 and the flange portion 44 moves upwardly. The seal 40 thus adopts the second position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Passage of consumable liquid outwards from the interior of the container 12 through the passages 28 is thus unimpeded when the seal 40 is in the open position because downward movement of the depressible portion 42 has brought the valve 60 in the open position, freeing the lower apertures 26 while the upper apertures 24 are also uncovered by the flange portion 44. In the example shown, when the seal is moved from the first position to the second position, the entire flange portion 44 moves from a downward angle relative the live hinge 54 to an upward angle and its external edge 48 disengages the upper surface 20 of the base 14. The container 12 with the cap 10 can then be tilted to allow outward flow of the consumable liquid held in the interior of the container 12 outward through the passages 28.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the seal stem 43 comprises a stem head 72, which is an enlarge portion of the seal stem 43. The seal stem 43 is received in a central opening 74 provided in the valve 60. The central opening 74 has a smaller diameter than the seal stem 43, such that the seal stem 43 is squeezed when in the central opening 74. As a result of such portion of the seal stem 43 being squeezed, the resilience of the seal stem material pushes outwards against the inner wall of the central opening 74 and thus holds the valve 60 in place on such portion of the stem by friction. In addition, the stem head 72 has an enlargement immediately below the central opening 74 to prevent the valve 60 from disconnecting with the seal stem 43.

Since the seal stem 43 is made of resilient elastomeric material, it is possible to, by using sufficient force or by squeezing the stem head 72, force the stem head 72 through the stem opening 74 to disengage the valve 60 from the seal 40. The valve 60 may therefore be manually removed, for example to facilitate cleaning of the valve 60 and of the portions of the cap 10 normally obstructed by the valve 60. To replace the valve 60 after it was disconnected from the seal stem 43, the stem head 72 must be forced back through the central opening 74. To this end, as best shown in FIG. 6, the stem head 72 may be dimensioned with a thinner lower portion 73 which can easily fit through the stem opening 74 and which has a stub 75 for facilitating grasping of the stem head 72 for pulling the stem head 72 through the central opening 74.

The seal stem 43 may have a length when relaxed that is shorter than the distance required to connect the depressible portion of the seal to the valve when the seal is in the first position and the valve is in the closed position. As such, the elastomeric material of seal stem 43 may be stretched when the valve 60 is in the closed position such that a pretension is caused whereby the resilience of the elastomeric material of the seal 40 pulls the valve head 62 upwards against the valve seat 66 to hold the valve in the closed position and maintain a good seal and prevent passage of liquid in the passages 28. In other words, when the seal 40 is in the first position and the valve 60 is in the closed position, the elastomeric material of the seal 40 is forced to deform and the resilience of the elastomeric material of the seal 40 resists this deformation and pulls the valve upwards and holds it in the closed position. The deformation described here is stretching of the seal stem 43 although another deformation such as a morph in the depressible portion 42 of the seal 40.

It should be understood that although in this embodiment the seal stem 43 is integral with the remainder of the seal 40, in other embodiments the seal stem 43 may be made separately from the remainder of the seal 40 and connected thereto by any suitable means such as gluing or overmolding.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the cylindrical section 64 projects upwardly from the top of the valve head 62, encircling the seal stem 43. The cylindrical section 64 projects up to an upper end 51 that reaches the bottom wall of the depressible portion of the seal. The bottom wall of the depressible portion 42 defines an abutting surface 49 against which the upper end of the cylindrical section 64 abuts. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the abutting surface 49 may be located under a thickening 45 of the bottom wall of the depressible portion 42 where from the seal stem 43 projects downwardly. The abutting surface 49 forms a shoulder around the seal stem 43, against which the upper end 51 of the cylindrical section 64 abuts.

The cylindrical section 64 may be made of harder material than the seal stem 43 and may help maintain the position of the valve head 62 relative to the seal stem 43 and/or the depressible portion 42 of the seal 40. In particular, in the example shown here, the seal stem 43 maintains the valve head 62 held against the valve seat 66 when the valve 60 is in the close position by tensional forces from the resilience of the elastomeric material, while the cylindrical section 64 prevents the valve head 62 from moving upwards towards the valve seat 66 when the valve 60 is in the open position. Here, the cylindrical section 64 is made of the same hard plastic used in the valve head 62. When a user applies pressure on the depressible portion 42 to move the depressible portion downwardly, the depressible portion 42 presses down upon the upper end 51 of the cylindrical section 64 at the abutting surface 49 which pushes the cylindrical section 64 downwards. Since the cylindrical section 64 is made of hard materials, the cylindrical section 64 does not bend but moves downwards, consequently pushing the whole valve 60 downwards.

In other embodiments, the cylindrical section 64 may be absent, particularly if the seal stem 43 is made of a sufficiently hard material to push the valve 60 downwards or if gravity can be relied upon to counter any pressure differential that may hold the valve 60 up against the valve seat 66. In particular, the seal stem 43 may be made of a harder material than the rest of the seal 40, which and may be fused to the rest of the seal 40 by overmolding or by other means.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the valve 60 is in the closed position, the valve head 62 contacts the valve seat 66 and the seal 40 is in the first position wherein the flange portion 44 is below the depressible portion 42 and the external edge 48 of the flange portion 44 contacts the upper surface 20 of the base 14. In this configuration, the lower apertures 28 are sealed such that liquid cannot flow outwards from the interior of the container through passages 28. Furthermore, the upper apertures 24 are covered by the flange portion 44 of the seal 40 such as to obstruct the escape of liquid in passages 28 or on the upper surface 20 of the base 14 and to obstruct inward passage of contaminants into passages 28 or onto the upper surface 20 of the base 14.

When downward pressure is applied onto the depressible portion 42, for example by a finger of a user, the depressible portion 42 is moved down below the live hinge 54. The resilience in the material of the seal 40 causes the flange 44 to rise above the depressible portion 42 and thereby to uncover the upper apertures 24. Meanwhile, the valve head 62 is lowered into the container 12 in the manner described above and departs from the valve seat 66, freeing the lower apertures 26. As a result, passage of liquid from the interior of the container 12 outwards through the passages 28 is allowed as best shown in FIG. 5.

To return the cap 10 to the closed configuration, the flange 44 may be lowered by the application of a suitable force, for example by one or more fingers of a user pressing down upon it. The flange portion 44 is lowered below the live hinge 54 until its external edge 48 abuts against the upper surface 20 of the base 14 while the depressible portion 42 rises above the flange portion 44. The rising of the depressible portion 42 causes the seal stem 43 to move upwardly as well, pulling the valve head 62 up with it as it does. The valve head 62 eventually abuts the valve seat 66 where it comes to rest. At this point, the depressible portion 42 may not have come to a complete relaxed state, and the seal stem 43 may be stretched by the continued rising of the depressible portion 42 to hold the valve head 62 even more tightly against the valve seat 66. Alternatively, the depressible portion 42 may be forced to stop rising by the force of the valve head 62 abutting against the valve seat 66 before it has come to a relaxed state, in which case, due the resilience of the elastomeric material of the seal 40, the depressible portion 42 continues to exert an upward force on the seal stem 43 and the valve head 62.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the relatively simple operation of the cap 10 may be performed by the single hand of the user.

It will thus be appreciated that a cap 10 is provided that can be used in a beverage container such as a travel mug to selectively permit liquid from flowing outwards from the interior of the container or for blocking such liquid flow. As will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, the present cap 10 may be useful in a variety of other containers for consumable liquids and liquids in general. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storing consumable liquid, said cap comprising:

(a) a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, said base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and extending between said upper aperture and said lower aperture, said base further defining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis of said cap;

(b) a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising: (i) a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding said depressible portion for overlapping said upper aperture; (ii) a peripheral wall extending downwardly through said central aperture of said base, said peripheral wall having a lower end mounted to said base; and (iii) a seal stem extending downwardly from said depressible portion through said central aperture of said cap and along said central longitudinal axis; wherein said seal is movable between a first position, wherein said depressible portion is above said flange portion and said upper aperture is covered, and a second position, wherein said flange portion is above said depressible portion and said upper aperture is uncovered;

(c) a valve connected to said seal stem and movable between a closed position wherein said valve blocks said lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through said passage and an open position wherein said valve frees said lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through said passage;

wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on said depressible portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved downwardly such that said valve is moved into said open position and said seal is moved into said second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on said flange portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved upwardly such that said valve is moved into said closed position and said seal is moved into said first position.

2. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said peripheral wall of said seal has an upper end that joins said top section between said depressible portion and said flange portion.

3. A cap as defined in claim 2, wherein said upper end of said peripheral wall of said seal completely surrounds said depressible portion.

4. A cap as defined in claim 3, wherein said upper end of said peripheral wall of said seal comprises a live hinge.

5. A cap as defined in claim 1, further comprising an upper peripheral wall extending upwardly from said base and encircling said central longitudinal axis.

6. A cap as defined in claim 5, wherein said upper peripheral wall defines an inclined surface converging towards said upper surface of said base such that, when said cap is upright, liquid on said upper peripheral wall is urged downward towards said upper surface.

7. A cap as defined in claim 1, further comprising a lower peripheral wall encircling said longitudinal axis, said lower peripheral wall being adapted for affixing said cap to the container.

8. A cap as defined in claim 7, wherein said lower peripheral wall comprises threading for connecting with a threaded portion of the container.

9. A cap as defined in claim 8, wherein said lower peripheral wall extends downwardly from said base.

10. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said seal stem is encircled by said peripheral wall of said seal.

11. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said base has a ring encircling said central longitudinal axis and defining a valve seat.

12. A cap as defined in claim 11, wherein said valve comprises a valve head being held upwardly against said valve seat when said valve is in said closed position for blocking said lower aperture.

13. A cap as defined in claim 13, wherein said valve head comprises a ring of elastomeric material for abutting said valve seat when said valve is in said closed position.

14. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve comprises a section projecting upwardly for encircling said seal stem.

15. A cap as defined in claim 14, wherein seal depressible portion of said seal comprises a bottom wall defining an abutting surface and said section has an upper end abutting said abutting surface.

16. A cap as defined in claim 15, wherein when said seal is in said first position, applying downward pressure upon said depressible portion causes said section to move downwardly for causing said valve to move to said open position.

17. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve is removable.

18. A cap as defined in claim 17, wherein said valve comprises a central opening for receiving a portion of said seal stem, said seal stem comprising a deformable stem head that is wider than said central opening of said valve but can be forced through said central opening for disconnecting said valve from said seal stem.

19. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a central ring extending upwardly therefrom around said central aperture, said central ring having an outer peripheral wall, wherein when said flange portion of said seal is above said depressible portion, said flange portion extends over said upper aperture such that splashing of consumable liquid outwards through said upper aperture is blocked by said outer peripheral wall and said flange portion.

20. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said flange portion comprises an external edge, wherein when said depressible portion is above said flange portion, said external edge contacts said upper surface of said base radially outwards from said upper aperture.

21. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper aperture, lower aperture and passage are a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a first passage of respective pluralities of upper apertures, lower apertures and passages, and wherein each passage of said plurality of passages extend between a respective upper aperture an lower aperture from among the pluralities of upper apertures and lower apertures.

22. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said base comprises a central ring extending upwardly therefrom around said central aperture, said central ring having an inner peripheral wall and said peripheral wall of said seal is held against said inner peripheral wall such that no liquid can escape through said central aperture.

23. A cap as defined in claim 22, wherein said cap has an insert ring for holding said peripheral wall of said seal against said central ring.

24. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material is food grade silicone.

25. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material has a hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore.

26. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein the length of said seal stem when relaxed is shorter than a distance required to connect said depressible portion of said seal to said valve when said seal is in the first position and said valve is in the closed position such that said elastomeric material of said seal is stretched and the resilience of said elastomeric material causes a pretension to pull said valve upwards and holds it in the closed position.

27. A cap as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastomeric material has a resilience such that said seal remains in said first and second positions when no pressure of the user is applied on either of said depressible portion or said flange portion.

28. A cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storing consumable liquid, said cap comprising:

(a) a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, said base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and extending between said upper aperture and said lower aperture, said base further defining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis of said cap;

(b) a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising: (i) a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding said depressible portion for overlapping said upper aperture, said depressible portion having a bottom wall defining an abutting surface; (ii) a peripheral wall extending downwardly through said central aperture of said base, said peripheral wall having a lower end mounted to said base; and (iii) a seal stem extending downwardly from said depressible portion through said central aperture of said cap and along said central longitudinal axis; wherein said seal is movable between a first position, wherein said depressible portion is above said flange portion and said upper aperture is covered, and a second position, wherein said flange portion is above said depressible portion and said upper aperture is uncovered;

(c) a valve connected to said seal stem and movable between a closed position wherein said valve blocks said lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through said passage and an open position wherein said valve frees said lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through said passage, said valve comprising a section projecting upwardly for encircling said seal stem, said section having an upper end abutting said abutting surface;

wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on said depressible portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved downwardly such that said valve is moved into said open position and said seal is moved into said second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on said flange portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved upwardly such that said valve is moved into said closed position and said seal is moved into said first position.

29. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein when said seal is in said first position, applying downward pressure upon said depressible portion causes said section to move downwardly for causing said valve to move to said open position.

30. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein said flange portion comprises an external edge, wherein when said depressible portion is above said flange portion, said external edge contacts said upper surface of said base radially outwards from said upper aperture.

31. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein said upper aperture, lower aperture and passage are a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a first passage of respective pluralities of upper apertures, lower apertures and passages, and wherein each passage of said plurality of passages extend between a respective upper aperture an lower aperture from among the pluralities of upper apertures and lower apertures.

32. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein the length of said seal stem when relaxed is shorter than a distance required to connect said depressible portion of said seal to said valve when said seal is in the first position and said valve is in the closed position such that said elastomeric material of said seal is stretched and the resilience of said elastomeric material causes a pretension to pull said valve upwards and holds it in the closed position.

33. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein said elastomeric material has a resilience such that said seal remains in said first and second positions when no pressure of the user is applied on either of said depressible portion or said flange portion.

34. A cap as defined in claim 28, wherein said elastomeric material has a hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore.