Exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configuration can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Various embodiments discussed herein overcome the problems of existing closures by providing one or more of the following elements:
adjustable flow controlling spout 40; protective cap 20; and base 30.
Base 30 contains inner threaded walls 130 for mating with the threads of a beverage container. Base 30 contains a ring 100 around its lower perimeter attached to a retaining strap which fastens to protective outer cap 20. Base 30 may contain insulation in the walls to help maintain the desired beverage temperature. Base 30 contains a narrower central portion with a threaded outer wall 115 for mating with the threads of an outer protective cap 20. Base 30 further containing adjustable flow controlling spout 40.
Adjustable flow controlling spout 40 contains an aperture throughout from the tip of the adjustable flow controlling spout 80 to aperture 70 in the base 30 of closure 10. Adjustable flow controlling spout 40 contains stopper 55 with plug 60 mounted on top which optionally seals adjustable flow controlling spout 40. Stopper 55 and plug 60 alternate between a raised position in which it seals spout 40 and a lowered position in which spout 40 is fully open. The position of plug 60 is controlled by rotating the central portion of the flow control assembly 50 which rotates within base 30 to raise or lower plug 60 in gradual increments corresponding to the amount of rotation of flow control assembly 50. Flow control assembly 50 contains inner threaded walls mating with threads on stopper 55 which guide the rotation of flow control assembly 50 and stopper 55. Flow control assembly 50 contains vertical grooves on the exterior wall to facilitate finger traction for rotation. Flow control assembly 50 may allow a user of closure 10 to seal a beverage container. Flow control assembly 50 may allow a user to control the rate of flow of the beverage from the closure and may help reduce spillage and waste of the beverage.
Protective outer cap 20 contains an inner threaded wall for mating with the threads on the central portion of base 30 and optionally securing cap 20 to base 30. Protective outer cap 20 is of sufficient depth to cover adjustable flow controlling spout 40. Protective outer cap 20 contains a fastener 110 on the top of the cap with attached to a retaining strap 90 which is secured to base 30. Fastener 110 permits cap 20 to rotate while remaining fastened to retaining strap 90. This enables cap 20 to be rotated for securing onto base 30 or removing from base 30. Retaining strap 90 prevents the loss or misplacement of protective outer cap 20 when protective outer cap 20 is not secured to base 30. Protective outer cap 20 protects spout 40 from contaminants and damage. Outer cap 20 may also reduce spillage from spout 40 if a user leaves plug 60 of the flow control assembly in an open position but secures outer cap 20 to base 30. Outer cap 20 may contain insulation and help maintain a desired beverage temperature.
The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, other various embodiments of and modifications to the present disclosure, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Further, although the present disclosure has been described herein in the context of a particular implementation in a particular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present disclosure may be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present disclosure as described herein.