Patent Publication Number: US-9844285-B2

Title: Bottle caps with multi-position valves

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/086,014 filed Dec. 1, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application is related to bottle caps having multi-position valves for controlling fluid flow. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventional bottle caps have to be removed from a bottle to access the fluid in the bottle. Some bottle caps include straw or a valved conduit passing through the bottle cap so that fluid can be consumed without removing the cap from the bottle. Some bottle caps with a valved conduit can be adjusted to close the conduit so that liquid does not escape from the bottle when it is not in use. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of bottle caps with multi-position valves for regulating fluid flow from a bottle or other fluid container. Exemplary bottle caps can comprise a rigid body configured to be secured to an opening of a bottle, a multi-position valve coupled to the body for regulating fluid flow through the cap, and a lid coupled to the body that can cover the valve. The cap can be adjustable between at least a closed position, a selectively open position, and a fully open position. In the closed position, the lid covers the multi-position valve and fluid flow through the multi-position valve is prevented. In the selectively open position, the lid is uncovered from the multi-position valve and the multi-position valve is operable to open to allow fluid flow when a flexible portion of the multi-position valve is squeezed by a user and the multi-position valve is configured to remain closed to block fluid flow when the flexible portion is not engaged by a user. In the fully open position, the lid is uncovered from the multi-position valve and fluid can flow freely through the multi-position valve. 
     In the selectively open position, the multi-position valve can operable as a bite valve such that a user can selectively open the multi-position valve to allow fluid flow by biting on a flexible sheath portion of the multi-position valve. 
     In some embodiments, the multi-position valve comprises a flexible tube portion that is collapsed to prevent fluid flow in the closed position, and open to allow fluid flow in the selectively open position and the fully open position. The mechanism for collapsing the tube portion can vary in different embodiments. In some embodiments, the multi-position valve is pivotally coupled to the body of the cap and the multi-position valve is pivotable between folded down position when the cap is in the closed position and an unfolded position when the cap is in the selectively open position or the fully open position. In such embodiments, when the multi-position valve is in the folded down position, the flexible tube of the multi-position valve is bent, which cause the tube to collapsed and prevents fluid flow through the multi-position valve. In addition, in some embodiments, the flexible tube of the multi-position valve is also pinched between a first surface on the multi-position valve and a second surface on the body of the cap in the closed position. 
     In some embodiments, the multi-position valve comprises a rigid valve base having a fluid passage therethrough, a rigid annular collar adjustably mounted around an outer surface of the valve base, a flexible sheath mounted on the collar, and a rigid stem mounted to the valve base. The collar and the sheath can be axially adjustable relative to the valve base and stem to adjust the cap between the selectively open position and the fully open position. In the selectively open position, a head of the stem can seal against an inner surface of the sheath to block fluid flow from the fluid passage of the valve base through the sheath when the sheath is not engaged by a user, and an opening is formed between the head of the stem and the inner surface of the sheath when the sheath is squeezed (e.g., bitten) by a user. The stem can include a narrow neck portion between the head of the stem and the valve base, such that the opening is formed between the head of the stem and the inner surface of the sheath when the sheath is squeezed by the user around the neck portion of the stem. In the fully open position, the head of the stem is positioned within a portion of the sheath having an inner diameter that is greater that a diameter of the head of stem, such that fluid is allowed to flow freely through the sheath around the head of the stem. 
     In some embodiments, the cap further includes a slider that is horizontally slidable relative the body between a first position wherein the slider impinges on a vertical flexible tube of the multi-position valve to prevent fluid flow therethrough and a second position wherein the slider does not impinge the flexible tube such that fluid can flow through the tube. The motion of the lid relative to the body can control the motion of the slider between the first and second positions. The lid can be pivotable relative to the body about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position, wherein the pivotal position of the lid corresponds to the sliding position of the slider. The closed position of the lid can corresponds to the first position of the slider and an open position of the lid can corresponds to the second position of the slider. The lid can include a rounded surface that extends circumferentially around the pivot axis, such that the rounded surface varies in radial distance from the pivot axis as a function of circumferential position about the pivot axis. The slider can include a contact surface that engages with the rounded surface of the lid such that the position of the slider relative to the body is controlled by the radial distance from the pivot axis of the portion of the rounded surface that is in contact with the contact surface of the slider. In such embodiments, pivoting the lid from the open position toward the closed position causes the rounded surface of the lid to push the slider further from the pivot axis and further into the tube, and opening the lid releases the slider from the tube and allows fluid to flow through the tube. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed technology will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary bottle cap having a multi-position valve, shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 1  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 1  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 1  in a selectively open position wherein the valve can function as a bite valve to dispense fluid. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 1  in a fully open position wherein the fluid can freely flow through the valve. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 5  in the fully open position. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 5  in the fully open position. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottle view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are exploded perspective views of an exemplary multi-position valve. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of another exemplary bottle cap having a multi-position valve, shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 11  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 11  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 11  in the closed position. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 11  in a selectively open position wherein the valve can function as a bite valve to dispense fluid. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 11  in a fully open position wherein the fluid can freely flow through the valve. 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 16  in the fully open position. 
         FIG. 18  is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of another exemplary bottle cap. 
         FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 18  in a selectively open position. 
         FIG. 21  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 18  in a fully open position. 
         FIG. 22  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 18  in a closed position. 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view of another exemplary bottle cap having a multi-position valve, shown in a fully open position wherein the fluid can freely flow through the valve. 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the bottle cap of  FIG. 23  in the fully open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of bottle caps having multi-position valves. Disclosed valves allow for manual actuation of the cap and valve between three or more positions, including a closed position, a selectively open position where a user can obtain fluid through the valve by selectively actuating a bite valve, and a fully open position where the bite valve is disengaged to permit free flow of fluid through the valve. 
       FIGS. 1-5  show an exemplary bottle cap  2  with a multi-position valve in various operative positions.  FIGS. 1-3  show the cap  2  with valve  10  in a closed position,  FIG. 4  shows the valve in a selectively open position, and  FIGS. 5-7  show the valve in a fully open position. 
     The cap  2  comprises a rigid body  4  having a threaded lower opening  6  for attaching to an upper opening of a bottle, an optional handle  8 , an adjustable valve  10 , and a lid  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cap  2  further includes a flexible, collapsible tube  22  that extends from the base of the valve  10  to a lower fluid inlet  24  adapted to be coupled to a filter and/or a straw that extends down into a bottle to access fluid therein. The lower end of the tube  22  includes a seal  20  that seats within an annular collar  18  of the body, as is illustrated in the bottom view of  FIG. 8 . The cap  2  can also include an air vent and umbrella valve  26  in the body  4  that allows air to enter a bottle through the cap but prevents fluid from escaping. The cap  2  can also include a gasket  28  above the threaded opening  6  to help seal the cap to a bottle to prevent leaks. 
     In the closed position of  FIGS. 1-3 , the valve  10  is tucked into a cavity  16  in the body  4  and the lid  12  is closed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tube  22  collapses in the closed position such that fluid flow through the tube is blocked. For example, the tube  22  can be pinched between a surface of the valve  10  and a surface of the body  4  to collapse the tube. In the closed position, the lid  12  covers the cavity  16  and the valve  10 . 
     To move from the closed position to the selectively open position shown in  FIG. 4 , the lid  12  can be moved downwardly and forwardly through an opening  14  in the body  4  of the cap to the position shown in  FIG. 4 . The lid  12  can include a hinge  36  at its upper rear end that is pivotably coupled to two arms  34  within the cavity on opposite sides of the valve  10  (see  FIGS. 3 and 7 ). The lower, opposite ends of the arms  34  can be pivotably coupled to a pivot joint  30  (see  FIGS. 2, 6, and 7 ) that is engaged with the body  4  on either side of the cavity  16 . Moving the lid  12  forwardly and downwardly from the closed position causes the hinge  36  at the top rear of the lid to pivot with the arms  34  about the axis of the pivot joint  30  to the position shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     This pivoting motion of the arms  34  and pivot joint  30  also causes a flange  31  coupled to the pivot joint  30  (see  FIGS. 2, 6, and 7 ), to push the valve  10 , causing the valve to pivot upwardly and forwardly out of the cavity  16  to the position shown in  FIG. 4 . The valve  10  can pivot relative to the body  4  about pivots  32  (see  FIGS. 3 and 7 ) on either side of the valve  10 . Thus, the opening motion of the lid  12  is tied directly to the pivoting motion of the valve  10 . To move back to the closed position of  FIGS. 1-3 , the hinge  36  of the lid  12  contacts the front side of the valve  10  and pushes the valve, causing the valve  10  to pivot about the pivots  32  back to the tucked down position shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed position, the underside of the lid  12  can push down on the valve  10  and keep it folded down with the tube  22  sealed. 
     In the position shown in  FIG. 4 , the valve  10  is in a selectively open position where it can act as a bite valve. In this position, the valve  10  is sealed until a user squeezes the valve, such as with their teeth, causing a seal at the upper end of the valve to open and allow fluid to flow out. From the selectively open position shown in  FIG. 4 , a portion of the valve  10  can be twisted to cause the valve to move to a fully open position, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , such that fluid is freely allowed to flow through the valve  10 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  are exploded views that illustrated the various components and features of the valve  10 . A flexible connector  40  includes the tube  22 , the lower seal  20 , the lower fluid inlet  24 , and an upper flange  42 . The flexible connector  40  can be made of a resiliently deformable material, such as rubber or other polymeric materials, which allows the tube  22  to collapse and re-open repeatedly. The upper end of the tube  22  extends through a rigid tube anchor  44  with the upper flange  42  extending around an upper rim  46  of the tube anchor. The tube anchor  44  can be positioned within an internal passage  54  of a rigid valve base  52  such that a lower flange  48  of the tube anchor  44  sits against or just below a lower surface of the valve base  52  and the upper flange  42  of the flexible connector  40  is held between the upper rim  46  of the tube anchor and an internal wall of the valve base  52 , thereby anchoring the flexible connector  40  to the valve base  52 . The upper flange  42  can also act as an O-ring to seal the interface between the flexible connector  40  and the valve base  52 . The tube anchor  44  can also include a lower ridge  50  that can protrude into the tube  22  in the closed position to help fully collapse the tube along with the lower flange  48  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The valve base  42  includes pivots  32 , or equivalent features, on opposite lateral sides that engage with the base  4  of the cap  2  and allow the valve  10  to pivot relative to the base. The valve base  42  also supports a rigid collar  62 , a rigid stem  72 , and a flexible sheath  82  that together form an adjustable bite valve. The collar  62  is adjustably mounted around an upper end of the valve base. The collar  62  includes a lower rim  64  that contacts a surface  56  on the valve base  52  in the selectively open position ( FIG. 4 ) and is spaced from the surface  56  in the fully open position ( FIG. 5 ). The collar  62  can have one or more internal guide pins  70  ( FIG. 10 ) that project radially into one or more corresponding helical grooves  60  in the valve base  52 . The engagement between the pins  70  and the grooves  60  causes the collar  62  to move axially relative to the valve base  52  as the collar and sheath  82  are manually rotated relative to the valve base. Twisting the collar  62  and sheath  82  in one direction causes the collar and sheath to move axially away from the valve base  52 , and twisting the collar and sheath the opposite direction causes the collar and sheath to move axially toward the valve base. The valve base  52  can also include an annular groove  58  that receives an O-ring to seal the interface between the collar and the valve base. 
     The rigid stem  72  includes a base  73  that inserts into the upper end of the valve base  52 , a neck  78 , and a head  80  that seals against the inside of the sheath  82 . The base  73  includes axially aligned grooves  74  that allow fluid to flow through the valve base and past the base  73  and into the sheath  82 . The base  73  can also include flanges  76  that contact the upper end of the valve base  52  to limit its insertion depth into the valve base. 
     The sheath  82  can be comprised of a resiliently flexible material that allows the sheath the repeatedly flex and return to its natural rounded shape as shown  FIGS. 9 and 10 . A lower internal surface  86  of the sheath  82  is mounted on an outer surface  66  of the collar such that the lower end of the sheath can abut the lower rim  64  of the collar. An upper rim  68  of the collar can engage with the internal groove  90  ( FIG. 10 ) of the sheath to provide sealing and to fix the sheath in position relative to the collar  62  such that the sheath and collar move axially and rotationally in unison. 
     In the selectively open position, the broad head  80  of the stem  72  seals against an outlet  88  of the sheath in its natural undeformed state to block fluid from exiting the valve  10 . However, a user can bite down on the sheath (or otherwise squeeze the sheath) just below the head  80  around the neck  78  to cause the outlet  88  of the sheath separate from the head  80  and form a passage for fluid to flow out of the valve  10 . 
     When the sheath  82  and collar  62  are twisted relative to the valve base  52 , the sheath and collar move axially away from the valve base to the fully open position. This causes the outlet  88  of the sheath to move axially above the head  80  of the stem  72  and causes a portion of the sheath with a larger inner diameter to move over the head  80  such that an annular space is formed between the head and the internal surface of the sheath. This creates an open flow path around the head and out through the outlet  88 . Fluid can then flow from a bottle, through a straw and/or filter (not shown), into the inlet  24  and through the tube  22  of the flexible connector  40 , through the internal passage  54  of the valve base  52 , through the axial grooves  74  in the stem base  73 , between the head  80  and the sheath  82 , and out through the outlet  88 . 
     In some embodiments, when the valve  10  is pivoted to the selectively open position or fully open position (see  FIG. 6 ), the flange  31  extending from the pivot joint  30  can become lodged under the lower flange  48  of the tube anchor  44  to lock the valve  10  in that position. This prevents the valve  10  from pivoting backward toward the closed position until the user moves the lid  12  upward and rearward, thereby causing the arms  34  and the flange  31  to pivot backward and releasing the flange  31  from below the flange  48 . 
     More information regarding bite valves and multi-position valves can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,305, issued on Mar. 21, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/927,865, filed on Jan. 15, 2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
       FIGS. 11-17  show another exemplary bottle cap  100  with a multi-position valve in various operative positions.  FIGS. 11-14  show the cap  100  with valve  110  in a closed position,  FIG. 15  shows the valve in a selectively open position, and  FIGS. 16-17  show the valve in a fully open position. 
     The cap  100  comprises a rigid body  104  having a threaded lower opening  106  for attaching to an upper opening of a bottle, an optional handle  108 , the adjustable valve  110 , and a lid  112 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cap  100  further includes a flexible, collapsible tube  128  that extends from the base of the valve  110  to a lower fluid inlet  126  adapted to be coupled to a filter and/or a straw that extends down into a bottle to access fluid therein. The lower end of the tube  128  includes a seal  124  that seats within an annular collar  122  of the body, as is illustrated in the bottom view of  FIG. 14 . The cap  100  can also include an air vent and umbrella valve  132  in the body  104  that allows air to enter a bottle through the cap but prevents fluid from escaping. The cap  100  can also include a gasket  130  above the threaded opening  106  to help seal the cap to a bottle to prevent leaks. 
     In the closed position of  FIGS. 11-14 , the valve  110  is tucked into a cavity  111  in the body  104  and the lid  112  is closed. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the tube  128  collapses in the closed position such that fluid flow through the tube is blocked. The tube  128  can be pinched between a surface of the valve  110  and a surface of the body  104  to collapse the tube. In the closed position, the lid  112  covers the cavity  111  and the valve  110 . 
     To move from the closed position to the selectively open position shown in  FIG. 15 , the lid  112  can be pivoted about a forward hinge  114  to the position shown in  FIGS. 15-17 , which allows the valve  110  to pivot to upwardly and forwardly out of the cavity  111  to the position shown in  FIG. 15 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the lid  112  can include a locking tab  120  at the end of the lid opposite from the hinge  114  that is configured to engage with a latch  118  of a release button  116  mounted in the rear of the body  104  when the lid is closed. When the locking tab  120  is engaged with the latch  118 , the lid  112  is held in the closed position and the lid holds the valve  110  in the folded down closed position shown in  FIG. 12 . To open the lid, a user can press the release button  116  to free the latch  118  from the locking tab  120 . Once unlocked, resilient forces from the valve  110  can urge the lid  112  open and cause the valve to pop up to the position of  FIG. 15 . 
     In some embodiments, the valve  110  can pivot relative to the body  104  about pivots (not shown) on either side of the valve  110 , which can be similar to the pivots  32  shown in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments, the valve  100  can simply hinge at the flexible tube  128 . 
     To move back to the closed position, the user can pivot the lid  112  back to the closed position, and the lid can contact the valve  110  can push the valve back into the cavity  111 . Alternatively, the user can manually push the valve  110  back into the cavity  111 , and then close the lid  112 . 
     In the position shown in  FIG. 15 , the valve  110  is in a selectively open position where it can act as a bite valve. In this position, the valve  110  is sealed until a user squeezes the valve, such as with their teeth, causing a seal at the upper end of the valve to open and allow fluid to flow out. From the selectively open position shown in  FIG. 15 , a portion of the valve  110  can be twisted to cause the valve to move to the fully open position shown in  FIGS. 16-17 , such that fluid is freely allowed to flow through the valve  110 . 
     The valve  110  can be constructed similarly to the valve  10  and can function similarly to the valve  10 . A flanged upper end  134  of the flexible tube  128  is anchored to a rigid valve base  138  via a rigid tube anchor  136 . The tube  128  extends through the tube anchor  136  with the upper flange  134  extending around an upper rim of the tube anchor. The tube anchor  136  can be positioned within an internal passage of the valve base  138  such that a lower flange of the tube anchor sits against or just below a lower surface of the valve base and the upper flange of the tube is held between the upper rim of the tube anchor and an internal wall of the valve base, thereby anchoring and sealing the flexible tube to the valve base. The tube anchor  138  can also include a lower projection that can protrude into the tube  128  in the closed position to help fully collapse the tube (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     The valve base  138  supports a rigid collar  140 , a rigid stem  150 , and a flexible sheath  146  that together form an adjustable bite valve. The collar  140  is adjustably mounted around an upper end of the valve base. The collar  140  can have one or more internal guide pins (similar to guide pins  70 ) that project radially into one or more corresponding helical grooves  144  in the valve base  138  (similar to grooves  60 ). The engagement between the guide pins and the grooves causes the collar to move axially relative to the valve base as the collar and sheath are manually rotated relative to the valve base. Twisting the collar and sheath in one direction causes the collar and sheath to move axially away from the valve base, and twisting the collar and sheath the opposite direction causes the collar and sheath to move axially toward the valve base. The valve base can also include an annular groove that receives an O-ring  142  ( FIG. 12 ) to seal the interface between the collar and the valve base. 
     The rigid stem  150  is inserted into the upper end of the valve base  140 . The stem  150  can include axially aligned grooves (similar to grooves  74 ) that allow fluid to flow through the valve base  138  and past the stem and into the sheath  146 . The stem  150  can also include flanges  152  that contact the upper end of the valve base  138  to limit its insertion depth into the valve base. 
     The sheath  146  can be comprised of a resiliently flexible material that allows the sheath the repeatedly flex and return to its natural rounded shape. An internal surface of the sheath  146  is mounted on an outer surface of the collar  140 . An upper rim  148  of the collar can engage with the internal groove in the sheath to provide sealing and to fix the sheath in position relative to the collar such that the sheath and collar move axially and rotationally in unison. 
     In the selectively open position ( FIG. 15 ), the broad head  156  of the stem  150  seals against an outlet  160  of the sheath in its natural undeformed state to block fluid from exiting the valve  110 . However, a user can bite down on the sheath (or otherwise squeeze the sheath) just below the head  156  around the neck  154  of the stem to cause the outlet  160  of the sheath separate from the head  156  and form a passage for fluid to flow out of the valve  10 . 
     When the sheath  146  and collar  140  are twisted relative to the valve base  138 , the sheath and collar move axially away from the valve base to the fully open position. This causes the outlet  160  of the sheath to move axially above the head  156  and causes a portion of the sheath with a larger inner diameter to move over the head such that an annular space is formed between the head and the internal surface of the sheath. This creates an open flow path around the head and out through the outlet  160 . Fluid can then flow into the inlet  126 , through the tube  128 , through the internal passage of the valve base  138 , through axial grooves in the stem  150 , between the head  156  and the sheath  160 , and out through the outlet  160 . 
       FIGS. 18-22  show another exemplary bottle cap  200  with a multi-position valve in various operative positions.  FIGS. 18-22  shows most of the cap  200  in cross-section, but with an internal stem  212  shown not in cross-section.  FIG. 19  is an exploded view.  FIGS. 18 and 22  show a closed position,  FIG. 21  shows a fully open position, and  FIG. 20  shows a selectively open position. 
     The cap  200  includes a base  204  having a lower threaded opening  206  for securing to a bottle, the stem  212 , a knob  214 , a sheath  216 , and a collar  218 . The stem  212  and the sheath  216  cooperate to form an adjustable bite valve  210 . In the fully open or selectively open positions (see  FIGS. 20 and 21 ), fluid can flow in through a lower inlet  220  in the base, through a lower opening  222  in the stem, through an internal passage through the stem, out of the stem through radial openings  224  into the sheath  216 , around the head  232  of the stem, and out through upper outlet  234  of the sheath. The lower inlet  220  can be coupled to a straw, filter, and/or other objects. 
     The stem  212  is movable vertically by rotating the knob  214 . The knob  214  is held to the base  204  by the collar  218 , which restricts the knob from moving vertically or laterally. The collar  218  includes an inner rim  252  to overlies out outer rim  250  of the knob  214 , and the collar also includes a lower rim  254  that is inserted in an annular groove  256  of the base to fix the collar to the base while allowing the knob to rotate about a vertical axis of the cap. A lower rim  258  of the knob  214  is positioned in a recess  260  of the base  204 , and the interface therebetween can be sealed by an O-ring  264 , as shown in  FIGS. 20-22 . The knob  214  also includes an annular inner wall  226  that covers the radial openings  224  of the stem in the closed position to block fluid flow. The sheath  216  includes a lower flange  268  that is mounted in an annular recess  266  ( FIG. 19 ) surrounding the inner wall  226 , such that the sheath  216  rotates along with the knob  214 . 
     The stem  212  includes one or more radially extending pins  240  that are engaged in one or more corresponding helical grooves  244  on the inner surface of the knob  214 . The stem  212  also includes one or more radially extending pins  242  that are engaged in one or more corresponding vertical grooves  246  in the inner surface of the base  204 . These pin-and-groove interfaces cause the stem  212  to move vertically, but not rotationally, when the knob  214  is rotated. Rotation of the knob  214  in one direction causes the helical grooves  244  to push the pins  240  and the rest of the stem upwardly, while the vertical grooves  246  restricts the pins  242  and the rest of the stem from rotating along with the knob. Rotation of the knob  214  in the opposite direction causes the helical grooves  244  to push the pins  240  and the rest of the stem downwardly, while the vertical grooves  246  restricts the pins  242  and the rest of the stem from rotating along with the knob. 
     When the stem  212  is adjusted to a lower position (e.g., the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 22 ), the lower end of the stem  222  can be close to or touching a lower wall  248  ( FIG. 19 ) of the base, which blocks further downward vertical motion of the stem. In the closed position, the radial openings  224  of the stem  212  are positioned below the top end of the annular inner wall  226  of the knob, and an disk-shaped upper wall  228  of the stem can seat sealingly within the inner wall  226  to block fluid flow from within the stem into the sheath  216 . In alternative embodiments, the upper wall  228  of the stem can be larger in diameter and can seat sealingly against the top of the inner wall  226  instead of inside of the inner wall. In some embodiments, a gasket or O-ring can be added to the inner wall  226  or the upper wall  228  to provide a better seal therebetween. 
     From the closed position, rotating the knob  214  causes the stem  212  to move up to the fully open position shown in  FIG. 21 . In this position, the upper wall  228  and radial openings  224  of the stem are positioned above the inner wall  226  of the knob  214  such that fluid can flow through the radially openings  224 , around the upper wall  228 , and into the open space within the sheath  216 . The head  232  of the stem is positioned below the upper outlet  234  of the sheath with a radial space between the head  232  and the surrounding walls of the sheath, such that fluid can freely flow around the head  232  and out through the outlet  234 . 
     From the open position, rotating the knob  214  further causes the stem  212  to move up to the selectively open position shown in  FIG. 20 . In this position, the upper wall  228  and radial openings  224  of the stem are positioned above the inner wall  226  of the knob  214  such that fluid can flow through the radially openings  224 , around the upper wall  228 , and into the open space within the sheath  216 . The head  232  of the stem is positioned sealingly within the upper outlet  234  of the sheath, such that the sheath and stem form a bite valve. In this position, squeezing the sheath (e.g., biting down on the sheath) around the neck  230  of the stem causes the sheath to distort and causes separation between the upper outlet of the sheath and the head  234  of the stem so that fluid can flow out of the sheath through the upper outlet  234 . 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  show another exemplary bottle cap  300  with a multi-position valve in various operative positions.  FIGS. 23 and 24  show the cap  300  in a fully open position. The cap  300  can also be adjusted to a selectively open bite valve position (not shown) by twisting the sheath  360  and collar  344 , and placed in a closed position by closing the cap  312  (not shown). 
     The cap  300  comprises a rigid body  304  having a threaded lower opening  306  for attaching to an upper opening of a bottle, an optional handle  308 , the adjustable valve  310 , and a lid  312 . The cap  300  further includes a flexible, collapsible tube  334  that extends from the base of the valve  310  to a lower fluid inlet  332  adapted to be coupled to a filter and/or a straw that extends down into a bottle to access fluid therein. The lower end of the tube  432  includes a seal  330  that seats within an annular collar  320  on the bottom of the body. The cap  300  can also include an air vent and umbrella valve  322  in the body  304  that allows air to enter a bottle through the cap but prevents fluid from escaping. 
     The adjustable valve  310  includes a rigid valve base  340  having a lower portion  342  mounted in an annular upper collar  341  of the body  304 , a rigid collar  344  adjustably mounted on the upper end of the valve base  340 , a rigid stem  350  mounted in the upper end of the valve base, and a flexible sheath  360  mounted on the collar and around the stem, which together form an adjustable bite valve that is similar in structure and function to the adjustable bite valves of the valves  10 ,  110 , and  210 . The lower portion  342  of the valve base  340  can be coupled to a flanged upper end  336  of the tube via a tube anchor  338  that mounts fittingly inside a recess in the lower portion  342  of the valve base to create a seal between the tube  334  and the valve base  340 . 
     From the fully open position shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the sheath  360  and collar  344  can be twisted relative to the valve base  340  to adjust the valve  310  to a selectively open position wherein the outlet  362  of the sheath  360  seals around the head of the stem  350  until a user squeeze the sheath, such as with their teeth, to open the valve and allow fluid flow. 
     The cap  300  can also be adjusted to a closed position by pivoting the lid  312  relative to the body  304  about pivot axis  314  until a tab  313  on the lid engaged with a releasable locking mechanism  316  on the opposite side of the cap. The lid  312  forms a cavity large enough to cover the valve  310  in the closed position without contacting the valve or with minimal contact. In the closed position, a projection  384  on the inside of the lid can contact a stationary surface  384  of the body  304  to limit the pivoting motion of the lid in the closing direction. Thus, in this embodiment, the valve  310  does not pivot or fold down in order for the cap to move to the closed position, but instead the valve  310  remains projecting upright at all times, such as at the angle illustrated or at any other desired orientation. 
     As the lid  312  pivots toward the closed position, the lid causes a reciprocating slider  370  to slide laterally/forwardly relative to the body  304  toward the locking mechanism  316  such that a pinching surface  372  of the slider pushes into a sidewall of the tube  334  and collapses the tube between the pinching surface  372  and an opposing stationary surface  374  of the body  304  on the opposite side of the tube. The surface  372  and the surface  374  can be offset vertically from each other to cause the tube  334  to kink as it collapses to provide a better seal inside the tube. 
     A rear surface  376  of the slider  370  is in contact with a rounded surface of the lid that extends approximately between points  378 / 380 . This rounded surface of the lid increases in radial distance from the pivot axis  314  moving from point  378  toward point  380 . When the lid is fully open as shown, the point  378  contacts the surface  376  of the slider and allows the slider to move to its most rearwardly position, as shown, which corresponds to a position of the surface  372  that allows the tube  334  to be fully open and allow fluid flow. As the lid pivots about axis  314 , the radial distance from the axis  314  to the point that contacts the surface  376  increases, which drives the slider forward and causes the surface  372  to impinge into the tube  334 . As the lid reaches the closed position, the point  380  with the maximum radius is in contact with the surface  376  of the slider, such that the surface  374  fully impinges on the tube  334  and seals off the tube to prevent fluid flow. When the lid  312  is opened by pressing a release button on the locking mechanism  316 , the opposite process occurs to allow the slider  380  to move rearwardly and allow the tube  334  to open. In some embodiments, the resiliency of the tube can be sufficient to cause the slider to move back rearwardly, while in other embodiments, a spring or other biasing mechanism can be includes that biases the slider relative to the body  304  toward the rearward position shown. 
     Many of the features described in connection with particular embodiments disclosed herein can similarly be included in one or more of the other embodiments disclosed herein. Thus, any features disclosed herein should be construed to be applicable to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, or any other equivalent alterative embodiments not explicitly disclosed, unless not possible or explicitly described otherwise. 
     As used herein, the singular terms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “comprises” means “includes without limitation.” The term “coupled” means physically linked and does not exclude intermediate elements between the coupled elements. The term “and/or” means any one or more of the elements listed. Thus, the term “A and/or B” means “A”, “B” or “A and B.” 
     The disclosed embodiments are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Although articles and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in various alternative embodiments of the present technology, only certain suitable embodiments and equivalent features are described herein. 
     In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the scope of the disclosure is at least as broad as the following claims. Applicant therefore claims all that comes within the scope of these claims.