Patent Description:
Sippy cups have become a widely used drinking vessel for serving liquids to infants and young children. Sippy cups have a vessel body holding a liquid, a removable lid closing the mouth of the vessel and having a straw extending through the cap through which a child may drink the liquid. Typically, a cover is attached to the cap in order to cover and pinch off the straw to store the sippy cup when not in use. A variety of mechanisms have been deployed in the past in order to seal the sippy cup when the cover is in a closed position to minimize the liquid leaks. Similarly, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> are illustrative of various mechanisms that have been deployed for venting the sippy cup when in use to enable to the liquid to be freely withdrawn through the straw by the user. There remains a need for a simple vent mechanism which enables liquid to be freely withdrawn by the user and to equalize air pressure within the cup to prevent accidental spillage and squirting yet securely seal when the cover is closed and the cup is not in use to prevent leaks and spills.

In one aspect, the invention resides in a drinking vessel, comprising:.

In one embodiment, the vent actuator extends at least partly above a level of a vent opening of the air passage.

Suitably, the drinking vessel of the present aspect further comprises a flexible tubular straw or spout or teat having a fluid passageway extending therethrough. Preferably, the tubular straw or spout or teat and the ventilation member form part of an elastic straw-vent assembly (or spout-vent assembly or teat-vent assembly) having an elastic body that sealingly engages the at least one opening in the removable lid. More preferably, the cover pinches the flexible tubular straw or spout or teat against the removable lid thereby closing the fluid passageway when in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the cam portion is configured to contact the vent actuator when the cover member is at a position intermediate the open and closed positions.

In some embodiments, the ventilation member comprises four venting portions disposed within the air passage. The vent actuator may comprise a wedge portion disposed on and integral with an upper surface of one or both of the first and second venting portions and projecting upwardly therefrom. Preferably, the wedge portion is integral with a portion of a side wall of the ventilation member. More preferably, the wedge portion extends upwardly from the first and/or second venting portions to define a free end configured to contact the cam portion.

In particular embodiments, the vent actuator is integral with the removable lid. For such embodiments, the vent actuator is suitably disposed within the air passageway and attached to the removable lid by a bridging portion.

In other embodiments, the vent actuator comprises an elongate member supported within the air passageway by a support portion extending across the at least one opening. Preferably, the elongate member has an annular flange at an end portion thereof for contacting the support portion.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in vent assembly for use with a drinking vessel having a removable lid, comprising:.

In one embodiment, the force is exerted by a cam portion disposed on a cover member and configured to contact the vent actuator during movement of the cover member.

In particular embodiments, the vent actuator extends at least partly above a level of a vent opening of the air passage.

Suitably, the vent assembly of the present aspect further comprises a flexible tubular straw or spout or teat having a fluid passageway extending therethrough.

The ventilation member may comprise four venting portions angularly and downwardly disposed within the air passage. Preferably, the vent actuator comprises a wedge portion disposed on and integral with an upper surface of the first venting portion and projecting upwardly therefrom. More preferably, the wedge portion is integral with a portion of a side wall of the ventilation member. Even more preferably, the wedge portion extends upwardly from the first venting portion to define a free end.

In other embodiments, the vent actuator is integral with the removable lid. In this regard, the vent actuator is suitably disposed within the air passage and attached to the removable lid by a bridging portion.

In one embodiment, the vent actuator comprises an elongate member supported within the air passageway by a support portion extending across the opening. Suitably, the elongate member has an annular flange at an end portion thereof for contacting the support portion.

Further features and/or aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings outlined below.

Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to understand the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to provide excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, top and bottom, upwards and downwards, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Words such as "comprises" or "includes" are intended to define a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed, including elements that are inherent to such a method or system. Additionally, and referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like elements throughout the views.

An embodiment of a drinking vessel <NUM> of the present invention is shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> in open, intermediate and closed positions respectively. The drinking vessel <NUM> is made up of four main components, namely a container in the form of a cup <NUM> for holding a liquid and an internal cavity <NUM> provided with an open mouth and a removable lid <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is screwingly engaged to the mouth of the cup <NUM> by first and second reciprocal threaded portions. A cover <NUM> is moveably mounted to the lid <NUM>. In the embodiment provided, the cover <NUM> is pivotably mounted as rotatable about a transverse axis A. In <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is shown in the open position exposing an elastic or resiliently deformable straw-vent assembly <NUM> and allowing a flexible tubular straw <NUM> to upwardly extend as illustrated. An elongate flexible tube <NUM> is further connected to the flexible tubular straw <NUM>. In particular embodiments not illustrated herein, the elongate flexible tube <NUM> may further have a weighted end portion, so that liquid may be withdrawn from the cup in both an upright or normal position as shown, as well as an inverted position. In other embodiments, a spout or teat can replace the straw <NUM> and in such embodiments the straw-vent assembly <NUM> will be understood to be an elastic or resiliently deformable spout-vent assembly or an elastic or resiliently deformable teat-vent assembly respectively.

In the embodiment provided, the cup <NUM> is preferably made of a clear or transparent plastic while the lid <NUM> and cover <NUM> may be made of a brightly colored plastic material. The lid <NUM> has a generally semi-circle or hemispherical shaped dome <NUM> having at least one opening in the form of central inlet/outlet opening <NUM> into which the elastic straw-vent assembly <NUM> is inserted with a recessed groove <NUM> aligned generally perpendicular to axis A in top plan view and extending outwardly or laterally from the opening <NUM>. The cover <NUM> may rotate about axis A as shown in <FIG>. The cover <NUM> is in the shape of a segment of a semi-circle shell generally following the contour of the dome <NUM>. When the cover <NUM> rotates to the closed position shown in <FIG>, the flexible tubular straw <NUM> folds into the groove <NUM> and is pinched closed preventing liquid from leaking from the straw when the cup <NUM> is tipped.

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> each illustrate an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the drinking vessel <NUM>. In <FIG>, the cover <NUM> is in the closed position with the flexible tubular straw <NUM> folded into the groove <NUM> which is formed in the dome <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. In this position, the flexible straw <NUM> is folded over and pinched between a cam or projection <NUM> formed on an inner surface of the cover <NUM> and a ridge <NUM> formed on the lid <NUM> adjacent the upper end of the groove <NUM>. In the closed position, the internal passageway of the straw <NUM> is pinched closed. The elastic straw-vent assembly <NUM> is provided with a ventilation member <NUM> having a cylindrical inner side wall <NUM> that defines an air passage <NUM> extending therebetween, the ventilation member <NUM> operable between a ventilation or open state and a closed state. The external end of the air passage <NUM> forms a vent opening <NUM> in the ventilation member <NUM>. It should be understood that in the closed state air can travel into the drinking vessel <NUM> when there is a negative pressure within the drinking vessel <NUM>. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the lid <NUM> can comprise more than one opening <NUM> in which the straw, spout or teat is inserted through one opening and the ventilation member is inserted through another opening.

The ventilation member <NUM> comprises opposed flexible and impervious first and second venting leaflets or portions 39a, 39b disposed within the air passage <NUM>. Each of the first and second venting portions 39a, 39b extend downwardly and angularly inwards or medially from the vent opening <NUM> from opposite sides of the vent opening <NUM>, such that their respective end portions abut or are disposed face to face in surface contact to define a slit therebetween. By virtue of this arrangement, the first and second venting portions 39a, 39b inhibit or prevent any through passage of air and/or liquid between them in the closed state and where they are resiliently urged or biased into the closed state. The first venting portion 39a is further provided with a vent actuator or a vent opening portion <NUM> having a wedge- or pin-shaped body which is disposed on, and integral with, an upper surface thereof, the vent actuator <NUM> extending upwardly therefrom so as to define a free end 37a that is positioned at least partly above a level of the vent opening <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the vent actuator is integral with a portion of the inner side wall <NUM> of the ventilation member <NUM>. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments the ventilation member <NUM> can comprise a single venting leaflet or portion disposed within the air passage <NUM> or more than two venting leaflets or portions disposed within the air passage <NUM>. For example, the ventilation member <NUM> can comprise a cross cut such that the ventilation member <NUM> comprises two slits and four venting leaflets or portions. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the one or more ventilation leaflets or portions can have other shapes. For example, the one or more ventilation leaflets or portions can have one or more curved or rounded portions, such as the dome shaped valve shown in <FIG> comprising four ventilation leaflets or portions 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d.

When the cover <NUM> is in the open position shown in <FIG> or in the closed position shown in <FIG>, the ventilation member <NUM> is in the closed state such that the air passage <NUM> and the vent opening <NUM> are not in fluid communication so as to be open to atmosphere. When the cover <NUM> is moved to the intermediate position, shown in <FIG>, a projection or cam <NUM> formed on an inner surface of the cover <NUM> overlies and contacts the free end 37a of the vent actuator <NUM> which elastically deforms so as to pivot medially or inwardly such that there is reciprocal and relative lateral or outward movement of the first venting portion 39a away from the second venting portion 39b. In this arrangement, the ventilation member <NUM> is now in the ventilation state, which facilitates the passage of air between the internal cavity of the cup <NUM> and outside thereof (and vice versa) by way of the air passage <NUM>.

As will be apparent to the skilled person, the present arrangement of the ventilation member <NUM> prevents fluid from being discharged through the straw <NUM> as a result of pressure build up in the cup <NUM>, when the cover <NUM> is initially opened by a user. As described above, the vent actuator <NUM> temporarily converts the ventilation member <NUM> from the closed position to the ventilation position during opening of the cover <NUM>, such that the ventilation member <NUM> allows equalization of the pressure between the internal cavity of the drinking vessel <NUM> and the atmosphere while the fluid passageway of the straw <NUM> remains closed. This feature is particularly beneficial when a partially full drinking vessel <NUM> is heated, for example, by the sun whilst the cover <NUM> closed. The release of any build up of internal pressure before unpinching of the straw <NUM> prevents fluid within the drinking vessel <NUM> being squirted or ejected out of the straw <NUM> as the cover <NUM> is opened.

The inner end of air passage <NUM> opens into the internal cavity <NUM> collectively defined by the cup <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the first and second venting portions 39a, 39b serve to normally seal the air passage <NUM> closed in the event that the container is tipped and the inner end of the air passage <NUM> is exposed to liquid, as alluded to earlier. Accordingly, the ventilation member <NUM> will preferably eliminate or reduce leakage. A negative pressure differential across the first and second venting portions 39a, 39b of greater than about <NUM> metre (<NUM> inches) of water will suitably cause the slit between the venting portions 39a, 39b to open by lateral pivotable movement thereof, allowing air to be drawn into the internal cavity <NUM> as the liquid in the drinking vessel <NUM> is withdrawn by a user through the straw <NUM>. As such, pressure levels within the drinking vessel <NUM> can be equalized with atmosphere when a user is drinking therefrom.

The straw <NUM> similarly has a thin membrane (not shown) comprising opposed leaflets or portions formed therein that define a vertically oriented slit which opens in response to downward pressure from a user's mouth thereon. It is envisaged that alternative valve arrangements, such as those which open in respect to a pressure differential, may be included within the straw <NUM>. The straw membrane (not shown) prevents liquid within the straw <NUM> and tube <NUM> from dripping from the straw <NUM> if the drinking vessel <NUM> is inverted with the cover <NUM> open and straw <NUM> extended. Preferably, the straw membrane (not shown) is located adjacent a free end of the straw <NUM> and has a convex inwardly projecting shape. The straw membrane (not shown) is configured to prevent the opening of the slit in an outward flow unless opened by the user by applying pressure from lips or mouth.

The straw-vent assembly <NUM> is shown in perspective view in <FIG> with the tube <NUM> and the weighted end removed. In this view, the shape of the vent actuator <NUM> is shown. The shape of a pull tab <NUM> is also illustrated. Preferably, the tab <NUM> is in the form of a ring which can be easily grasped by a user, enabling the user to pull the straw-vent assembly <NUM> out of the lid <NUM> so that it can be independently cleaned or replaced if damaged. The elastic body of straw-vent assembly <NUM> is suitably made of a polymeric material having a durometer of Shore <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably about Shore <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the straw-vent assembly <NUM> combines the straw <NUM> and the ventilation member <NUM> into a single integral unit. Alternatively, the straw <NUM> and the ventilation member <NUM> can be formed as separate elements each formed of an elastic material and mounted in two separate inlet-outlet openings in the lid <NUM>. However, the combined straw-vent assembly <NUM> with integral tab is preferred for ease of use.

Alternative embodiments of the ventilation member <NUM>, which can be suitable for use with the drinking vessel <NUM> of the hereinbefore described embodiment, as well as alternative drinking vessels, are illustrated in <FIG>. To this end, it is highlighted that each embodiment of the ventilation member <NUM> hereinafter described is operable between a closed position and a ventilation or open position by way of a vent actuator <NUM> through its interaction with a projection or cam <NUM> disposed on a moveable cover <NUM> of the associated drinking vessel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the ventilation member <NUM> again includes first and second venting portions 39a, 39b that extend downwardly and angularly inwards or medially from opposing portions of an inner side wall <NUM> thereof and below a level of the vent opening <NUM>, such that their respective end portions abut or are disposed face to face in surface contact to define a slit therebetween. Disposed on and integral with an upper surface of the first venting portion 39a is a vent actuator <NUM> operably coupled thereto. As illustrated in <FIG>, the vent actuator <NUM> extends upwardly from the upper surface of the first venting portion to define a free end 37a that is positioned at least partly above a level of the vent opening <NUM>. Contrary to the aforementioned embodiment, however, the vent actuator <NUM> is not integral with the inner side wall <NUM> of the ventilation member <NUM>. As a result of this arrangement, and upon movement of a moveable cover <NUM> from a closed position to an open position and vice versa, the free end 37a of the vent actuator <NUM> is contacted by a cam <NUM> disposed on an inner surface of the cover <NUM>, when in an intermediate position. As shown in <FIG>, this contact with the cam <NUM> during its passage thereover, forces the vent actuator <NUM> to elastically deform and move downwards and inwards relative to the ventilation member 36a. In this manner, the vent actuator <NUM> effective functions as a lever arm, resulting in relative lateral or outward movement of the first venting portion 39a away from the second venting portion 39b and converting the ventilation member <NUM> into the ventilation state.

In <FIG>, the vent actuator <NUM> is no longer integral with the ventilation member <NUM>. Rather, the vent actuator <NUM> is integral with the lid <NUM> and attached thereto by way of a flexible bridging portion <NUM>. The bridging portion <NUM> extends from an outer surface of the lid <NUM> adjacent the vent opening <NUM> to a first end portion of the vent actuator <NUM> that is positioned above a level of the vent opening <NUM>. The vent actuator <NUM> is elongate defining first and second free ends 37a, 37b and is maintained in a substantially vertical position relative to the vent opening <NUM> by the bridging portion <NUM>. As can be seen from <FIG>, the vent actuator <NUM> is disposed within an air passage <NUM> defined by the ventilation member <NUM>, such that the second free end 37b contacts and abuts an upper surface of a first venting portion 39a when in the closed position. The first and second venting portions 39a, 39b of the ventilation member <NUM> extend downwardly and angularly inwards from opposing portions of an inner side wall <NUM> thereof and below a level of the vent opening <NUM>, as previously described. Upon pivotal movement of a moveable cover <NUM> from a closed position to an open position or vice versa, the first free end 37a of the vent actuator <NUM> is contacted by a cam <NUM> disposed on an inner surface of the cover <NUM>, when in an intermediate position. As shown in <FIG>, this contact with the cam <NUM> during its passage thereover, forces the bridging portion <NUM> to elastically deform and pivot inwardly, allowing for relative downwards and pivotal movement of the vent actuator <NUM>. This translates into relative outwards and downwards movement of the first venting portion 39a away from the second venting portion 39b, which brings the ventilation member <NUM> into the ventilation state.

In <FIG>, a further embodiment of a drinking vessel <NUM> is illustrated. It will be apparent that the drinking vessel <NUM> differs from that of the previously described embodiments, in that the cover <NUM> is moveable in a horizontal direction from a first position to a second position substantially in the plane of the lid <NUM>, or substantially in a plane, parallel to the plane of the lid, rather than being pivotable about a pivot point. The ventilation member <NUM> and vent actuator <NUM> are essentially identical to that illustrated in <FIG>. To this end, movement of the cover <NUM> in a horizontal direction to a position intermediate the first and second positions is still sufficient for a cam <NUM> projecting from an inner surface of the cover <NUM> to contact the vent actuator <NUM> and bring the ventilation member <NUM> into the ventilation state, as previously described.

Similar to <FIG>, <FIG> demonstrate a drinking vessel <NUM> that includes a cover <NUM> mounted on a lid <NUM> that is moveable in a horizontal direction from a first position to a second position respectively and as indicated by the arrow in <FIG>. The cover <NUM> is operably connected to an upwardly projecting stop portion <NUM> by way of a biasing member <NUM>, such as a helical spring or the like, which biases the cover <NUM> to the first position. As described for <FIG> above, the cover <NUM> further includes a cam <NUM> projecting from an inner surface thereof, which contacts the vent actuator <NUM> upon movement of the cover <NUM> to the second position and brings the ventilation member <NUM> into a ventilation state.

In <FIG>, a further embodiment of a drinking vessel <NUM> is illustrated. The drinking vessel <NUM> differs from that of the previously described embodiments, in that the cover <NUM> is hingedly connected to an edge portion of the lid <NUM> and moveable in a pivotable manner from a first position to a second position about a pivot point <NUM>. In this manner, the pivot point <NUM> directly overlies the ventilation member <NUM> and the vent actuator <NUM>. The ventilation member <NUM> and the vent actuator <NUM> are essentially identical to that previously illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The cover <NUM> includes a cam <NUM> extending outwardly from a base portion <NUM> thereof and adjacent the pivot point <NUM>. To this end, movement of the cover <NUM> in a pivotable manner to a position intermediate the first and second positions, as illustrated in <FIG>, brings the cam <NUM> into contact with the vent actuator <NUM> and converts the ventilation member <NUM> into a ventilation state, as previously described.

<FIG> and <FIG> demonstrate a further embodiment of a drinking vessel <NUM>. The drinking vessel <NUM> includes a cylindrically-shaped cover <NUM> having an upper end wall <NUM> and a lower open portion <NUM> that define a space therebetween for receiving an upper portion of a lid <NUM> and/or a cup <NUM> therein. The cover <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the lid <NUM> by way of a central shaft <NUM> that extends downwardly from an inner surface of the upper end wall <NUM> and operably engages a reciprocally dimensioned central channel <NUM> disposed in an upper surface of the lid <NUM>. Also extending outwardly from the inner surface of the upper end wall <NUM> is an elongate and arcuate or curved cam portion <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> is removable from the cup <NUM> and further defines a cylindrical vent opening <NUM> therethrough. Sealingly disposed within the vent opening <NUM> is a flexible ventilation member <NUM> that has an air passage <NUM> extending therethrough. Similar to earlier embodiments, the ventilation member <NUM> includes first and second venting portions 39a, 39b that extend downwardly and angularly inwards from opposing portions of an inner side wall <NUM> thereof and below a level of the vent opening <NUM>, as previously described. A vent actuator <NUM> having an elongate wedge- or pin-shaped body is disposed on, and integral with, an upper surface of the first venting portion 39a and extends upwardly therefrom so as to define a free end 37a that is positioned at least partly above a level of the vent opening <NUM>, as previously described.

<FIG> demonstrate the cover <NUM> in a closed position in which the cam <NUM> does not overlie and contact the vent actuator <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, upon relative rotational movement of the cover <NUM> from a closed position to an open position, the free end 37a of the vent actuator <NUM> is contacted by the cam <NUM> as it passes thereover in an arcuate manner. This contact with the cam <NUM> during its passage thereover, forces the vent actuator <NUM> to elastically deform and move downwards and inwards relative to the ventilation member <NUM>, which translates to relative lateral or outward movement of the first venting portion 39a away from the second venting portion 39b and converting the ventilation member <NUM> into the ventilation state.

<FIG> illustrate the particular forces required to act on particular embodiments of the vent actuator <NUM> so as to bring an associated ventilation member <NUM> into a ventilation state.

<FIG> provides an embodiment of ventilation member <NUM> that is essentially identical to those illustrated in <FIG> and <NUM> to <NUM> in a closed position. As shown in <FIG>, a downward force and/or inward transverse force (as indicated by the arrows) imparted on the free end of the vent actuator <NUM> are sufficient to bring the ventilation member <NUM> into the ventilation state.

<FIG> provides an embodiment of a ventilation member <NUM> that is essentially similar to that illustrated in <FIG> in a closed position. As shown in <FIG>, imparting a downward force on the free end of the vent actuator <NUM> is sufficient to deform the body thereof and bring the ventilation member <NUM> into the ventilation state.

Claim 1:
A drinking vessel (<NUM>), comprising:
a container (<NUM>) having an open mouth and an internal cavity (<NUM>);
a removable lid (<NUM>) attachable to the mouth, the removable lid having at least one opening (<NUM>);
a cover member (<NUM>) disposed on the removable lid and moveable between open and closed positions, the cover member having a cam portion (<NUM>);
at least one flexible ventilation member (<NUM>) that sealingly engages the at least one opening in the removable lid, has an air passage (<NUM>) extending therethrough and comprises opposed flexible first and second venting portions (39a, 39b) angularly and downwardly disposed within the air passage (<NUM>) and the external end of said air passage forms a vent opening (<NUM>), wherein the ventilation member is configured to allow an inflow of air when pressure within the container enters a negative pressure state in relation to pressure outside the container, and configured to prevent a liquid contained in the internal cavity from leaking therethrough;
a vent actuator (<NUM>) operably coupled to the at least one ventilation member and the venting portions thereof, wherein the cam portion (<NUM>) is configured to contact the vent actuator during movement of the cover member for changing a state of the ventilation member between a ventilation state and a closed state;
wherein the vent actuator is integral with one of:
a. the at least one flexible ventilation member, or
b. the removable lid (<NUM>) wherein the vent actuator and the removable lid are attached by way of a flexible bridging portion (<NUM>); and
wherein the cam portion is configured to cause a downward and inward movement of the vent actuator relative to the vent opening (<NUM>) of the ventilation member when the cover member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the vent actuator causing the first venting portion to move laterally or outwardly away from the second venting portion to bring the ventilation member into the ventilation state.