TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover for use with a fluid storage container, and more specifically to a fluid dispensing cover which, on the one hand, conveniently regulates, or otherwise controls the dispensing of a source of liquid from the associated fluid storage container, and further can be readily disassembled for cleaning, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Those skilled in the art will recognize that various fluid dispensing or other storage containers have been fabricated, and sold for many years. These various liquid dispensing or fluid storage containers have been designed to meet the needs of the users during various activities. For example, assorted liquid dispensing containers have been specifically designed for events such as running, bicycle riding, hiking, driving an automobile, attendance at sporting events, and many other such activities. Through the years much attention has been directed to these various prior art designs to provide a resulting liquid dispensing vessel which permits a user to consume, or dispense liquid from the container in a reliable manner during the given activity, and which further prevents accidental spilling of the liquid from the container in the event the drinking or other liquid dispensing vessel is accidently overturned. Much effort has been directed toward developing drinking containers which, when being used in an athletic event, such as running, bicycle riding, and the like, can be operated with one hand, and which further simultaneously allows for the equalization of air pressure within the internal cavity of the drinking or other fluid dispensing vessel as the container is being used.
While assorted designs have been developed to address these many needs, many shortcomings have become apparent after the prolonged usage of these same prior art products. For example, it has been well known that many users of these same prior art products often use the same containers for several different liquids such as coffee, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and the like. As should be understood, these same liquids often leave trace amounts of residue behind on any exposed portion of the drinking vessel. As is well known, if these trace residues are not removed, a sticky residue often will accumulate and this will often encourage the growth of undesirable microorganisms or further, may inhibit the operation of the drinking vessels such as those structures, which allows a user to selectively dispense the fluid or liquid from the fluid dispensing or drinking vessel.
While these prior art devices have worked with varying degrees of success it is well known that without proper cleaning these same drinking vessels will often malfunction within a very short period of time. Furthermore, these same prior art devices oftentimes have been complex in their overall design, and have been difficult to disassemble and properly clean so as to prevent the foregoing problems from developing.
A fluid dispensing cover which avoids the detriments associated with the prior art products and practices utilized, heretofore, is the subject matter of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover which includes a main body defining an internal cavity, and further having a fluid dispensing passageway which extends therethrough; a selectively moveable closure member which is releasably, and pivotally mounted within the internal cavity of the main body, and which is normally biased into an occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway; and a moveable force transmitting member borne by the main body, and which is operable, when force is applied to the force transmitting member to cause the selectively moveable closure member to move to a non-occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, and thereby facilitate the dispensing of a source of fluid through the fluid dispensing aperture.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover which includes a main body having an outwardly facing surface, and an, opposite, inwardly facing surface, and wherein the inwardly facing surface defines an internal cavity, and wherein a fluid dispensing passageway extends between the outwardly facing surface, and the inwardly facing surface; a biased, and selectively moveable closure member which is pivotally mounted within the internal cavity of the main body, and which is further pivotally moveable relative to the fluid dispensing passageway so as to facilitate the dispensing of a source of liquid therethrough, and wherein the moveable closure member is normally biased into an occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway; and a moveable force transmitting member borne by the main body, and which further has a first, force receiving end which is located laterally outwardly relative to the outwardly facing surface of the main body, and a second, force transmitting end which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biased, and selectively moveable closure member, and wherein a force applied by a user to the first force receiving end of the moveable force transmitting member simultaneously effects the pivotal movement of the movable closure member from the normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluded position so as to permit the dispensing of a source of fluid therethrough, and wherein the removal of the force applied to the first force receiving end results in the biased, selectively moveable closure member returning to the normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway.
More specifically the present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover which includes a main body having an outwardly, and an opposite, inwardly facing surfaces, and wherein the inwardly facing surface defines an internal cavity, and wherein the main body is defined, at least in part, by a top surface having a peripheral edge, and wherein the main body further has a circumscribing sidewall which depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the top surface, and wherein the top surface further defines a downwardly extending cavity which is located adjacent to the peripheral edge of the top surface, and wherein a fluid dispensing passageway extends from the downwardly extending cavity into the internal cavity, and which is defined, at least in part, by the main body, and wherein the main body further includes a passageway which is formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall, and which further is located in a position which is opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway, and which still further communicates with the internal cavity of the main body, and wherein the inside facing surface of the main body further mounts a pair of pivot axles which are mounted in predetermined, spaced relation, one relative to the other, and a biasing engagement member which is mounted on the internal surface of the main body, and which is further located between the fluid dispensing passageway, and the passageway formed in the depending and circumscribing sidewall; a selectively moveable closure member which is releasably, and pivotally mounted on the pair of spaced, pivot axles, and wherein the closure member has a sealing member which is sized so as sealably occlude the fluid dispensing passageway, and which extends through the main body, and into the internal cavity thereof, and wherein the sealing member has spaced, opposite ends, and a pair of support members extend outwardly from the opposite ends of the sealing member, and wherein each support member further has a resilient, distal end, and wherein the resilient, distal end of each of the support members defines a pivot axle receiving region which is sized so as to matingly and rotatably cooperate with the respective pivot axles, and thereby render the closure member pivotally moveable relative to the respective pivot axles, and which further effects a pivotal movement of the sealing member from a normally, occluding orientation relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluding position, and wherein, in the non-occluding position, the closure member facilitates the dispensing of a source of fluid through the fluid dispensing passageway, and wherein the selectively moveable closure member further includes a biasing support member which is made integral with each of the resilient, distal ends of the respective support members; a biasing member which is releasably mounted on the biasing support member and which further forcibly engages the biasing engagement member; and a moveable force transmitting member which is biasingly and reciprocally moveable, and telescopingly received within the passageway which is formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall, and wherein the force transmitting member has a first, force receiving end which extends laterally, outwardly relative to the depending and circumscribing sidewall, and a second, force transmitting end which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biasing support member, and which is made integral with the selectively moveable closure member, and wherein a force applied by a user to the first, force receiving end is effective in pivotally moving the sealing member from the normally occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway, to a non-occluding position so as to facilitate the dispensing of the source of fluid therethrough, and wherein the removal of the force applied by the user to the first, force receiving end results in the biasing member biasingly returning the selectively movable closure member, and the associated sealing member, back to the normally occluding position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective, side elevation view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a second, fragmentary, perspective, side elevation view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, perspective, side elevation view of a closure member which forms a feature of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, perspective view of a moveable cover which forms a feature of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, bottom, plan view of the present invention with some structures removed to aid in an understanding of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the closure member as seen in FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, perspective view of a biasing member which forms a feature of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a second, greatly enlarged, perspective, side elevation view of the closure member as seen in FIG. 3.
FIG. 9 is a bottom, plan view of the closure member as seen in FIG. 3.
FIG. 10 is a transverse, vertical sectional view of the present invention, and which is taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a second, transverse, vertical sectional view of the present invention and which is taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a third, transverse, vertical sectional view of the present invention and which is taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).
The fluid dispensing cover of the present invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10 in FIG. 1, and following. As seen in the drawings, (FIG. 12) the fluid dispensing cover 10 is operable to releasably cooperate with a fluid dispensing or storage container 11. The storage container 11 defines an internal cavity 12. Further, the fluid storage container 11 has a neck portion or region 13 which allows access to the internal cavity 12. As seen in the drawings, external threads are made integral with or otherwise are defined by the neck portion 13, and are operable to threadably cooperate with the fluid dispensing cover 10 in the manner as will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter. Still further, and as seen in the drawings, (FIG. 12) a source of a fluid to be dispensed 15 is graphically depicted, and is located within the internal cavity 12 of the fluid dispensing or storage container 11.
The fluid dispensing cover 10 has a main body which is generally indicated by the numeral 20 in the drawings. The main body 20 is defined, at least in part, by an outwardly facing surface 21, and an opposite, inwardly facing surface 22. The outwardly facing surface 21 is defined, in part, by a top or otherwise outwardly facing surface 23, and which has a peripheral edge 24. As seen in the drawings, a downwardly extending cavity 25 is formed in close proximity to the peripheral edge 24, and extends downwardly relative to the top, outwardly facing surface 23.
As further seen in the drawings, a fluid dispensing passageway 30 is formed in the downwardly extending cavity 25, and communicates with an internal cavity which is defined by the main body 20 as will be described in the paragraphs which follow.
The fluid dispensing passageway 30, and in particular the downwardly extending cavity 25, is defined, in part, by a sloping sidewall 31 which is defined by the top, outwardly facing surface 23. As seen in the drawings, (FIG. 2) a centrally disposed, and upwardly extending, and very short protrusion 32 extends upwardly from the top, outwardly facing surface 23, and is operable to selectively cooperate with a movable cover which is generally indicated by the numeral 33 (FIG. 1). The movable cover 33 is operable, on the one hand, to be positioned so as to occlude or otherwise protect or cover the downwardly extending cavity 25 when it is not in use (FIG. 10). The movable cover 23 is defined by a main body 34 (FIG. 4) which is pivotally mounted on the top, outwardly facing surface 23 as illustrated (FIG. 1). The main body 34 is further defined by a peripheral edge 40. As seen in the drawings the peripheral edge 40 includes an engagement member 41 which is operable to resiliently and releasably cooperate with a portion of a circumscribing and depending sidewall, as will be discussed, below (FIG. 10). The main body 34 also includes a retention member 42 which is operable to matingly and otherwise movably cooperate with the protrusion 32, as described, above, and thereby retain the movable cover in a given non-occluding location when the fluid dispensing cover 10 is being utilized (FIG. 11). In this regard, the movable cover 33, and more specifically the main body 34, thereof, is operable to move along a path of movement 43 from a first, occluding position 44, which prevents access to, or otherwise covers the downwardly extending cavity 25 (FIG. 10), to a second, non-occluding position 45, and wherein the downwardly extending cavity 25 is exposed so that a user may gain access and drink from the downwardly extending cavity 25 (FIG. 11). In the second, non-occluding position 45, the retention member 42 cooperates with the upwardly extending protrusion 32 thereby retaining the movable cover, 33, temporarily, in the second, non-occluding position 45 so that the main body 34 will not move, and strike the nose of a user who might be placing their lips to the fluid dispensing cover 10 so as to receive the source of fluid 15 which is passing through the fluid dispensing passageway 30.
As illustrated in the drawings, the main body 20 of the fluid dispensing cover 10 is defined, in part, by a circumscribing and depending sidewall 50. As seen in the drawings, the circumscribing sidewall 50 is defined, in part, by an exterior facing surface 51, and an opposite, interior facing surface 52. The sidewall 50 further is defined, in part, by a top peripheral edge 53 which is located elevationally above the top, outwardly facing surface 23, and a bottom peripheral edge 54. The engagement member 41 releasably engages the top peripheral edge 53. As seen in the drawings, a user handle 55 is attached to the exterior facing surface 51, at a location which is near the top peripheral edge 53, and further extends down to, and connects with, the exterior facing surface 51 at a location near the bottom peripheral edge 54. The user handle 55 defines a partially enclosed region which is generally indicated by the numeral 56, and which further is defined between the user handle 55, and the exterior facing surface 51. Still further, and as seen in the drawings (FIG. 10), a plurality of screw threads which are generally indicated by the numeral 57, are defined by, or otherwise mounted to, the interior facing surface 52, and are operable to screw-threadably cooperate with the external threads 14 which are made integral with the neck portion, or region 13 of the fluid dispensing or storage container 11, and which the fluid dispensing cover 10 is operable to matingly cooperate with.
As seen in the drawings (FIGS. 5 and 10), a passageway which is generally indicated by the numeral 60, is formed in the circumscribing, and depending sidewall 50, and further extends between the exterior facing surface 51, to the interior facing surface 52, thereof. The passageway 60 is located within the partially enclosed region 56 which is defined between the user handle 55, and the exterior facing surface 51. The passageway 60 extends substantially radially, inwardly relative to the exterior facing surface 51, and is further disposed in a position opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and which extends into the internal cavity 70. The internal cavity 70 is defined by the main body 20, and in part, by the interior or internal facing surface 52 of the circumscribing and depending sidewall 50. It should be understood that the internal cavity 70 is defined, in part, by a first portion 71, and a second portion 72. The depth dimension of the second portion 72, is variable. However, the depth dimension of the second portion 72 of the internal cavity is 70 greater than the depth dimension of the first portion 71. As seen in the drawings, the fluid dispensing passageway 30 extends through the downwardly extending cavity 25 formed in the top, outwardly facing surface 23, and then passes through, and into the first region 74 which is defined by the second portion 72 of the internal cavity 70. As can be seen in the drawings (FIG. 5) the second portion 72 has a first region 74, which has a first depth dimension, and a second region 75, having a greater depth dimension than the first region 74. As will be appreciated, the passageway 60 which is formed in the circumscribing and depending sidewall 50 extends into the internal cavity 70, and enters, or is coupled in fluid-flowing relation relative to the second region 75, which defines, in part, the second portion 72 of the internal cavity 70. As seen in the drawings the first portion 71 of the internal cavity defines, at least in part, a circumscribing seal seat 76 (FIGS. 5 and 10), and which is operable to receive a conventional fluid seal therein. The circumscribing seal seat 76 permits the main body 20 to be threadably advanced into fluid sealing relation relative to the neck portion 13 of the fluid dispensing or storage container 11 when the fluid dispensing cover 10 threadably and releasably mates with same (FIG. 12).
As discussed in the paragraph above, the second portion 72, of the internal cavity 70, is defined, in part, by spaced sidewalls 73 which are located in predetermined spaced relation, one relative to the other. As seen in the drawings (FIG. 5), a pair of pivot axles 80 are made integral with the respective, space sidewalls 73 that defines, at least in part, the second portion 72 of the internal cavity 70. The pair of pivot axles 80 individually extend substantially perpendicularly, inwardly relative to the respective sidewalls 73, and are further substantially coaxially aligned, one relative to the other. In one possible form of the invention the respective pair of pivot axles 80 can be fabricated as inserts, which can be received within a correspondingly similarly shaped passageway which is formed in the respective sidewall 73. The individual pivot axles 80 are disposed in predetermined, spaced relation, one relative to the other. As further seen in the drawings, the present invention 10 includes a biasing engagement member 90 which is mounted within the first region 74 of the internal cavity 70. The biasing engagement member 90 typically extends perpendicularly, upwardly, relative to the first region 74, and is further oriented in substantial alignment with, and positioned therebetween, the passageway 60, and the fluid dispensing passageway 30. The biasing engagement member 90 has a main body 91 which has a height dimension which typically does not extend above, or into the first portion 71, of the internal cavity 70. The biasing engagement member 90 is defined, in part, by a force receiving surface 92 which faces in the direction of the passageway 60. The main body 91 is further shaped so as to resist deformation when a force is applied to the force receiving surface 92 in the manner which will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter.
As seen in the drawings (FIGS. 3, 6, and 8), the present invention 10 includes a selectively movable closure member 100 which is releasably, and pivotally mounted on, or otherwise cooperates with, the pair of spaced pivot axles 80, and which are further located within the internal cavity 70. The selectively movable closure member 100 is defined, at least in part, by a sealing member 101 which is sized so as to sealably occlude the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and which extends through the main body 20, and into the internal cavity 70, thereof. The sealing member 101 is defined, at least in part, by a frame, and which is generally indicated by the numeral 102. This substantially rigid frame 102 has a first end 103, and an opposite, second end 104. An aperture 105 is defined by the frame 102, and which is further sized so as to matingly cooperate with a resilient, fluid dispensing plug or seal 106 which is received or otherwise matingly cooperates, at least in part, with the aperture, but which is sized or designed so that as to allow the resilient fluid dispensing plug or seal 106 to be removed from the frame 102 so that it may be cleaned or otherwise sanitized, from time-to-time during the use of the fluid dispensing cover 10.
The selectively movable closure member 100 further includes a pair of spaced, and substantially parallel, support members (FIG. 9) which are generally indicated by the numeral 110. The respective support members 110 extend outwardly, and in the same general direction from the opposite, first and second ends 103, and 104 of the frame 102, and which further forms the sealing member 101. Each of the support members 110 has a first end 111, which is made integral with the opposite first and second ends 103 and 104, respectively; and a second, opposite, resilient, and distal end 112. The resilient and distal end 112 of each of the support members 110 has an interior facing surface 113, and an exterior facing surface 114. Still further, the respective second, or distal ends 112 each have a pivot axle receiving region 115 formed on the exterior, or outwardly facing surface 114. The respective pivot axle receiving regions 115 are sized so as to releasably, matingly, and rotatably cooperate in the manner of a snap-fit with the respective pivot axles 80 so as to effect, or permit a pivotal movement of the sealing member 101 from a biased, normally occluding orientation relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30 (FIG. 10), to a non-occluding position which facilitates the dispensing of the source of fluid 15 through the fluid dispensing passageway 30 (FIG. 11). This operational aspect of the present invention will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter. The respective pivot axle receiving regions 115 are defined, in part, by individual pivot axle receiving passageways 116 which are substantially coaxially aligned with each other. Still further, and as seen in the drawings, each of the pivot axle receiving regions 115 has a predetermined ramp region 117 formed therein, and which further has a given reduced thickness dimension, and predetermined pitch, and which further facilitates the snap-fit of the respective pivot axle receiving regions 115, with each of the aforementioned pivot axles 80 when force is applied to individual force receiving members, as will be described, hereinafter, so as to resiliently bend the distal end 112 of each of the individual support members 110 so as to achieve the snap-fit (FIG. 6).
The selectively movable closure member 100 further includes a biasing support member 120 (FIGS. 6 and 8) which is made integral with, and extends between each of the resilient and distal ends 112 of the respective support members 110. The biasing support member 120 further has a main body 121 which has opposite, first and second ends 122 and 123, respectively, and which further individually are mounted on each of the respective distal ends 112 of the individual support members 110. As seen in the drawings, the main body 121 includes a first peripheral edge 124, and an opposite, second peripheral edge 125. As further seen in the drawings, the main body 121 has a thickness dimension as measured between the first and second peripheral edges 124 and 125, respectively. Still further the main body 121 includes a reduced thickness region 126 which is formed near the opposite first and second ends 122 and 123 thereof, and which facilitates a resilient motion of the respective distal ends 112 of each of the support members 110. This feature of the invention will be discussed in greater detail in the paragraphs which follow. Still further the main body 121 is defined, in part, by a centrally disposed channel member 130 (FIG. 6) which is made integral therewith, and which further operably, and mating cooperates with a biasing member as will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter. Yet further, and formed in the first peripheral edge 124 of the main body 121 a biasing member passageway 131, and which further allows the movement of a biasing member as will be discussed below to move or pass therethrough during the operation of the present invention 10 (FIG. 11). As should be understood from the drawings, a predetermined gap 132 is defined between the biasing support member 120, the sealing member 101, and between the respective support members 110. The significance of this gap or space 132 in the assembly and operation of the selectively movable closure member 100 will become more apparent when a discussion of the fully assembled invention 10, and the operation of same, is discussed, below.
The selectively movable closure member 100 further includes individual force receiving members which are generally indicated by the numeral 140, and which are further mounted on the second, resilient, and distal end 112, of each of the pair of support members 110, and are further oriented generally perpendicularly relative thereto. The individual force receiving members 140 have a first end 141, which is made integral with the second end 112, and a second or distal end 142, which extends perpendicularly outwardly from the second end 112. A force supplied by a user's fingers, not shown, are operable to move the individual force receiving members 140 along a path of travel 143, and in a direction towards each other from a first position 144, and where no force has been applied by the fingers of the user (not shown) to the second distal end 142, to a second position 145, and wherein the second ends 142 are located in closely spaced relation (shown in phantom lines in FIGS. 3 and 6). The force applied by the user to the second ends 142 causes the second, resilient and distal ends 112 of each of the support members 110 to defect or otherwise resiliently bend towards each other. This resilient bending or other motion of the second, resilient or distal ends 112, is enhanced or facilitated by the reduced thickness dimensioned regions 126 which are formed near the first and second ends 122 and 123 of the biasing support member 120. Still further, this resilient distortion or movement of the second, resilient, and distal ends 112 of the respective support members 110 is effective to move or otherwise position the pivot axle receiving regions 115, and which include the predetermined ramp regions 117, in an advantageous spatial orientation or position so as to permit the pivot axle receiving regions 115 to either move into, or move out of operable and rotatable engagement with the individual pair of pivot axles 80, and which are mounted within the internal cavity 70, of the main body 20. As should be appreciated, the releasable detachment of the closure member 100 from the individual pivotal axles 80 provides a convenient means by which a user may readily disassemble, and then cleanse the selectively movable closure member 100, periodically, so as to prevent the adverse buildup of fluid films, or otherwise discourage any microbial growth that might be occasioned by the source of fluids 15 which dispensed, from time-to-time, by the fluid dispensing or storage container 11.
As seen in the drawings, a biasing member 150 (FIGS. 3 and 7) is matingly received, and further cooperates with the centrally disposed channel member 130, and which is made integral with the biasing supporting member 120. In this regard, the biasing member 150 which renders the selectively movable closure member 100 biasingly movable relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, includes a first portion, which is generally indicated by the numeral 151, and a second portion, which is generally indicated by the numeral 152. As seen in the drawings, the first portion 151 releasably and operably cooperates with the centrally disposed channel member 130, and the second portion 152 is oriented so as to forcibly engage the biasing engagement member 90 which is mounted within the internal cavity 70 of the fluid dispensing cover 10. The biasing member 150 has first and second resilient legs 153 and 154, respectively, and which further are joined together by an intermediate portion 155, and which locates, or otherwise orients the respective resilient legs 153 and 154 in substantially parallel, and spaced relation, one relative to the other. Each of the first and second resilient legs 153 and 154 are defined by multiple courses 160. More specifically, the multiple courses 160 include a first course 161, which matingly engages the distal end 112 of each of the support members 110, and further extends laterally inwardly relative thereto. This is typically achieved by forming receiving apertures in each of the distal ends 112, as illustrated. The respective first and second resilient legs 153 and 154 of the biasing member 150 are each further defined by a second course 162 which is oriented in a perpendicular orientation relative to the first course 161, and which further are further operably and matingly received within the channel portion 130 of the biasing support member 120, as earlier described. The respective first and second resilient legs 153 and 154 of the biasing member 150 are each further defined by a third course 163, which extends angularly, outwardly, relative to the second course 162 and which further includes a coiled spring portion 164. The third course 163 of each of the first and second legs extends into the gap 132, and which is defined by the respective support members 110, the sealing member 101, and the biasing support member 120. It should be understood the respective first and second resilient legs 153 and 154 of the biasing member 150 are further defined, at least in part, by a fourth course 165 which is angularly oriented relative to the third course 163, and which further extends in the direction of the biasing support member 120, and wherein the intermediate portion 155 extends between the fourth course 165 of each of the first and second resilient legs 153 and 154, respectively. As seen in the drawings. The first course 161 of each of the respective first and second resilient legs 153 and 154, are substantially coaxially aligned, one relative to the other, and the second, third and fourth courses 162, 163 and 165, respectively, are disposed in spaced predetermined parallel orientation, one relative to the others. As will be recognized by studying the drawings, the position and operation of the biasing spring 150 is of such a nature that the selectively movable closure member 100 is normally biasingly positioned in an occluding relationship or orientation, relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30 in the absence of any exterior force applied to the selectively movable closure member 100 by a user. This movement of the selectively movable closure member 100 from a normally occluding position (FIG. 10) which prevents the dispensing of the source of fluid 15, to a non-occluding position (FIG. 11) which allows the selective dispensing of the source of fluid 15, will be discussed in greater detail, hereinafter.
As seen in the drawings (FIGS. 10-12), a movable force transmitting member which is generally indicated by the numeral 170 is provided, and which has an elongated main body 171. The main body 171 has a first, force transmitting end 172, and an opposite, and second, force transmitting end 173, and which is disposed within the internal cavity 70, as defined by the main body 20, of the fluid dispensing cover 10. The movable force transmitting member 170 is operable, when force is applied to the force transmitting member 170, at the first end 172, to cause the selectively movable closure member 100 to move from an occluding position 174 (FIG. 10), and wherein the movable closure member 100 sealably occludes the fluid passageway 30; to a second, non-occluding position 175 (FIG. 11), and wherein the movable closure member 100 is spaced from the fluid passageway 30 so as to allow the source of fluid 15 to escape through the fluid passageway 30, and be consumed by a user, not shown. This movement of the closure member 100 causes the biasing member 150 to be placed into increased compression. In the arrangement as seen in the drawings it will be seen that a flexible fluid seal 180 is mounted on the second, force transmitting end 173, and which further sealably cooperates with the interior facing or sidewall surface 73 which defines, at least in part, the second portion 72 of the internal cavity 70. As seen in the drawings, the present invention 10 further includes a coiled biasing member 181 which is received within the passageway 60, and which is further formed through the circumscribing, and depending sidewall 50. The coiled biasing member 181 matingly and forcibly cooperates with the movable force transmitting member 170 so as to define a given reciprocal course of movement 182 of the force transmitting member 170 (FIG. 11). As earlier discussed, the movable closure member 100 is biasingly positioned in a normally occluded position relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30. The coiled biasing member 181 functions to define the course of movement 182 of the movable force transmitting member 170 between a first position 183 (FIG. 10), and wherein the first end is located radially outwardly relative the circumscribing sidewall 50, and a second position 184 (FIG. 11). This function of the invention will be discussed in greater detail in the paragraphs which follow.
The present invention 10 includes a lock assembly which is generally indicated by the numeral 190. The lock assembly 190 operates to control, at least in part, the flow of the source of fluid 15 through the fluid dispensing passageway 30. More specifically, the lock assembly 190 is mounted on an exterior facing surface 51 of the circumscribing and depending sidewall 50 (FIG. 10). As seen in the drawings, as provided, the lock assembly is located within the partially enclosed region 56 which is defined by the user handle 55. The lock assembly 190 is movable, by the user (not shown) between a first position 191 (FIG. 12), and which prohibits the movement of the movable force transmitting member 170 by the application of force applied by a finger of the user, and thereby prohibits the dispensing of the source of fluid 15 through the fluid dispensing passageway 30; to a second position 192 (FIG. 11), and which permits the dispensing of the source of the fluid 15. As earlier described, the movable closure member 100 is normally biased into a first occluding position 174 (FIG. 10) relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30. The lock assembly 190 is movable to a second position 192, and which permits the user to apply force to the first force receiving end 172 of the movable force transmitting member 170 so as to cause the selectively movable closure member 100 to pivotally move, under the force exerted by the movable force transmitting member 170, to a non-occluding position 175 (FIG. 11) relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and thereby simultaneously facilitate the selective dispensing of the source of fluid 15 through the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and equalizing an air pressure which is present or found in the internal cavity 70 of the fluid dispensing cover 10, with an air pressure which is present in the surrounding ambient environment 193. This equalization of the air pressure takes place through the passageway 60. As will be recognized the movement of the movable force transmitting member 170 between the first position 183, and the second position 184, places the coiled biasing member 181, and which is received in the passageway 60, into a compressed state. However, when force is removed from the first force receiving end 172, the biasing member 150 is operable to then return the selectively movable closure member 100 from the non-occluding position 175, back to the normally occluded position 174. Furthermore, the coiled biasing member 181 is operable to return the movable force transmitting member 170 from the second position 184, to the first position 183. In the first position 183 the flexible seal 180 which is mounted on the second force transmitting end 173 sealably cooperates with the interior facing wall 73, and which defines, at least in part, the second portion 72 of the internal cavity 70, so as to prevent the movement of air or other fluid from the internal cavity 70 to the surrounding ambient environment 193. Further, it should be recognized that in the movement of the movable force transmitting member 170 from the first position 183, to the second position 184, the second force transmitting end 173 forcibly engages the biasing support member 120 thereby imparting sufficient force to cause the selectively movable closure member 100 to rotate about the respective pivot axles 80 so as to effect the pivotal movement of the selectively movable closure member 100 between the occluded position 174, and the non-occluded position 175. As noted, above, the equalization of the air pressure within the internal cavity 70 is achieved by air pressure moving between the ambient environment 193, and the internal cavity 70, by passing through the passageway 60 which is formed in the circumscribing depending sidewall 50, and when the selectively movable force transmitting member 170 is in the second position 184, and the seal 180 is moved into a distal or unsealed relationship relative to the interior facing surface 73, and which defines a portion of the the internal cavity 70 of the fluid dispensing cover 10.
Operation
The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention 10 is believed to be readily apparent, and is briefly summarized at this point.
The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover 10 as seen in the drawings, and which, in its broadest aspect, includes a main body 20 defining an internal cavity 70, and which further has a fluid dispensing passageway 30 which extends therethrough. Still further, the fluid dispensing cover 10 includes a selectively movable closure member 100 which is releasably, and pivotally mounted within the internal cavity 70 of the main body 20, and which further is biased into a normally occluding position 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30. Still further, and in its broadest aspect, the fluid dispensing cover 10 includes a movable force transmitting member 170 which is borne by the main body 20, and which is operable, when force is applied to the force transmitting member 170, to cause the selectively movable closure member 100 to move to a non-occluding position 175 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and thereby facilitate the dispensing of a source of fluid 15 through the fluid dispensing aperture 30.
Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover 10, as described above, and which includes a main body 20 having an outwardly facing surface 21, and an opposite, inwardly facing surface 22. The inwardly facing surface 22 defines an internal cavity 70. A fluid dispensing passageway 30 extends between the outwardly facing surface 21, and the inwardly facing surface 22. In this form of the invention, a biased and selectively movable closure member 100 is pivotally mounted within the internal cavity 70 of the main body 20, and which is further pivotally movable relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30 so as to facilitate the dispensing of a source of fluid 15 therethrough. The movable closure member 100 is normally biased into an occluding position 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30. In this form of the invention a movable force transmitting member 170 is provided, and which is further movably borne by the main body 20, and which still further has a first force receiving end 172 which is located laterally, outwardly, relative to the outwardly facing surface 21 of the main body 20, and a second, force transmitting end 173 which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biased and selectively movable closure member 100. It should be understood that when a force is applied by a user to the first force receiving end 172 of the movable force transmitting member 170 this same force simultaneously effects the pivotal movement of the movable closure member 100 from the normally occluded position 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, to a non-occluded position 175, so as to permit or facilitate the selective dispensing of a source of fluid 15 therethrough. Still further, it should be understood that the removal of the force applied to the first force receiving end 172 results in the biased, selectively movable closure member 100 biasingly returning to the normally occluded position 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a fluid dispensing cover 10 which includes a main body 20 having an outwardly, and an opposite, inwardly facing surfaces 21 and 22, respectively. The inwardly facing surface 22 defines an internal cavity 70, and the main body 20 is defined, at least in part, by a top surface 23 having a peripheral edge 24. The main body 20 further has a circumscribing side wall 50 which depends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge 24 of the top surface. The top surface 23 further defines a downwardly extending cavity 25 which is located adjacent to the peripheral edge 24 of the top surface 23. A fluid dispensing passageway 30 extends from the downwardly extending cavity 25 into the internal cavity 70, and which is defined, at least in part, by the main body 20. The main body 20 further includes a passageway 60 which is formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall 50, and which further is located in a position which is opposite to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and which still further communicates with the internal cavity 70 of the main body 20. The inside facing surface 22 of the main body further mounts a pair of pivot axles 80 which are mounted in predetermined spaced relation, one relative to the other, and a biasing engagement member 90 is mounted on the inwardly facing surface 22 of the main body 20, and which is further located between the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and the passageway 60 which is formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall 50. The fluid dispensing cover 10 further includes a selectively movable closure member 100 which is releasably, and pivotally mounted on the pair of spaced, pivot axles 80. The closure member 100 has a sealing member 101 which is sized so as to sealably occlude 174 (FIG. 10) the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and which further extends through the main body 20, and into the internal cavity 70 thereof. The sealing member 101 has spaced, opposite ends 103 and 104, respectively, and a pair of support members 110 extend outwardly, and in the same general direction from the opposite ends 103 and 104, of the sealing member 101. Each support member 110 has a resilient, distal end 112, and wherein the resilient, distal end 112 of each of the support members 110 defines a pivot axle receiving region 115 which is sized so as to matingly and rotatably cooperate with the respective pivot axles 80, and thereby renders the closure member 100 pivotally, and partially rotatably movable relative to the respective pivot axles 80, and which further effects a pivotal movement of the sealing member 101 from a normally occluding orientation 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30, to a non-occluding position 175. As should be understood, and in the non-occluding position 175 (FIG. 11) the closure member 100 facilitates the dispensing of a source of fluid 15 through the fluid dispensing passageway 30, and the selectively movable closure member 100 further includes a biasing support member 120 which is made integral with each of the resilient ends 112 of the respective support members 110.
The fluid dispensing cover 10, as described, above, includes a biasing member 150 which is releasably mounted on, or cooperates with, the biasing support member 120, and which further forcibly (biasingly) engages the biasing engagement member 90. Still further, the fluid dispensing cover 10 includes a movable force transmitting member 170 which is biasingly and reciprocally movable, and telescopingly received within, the passageway 60, and which is further formed in the depending, and circumscribing sidewall 50. The force transmitting member 170 has a first, force receiving end 172 which extends laterally and radially outwardly relative to the depending and circumscribing sidewall 50, and a second force transmitting end 173 which is oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the biasing support member 120, and which is made integral with the selectively movable closure member 100. A force applied by a user (not shown) to the first, force receiving end 172 is effective in pivotally moving or otherwise urging the sealing member 101 from the normally occluding position 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30 (FIG. 10), to a non-occluding position 175 so as to facilitate the dispensing of the source of fluid 15, therethrough (FIG. 11). The removal of the force applied by the user to the first force receiving end 172 results in the biasing member 150 biasingly returning the selectively movable closure member 100, and the associated sealing member 101 back to the normally occluding position 174 relative to the fluid dispensing passageway 30.
Therefore, it will be seen that the present invention 10 provides a very convenient means whereby a user can selectively dispense a source of fluid 15 in a manner not possible heretofore. Still further the present invention avoids the detriments associated with the prior art practices by providing a fluid dispensing cover which can be easily disassembled, cleaned, and then put back into operation in a fashion that has not been possible, heretofore.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural or methodological features. It is to be understood, however that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalence.
Patent Application
20190352058
