With Valve Means Patents (Class 220/714)
  • Patent number: 11897674
    Abstract: A push-button locking cup lid and thermos cup, including a top lid provided with a water outlet, an inner plug provided with a steam outlet, and a double sealing valve structure mounted inside the top lid, which includes a button rod, a front spring, a rear spring, a spring mounting box fixed to the top lid, a water outlet valve rod and a steam outlet valve rod respectively configured to open or close the water outlet and the steam outlet, and respectively provided with a water sealing silicone and a steam sealing silicone; a middle part and an upper end of the button rod are respectively articulated with the top lid and the steam outlet valve rod; a slider switch is provided on a side wall of the top lid corresponding to the button rod; a blocker is provided on the slider switch to block the steam outlet valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Wei Huang
  • Patent number: 11717100
    Abstract: A water-blocking and air-enterable structure includes a cup lid disposed with a direct drinking mouth assembly and a drinking nozzle assembly. The direct drinking mouth assembly includes a direct drinking mouth flap, a direct drinking mouth plug and an air inlet plug. The cup lid is provided with a spout and a first air inlet. The drinking nozzle assembly includes a drinking nozzle flap, a drinking nozzle seat, a drinking nozzle and an air inlet valve. The cup lid is provided with a second air inlet plugged by the air inlet valve, and a lower end of the drinking nozzle is connected with the air inlet valve through a plastic strip. The structure adopts two drinking-modes of using the direct drinking mouth assembly and the drinking nozzle assembly both being integral structures, the problems of loss of components, difficult assembly, and assembly dislocation can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG FLY CUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Feipeng Hu
  • Patent number: 11259660
    Abstract: A non-spill drinking cup valve system (10) comprises a lid assembly (12) and a flexible valve member (14). The flexible valve member (14) is removably attachable to the lid assembly (12). The lid assembly (12) comprises a spout (16) having a drinking aperture (18) therein. The flexible valve member (14) comprises a protruding member (26) having a tip (52) and a drinking valve element (28) in the tip (52), which, in use, controls fluid flow into the spout (16) and out of the drinking aperture (18). The protruding member (26) and the spout (16) are of a complementary shape and, when the lid assembly (12) and the flexible valve member (14) are attached together, the protruding member (26) extends substantially into the spout (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Creative One Ltd.
    Inventor: Arnold Rees
  • Patent number: 11253090
    Abstract: A spill-proof cup includes a cup body, a cup lid disposed at the top of the cup body; a lid control device connected to the cup lid for opening or closing the cup lid; a top acceleration switch set disposed on the top of the cup body, and the top acceleration switch set including a first acceleration switch and a second acceleration switch; a bottom acceleration switch set disposed at the bottom of the cup body, and the bottom acceleration switch set including a first acceleration switch and a second acceleration switch; a controller connected to the first acceleration switches, the second acceleration switches and the lid control device, and configured to receive signals from the first and second acceleration switches, and control the lid control device according to the signal. A triggering threshold of the second acceleration switch is greater than that of the first acceleration switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 11092254
    Abstract: A self-sealing valve for an inflatable body such as a toy balloon is disclosed. The valve comprises a hollow tube element of an elastomeric material with a proximal end, a distal end, a cylindrical portion at the proximal end, a flat portion at the distal end having two flat sides, and a transition portion between the cylindrical portion and the flat portion. The cylindrical portion is open at the proximal end and the flat portion is closed at the distal end with an opening on at least one of its flat sides. The valve is inserted in an inflatable body with the flat and transition portions of the hollow tube element located inside the inflatable body and the cylindrical portion of the hollow tube element located at least partially inside the inlet portion of the inflatable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Jose Luis Rueda Calvet
  • Patent number: 10898017
    Abstract: An easily cleanable liquid container includes a straw having a pivotably mounted internal one-way spill preventing valve and a closable drinking spout with an overmolded drinking tip. The pivotably mounted internal one-way spill preventing valve is retained in a pivotable straw nut that is pivotably attached to a straw tube, which allows easy access to internal straw components for easier cleaning. The overmolded drinking tip and a wiper seal limit the number of cracks and crevices that may collect dirt or other contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: IGNITE USA, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Kalisz, Paul Baird, Chris Sweet
  • Patent number: 10835065
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a drinking vessel that can include a drinking container and a drinking attachment that is coupled to the container. A straw can be positioned through an opening in the drinking attachment. The straw can include a top end that includes an opening through which a user can withdraw liquid and a bottom end. A drinking valve can be positioned along the bottom end of the straw and can include a tube that is open on the top and closed on the bottom and further includes at least one flow-through opening connecting the inside of the valve to the outside of the straw. A suction tube can include a tube wall that can be slid over the valve to couple the straw to the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: MAPA GMBH
    Inventors: Jürgen Löhn, Ralf Holschumacher, Eckhard Itzek
  • Patent number: 10433665
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a leak resistance drinking cup is selectively configurable between a sealed position and an unsealed position. The valve assembly includes a plug having an inner surface, an outer surface, and an opening extending through the plug from the outer surface to the inner surface. An amount of vacuum acting on the outer surface of the plug needed to move the valve assembly from the sealed position to the unsealed position is less than the amount of internal pressure acting on the inner surface of the plug needed to move the valve assembly from the sealed position to the unsealed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Handi-Craft Company
    Inventors: Xiangwen Zhang, Douglas Hanneken
  • Patent number: 10414559
    Abstract: A device comprises a first portion including a first polymer, and a second portion that is relatively flexible in comparison to the first portion and includes a second polymer that is substantially not bondable to the first polymer. A chamber of the device is hermetically sealable with respect to ambient atmosphere and is defined by (i) an interior of the second portion, and/or (ii) a space formed between the first and second portions. A third portion of the device includes a third polymer that is bondable to the first and second polymers and fixedly secures the first and second portions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: DR. PY INSTITUTE LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Py
  • Patent number: 10300440
    Abstract: A beverage container may comprise a beverage container lid assembly comprising at least one concentrate well to hold a concentrate vessel, a concentrate vessel retainer for each concentrate well to secure the concentrate vessel in the concentrate well, a feed line for each concentrate well comprising a feed line needle to puncture the concentrate vessel in the at least one concentrate well, a Venturi mixer in fluid communication with each feed line, a mixing valve in fluid communication with each feed line, wherein fluid flows from the concentrate vessel to the Venturi mixer when the mixing valve is open and the concentrate vessel is punctured by the feed line needle. Methods of using the beverage container and beverage container lid assembly are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Flex Quench, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Mutschler, Lorie M. Mutschler, Mary Ann Orlando, Scott A. Jones, Vicki L. Jones
  • Patent number: 10252840
    Abstract: There is provided a lid assembly for a bottle, including a base attachable to said bottle over an mouth thereof, a main body rotatably connected to said base, a cover configured to extend over an open upper end of the main body, the cover including an opening extending therethrough, and a spout slidably held within said body and movable along a first axis between a retracted position in which the spout is located within the main body and an extended position in which the spout projects through said opening in the cover, wherein said opening in the cover is closed when the spout is in said retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: PURATAP PTY LTD
    Inventor: Nick Mebberson
  • Patent number: 10213034
    Abstract: A lid assembly includes a closure member and a valve assembly. The closure member has a socket in fluid communication with a liquid passageway. The socket has a wall with a cutout therein. The valve assembly includes a plug adapted for insertion into the socket to form a seal between the socket and the plug. The plug has a base, a side wall, and an interior chamber cooperatively defined by the base and the side wall. A portion of the side wall of the plug with a minimum thickness is disposed adjacent the cutout when the plug is inserted into the socket. The seal formed between the plug and socket is selectively moveable from a sealed configuration to an unsealed configuration by vacuum pressure being applied to the interior chamber of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Handi-Craft Company
    Inventors: Xiangwen Zhang, Douglas Hanneken
  • Patent number: 10165878
    Abstract: A non-spill container having a collar and seal assembly from which drinking can occur at any location around a rim of the collar and seal assembly. The collar has an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a sidewall. The open upper end is proximate to and includes the upper end of a side wall, an upper perimeter and a rim. The closed lower end has a projection extending upward therefrom and at least one passage disposed through the closed lower end to channel a fluid. The sidewall has a tapered shape that extends from the open upper end inward toward the closed lower end and has a support surface provided along an inner surface adjacent to the open upper end. The support surface has at least one radial protrusion is disposed radially adjacent to the support surface to define at least one channel. A fastener assembly is provided on an external wall of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MUNCHKIN, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin Douglas Johnson, Matthew Joseph Saxton
  • Patent number: 9889217
    Abstract: A device is provided for the decontamination of hollow objects with a cavity such as caps, including: (i) a first exposure apparatus including at least a UV radiation source and a reflector oriented toward the cavity of the positioned objects, able to produce a direct exposure to UV radiations of surfaces inside the cavity, (ii) a second exposure apparatus including at least a UV radiation source placed on the opposite side relative to the cavity of the positioned objects, the second exposure apparatus being able to expose surfaces inside the objects cavity to UV radiations by diffusion and/or transmission of UV radiations through the walls surrounding the objects cavity, and the first and second exposure apparatus cooperating for producing a global exposure to UV radiations of the surfaces inside the objects cavity. A method is also provided for the decontamination of hollow objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: CLARANOR
    Inventors: Janyce Franc, Eric Houde
  • Patent number: 9801481
    Abstract: A non-spill collar and valve assembly having a collar and a seal. The collar comprising an internal wall having a support surface and one or more passage therethrough. The internal wall having a frustoconical shape with an open upper end that extends downward and inwardly into a closed lower end with a projection extending outward therefrom and a fastener assembly provided opposite the internal wall. The internal wall further comprises a support surface provided along an inner surface of the open upper end having one or more protrusions disposed radially adjacent to the support surface defining one or more channels. One or more passages are disposed through the internal wall to channel a fluid at a desired flow rate. The seal has a first surface substantially similar to a shape of the internal wall is also provided. The seal has a blind bore recess on a lower surface for receiving and securing the projection therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin Douglas Johnson, Matthew Joseph Saxton
  • Patent number: 9510700
    Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. An initially blocked opening in a flexible material moves up along a protruding member until the opening is unblocked, so as to allow fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Admar International, Inc.
    Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
  • Patent number: 9504342
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a drinking cup includes an annular body, with a rim for drinking, mountable to a cup. A closure member, having apertures, is disposed within the body and extends across the cup. A sealing element, on an inner side of the closure member, and an actuator, on the opposite side of the closure member, are coupled to each other with the sealing element biased into a rest position in which it is urged against the inner side of the closure member to block the apertures and prevent liquid flow therethrough. The sealing element moves out of the rest position to allow liquid flow through the apertures when pressure sufficient to overcome the bias is applied to the actuator. The closure member includes a diaphragm that is integrally formed with a biasing member to bias the sealing element into the rest position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Young Ming Chan, Wai Ho Li
  • Patent number: 9307852
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser and dispensing valve are described, and wherein the dispensing valve includes a valve housing having a wall which defines an internal cavity, and wherein a passageway is formed through the wall of the valve housing; a valve control element is provided and which has a deformable sidewall which is placed within the valve housing in one of a plurality of possible configurations. At least a portion of the sidewall of the valve control element deforms when a vacuum is created in the internal cavity of the valve housing so as to facilitate the controllable delivery of a fluid into the valve housing. The sidewall of the valve control element has a variable thickness dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ZAK DESIGNS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeff Steininger
  • Patent number: 9295350
    Abstract: A lid of a beverage container includes a base portion, a spout framework extending from the base portion, a valve positioned at the end of the spout framework, and a soft spout overmold that leaves the valve exposed. The soft spout overmold is sealingly engaged with the base portion and spout framework to prevent leaking of the contents of a beverage container which may be coupled to the lid. The valve is in fluid communication with the contents of a beverage container which may be coupled to the lid. The valve may contain a slit and when deformed, the slit transforms into an opening to allow contents of an attached beverage container to flow out of the beverage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charlie Smith, David Shapiro, Domenic T. Gubitosi
  • Patent number: 9151398
    Abstract: A replaceable valve member for a sippy cup assembly is disclosed. The valve member is a flexible, resilient member for releasable mounting in the lid of the sippy cup. It includes a normally closed, but openable slit located within the sippy cup's spout when the valve member is in its operative position. The valve member includes another normally closed, but openable slit located at a vent in the sippy cup's lid when the valve member is in the operative position. The two slits open when suction is applied to the spout to enable liquid to be withdrawn through the spout. A recess is provided in a portion of the periphery of the valve member to preclude the trapping of residual liquid in the sippy cup. The valve member also includes an opening for releasably mounting it on a handle of the sippy cup in a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tervis Tumbler Company
    Inventor: Steve Wharton
  • Patent number: 9061802
    Abstract: A pourer comprises a pouring body and members for liquid interception disposed inside the pouring body to form a first pouring orifice and a second pouring orifice, which define first and second pouring areas respectively, wherein the first pouring area is larger than the second pouring area. The members for liquid interception include a first wall and a second wall arranged in offset positions in the longitudinal direction and projecting into the pouring body from the inner surface of the pouring body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Guala Closures S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Viale, Marco Giovannini
  • Patent number: 9010568
    Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly. When not in use, an opening in the flexible material rests against a blocking element, sealing off the opening against the flow of liquid. The closed position provides an extremely secure seal against fluid leakage, such that inadvertent spills, such as by turning the cup upside down, are ineffective. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against the flexible material, lifting the opening off of the blocking element, and unblocking that opening. When the opening is unblocked, liquid can flow freely through the valve and spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Admar International, Inc.
    Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
  • Publication number: 20150090714
    Abstract: A closure device for a fluid vessel can comprise a bistable valve arrangement which includes first and second valve rim portions and a valve member engageable with either of the rim portions respectively to define an open position in which fluid can exit the vessel and a closed position in which fluid is substantially prevented from exiting the vessel The valve can be arranged to close automatically when an impulse is exerted against the valve member. This can occur for example when the vessel is knocked over and the fluid therein exerts pressure against the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Steven LE MASURIER, Stewart HUMPHREY, Darren PARSONS
  • Patent number: 8967412
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: James A Loging
  • Patent number: 8910810
    Abstract: According to a first embodiment, a feeding bottle comprises a vessel, collar, and nipple. The nipple comprises a base portion, a teat portion, an areola portion allowing movement of the teat portion towards and away from the base portion. According to a second embodiment, a feeding bottle comprises a vessel, collar, nipple and handle portion removeably secured to the vessel by the collar. The invention includes a flexible region or regions to provide a more natural feeding by closely mimicking the human breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Jackel International Limited
    Inventors: Arnold Rees, Ian Webb, Mark Armstrong, Tom Cotton
  • Patent number: 8907796
    Abstract: A valve and cap system for a beverage container including a button with at least one arm, a base element coupled with a beverage container and moveably coupled with the button, a top element, and a flexible seal valve with a slit. The flexible seal valve is coupled with the base element, and the at least one arm is coupled with the flexible seal valve to operatively open and close the slit in the flexible seal valve when the button is moved inwardly and outwardly respectively. The valve and cap system includes at least one electronic element situated in at least one compartment in the top element, and at least one sensor that senses one or more signals, to determine an amount of fluid a user of the beverage container should consume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: GWS Tahoe Blue LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Sweeney, Cory McCluskey, James William Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8870003
    Abstract: A container includes a body, a liner attached to the interior of the body, a lid dimensioned to attached to the top of the liner, and a perimeter seal attached to the lid. The lid includes a hole and the perimeter seal includes a region dimensioned to create a friction fit when disposed in the hole. Each of the body, the liner, and the lid may include a paper pulp coated with a biodegradable, organically derived, plastic resin. Methods of constructing the container are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Greater Good, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung K. Park
  • Patent number: 8844742
    Abstract: A drinking mouth portion pointing upward is provided on a plug body of a container main body having a sealed structure. A down-pointing beverage cylindrical member is built into the container main body and has a front edge side thereof communicated with the drinking mouth portion. Provided inside a fluid passage of the beverage cylindrical member is a valve movable in accordance with a pressure difference therein. The valve is not manually opened and closed, but reacts to a suction force in the fluid passage. An up-pointing cut-out section is provided on a lower edge of the beverage cylindrical member, thus allowing one to drink up a content fluid remaining in an inner bottom section. Therefore, a relatively small number of additional parts are needed to address the spewing of a content fluid and the occurrence of a residual liquid at the time of opening the drinking mouth portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Thermos K.K., Thermos L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mamoru Fujita, Shin Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8833598
    Abstract: Provided herein are protective spout covers adapted to couple to the universal dispensing spout of a food pouch, such as a baby food pouch. The protective spout covers may be formed from a flexible elastomer and may grip the spout securely via one or more gripping lips adapted to engage a corresponding groove on the universal spout. When so coupled, the protective spout cover may cushion the spout to protect the user's mouth and lips from injury. The protective spout cover also may include a food regulating valve that may control the flow of food from the pouch. The protective spout cover also may include a cap member to keep the protective spout cover clean when not in use, a gripping ring to facilitate use of the cap, and may have a size and durometer hardness sufficient to prevent the device from being a choking hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ChooMee, Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Hammi
  • Publication number: 20140252013
    Abstract: A drinking appliance for young children is provided. The appliance includes a cap having an upper side with a protrusion extending upwardly from the upper side defining a spout which terminates in a fluid outlet and a lower side having a retainer sleeve extending downwardly from the spout and adapted to retain a valve housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ryan Coyle, Justin Sirotin
  • Publication number: 20140252012
    Abstract: A replaceable valve member for a sippy cup assembly is disclosed. The valve member is a flexible, resilient member for releasable mounting in the lid of the sippy cup. It includes a normally closed, but openable slit located within the sippy cup's spout when the valve member is in its operative position. The valve member includes another normally closed, but openable slit located at a vent in the sippy cup's lid when the valve member is in the operative position. The two slits open when suction is applied to the spout to enable liquid to be withdrawn through the spout. A recess is provided in a portion of the periphery of the valve member to preclude the trapping of residual liquid in the sippy cup. The valve member also includes an opening for releasably mounting it on a handle of the sippy cup in a storage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: Steve Wharton
  • Publication number: 20140252014
    Abstract: A fluid container is disclosed for retaining and dispensing a fluid into the mouth of an individual. The fluid container comprises a deformable body and defining an exterior surface and an interior chamber. An output end has an output orifice for positioning the fluid exterior to the interior chamber. A valve engages the output orifice for controlling the fluid flowing through the output orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Relaj, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Bernstein, Rebecca Bernstein, David McDonald, Jonathan Marks
  • Patent number: 8827107
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Luv n' care, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
  • Patent number: 8807386
    Abstract: An accessory for a drinking vessel is disclosed as including a body (102) with a passageway allowing air or liquid to pass through, the body including a first wall (104a) and a second wall (104b) which are opposite to each other, and a valve (110) in the passageway, the valve (110) including a first valve member (110a) and a second valve member (110b), in which both the first and second valve members (110a, 110b) are integrally formed with the first and second walls, and each of the first and second valve members (110a, 110b) includes respectively a first surface (111a, 111c) and a second surface (111b, 111d) which are opposite to each other, in which the first surfaces of the first and second valve members face generally a first direction, and the second surfaces of the first and second valve members face generally a second direction which is opposite to the first direction, and the first valve member is deformable between a first configuration in which at least part of the second surface of the first valve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Great Fortune (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Chi Shing Lam
  • Patent number: 8763827
    Abstract: A novel baby nipple assembly for use with a flexible drink pouch, wherein the baby nipple assembly generally comprises a mount subassembly (sometimes hereinafter referred to as simply “the mount” or “the disk”) for attachment to the flexible drink pouch, and a nipple subassembly (sometimes hereinafter referred to as simply “the nipple”) for connection to the mount subassembly, wherein the mount subassembly comprises a relatively large flat element for adhesion to an outside surface of the flexible drink pouch, and the nipple subassembly comprises (i) means for connection to the mount subassembly, (ii) a sharp tube for extending through the mount subassembly and puncturing the side wall of the flexible drink pouch, and (iii) a soft nipple in fluid communication with the sharp tube, whereby a baby or young child can suckle on the nipple and receive the beverage from the flexible drink pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: William E. Cohn
  • Patent number: 8733568
    Abstract: A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
  • Patent number: 8733565
    Abstract: A nipple assembly is removably attachable to a baby bottle via a retainer ring and comprises a nipple having a flow aperture through one end, and a nipple flange structured to support the nipple. A flow control valve assembly is mounted to the nipple flange and extends inwardly from an inner surface of the nipple flange, the flow control valve assembly is structured to allow pressures to equilibrate between the inside and outside of the baby bottle, without allowing fluid to leak therethrough. A training cup spout assembly is removably attachable to a cup and comprises a spout having a spout channel extending therethrough. The spout channel has a dual valve assembly mounted therein to permit flow for drinking, as well as to prevent leakage of fluid from the cup. A flow control valve assembly may be mounted to the training cup spout assembly to permit pressure equilibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mikko Vault, LLC
    Inventor: Pruck Boonprasop
  • Patent number: 8734874
    Abstract: A beverage cup lid and a system and method incorporating such a lid is provided. The lid holds an individual serving dose of a beverage to be brewed. Hot water is poured into a chamber of the lid to brew the beverage. The brewed beverage is fed into an underlying cup through an outlet in the lid. The beverage can be consumed through an opening in the lid without removing the spent grounds contained in the lid, from which the beverage was brewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: UCAI Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Alfonso Ernesto Paolone
  • Patent number: 8727176
    Abstract: A lid assembly for a beverage container having a lid housing, a seal assembly and a trigger member. The seal assembly has one or more drink seals that engage a corresponding one or more drink apertures to close the drink apertures. The seal assembly is rotatedly connected to the lid housing and movable between a use position and a cleaning position for cleaning. The trigger member is connected to the lid housing and is capable of engaging the seal assembly in the use position, but not in the cleaning position. The trigger member is connected to the seal assembly such that the vent aperture is opened during a first portion of the operation of the trigger, and the drink apertures are opened during a second portion of the operation of the trigger so that the vent aperture is opened before the drink apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Ignite USA, LLC
    Inventors: Sami M. El-Saden, Daniel M. Wodka, Joe Y. Chiou
  • Patent number: 8727163
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a lid may include a valve chamber comprising a hollow chamber, a valve flap and a hinge. The hollow chamber may be defined by one or more sidewalls and have a first opening at a first longitudinal end and a second opening at an opposing, second longitudinal end. The valve flap may be positioned at least proximate to the second longitudinal end and have a shape and size substantially the same as a shape and size of the second opening. The hinge may couple the valve flap to a sidewall of the one or more sidewalls and may be sized and configured to enable the rotation of the valve flap from an open position to a substantially closed position. Container assemblies and methods of forming lids are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Joel Chrisman
  • Patent number: 8709518
    Abstract: A system for managing the fluid intake of a person is disclosed. The system consists of multiple containers of various volumes, a common lid configured to incorporate a flow control valve, multiple flow control valves having varying flow rates, a date indicator ring incorporated circumferentially on said containers, a content indicator disposed on said lid, a chiller insert, and an optional slip on handle. The user selects a container based on the fluid needs of a person and a flow control valve based on the drinking ability of the person. The user fills the container with a drinkable fluid, and indicates the nature of the contents with the content indicator and the date of filling with the date indicator ring. The chiller insert allows the user to cool the contents without the possibility of dilution as with standard ice cubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Inventor: Diane Young Jones
  • Patent number: 8701928
    Abstract: A spout for a spill-proof beverage container has a side wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface defining a discharge passage. A valve in the discharge passage includes two flanks formed integrally with the side wall and projecting from opposite sides of the inner surface of the spout. The front end faces of the flanks mate with one another along a slit that extends generally parallel to the longer axis of the spout. At least the front portions of the flanks are inclined away from the mouth of the spout such that pressure within the container acts to urge the flanks against one another so as to maintain the slit closed. Deformation of the side wall when the spout is held between the lips of a drinker acts to open the slit and create an opening between the flanks to allow the beverage to be discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Ilan Zadik Samson
  • Patent number: 8695841
    Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. An initially blocked opening in a flexible material moves up along a protruding member until the opening is unblocked, so as to allow fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Luv n' care, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nouri E. Hakim
  • Patent number: 8684201
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drinking apparatus including a vent system that removably connects to a drinking container. The vent system is used to create a variety of leak resistant drinking containers, such as toddler drinking cups, baby bottles, and other drinking containers. The vent system includes a substantially rigid disc portion and base portion, the base portion including base air vent channels merging into an integral one-way valve. The vent system provides passage for air from the exterior of the bottle to the interior of the bottle, but it does not allow liquid to exit the bottle via the vent system. An optional anti-bubble tube may be used with the vent system to provide for air entering the inverted container to reach an air pocket formed in the bottom portion of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Coralinda Trading Corporation
    Inventors: Amikam Berkovitch, Tamir Tirosh
  • Patent number: 8678228
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Zak Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Steininger
  • Publication number: 20140076907
    Abstract: Provided herein are protective spout covers adapted to couple to the universal dispensing spout of a food pouch, such as a baby food pouch. The disclosed protective spout covers may be formed from a flexible elastomer and may be configured to grip the spout securely via one or more gripping lips adapted to engage a corresponding groove on the universal spout. When so coupled, the protective spout cover may cushion the spout to protect the user's mouth and lips from injury. The protective spout cover also may include a food regulating valve that may be configured to control the flow of food from the pouch, for instance, to prevent accidental spills. Some embodiments also may include a cap member to keep the protective spout cover clean when not in use and a gripping ring to facilitate use of the cap. In various embodiments, the protective spout cover has a size and durometer sufficient to prevent the device from being a choking hazard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Choomee, Inc.
    Inventor: Julie Hammi
  • Patent number: 8672164
    Abstract: Drinking vessels have an elongated container body joined with a closure body having a dispensing orifice and a vent orifice, each in fluid-passing communication with the interior of the container body. A closure arm is rotatably mounted near one end of it and has at least two sealing members spaced from each other along the length of the closure arm, one of the sealing members opening and closing the vent opening while another of the sealing members opens and closes the vent opening while another of the sealing members opens and closes the dispensing orifice when the closure arm is rotated between its open and closed positions. At least the sealing member for the vent orifice has an elastomeric surface that sealingly engages a surface at the vent orifice when at the closed position. Elastic surfaces can instead or in addition be provided at the vent orifice surface or one or both opposing surfaces of the dispensing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: MEDport, LLC
    Inventor: Vanessa Honeyghan
  • Publication number: 20140069947
    Abstract: A lid of a beverage container includes a base portion, a spout framework extending from the base portion, a valve positioned at the end of the spout framework, and a soft spout overmold that leaves the valve exposed. The soft spout overmold is sealingly engaged with the base portion and spout framework to prevent leaking of the contents of a beverage container which may be coupled to the lid. The valve is in fluid communication with the contents of a beverage container which may be coupled to the lid. The valve may contain a slit and when deformed, the slit transforms into an opening to allow contents of an attached beverage container to flow out of the beverage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Charlie Smith, David Shapiro, Domenic T. Gubitosi
  • Patent number: 8668099
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a compact closure for containers with a neck and mouth, comprising a threaded pourer (14) which has a drip-stop lip (19) and a threaded cap (3) designed to screw-engage with the threaded pourer, the pourer body comprising a part which has a cross-section substantially in the form of an upside-down “U” and the drip-stop lip being formed on the substantially annular upper portion (18) of the part with a cross-section in the form of an upside-down “U”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Guala Closures Patents B.V.
    Inventor: Mauro Arecco
  • Patent number: 8657148
    Abstract: A container including a main body and a removable lid. The main body defines an interior cavity accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, and the main body has a rim about the opening. The removable lid secures to the rim of the main body to enclose the interior cavity. The removable lid includes an upper portion having a convex surface and comprises a soft, flexible material. The removable lid also includes a spout integrally molded with the upper portion and extending from the upper portion at an off-center location. The spout is shaped and sized to be received inside a child's mouth. The spout includes a wall and a flexible membrane supported by the wall. The membrane has a convex surface facing a distal end of the spout and forming a cavity within the distal end of the spout, and a valve configured to provide fluid communication between the interior cavity and the child's mouth when sufficient pressure is applied to the distal end of the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Learning Curve Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: John Krammes, James J. Britto