Patent Description:
Conventional household containers are often used with a lid that lids a container's internal cavity that accommodates the stored contents. When the lid is closed, the inner chamber of the container may form a relatively sealed space. For example, if a liquid with high fluidity (i.e., low viscosity) is enclosed in a sealed container and the temperature and/or pressure in the inner chamber of the container is relatively high, opening the lid of the container may cause the liquid contents to spray out.

It is known in the art, particularly for children's drinking cups such as duckbill cups, to store beverages in a container with a top opening similar to a drinking cup, and to attach a lid, such as a lid with a drinking opening such as a spout or integrated straw, to the container to prevent leakage. The lid may include a cover that may be closed to obstruct the drinking opening to prevent the liquid from leaking and opened to allow access to the drinking opening that the beverage may be consumed. If such containers are holding a warm liquid, the heat from the liquid can cause the air inside the container to be heated, which in turns increases the pressure inside the container, and can result in the liquid being suddenly sprayed out from the drinking opening when the lid is opened.

Various prior art venting devices for containers have been introduced to try to balance the pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the container during the process of opening the lid. These venting devices are often implemented by a lid and a flexible drinking straw that is hermetically mounted on the opening of the main body of the container. The lid has a rotatable exterior shielding member, a valve for opening and closing the internal flow channel of the container by bending, folding, and extending the drinking straw as the shielding member is rotated, and a venting device provided on the shielding member for opening and closing a vent hole on the lid. The venting device operates in linkage with the opening and closing of the valve, and has a protruding member that opens and closes (unblocks or blocks) the vent hole as the shielding member is rotated. When the shielding member is closed, it is sealed around the drinking straw and the vent hole.

The prior art venting device has a great influence on the structure of the lid, especially the structure of the lid's shielding member, and the engagement of the valve core and the venting hole causes uneven movement of the lid, which increases the difficulty of opening and closing the lid.

The present invention, which is defined by the appended claims, is directed to solving the above-mentioned technical problems, and has as one object to provide a venting device for a container that is simple in structure and can provides for ease of manufacture and assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container lid with the venting device that is simple and convenient to take apart for cleaning.

To this end, the present invention provides a venting device, the venting device includes an air channel and a rotary venting rod, wherein:.

In the vented state, at least a portion of the venting slot of the rotary venting rod is in fluid communication with the air channel, and thereby causes the air channel to be in fluid communication with the ambient air via the venting slot.

In the sealed state, the venting slot of the rotary venting rod is not in fluid communication with the air channel, and thus the first end of the air channel is blocked by the outer surface of the rotary venting rod.

The venting device of the present invention is simple to manufacture and assemble, and the various functions of the venting device may be accessed through a simple pivoting operation.

The venting device of the present invention, the first end of the air channel and the outer surface of the rotary venting rod are separable from each other. Such an arrangement facilitates the separation of the air channel and the rotation of the rotary venting rod, thereby facilitating maintenance and cleaning of the venting device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the venting device of the present invention, the outer surface of the rotary venting rod is cylindrical and the rotation axis of the rotary venting rod is its central axis. The rounded outer surface of the rotary venting rod facilitates smooth rotation of the rotary venting rod, thereby improving the comfort and ease of operating of the venting device. In addition, the rounded outer surface of the rotary venting rod facilitates the sealing effect in the sealed state.

According to a preferred embodiment of the venting device of the present invention, the venting slot extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotary venting rod toward the distal face of the rotary venting rod. The venting slot thus arranged may be more fully in contact with the ambient air and provide a sufficiently long air flow path to prevent the contents of the container from being splashed into the ambient air through the air channels and the venting slot.

According to a preferred embodiment of the venting device of the present invention, the venting slot extends along a portion of the longitudinal direction of the rotary venting rod on the outer surface of the rotary venting rod. This arrangement of the venting slot is beneficial to form a good seal on the air channel, so as to ensure that the contents of the container remain hygienic and are contaminated by the external environment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the venting device of the present invention, the rotary venting rod is hollow, comprising an internal cavity that extends toward the distal face of the rotary venting rod, and the venting slot extends from the outer surface into the internal cavity. The internal cavity provides a relatively large air flow section, which facilitates the air flow through the venting slot and the internal cavity to equalize the pressure inside and outside the container.

According to a preferred embodiment of the venting device of the present invention, the rotation axis of the rotary venting rod is arranged so that it is substantially perpendicular to the channel axis of the air channel at the first end. The vertically arranged air channel and rotary venting rod are beneficial to reduce the space needed for the venting device and to provide a relatively winding air flow path.

The present invention also provides a lid for a container, the lid comprising:.

The lid provides the venting function using a structure that is simple to be implement.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the lid base and the swivel cover of the lid are detachable from each other. Such an arrangement facilitates the separation of the air channel and the rotary venting rod, thereby facilitating maintenance and cleaning of the venting device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the rotary venting rod is configured to be rotatable with the swivel cover relative to the lid base from a closed position to an open position via an intermediate position, or from an open position to a closed position via an intermediate position, wherein in the closed position and the open position, the lid is in the sealing state, and in the intermediate position, the lid is in the venting state. The movement of the lid and the venting device are linked so as to allow the venting device to be operated to achieve its function synchronously when the lid is opened to access the contents of the container.

The rotary venting rod is detachably affixed to the swivel cover. The detachability of the rotary venting rod is convenient for maintenance and cleaning of the rotary venting rod, especially the venting slot thereof, so as to prolong the service life of the venting device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the rotary venting rod extends from the inner wall of the swivel cover into the inner space enclosed by the swivel cover. The rotary venting rod thus arranged may be better protected by the lid, so as to avoid the adverse contaminating influence of the external environment on the venting device.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the outer surface of the rotary venting rod is cylindrical and the rotation axis of the rotary venting rod is its central axis. The rounded outer surface facilitates smooth rotation of the rotary venting rod, thereby improving the operating comfort of the venting device. In addition, the circular outer surface facilitates the sealing effect in the sealed state.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the venting slot extends in the longitudinal direction of the rotary venting rod to the distal face of the rotary venting rod in the rotary venting rod. The venting slot thus arranged may be more fully in contact with the ambient air, and provide a sufficiently long air flow path to prevent the contents of the container from being splashed into the ambient air through the air channel and the venting slot.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the venting slot extends along a part of the longitudinal direction of the rotary venting rod on the outer surface of the rotary venting rod. This arrangement of the venting slot is beneficial to form a relatively closed air channel, so as to ensure that the contents of the container remain sanitary and contaminated by the external environment.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the rotary venting rod is a hollow rod including an internal cavity that penetrates to a distal face of the rotary venting rod, and the venting slot is recessed from the outer surface to the internal cavity. The internal cavity provides a relatively large air flow section, which facilitates the air flow through the venting slot and the internal cavity to communicate the gas inside and outside the container interior.

According to a preferred embodiment of the lid of the present invention, the rotation axis of the rotary venting rod is arranged substantially perpendicular to the channel axis of the air channel at the first end. The vertically arranged air channel and rotary venting rod are beneficial to reduce the space needed for the venting device and to provide a relatively winding air flow path.

The present invention further provides a container comprising a main body and a lid according to the above, wherein the main body comprises an inner chamber for containing contents, and the lid may be connected with the container's inner chamber. The lid is engageable with the main body of the container and covers the opening of the main body, wherein:.

This container realizes the venting function with a simple structure.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container of the present invention, the lid and the main body of the container are joined to each other by a screw-on connection, which facilitates the installation of the lid onto the main body of the container and the assembly of various structures on the lid.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container of the present invention, the container includes a drinking straw extending into the interior cavity from outside the interior cavity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the container of the present invention, the drinking straw extends through and beyond the lid;.

To sum up, the beneficial effects of the venting device, the lid base and the container including the lid base according to the present invention are at least as follows: various functions of the venting device may be realized with a simple structure, and the sanitariness of the inner chamber of the container may be ensured. The lid may be easily disassembled and reassembled, which also facilitates maintenance and cleaning of the lid itself and the vent.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description illustrate various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the claimed subject matter. This document includes figures to provide further understanding of the various embodiments. The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments described herein, and together with the written description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.

With reference to the above-described objects, the technical features of the present invention are hereinafter described, and the advantages thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example and do not limit the invention.

The following is a list of reference numerals used in the figures and description:.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinafter. While the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that this description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplified embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is directed not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments, which may be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For ease of explanation and precise definition of the technical solutions of the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", and "outer" are used to refer to the positions of features of the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings to refer to these features describe.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A venting device <NUM> for a container <NUM> according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in <FIG>.

In this context, the term "venting device" is to be understood as a device that enables the gas in one space to be in fluid communication with the gas in another space so that the gas pressure in the two spaces is equalized. Generally, the power source for the venting device to circulate the gas may be provided by the pressure difference of the gas in different spaces, but the active pumping or auxiliary pumping of the gas between the different spaces may also be performed by using an external power source such as an air pump.

Furthermore, although a particular form of container <NUM> is shown in the drawings as a drinking cup for children (duckbill cup), the venting device of the present invention may also be used in various other types of containers <NUM>, such as drinking cups, insulated bottles, lunch boxes, etc..

As shown more clearly in <FIG>, the container <NUM> comprises an inner chamber <NUM> for holding contents such as fluids and gases. The inner chamber <NUM> may be symmetrical about a center axis or may be of other irregular shapes. Preferably, the inner chamber <NUM> may have shape that tapers toward the top.

With reference to <FIG>, the container <NUM> may include a lid <NUM> and a main body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is engaged with the main body <NUM> to cover the opening <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. Preferably, the lid <NUM> and the main body <NUM> are engaged with each other by a screw-on connection, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Additionally or alternatively, the lid <NUM> and the main body <NUM> may also be connected to each other in other detachable ways. One or more parts of the lid <NUM> (such as the lid base <NUM> described below) may also be non-detachably connected to the body <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the lid <NUM> comprises a lid base <NUM> and a swivel cover <NUM> pivotally mounted on the lid base <NUM>, wherein the swivel cover <NUM> rotates (pivots) with respect to the lid base <NUM> about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the inner chamber <NUM> (extending in the up-down direction in <FIG>), but the swivel cover <NUM> may also be made to rotate in other directions relative to the lid base <NUM>, for example, around the longitudinal axis of the inner chamber <NUM>. The swivel cover <NUM> can have different shapes. Preferably, the swivel cover <NUM> may be a curved shell-like structure, e.g., part of a spherical surface, as shown in the drawings. Generally, the swivel cover <NUM> is configured to enclose an interior space in which, for example, a portion of the lid base <NUM> and/or one or more components making up the venting device <NUM> may be accommodated. The swivel cover <NUM>, for example, on the inner wall of the swivel cover <NUM>, may be provided with structures coordinating with the lid base <NUM>, such as a rotating shaft 222A and a guiding member 222B (see, for example, <FIG>), in order to facilitate the rotation of the swivel cover <NUM> relative to the lid base <NUM>. The guiding member 222B may comprise a plurality of concentrically arranged arc-shaped protrusions as shown in the figures to provide a pivot structure in cooperation with complementary arc-shaped grooves (not shown) on the lid base <NUM>. The arc-shaped protrusions may protect the inner space defined by them to a certain extent. In a preferred embodiment, the lid base <NUM> and the swivel cover <NUM> are configured such that they are separable from each other. In this disclosure, the lid base <NUM> and the swivel cover <NUM> being separable means that they are not integrated, but rather that one of the lid base <NUM> and the swivel cover <NUM> may be disassembled independently from the other.

Continuing with reference to <FIG>, the venting device <NUM> of the present invention includes an air channel <NUM> and a rotary venting rod <NUM>.

The air channel <NUM> includes a first end <NUM> facing the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> and a second end <NUM> facing away from the rotary venting rod <NUM>. The two ends <NUM> are in fluid communication with the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> for holding the contents. It should be pointed out that the air channel <NUM> is a pipe-like structure arranged in a solid structure, and the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> described herein actually refer to the openings at the ends of the air channel <NUM>. The air channel <NUM> may be straight or curved according to need. The diameter of the air channel <NUM> may be uniform, or may be varied along the longitudinal direction of the air channel <NUM> according to need, such as increasing, decreasing, increasing first and then decreasing, first decreasing and then increasing, and so on.

The air channel <NUM> may be provided on the lid base <NUM>. In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings (see <FIG>, and <FIG>), the lid base <NUM> includes a side facing inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> when it is mounted on the main body <NUM> of the container <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, the lid base <NUM> may include a protrusion <NUM> protruding away from the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM>, and the air channel <NUM> may be provided at the inner side of the protrusion <NUM>.

As described above, the rotary venting rod <NUM> has an outer surface <NUM>. This outer surface <NUM> defines a longitudinal direction and thus a longitudinal rotation axis <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>, see for example <FIG> and <FIG>. Preferably and as shown in the drawings, the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is cylindrical and the rotation axis <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is its central axis. However, particularly in the case where the rotary venting rod <NUM> is made of an elastic material, the rotary venting rod <NUM> may have an outer surface <NUM> having other shapes, such as oval, elliptical, polygonal, star-shaped, etc. The first end <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> may preferably engage directly with the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>, and more preferably have a shape complementary to the shape of the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod.

In the preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, the rotary venting rod <NUM> is detachably provided on the container <NUM>, for example, on the swivel cover <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. The detachable arrangement includes, for example, screw-on or snap-fitting.

Preferably, as shown in the drawings, the rotation axis <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the channel axis <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> at the first end <NUM>. Substantially perpendicular means that the angle where the two intersect is approximately equal to <NUM> degrees, such as <NUM>° ± <NUM>°.

Referring to the rotary venting rod of the first preferred embodiment shown in <FIG> and the rotary venting rod of the second preferred embodiment shown in <FIG>, in these two embodiments, the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is provided with a venting slot <NUM> that is recessed and in fluid communication with ambient air outside the inner chamber <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In the two embodiments shown, see, e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>, the venting slot <NUM> may extend within the rotary venting rod <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the rotary venting rod <NUM> to the distal face <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>.

Further preferably, as in the second embodiment shown in <FIG>, the venting slot <NUM> extends along a part of the longitudinal direction of the rotary venting rod <NUM> on the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>. In other words, the venting slot <NUM> may not extend along the entire longitudinal length of the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>, but is only recessed on a section of the outer surface <NUM>.

As also shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and best shown in <FIG>, the rotary venting rod <NUM> may preferably be hollow and including an internal cavity <NUM>. The above-mentioned internal cavity <NUM> penetrates to the distal face <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>, and the venting slot <NUM> is recessed into the internal cavity <NUM> from the outer surface <NUM>.

The swivel vent rod <NUM> can swivel about a rotation axis <NUM> extending longitudinally thereof to toggle the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> between a vented state and a sealed state, which are as follows:.

In the vented state, at least a portion of the venting slot <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is in fluid communication with the air channel <NUM> and enables the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> to also pass through the air channel <NUM> and the vent slot <NUM> to be in fluid communication with the outside ambient air.

In the sealed state, the venting slot <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is not in fluid communication with the air channel <NUM> and causes the first end <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> to be sealed by the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>. In other words, in the sealed state, the opening of the air channel <NUM> at the first end <NUM> is closed by the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>, blocking communication with the outside ambient air.

In the above-described exemplary preferred embodiment, the rotary venting rod <NUM> is provided on the swivel cover <NUM>, and the air channel <NUM> is provided on the lid base <NUM>. Therefore, the rotary venting rod <NUM> can rotate relative to the air channel <NUM> with the rotation of the swivel cover <NUM> relative to the lid base <NUM>. Further preferably, the rotary venting rod <NUM> may be arranged on the inner side of the swivel cover <NUM> to rotate together with the swivel cover <NUM> around the rotation axis <NUM>. At this time, the venting slot <NUM> may also lead to the interior space covered by the swivel cover <NUM>.

In this preferred embodiment, the swivel cover <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and the lid base main body <NUM> may be configured such that:.

The rotary venting rod <NUM> shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> again depict the second embodiment shown in <FIG> and discussed above, wherein the venting slot <NUM> extends over a portion of the length of the rotary venting rod <NUM>. Of course, the venting slot <NUM> may also extend through the entire length of the rotary venting rod <NUM>. In <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the venting slot <NUM> has a substantially circular cross-section within the rotary venting rod <NUM>. It will be appreciated that the vent slot may also be configured to have a generally rectangular cross-section. Although the specific embodiments of the rotary venting rod of the present invention may be different, the matching relationship between the venting slot <NUM> and the air channel <NUM> remains similar to each other. For example, the above-mentioned correspondence between the venting slot <NUM> and the air channel <NUM> may be seen in the operation process shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, it shows the drinking opening <NUM> provided on the lid base <NUM> of the lid <NUM> of the container <NUM>, which is exposed because it is not covered by the swivel cover <NUM> being in the opened state. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> (in <FIG> and <FIG> the drinking opening <NUM> is not exposed because it is blocked by the swivel cover <NUM>), the drinking opening <NUM> may be configured as follows.

When the swivel cover <NUM> of the lid <NUM> is completely closed (closed position, <FIG>), the drinking opening <NUM> (covered by the swivel cover <NUM> in <FIG>) is in a sealed state and completely covered by the swivel cover <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. At this time, the user cannot access the contents of the container <NUM> through the drinking opening <NUM>.

When the swivel cover <NUM> is partially opened but not fully opened (intermediate position, <FIG>), the drinking opening <NUM> (covered by the swivel cover <NUM> in <FIG>) is still completely covered by the swivel cover <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. At this time, the user still cannot access the contents of the container <NUM> through the drinking opening <NUM>, as the drinking opening <NUM> is still in a sealed state.

When the swivel cover <NUM> is fully opened (open position, <FIG>), the swivel cover <NUM> is fully rotated to one side of the lid <NUM>, so that the drinking opening <NUM> located on the opposite side of the lid <NUM> is exposed. At this time, the user can access the contents of the container <NUM> through the drinking opening <NUM> (the connection structure between the contents of the container and the drinking opening <NUM> is not the focus of the present invention, so such details are omitted from this disclosure) as the drinking opening <NUM> is in an open state.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the container <NUM> may further include other structures to facilitate drinking at the drinking opening <NUM>. For example, referring back to <FIG>, the container <NUM> may also preferably include a drinking straw <NUM> extending into the inner chamber <NUM> from outside the inner chamber <NUM>. The drinking straw <NUM> may be in the form of a drinking straw extending through and beyond the lid <NUM>, or may be other common suction aids. The drinking straw <NUM> may be flexible, for example, to be sealed by being bent and deformed by an external force, and to be opened by virtue of the recovery properties of the drinking straw material itself when the external force is removed. Alternatively, the drinking straw <NUM> may also be elastically retractable, so as to be retracted into the container <NUM> under the action of an external force to be sealed, and elastically extend when the external force is removed. The drinking straw <NUM> may be opened or closed using methods common in the art, such as by the movement of the swivel cover <NUM> relative to the lid base <NUM> to open and close the drinking straw <NUM>.

Preferably, the drinking straw <NUM> may be configured as follows.

When the swivel cover <NUM> of the lid <NUM> is completely closed (closed position), the drinking straw <NUM> is bent or pressed in by the force of the swivel cover <NUM>. The venting slot <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM> is not in fluid communication with the air channel <NUM>, and the first end <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> is sealed by the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>, so the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> cannot communicate with the external ambient air through the air channel <NUM>. At this time, the drinking opening <NUM> is completely blocked by the swivel cover <NUM> and is in a sealed state; at this time, the drinking straw <NUM> cannot be used.

When the swivel cover <NUM> rotates to the intermediate position, the swivel cover <NUM> is partially but not fully opened, and at least a part of the drinking straw <NUM> is also bent or pressed in by the force of the swivel cover <NUM>. Rotation of the rotary venting rod <NUM> with the rotation of the swivel cover <NUM> causes at least a portion of the venting slot <NUM> to be in fluid communication with the air channel <NUM>, thereby placing the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> in fluid communication with the with the ambient air through the air channel <NUM> and venting slot <NUM>, so as to equalize the external air pressure and the internal pressure of the inner chamber <NUM>. At this time, the drinking opening <NUM> is still sealed by the swivel cover (<NUM>) and is in a sealed state, so at this time, the drinking straw <NUM> cannot be used.

When the swivel cover <NUM> is rotated to the open position, since the swivel cover <NUM> is completely rotated to one side of the lid <NUM> and is out of contact with the drinking straw <NUM>, the drinking straw <NUM> returns to an accessible configuration. The rotary venting rod <NUM> is rotated until the venting slot <NUM> is again out of fluid communication with the air channel <NUM>, and the first end <NUM> of the air channel <NUM> is sealed by the outer surface <NUM> of the rotary venting rod <NUM>. The inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM> cannot communicate with the external ambient air through the air channel <NUM>, but the swivel cover <NUM> releases the drinking straw <NUM> so that the drinking straw <NUM> is in an open state, allowing access to the liquid beverage contained in the inner chamber <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but it is to be understood that aspects of the embodiments may be modified, if desired, to employ aspects, features and concepts of various patents, applications and publications to provide additional embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claim 1:
A venting device (<NUM>) for use with a container such as a bottle, cup, jar, box, including a child's drinking cup such as a duckbill cup, characterized in that the venting device (<NUM>) comprises an air channel (<NUM>) and a rotary venting rod (<NUM>), wherein:
the air channel (<NUM>) comprises a first end (<NUM>) facing the outer surface (<NUM>) of the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) facing away from the rotary venting rod (<NUM>);
the outer surface (<NUM>) of the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) is provided with a recessed venting slot (<NUM>) which is in fluid communication with ambient air, and the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) may be swiveled about a rotation axis (<NUM>) extending along its longitudinal direction to provide vented and sealed states, wherein:
in the vented state, the venting slot (<NUM>) of the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) is in fluid communication with the air channel (<NUM>) and the air channel (<NUM>) is in fluid communication with the ambient air via the venting slot (<NUM>); and
in the sealed state, the venting slot (<NUM>) of the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) is not in fluid communication with the air channel (<NUM>) and the first end (<NUM>) of the air channel (<NUM>) is sealed by the outer surface (<NUM>) of the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) further characterised in that the first end (<NUM>) of the air channel (<NUM>) and the outer surface (<NUM>) of the rotary venting rod (<NUM>) are separable from each other, thereby facilitating maintenance and cleaning of the venting device.