Patent 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.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/313,504, filed Mar. 12, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present invention generally relates to drinking vessels for containing and dispensing its contents such as beverages. More particularly, this invention relates to drinking vessels having an improved structure that includes an opening for dispensing the contents from the drinking vessel and has an additional opening for venting air into the drinking vessel. The structure further includes a closure for sealing both openings and a fluid flow interrupter for mixing the beverage in the vessel. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     There are numerous portable drinking vessels which are commonly sold and used for the containment of beverages such as water, juice, soft drinks or shakes. Typically, such containers have a lid which covers an opening through which the vessel is filled. The lid often includes an opening for dispensing the contents from the vessel. However, it is desirable for the vessels to also include a vent opening in order to equalize the internal air pressure of the container and thus, allow the user to more easily withdraw the beverage from container. Without establishing such equilibrium, the vacuum created within the container makes it more difficult to generate the flow of the contents out of the vessel. The addition of a vent opening allows air to pass in and out of the drinking vessel and equalizes air pressure during extraction of its contents through the dispensing opening. Therefore, drinking vessels often require a vent opening in order to operate efficiently; however, when not in use, the dispensing opening and vent opening must be sealed to prevent undesirable spilling or leakage of the contents from the vessel which is undesirable to the user or consumer. 
     Various closure means have been implemented for these drinking vessels but such approaches have had certain shortcomings which prevent them from achieving a totally satisfactory solution. Often, such closure means do not always provide a fluid-tight closure of the openings and therefore provide an avenue by which the contents can escape unintentionally from the drinking vessel. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a drinking vessel with a closure that creates a fluid-tight seal with the vent opening. 
     In addition, problems arise with current drinking vessels when the beverage begins to settle toward the bottom of the drinking vessel. Upon settling, the beverage, such as orange juice, within the drinking vessel is no longer properly mixed to the user&#39;s taste preferences. In other instances, powders or the like are blended into a liquid carrier while both are within the drinking vessel itself. It would be desirable to provide a portable drinking vessel that allows the user to have the capability of remixing or initially stirring the contents within the drinking vessel without the need to remove the contents from the container body or mix them prior to entry into the container. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a drinking vessel is provided which includes an elongated container body defining an interior cavity with an open end. The vessel further includes a generally cylindrical closure body selectively engageable over the open end of the container body. The closure body includes a lid component and a closure arm. The lid component includes a wall having a dispensing orifice and a vent orifice. Each of these orifices is in fluid-passing communication with the interior cavity of the container body. The closure arm is pivotally connected to the wall of the lid component at a location proximate the vent orifice and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The closure arm includes a first sealing member positioned for engaging the vent orifice when in the closed position and a second sealing member positioned for engaging the dispensing orifice when in the closed position. 
     In another embodiment, the drinking vessel comprises an elongated container body defining an interior cavity with an open end and a generally cylindrical closure body selectively engageable over the open end of the container body. The closure body includes a lid component and a closure arm, while the container body includes an outer surface. A first portion of the outer surface has a generally circular cross-sectioned cylindrical shape and a second portion of the outer surface has a generally polygonal cross-sectioned cylindrical shape, these first and second portions being longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The lid component includes a wall having a dispensing orifice and a vent orifice, wherein each orifice is in fluid-passing communication with the interior cavity of the container body. The closure arm is pivotally connected to the wall of the lid component at a location proximate the vent orifice and movable between a closed position and an open position, the closure arm including a first sealing member sized, structured and positioned for engaging and sealing the vent orifice when in the closed position and for unsealing the vent orifice when in the open position, the closure arm including a second sealing member sized, structured and positioned for engaging and sealing the dispensing orifice in the closed position and for opening the dispensing orifice in the open position. This first sealing member further includes an elastomeric member that cooperates with a gasket of the vent orifice to provide a fluid-tight seal when the closure arm is in the closed position. 
     In a further embodiment, the drinking vessel comprises an elongated container body defining an interior cavity with an open end. Also included is a generally cylindrical closure body selectively engageable over the open end of the container body, the closure body including a lid component and a closure arm. The container body includes an outer surface, a first portion of the outer surface has a generally circular cross-sectioned cylindrical shape and a second portion of the outer surface has a generally polygonal cross-sectioned cylindrical shape, these first and second portions being longitudinally spaced with respect to each other. The lid component includes a wall having a dispensing orifice and a vent orifice, wherein each orifice is in fluid-passing communication with the interior cavity of the container body. The closure arm is pivotally connected to the wall of the lid component at a location proximate the vent orifice and movable between a closed position and an open position, with the closure arm having a first sealing member sized, structured and positioned for engaging and sealing the vent orifice when in the closed position and for unsealing the vent orifice when in the open position. Further, the closure arm includes a second sealing member sized, structured and positioned for engaging and sealing the dispensing orifice in the closed position and for opening the dispensing orifice in the open position, and the first sealing member further includes an elastomeric member that cooperates with a gasket of the vent orifice to provide a fluid-tight seal when the closure arm is in the closed position. The second portion of the outer surface further includes a plurality of spaced protrusions, and the generally polygonal cross-section shape of the second portion of the outer surface is substantially hexagonal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the course of this description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a drinking vessel of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is another side elevational view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 , rotated 90° with respect to  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another side elevational view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 , rotated 90° with respect to  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another side elevational view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 , rotated 90° with respect to  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view along the line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the drinking vessel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lid of the present invention with the closure arm in the closed state; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG. 13  with the closure arm in the open state; 
         FIG. 15  is a bottom plan view of the lid of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged view of the interaction of the sealing member and venting orifice as shown in  FIG. 12  and while in the closed state; 
         FIG. 17  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lid of the present invention with the closure arm in the open state along with an upper portion of the drinking vessel body; and 
         FIG. 18  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lid shown in  FIG. 17 , along with an upper portion of the drinking vessel body, rotated 90° from  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention and virtually any appropriate manner. 
     As described in more detail in the discussion of the different embodiments, the drinking vessels of the present disclosure have an improved structure that generally includes an opening for dispensing the contents from the drinking vessel and has an additional opening for venting air into the drinking vessel. The structure further includes a closure which provides for a fluid-tight seal of both openings and a fluid flow interrupter for mixing beverage contents while within the drinking vessel. 
     Turning to the embodiment of a drinking vessel illustrated in  FIGS. 1-18 , the drinking vessel  10  generally includes a container body  200  and a closure body  300  releasably mounted to the container body  200 . The closure body  300  includes a lid component  302  and a closure arm  304 . The closure arm  304  is movable between a closed position (see  FIG. 13 ) wherein the closure arm  304  seals a vent orifice  306  and a dispensing orifice  308  and an open position (see  FIG. 14 ) where the closure arm  304  is spaced from or otherwise does not seal the orifices. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the container body  200  has a generally elongated shape, preferably generally cylindrical, with a bottom wall  202  and an upstanding side wall  204  which terminates in an open mouth  206 . Together the bottom wall  202  and side wall  204  define an interior cavity  208  (see  FIG. 11 ) which is sized and configured for receiving and temporarily storing a beverage, such as water, juices, soft drinks, energy drinks, supplement drinks, or shakes. It will be appreciated that the container body  200  may have any convenient configuration and its form may depend, in part, on the type of container desired. 
     In order to help a user better grip or otherwise hold the drinking vessel  10 , the outer surface of the container body  200  is ergonomically shaped. As perhaps best illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the upstanding side wall  204  of the container body  200  has an outer surface that includes a bottom portion  210 , gripping portion  212  and top portion  214 . The gripping portion  212  includes a plurality of protrusions  216  which extend longitudinally along at least the gripping portion  212  and preferably almost along the entire outer surface. These protrusions  216  are circumferentially spaced from one another around the outer surface of the gripping portion  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are six protrusions  216  substantially equally spaced around the outer surface of the gripping portion  212 . However, it will be appreciated that other numbers and spacing of the protrusions  216  are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     The outer surface includes landing areas  218  positioned between every neighboring protrusion  216 . In the illustrated embodiment, there are six landing areas  218 , although the number of landing areas  218  can differ depending on the number of protrusions  216 . In order to further affect the shape of the outer surface, additional protrusions  220  are placed on at least some of the landing areas  218 . In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions  220  are shorter than protrusions  216  and are generally oblong shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, a shorter protrusion  220  is positioned generally centered on four of the six landing areas. It will be appreciated that size, number, shape and placement of the protrusions  220  may be changed, if desired. 
     The placement of these protrusions  216  and  220  helps define the shape of the outer surface of the container body  200  and more specifically the gripping portion  212  to provide an ergonomical outer surface that allows for better gripping or holding of the drinking vessel  10 . The bottom wall  202  of the container body  200  has a generally circular outer surface (see  FIG. 7 ), the placement of protrusions on the outer surface of the side wall changes the cross sectional configuration moving up the outer surface. As shown in  FIG. 8  (a cross-sectional view along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 1 ), the outer surface of the side wall  204  towards the bottom of the gripping portion  212  has a generally polygonal shape and more specifically, a generally hexagonal shape. Moving up the side wall  204 , the hexagonal shape of the outer surface of the gripping portion  212  is altered with the addition of the shorter protrusions on four of the landing areas  218  which are the faces of the hexagon (see  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view along the line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 1 ). Continuing to move up the side wall at an area outside of the gripping portion  212 , the outer surface of the side wall  204  returns to a generally circular shape (see especially  FIG. 10 , a cross-sectional view along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 ). 
     The container body  200  is typically constructed from a high strength, lightweight material such as conventional polymers or metals suitable for containing food and beverage products. In the illustrated embodiment, the container body  200  is constructed of stainless steel and the protrusions  216  and  220  are stamped into the steel (see  FIG. 12 ). However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the shape and material used to construct the container body and protrusion can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the protrusions can be separately formed of a different material and attached to the outer surface. 
     As mentioned above, the open mouth  206  of the container body  200  is closed by the closure body  300  which generally includes a lid component  302  and a closure arm  304 . The lid component  302  and closure arm  304  are typically molded and more specifically injection molded, out of conventional polymers such as polypropelenes. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these materials and that any suitable material may be used. 
     As best shown in FIGS.  6  and  11 - 15 , the lid component  302  preferably is generally circular in order engage the top portion of the container body. The lid component  302  has a flange  310  which extends downward from a top surface  312 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top surface  312  is generally sloped; however, it will be appreciated that the top surface  312  may have a variety of configurations including being generally flat, convex or concave. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lid component  302  further includes a skirt  314  which has a circumferential recess  316  defined on the top surface  312 . The recess  316  is sized to tightly receive an end portion of flange  310 . A gasket  318  may be positioned within recess  316  in order to render a fluid-tight seal between flange  310  and skirt  314 . Alternatively, the skirt and flange could be integrally formed. Optionally, a decorative element  320  may be positioned around at least a portion of flange  310 . In the illustrated embodiment, the decorative element  320  is a stainless steel ring. It is appreciated that the decorative element  320  could be constructed of different materials or may also serve as a surface for the imprinting of trademark, advertising or graphical materials for the purposes of branding, advertising or promotion. However, it also will be understood by those skilled in the art that the shape and material used to construct the lid component  302  can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the lid component  302  can be virtually in the form of any shape that is capable of covering the open mouth  206  of the container body  200 . 
     As mentioned above, the container body  200  is selectively secured to the closure body  300 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  214  of the container body  200  includes threads  222  for selectively engaging corresponding grooves  322  on an interior surface of the lid component  302  of the closure body  300 . Accordingly, the container body  200  and closure body  300  may thus be selectively threadedly engaged or disengaged as desired. When the components are engaged the interior cavity  208  is formed into a closed, fluid-tight cavity. 
     As perhaps best illustrated in  FIG. 12 , grooves  322  are formed on the lid component  302  and more specifically an interior surface of skirt  314  of the lid component  302 . Although it will be appreciated that the grooves  322  could be located elsewhere on the lid component  302 , if desired. Alternatively, one could swap the location of the threads and grooves such that the threads  222  are defined on the lid component  302  and the grooves  322  are defined on the container body  200 . In addition, it will be appreciated that the closure body  300  could be selectively secured to the container body  200  via a variety of other mechanisms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the lid component  302  could be snap fit or friction fit to the container body  200  without the use of threads. 
     In order to allow the beverage to be selectively dispensed from the drinking vessel  10  and to allow the flow air into the interior cavity  208  of the container body  200  during use, the lid component  302  defines a dispensing orifice  308  and a vent orifice  306  on the top surface  312 . Both of these orifices  306  and  308  are passageways which extend completely through the top Surface  312 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vent orifice  306  is a bore which is positioned within a depression  324  on the top surface  312 . The depression  324  is sized to receive at least an end portion of the closure arm  304  and allow the closure arm  304  to be pivoted without interference with the top surface  312 . As shown in the drawings, the dispensing orifice  308  is surrounded by a raised annular spout  326  which allows a user to more easily drink the contents of the drinking vessel  10 . 
     In order to allow the user to selectively dispense the contents from the drinking vessel, the closure body  300  includes an elongated closure arm  304  that is pivotally mounted to the lid component  302 . In the illustrated embodiment a hinge configuration allows the closure arm  304  to be pivoted by the user between a closed position (see  FIG. 13 ) and an open position (see  FIG. 14 ). When the closure arm  304  is in the open position, the orifices  306  and  308  are generally unobstructed and when the closure arm  304  is in the closed position, the orifices  306  and  308  are sealed in order to prevent the contents from flowing out of the interior cavity  208  of the drinking vessel  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that any variety of hinge configurations could be used; however, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the hinge is formed by the cooperating interaction of pivot pins  328  and sockets  330 . A pivot pin  328  is formed on opposing sides of one end of the closure arm  304 . Each pivot pin  328  is seated within a socket  330  formed on the lid component  302 . In the illustrated embodiment, a socket  330  is formed on an interior wall of a pair of spaced apart upstanding shoulders  332  positioned on the top surface  312  of the lid component  302 . More specifically, the shoulders  332  bracket the depression  324  which includes the vent orifice  306  positioned therewithin. As perhaps best shown in  FIG. 17 , when the closure arm  204  is pivoted to its open position, the end of the closure arm  204  that is hinged to the lid component  302  rotates in such a way that the vent orifice is not completely obstructed and air can flow around the closure arm  204 , into the depression  324  in the lid component  302 , through the vent orifice  306  and ultimately into the interior cavity  208  of the drinking vessel  10 . As illustrated, when in the open position, the closure aim  204  acts as a shield to substantially prevent debris from entering contaminating the contents of the interior cavity  208  of the drinking vessel. 
     It will be appreciated that the shoulders  332  may be integrally formed with the lid component  302  or alternatively separately secured to the top surface by any conventional assembly techniques known in the art. Alternatively, the location of the pins  328  and sockets  330  could be interchanged such that the pins  328  are formed on the shoulders  332  and the sockets  330  are formed on the closure arm  304 . Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate a variety of other configurations that allow the closure arm to pivot between the open and closed positions may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the closure arm may be integrally constructed with the lid component and form a “living” hinge. 
     In order to help the user more readily grasp and move the closure arm  304  between the open and closed positions, at least one tab  334  may be formed on the closure arm. In the illustrated embodiment, the tab  334  is located at the free end of the closure arm  304  and is sized and configured for grasping by the user. It will be appreciated that the tab  334  may be positioned elsewhere on the closure arm  304  or have other configurations than illustrated. 
     The closure arm  304  includes at least two sealing members which are used to create a fluid-tight seal with the vent and dispensing orifices. The first sealing member  336  interacts with the vent orifice  306  and the second sealing member  338  interacts with the dispensing orifice  308 . The sealing members  336  and  338  are positioned on the closure arm  304  such that each member engages its respective orifice when the closure arm  304  is in the closed position. When engaged, each sealing member and its respective orifice cooperate to seal and otherwise prevent the contents from unintentionally spilling or leaking out of the drinking vessel  10 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first sealing member  336  includes projection or plug which extends from a bottom surface of the closure arm  304 . The projection is positioned such that when the closure arm  304  is in the closed position the first sealing member  336  cooperatively engages with the vent orifice  306  to prevent fluid flow therethrough. Preferably, the first sealing member  336  further includes an elastic seal member  340 , such as an elastomer, that covers at least an end of the projection. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the seal member  340  has one or more fingers which fit into one or more slots in the projection on the closure aim  304 . Alternatively, the seal member  340  could be overmolded or otherwise attached to the projection. 
     A gasket  342  surrounds the vent orifice  306  on the top surface of the lid component  302  to help form a fluid-tight seal between the first sealing member  336  and vent orifice  306 . When the closure arm  304  is in the closed position, the gasket  342  cooperatively interacts with first sealing member and more specifically the seal member  340  on the end of the projection. In the illustrated embodiment, the gasket  342  is an elastomer that is overmolded into a channel  343  formed on the bottom surface of the lid component  302 . The gasket  342  has a disc shaped end that creates a rim around the vent orifice  306 . Preferably, the gasket  342  is a thermoplastic elastomer; however, it is appreciated that other materials may be used. Examples include Trefsan™ elastomers and Proflex® thermoplastic elastomers, such as Proflex GE-S Series elastomers. Included are compositions of styrenic block copolymers, including blends thereof with polypropylene and/or processing oil and other conventional additives. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the second sealing member  338  is a well or receptacle defined in the second end portion of the closure arm  304 . The well is sized to sealingly receive or engage the annular spout  326  of the dispensing orifice  308  when the closure arm  304  is in the closed position. It is to be understood that the first and second sealing members may have other suitable configurations. For example, the second sealing member  338  could also be or include a plug formation that extends into and tightly engages the annular spout  326  when the closure arm  304  is in the closed position. 
     It will be appreciated that elastomeric surfaces or components can be provided to enhance sealing at either or both of the vent or dispersing passageway components. Elastomeric surfaces or components can be provided on either or both of the closure arm side or the lid component side. 
     The drinking vessel  10  may further include a fluid flow interrupter  344  positioned within the interior cavity  208  for agitating, stirring or mixing of the contents of the drinking vessel. In the illustrated embodiment, the fluid flow interrupter  344  is connected to the skirt  314  of the lid component  302 . More specifically, the interrupter  344  in the embodiment shown in the figures includes multiple spokes which extend or slope generally downward into the interior cavity  208  from an inner flange of the skirt  314 . The spokes are spaced apart from one another enough to allow fluid to flow relatively easily therethrough but also to provide enough disturbance to the fluid. The spokes are connected to one another via a central hub. As shown, the interrupter  344  is constructed of a plastic material such as polypropylene; however, it is appreciated that a variety of other suitable materials may be used. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that there are a variety of other suitable ways and forms to include fluid flow interrupters in the drinking vessel without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the interrupter may be a separate piece that is inserted into the interior cavity. Also the interrupter can be stationary or moveable. 
     In operation, a user may insert the desired beverage through the open mouth  206  and into the interior cavity  208  of the container body  200 . The user may selectively secure the closure body  300  to the top portion  214  of the container body  200 . With the closure arm  304  in the closed position, a user may manually or otherwise shake the drinking vessel to create a disturbance of the beverage within the drinking vessel  10 . When the user desires to drink the beverage, the user may pivot the closure aim  304  to the open position to unseal the dispensing orifice  308  and venting orifice  306 . In this position, the beverage can be selectively dispensed from the dispensing orifice  308  and air can enter through the venting orifice  306  into the interior cavity  208  of container body  200  to allow the beverage to be dispensed out of the drinking vessel  10  more rapidly and with less exertion by the user. When the user no longer wants to dispense the beverage, the closure arm  204  can be pivoted back to the closed position such that each sealing member engages its respective orifice and create a fluid-tight seal. 
     It will be understood that the above examples are merely exemplary of the drinking vessel and valve arrangement of the present disclosure. Variations of these examples may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. It will be appreciated that skilled artisans may employ such variations as desired, and drinking vessels and valves of the present disclosure may be constructed otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter described herein are intended to be covered by the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements and all possible variations thereof are encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1