Diaphragm-type Member Patents (Class 220/203.18)
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Patent number: 12139307Abstract: A container that stores and dispenses a fluid agent container comprises a flexible body portion, a duckbill valve, and a cap. The flexible body portion defines an internal cavity; the internal cavity is configured to store the fluid agent therein; and an opening is defined in the body portion. The duckbill valve is coupled to the opening of the body portion, with the duckbill valve being configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration such that the duckbill valve prevents the flow of the fluid agent out of the internal cavity when the duckbill valve is in the closed configuration and permits the flow of the fluid agent out of the internal cavity when the duckbill valve is in the open configuration. The duckbill valve is prevented from being motivated into the open configuration when the cap is coupled to the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: RLM GROUP LTD.Inventor: Robert L. Murphy
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Patent number: 12017525Abstract: A fuel cap in accordance with the present disclosure includes a closure body and a valve unit integrated with the valve body. The closure body is adapted to engage a fill neck coupled to a fuel tank. The valve unit is configured to selectively vent excess pressure and/or vacuum developed in the fuel tank through the closure body to manage pressure in the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2022Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Stant USA Corp.Inventors: Michael S. Brock, Lowell R. Bell
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Patent number: 11814234Abstract: A snap-fit cooler box includes an outer shell, an inner shell, a plurality of inner snap-fit components, a plurality of outer snap-fit components, an insulating material and a cover. A closing end and an opening end are respectively formed on opposite sides of the outer shell; a container and a connecting flange are disposed on the inner shell. The inner snap-fit components are disposed between the closing end and the container, the outer snap-fit components are disposed between the opening end and the connecting flange. The inner and outer snap-fit components are used for allowing the inner shell to snap into the outer shell without using screws or nails. Therefore, the inner shell will not leak internal water to the exterior of the outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: MILAGROS INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Jerry Moon
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Patent number: 11470733Abstract: An assembly includes a housing which includes a plurality of walls defining an interior space. An electronic device is located within the interior space. At least one passage extends through a first wall of the plurality of walls. A membrane is located on an interior side of the first wall and fluidly separates the at least one passage from the interior space of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: Wojciech A. Makiej
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Patent number: 9386869Abstract: A cover device (2) for a drink container comprises a basic assembly (9) which is provided with a drink opening (32), and a valve arrangement (20) for blocking or unblocking a passage to the drink opening (32) from a drink container side of the cover device (2). The valve arrangement (20) comprises a valve element (26) having two portions (27, 28) which are connected to each other through an area of the valve element (26) at a position where the valve element (26) is hingably associated with the basic assembly (9), and wherein only one of the two portions (27, 28) is in direct communication with the drink opening (32) of the basic assembly (9), so that a smallest total moment of force may be realized on the one portion (28) when the valve element (26) is subjected to pressure from the drink container side of the cover device (2).Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILPS N.V.Inventors: Wiecher Ferdinand Kamping, Bastiaan Uitbeijerse, Peter Ronald Van Den Broek, Maarten Joannes Botman, Jacob Brinkert, Christoph Dobrusskin
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Patent number: 8967412Abstract: A drinking cup that has a lid with a receiving portion is provided. The receiving portion may have a flow control engagement surface. A flow control element that may be configured for releasable attachment with the lid may be included and can have an attachment portion. The attachment portion may have a lid engagement surface. When the flow control element and the lid are attached, the flow control engagement surface engages the lid engagement surface. At least one of the flow control engagement surface and the lid engagement surface may have a concave shape.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Inventor: James A Loging
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Patent number: 8827107Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against a valve near the spout, causing the valve to open and allowing the flow of liquid therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Luv n' care, Ltd.Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
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Patent number: 8784920Abstract: In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: St. Dalfour SASInventors: Jean-Francois M. Bardou, Roland Guezennec, Jean-Pierre Lhommond
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Patent number: 8678228Abstract: A liquid metering assembly is described and which includes a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a container cap defining a dispensing aperture and a vent aperture which is releasably affixed to the container; a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container cap, and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the dispensing aperture, and wherein the moveable diaphragm has a valve member; and a moveable liquid volume control member which cooperates with the moveable diaphragm, and wherein, when a predetermined suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, a user may withdraw a given volume of liquid from the beverage container.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Zak Designs, Inc.Inventor: Jeff Steininger
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Patent number: 8672162Abstract: A power tool that includes a reservoir that holds oil and a cap attached to the reservoir. The cap may include a cap body having a communicating path and a valve member covering the communicating path. The valve member may include an elastic part that has a projecting part, which projects from the elastic part and includes a slit. The elastic part and the projecting part being configured to deform to the inner surface side such that the slit of the projecting part opens if the pressure outside the reservoir becomes higher than the pressure inside the reservoir and a difference between the pressure inside the reservoir and the pressure outside the reservoir exceeds a predetermined value. The elastic part and the projecting part also being configured to deform to the outer side surface such that the slit of the projecting part opens if the pressure inside the reservoir becomes higher than the pressure outside the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Makita CorporationInventor: Katsumi Okouchi
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Patent number: 8657140Abstract: A filler cap for a fuel tank wherein, when a pressure increases in the fuel tank, the valve body moves upward so an upper peripheral edge part of the valve body may be contacted to a first surface of shoulder cylinder portion, thereby shutting down a connection between a second space of cylinder main body and a third space connected to atmosphere. When the pressure in the fuel tank exceeds a pressure for a deformation strength of the valve body, a central part of the valve body enters into the third space causing deformation to shorten the outer diameter thereof; in the peripheral part of the valve body a concave portion not contacted to a lower end of a third surface that forms the third space, and the second space and the third space are connected via a space of this concave portion to release excessive pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Inventors: Masashi Iwami, Masao Iwami
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Patent number: 8333299Abstract: A leak resistant drinking cup has a container with an open top and a lid assembly for removable attachment to the container for selectively closing the open top. The lid assembly includes a liquid discharge member for allowing liquid in the container to exit the cup. A closure member is adapted for placement adjacent the open top of the container when the lid assembly is attached to the container. A flexible diaphragm is moveable between a sealed position and an unsealed position. The diaphragm is moveable from the sealed position to the unsealed portion by a vacuum being applied to the diaphragm by a user sucking on the liquid discharge member. The vacuum causes the diaphragm to flex toward the container and at least in part away from the closure member and thereby move the diaphragm from the sealed position to the unsealed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Handi-Craft CompanyInventors: Bernard J. Kemper, Charles H. Miller
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Patent number: 8292109Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure compensation device for compensating pressure between an inner chamber of a housing, in particular an electric motor, gearbox, container or the like and an outer side. The device includes a pressure compensation membrane mounted on an annular end face of a cylindrical structure that extends toward the outer side. The cylindrical structure is provided with a ventilation channel that extends therethrough. The cylindrical structure extends towards the outer side in order to form a projection from the wall of the housing, which projection is delimited by the end face on which the membrane is applied in a curved, dome-shaped form. A protective cover extends towards the outer side at a spaced apart distance in relation to the membrane over the cylindrical structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Detlef Lauk, Norbert Wegner, Gerald Maier, Mario Huesges, Andreas Mueller, Regina Neigel
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Patent number: 8091730Abstract: A no-spill drinking vessel includes a cup, lid, spout and valve assembly. The valve assembly includes: a liquid-out valve with hinged flap, air vent check valve, air and liquid inlets, air and liquid outlets, and a mechanism for retention to the lid. The valve assembly is constructed from inexpensive molded elastomeric components. In usage mode these components cleave sealingly together by the resilient returning forces they exert on each other's complementary interlocked geometries. The fluid and air passageways, inlet and outlet port openings, mouthpiece channels and openings, and the interior volumes of the valve bodies are defined by spaces between the abutted elastomeric components. When manually separated into a cleaning configuration, the interior liquid-contacting surfaces become exposed, external surfaces for ready cleaning. The closure is baby-proof and small parts are tethered together.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Granola BeBe LLCInventors: Gwendolyn Huyen Keefe, Jeffery Laurence Harlan, John Joseph Keefe, III
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Patent number: 7909192Abstract: The invention is a vent for use with a container, such as commercial steel pails and drums, and a method for venting containers. The vent has a cap seal with one or more semipermeable membranes covering an orifice in the cap seal. The membrane prevents the passage of at least one atmospheric component, but allows the free passage of air. When a product is filled into the container at an elevated temperature and cools, a vacuum is formed within the container. The resulting vacuum opens a vacuum release device in the vent and pulls air through a hole in the cap seal, which is protected by a micro-porous membrane. The venting of air into the container relieves the vacuum without damage to the container or the product within the container.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Chemtura CorporationInventors: Robert J. Dempsey, Roland P. Weil, Geeta Govindan, Reine Smirz
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Patent number: 7874466Abstract: Packages for containing and dispensing consumer products comprise a push-pull closure connected to a bottle and having a dispensing opening covered by a slit valve. The combination of a push-pull closure and a slit valve results in a package that easily dispenses a liquid consumer product, while guarding against leakage of the consumer product from the package, especially during transportation and storage of the product, particularly when the package is a tottle package. The push-pull closure of the present package is simple to open and can also be easily closed with the use of only one hand, especially by pressing the closure against a flat surface, such as a shower wall or shelf.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Su Yon McConville, Henry Dianxi Ren, Nicholas Arthur Ruebusch, Alfredo Pagan
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Publication number: 20100294764Abstract: A leak resistant drinking cup has a container with an open top and a lid assembly for removable attachment to the container for selectively closing the open top. The lid assembly includes a liquid discharge member for allowing liquid in the container to exit the cup. A closure member is adapted for placement adjacent the open top of the container when the lid assembly is attached to the container. A flexible diaphragm is moveable between a sealed position and an unsealed position. The diaphragm is moveable from the sealed position to the unsealed portion by a vacuum being applied to the diaphragm by a user sucking on the liquid discharge member. The vacuum causes the diaphragm to flex toward the container and at least in part away from the closure member and thereby move the diaphragm from the sealed position to the unsealed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Handi-Craft CompanyInventors: Bernard J. Kemper, Charles H. Miller
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Publication number: 20100294765Abstract: A leak resistant drinking cup has a container for holding liquid and a lid assembly selectively attachable to the container. A diaphragm of the cup includes a liquid discharge member and a sealing member adapted for movement between a sealed position in which the sealing member blocks the flow of liquid from the container to the liquid discharge member, and an unsealed position in which liquid is permitted to flow from the container to the liquid discharge member. The liquid discharge member and sealing member are formed as one-piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Handi-Craft CompanyInventors: Bernard J. Kemper, Charles H. Miller
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Patent number: 7798360Abstract: A seal system usable to seal containers and other fluid components to allow fluid flow through the seal system in a first direction yet prevent fluid flow through the seal system in an opposite direction. The seal system is particularly useful for facilitating insertion of a tube, such as a straw, into a container to withdraw fluids yet prevent fluids from leaking from a container once the straw has been withdrawn. The seal system may be formed from a flange having an opening and attached to the opening of the container, and a tubular body extending from the flange into the container. The tubular body may be formed from a transition section attached to the flange and extending generally away from the flange, and a collapsed seal section attached to the transition section and extending from the transition section away from the flange.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Inventor: Tyrone J. Roberts
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Patent number: 7681750Abstract: The invention relates to a closure for a container that holds a free-flowing product. The container is characterized by the following: a fixed lower part which can be fastened to a container neck that surrounds a container opening in order to seal said neck; a cover comprising a protruding connecting piece that forms a passage for the free-flowing product; a displaceable upper part which can be coaxially displaced on the lower part in and against the direction of the container between an outer resting position and an inner actuating position; a breaker or dish-shaped diaphragm valve which has a base consisting at least of a flexible elastic material and whose upper edge seals the underside of the upper part; perforations in the base of the diaphragm valve which are closed in the testing position of the upper part; and a diameter of the base that is greater than the inner cross section of the connecting piece.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Seaquist-Löffler Kunststoffwerk GmbHInventor: Gerhard Franz Karl Jäckel
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Publication number: 20080016821Abstract: An apparatus includes a holder; a first motor operatively secured to holder; a transporting assembly including a second motor and a slide; a heating unit; a controller; and a housing for enclosing the transporting assembly and the heating unit; A thermally contractible film is put on a closed cryovial containing biological specimens. The cryovial is secured to the holder such that activating the second motor to move the first motor and the holder from an original position to a heating position, stopping the second motor and activating the first motor to turn the holder about a length axis of the cryovial, activating the heating unit to heat the thermally contractible film and contracting same onto the cryovial, and activating the second motor again to move the first motor and the holder from the heating position to the original position will produce a sealed cryovial.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2006Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventor: Kun-Chuan Huang
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Patent number: 7243814Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against a valve member near the spout having an opening therein, causing the valve member and opening to move off of a protruding member, thereby unblocking the opening in the valve. When the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout. When not in use, the valve sits in a resting, closed position, with the opening in the valve sitting on a protruding member and pressed against the protruding member's base, sealing off the opening in the valve assembly. The closed position provides an extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills or even deliberate attempts to force liquid outside of the cup, such as by turning the cup upside down, or shaking the cup, are ineffective.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
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Patent number: 7204386Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against a valve near the spout, causing the valve to invert which unblocks an opening in the valve. When the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout. When not in use, the valve sits in a resting, closed position, with the valve pressed against a center seal-off, sealing off the opening in the valve assembly. The closed position provides an extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills or even deliberate attempts to force liquid outside of the cup, such as by turning the cup upside down, or shaking the cup, are ineffective. The cup assembly further allows liquid flow to be regulated between regular or maximum flow and minimal flow levels or rates by rotating the position of the valve assembly in the cover of the cup.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
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Patent number: 7163113Abstract: A member that positions a vent disc in an end of a container is provided. The member has at least one projection extending from the vent disc virtually solely for positioning the vent disc in its secured position in the end of a container. The at least one projection is located in the center portion of the vent disc and can be one projection, which extends from the vent disc at the center point of the vent disc. The projection can be of a geometrical shape that facilitates gripping and the handling of the vent disc, including rectangular, ellipsoidal or cylindrical shapes.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.Inventors: Francis X. Manganiello, Charles John Renz, Joshua S. Lieberman
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Publication number: 20040222224Abstract: The invention includes aseptic packages and methods and systems allowing aseptic filling on a conventional filling line, with relatively small and inexpensive equipment modifications. The invention allows avoidance of the conventional need to encase all or part of the filling equipment in a sterile air atmosphere. The invention includes a package, fitted with a flexible membrane, which can trap and carry its own sterility through the filling steps, whereby the membrane finally becomes part of the cap of the package. The invention reduces product risk, operator specialisation and the costs of aseptic filling.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventor: George Plester
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Patent number: 6786352Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Inventor: Domenic Belcastro
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Patent number: 6776301Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Sonoco Development, Inc.Inventors: Birgitt Torres-White, David E. McKnight, Jon Trollen
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Patent number: 6702136Abstract: The present invention is an improved reservoir cap for a braking fluid reservoir including a cylindrical skirt for surrounding an opening of the reservoir body, a disc portion having a hard stop formed unitarily with the cylindrical skirt for closing the reservoir fill opening, and a plurality of teeth formed unitarily about the hard stop for securing an elastic member. The elastic member is disposed about the teeth of the reservoir cap and secured thereto. The elastic member defines ridges disposed circumferentially about its center. Between the ridges and the center of the elastic member is a channel, which in turn defines a pair of openings which permit the flow of excess fluid through the elastic member, thereby reducing the possibility of fluid overflow, and thus preventing excess brake fluid from permeating the reservoir cap and leaking into the engine compartment of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.Inventors: Miguel Saygan, Jim Tottingham, Dennis Downen, Dale May
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Patent number: 6626311Abstract: A vented closure, for preventing deformation of a container containing a gas evolving liquid, is provided. The closure includes a first closure member and a second closure member. The first closure member seals the container from the outside atmosphere and defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable membrane is placed in the gas flow passage. The second closure member is moveably fitted on the first closure member and encases the first closure member with a small clearance fit that allows gas passage. A sealing element coupled to the second closure member is aligned with the gas outlet of the first member so as to block gas flow when a predetermined load is applied to the second closure member and allow gas flow when the predetermined load is absent.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: The Clorox CompanyInventors: W. K. Mainquist, John F. Breznock
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Publication number: 20030146216Abstract: A cap with a way-one valve solves two distinct problems in the field of packaging materials that emit gasses, providing both a means to prevent a package from deforming under pressure built up inside the package, and a means to reseal the package. The cap comprises an inner wall extending downwardly from an inner portion of the top wall to define a cavity. An insert valve is mounted within the cavity, forming a seal with the inside wall. The upper surface of the insert valve, inner wall, and the top wall define a chamber with a gas escape path. A septum is disposed within the chamber, the septum seated on the insert valve and sealing one or more apertures in the insert valve. The septum is capable of at least partially unseating in response to force exerted by increased gas pressure acting through the apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Birgitt Torres-White, David E. McKnight, Jon Trollen
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Patent number: 6269968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 18, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Niko Products, Inc.Inventor: Domenic Belcastro