Patent ID: 7575126
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: A47G,F16K

Abstract:
1. A leak resistant drinking cup comprising a container having an interior space sized and shaped for receiving and holding a quantity of liquid for drinking, said container having an open top, a lid assembly adapted for removable attachment to the container for closing the open top, said lid assembly having a rigid spout for drinking liquid from said cup, a flexible diaphragm seal adapted to be disposed between the lid assembly and at least a portion of the interior space the container for selectively blocking the flow of liquid from the interior space of the container to the spout, and a retainer adapted for use in mounting the diaphragm seal on the container, the diaphragm seal having a circumference and a peripheral edge margin extending about the circumference of the seal, the lid assembly and the seal being configured such that upon assembly of the lid assembly, the seal and the container, a circumferential portion of the peripheral edge margin of the seal is flexible between a closed position in which said circumferential portion of the peripheral edge margin blocks the flow of liquid from the interior space of the container to the spout, and an open position in which liquid is permitted to flow over said circumferential portion of the peripheral edge margin for subsequent flow to the spout, another circumferential portion of the peripheral edge margin of the seal being retained against movement to said open position, the leak resistant drinking cup further comprising an air passage adapted to extend from the interior space of the container to a location exterior of the container for permitting air flow into the container to relieve vacuum pressure in the container, the diaphragm seal being arranged to block communication of the air passage with the interior of the container, but being flexible to unblock the passage upon detection of vacuum pressure in the container, the retainer having an air passage defined therein for communication of air from the exterior to the interior of the container, the diaphragm seal being adapted to releasably seal with the retainer to block communication of the air passage with the interior of the container, the diaphragm seal being adapted to resiliently flex upon detection of vacuum pressure in the container to unblock the air passage and permit air to flow through the air passage to the interior of the container.