FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates generally to no spill cups and, more particularly, to a no spill open cup.
BACKGROUND
Since the invention of the cup, humans have been plagued with the problem of spills. Thus, the need for a no-spill or spill proof cup is well known in the art. One approach has been to provide a cup lid with a spout and a valve controlling the flow of liquid through the spout. An example of a successful prior art approach to a spill proof cup is United State U.S. Pat. No. 6,321,931. Other examples of cups with spouts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,102,245 and 6,116,457. A disadvantage of these approaches is that they are not open cup designs as the user can only drink from the spout. In an open cup, the user can drink from any position along the rim of the cup. A problem with prior art spill proof cups arises when the user cannot see the cup while attempting to drink, for instance while driving an automobile. In those instances, the user often times has to divert his or her attention from the task at hand to properly orient the cup so that the spout aligns properly with the user's mouth. This has created a need for spill proof cups that can be used like an open cup. Various prior art solutions have been provided with openings along the periphery or rim of the cup that together with a valve provide a spill proof cup that permits the user to drink from any location along the rim or edge of the cup lid. Examples of such cups are shown in French Patent Publication No. 3,025,411 and more particularly in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,890,619; 6,202,877; 7,549,556; 8,025,178; 8,418,876; 8,453,870; 9,149,138 and 9,241,588. Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,444,004 that discloses a three part baffle system. Another solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,631,676 where a two-piece spill proof open cup is disclosed. These prior patents suffer from a number of deficiencies or disadvantages. For example, a number of the cups disclosed in these prior patents have complex valve structures that are hard to keep clean and maintain in a sanitary condition. Another problem with prior art cups is they do not provide tight seals and can leak. Another problem with various prior art cups is that they are not ergonomic and can be uncomfortable to use. Another problem with cups disclosed in the prior art is that they are uncomfortable if used as a regular open cup with the lid removed. Another problem with some of the cups disclosed in these prior patents arises when the cup is near empty. In order to work properly when the cup is near empty, the cup has to be pointed nearly straight down creating an awkward drinking angle. Another deficiency of the cups disclosed in these prior patents is that they have numerous parts and can be difficult to assemble. This is a problem both in the original assembly by the manufacturer and by the user after the cup has been cleaned. Another deficiency of the prior art cups is that the no spill caps are custom fit to a specific container design. Thus, heretofore unaddressed needs exist in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides a no spill open cup comprising a container, a sealing ring, and a disk. The container is suitable for holding liquids and has a sidewall, a neck adjacent the sidewall, an opening, defined by the neck, and having an inside diameter. The sealing ring has a ringwall and an internal flange, the ringwall has an inner wall, an outer wall, an inner wall diameter and an outer wall diameter. The outer wall diameter is equal to or greater than the opening inside diameter and is adapted to form a seal between the ringwall outer wall and the container sidewall.
The internal flange is located on the inner wall and has a plurality of flange openings. The disk has a handle, a rim, an upper surface and a lower surface, and fittings adapted to hold the disk within the sealing ring. The disk has a plurality of disk openings, and the rim has a rim diameter equal to or greater than the inner wall diameter. In another embodiment, the disk fittings are comprised of a hard material. In another embodiment, the no spill open cup further comprises a sealable opening for receiving a straw. In another embodiment, the sealing ring is comprised of a rigid material and an elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the disk is comprised of a thermoplastic material. In another embodiment, the sealing ring is comprised of an elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the sealing ring is constructed of silicone.
In another embodiment, a no spill open cup comprises a container, a sealing ring, and a disk. The container is suitable for holding liquids and has an upper open end and a lower closed end. The container also has an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, a neck at the open end of the container, an opening at the upper open end defined by the neck, and the neck has an inside diameter and outside diameter. The sealing sleeve has an inner sleeve wall and outer sleeve wall, and the sealing sleeve is adapted to fit over the neck creating a first seal between the inner sleeve wall and the inner sidewall and a second seal between the outer sleeve wall and the outer sidewall. The sealing sleeve also has an internal flange adjacent the inner sleeve wall where the internal flange is located on the inner sleeve wall and has a plurality of flange openings. The disk has a handle, a rim, an upper surface and a lower surface, and a plurality of disk openings. In another embodiment, the sealing sleeve is constructed of an elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the sealing sleeve is constructed of a flexible material. In another embodiment, the disk has a sealable opening for receiving a straw. In another embodiment, the disk is comprised of a thermoplastic material. In another embodiment, the disk is press fit inside the inner sleeve wall.
In another embodiment, a no spill open cup comprises a container, a sealing ring, and a disk. The container is suitable for holding liquids and has a sidewall, a neck adjacent the sidewall, an opening defined by the neck and an inside diameter. The sealing ring has a ringwall and an internal flange. The ringwall has an inner wall, an outer wall, an inner wall diameter, and an outer wall diameter. The outer wall diameter is equal to or greater than the opening inside diameter and is adapted to form a seal between the outer wall and the sidewall. The internal flange is located on the inner wall and has a plurality of flange openings and a stop. The disk has a handle, a rim, an upper surface, a lower surface, and fittings adapted to hold the disk within the sealing ring. The disk has a plurality of disk openings, and the rim has a lip with a void having an open end and a closed so that the open end aligns the disk openings with the flange openings so that liquid will flow out of the container, and the closed end unaligns the disk openings and the flange openings so that liquid will not flow out of the container. In another embodiment, the fittings are constructed of a flexible hard material. In another embodiment, the disk has indicia indicating the alignment between the disk openings with the flange openings. In another embodiment, the sealing ring is comprised of a rigid material and an elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the disk is comprised of a thermoplastic material. In another embodiment, the sealing ring is constructed of an elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the sealing ring is constructed of silicone.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a no spill open cup in accord with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a no spill open cup in accord with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the no spill open cup of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the no spill open cup of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a cross-section view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is a cross-section view along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a cross-section view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 8 is a cross-section view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 9 is a more detailed view of an alternative embodiment of a sealing ring and disk in accord with the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-section view along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a cross-section view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 is a combination of the cross-sections of 5-5 and 7-7 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 13 is a combination of the cross-sections of 6-6 and 8-8 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 14 is a combination of the cross-sections of 10-10 and 11-11 of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While several embodiments are described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a no spill open cup in accord with the present invention is described. No spill open cup 10 includes container 12, sealing ring 22 and disk 34. Container 12 is comprised of any material suitable for holding liquids. In a preferred embodiment, container 12 is constructed of a rigid plastic material. Container 12 has a sidewall 14 with an inner sidewall 56 and a neck 16 that defines opening 18. The inner sidewall 56 has an inside diameter 20.
Still referring to FIG. 1, sealing ring 22, in a preferred embodiment, is comprised of both hard and soft plastic. As is known to those of skill in the art, a soft plastic material such as silicone is molded around a hard plastic material such as polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). The combination of the hard and soft materials provides for a tight seal 29 between inner sidewall 56 and outer wall 28 of sealing ring 22. Sealing ring 22 is further comprised of ringwall 24 that includes inner wall 26 and outer wall 28 that forms seal 29 with inner sidewall 56. Adjacent to inner wall 26 is internal flange 30 (FIG. 2) with flange openings 32 (FIG. 2).
Still referring to FIG. 1, disk 34 is shown with handle 36, rim 38, upper surface 40, lower surface 42 (FIG. 2) and fittings 44 (FIG. 2). Disk 34 is preferably constructed of a rigid or hard plastic material such as PPSU. Fittings 44 of disk 34 are configured so that they hold disk 34 tightly against internal flange 30 of sealing ring 22 but not so tightly as to prevent disk 34 from rotating in sealing ring 22. Rim 38 has disk openings 46 that cooperate with flange openings 32 to control the flow of liquid out of container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a no spill open cup in accord with the present invention is described. In this embodiment, sealing sleeve 60 is configured to sit atop container 12. Sealing sleeve 60 includes inner sleeve wall 62 and outer sleeve wall 64 which are adapted to create a first seal (not shown) between inner sleeve wall 62 and inner sidewall 56 (FIG. 1) and a second seal (not shown) between outer sleeve wall 64 and sidewall 14 (FIG. 1). Disk 34 is constructed to fit within sealing sleeve 60 and includes disk openings 46 for allowing liquid to flow out of container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the no spill open cup shown in FIG. 1 is described. Container 12 has upper open end 52 and lower closed end 54. Sidewall 14 includes inner sidewall 56 and upper open end 52 with neck 16 that defines opening 18. Sealing ring 22 has ringwall 24 comprised of inner wall 26 and outer wall 28, and internal flange 30. Ringwall 24 of sealing ring 22 is sized so that outer wall 28 forms a seal 29 (FIG. 1) with inner sidewall 56. Flange 30 defines annular opening 31 for receiving disk 34. Flange openings 32 are provided on internal flange 30 to permit liquids to flow out of container 12. Disk 34 is provided with fittings 44 adapted to be press fit into annular opening 31 to hold disk 34 tightly to sealing ring 22. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, the connection between fittings 44 and sealing ring 22 is loose enough to permit disk 34 to rotate, using handle 36, along internal flange 30 of sealing ring 22 to allow the user to move disk openings 46 into and out of alignment with flange openings 32. When disk openings 46 and flange openings 32 are either fully or partially aligned, liquid can flow out of container 12. When disk openings 46 and flange openings 32 are fully unaligned, liquid will not flow out of container 12. Disk 34 includes rim 38 and is sized so that it forms a seal against inner wall 26 of ringwall 24. Rim 38 has upper surface 40 and lower surface 42 and includes disk openings 46 that work in cooperation with flange openings 32 to permit liquid to flow out of container 12 when they are fully or partially aligned. When flange openings 32 and disk openings 46 are completely unaligned, no liquid can flow out of container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an exploded view of the no spill open cup of FIG. 2 is described. A no spill open cup comprises container 12, sealing sleeve 60 and disk 34. Container 12 is suitable for holding liquids and has a sidewall 14, closed end 54, and an open end 52 with neck 16 defining an opening 18. Sidewall 14 includes outer wall 28 and inner wall 26. Open end 52 has an outside diameter 58 and an inside diameter 20 and is adapted to receive sealing sleeve 60. Sealing sleeve 60 has sealing rim 56 that is adapted to fit over opening 18 providing a seal around the entire opening 18. Sealing rim 56 is adapted so that outer portion 55 is equal to or slightly smaller than outside diameter 58 and inner portion 53 is equal to or slightly larger than inside diameter 20 and in this way provides a tight seal against sidewall 28 of container 12. Sealing sleeve 60 is further comprised of internal flange 30 having flange openings 32. Internal flange 30 defines an annular opening 31 for receiving disk 34. Disk 34 has handle 36 connected to disk rim 38 that is adapted to overlap internal flange 30 and has disk openings 46. Disk 34 is adapted to cooperate with sealing sleeve 60 so that disk 34 can rotate to either align disk openings 46 with flange openings 32 to allow liquid to flow out of container 12 or dis-align disk openings 46 and flange opening 32 to prevent liquid from flowing out of container 12. In the preferred embodiment, sealing sleeve 60 is dimensioned to fit over standard cups as is well known to those skilled in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-section view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 is described. In the FIG. 3 embodiment sealing ring 22 sits within container 12. Sealing ring 22 is comprised of ringwall 24 that is formed of both a hard and soft material. In a preferred embodiment, outer wall 28 and inner wall 26 are formed from a soft material such as silicone that is over molded on a rigid form 86. In the preferred embodiment, rigid form 86 is formed of a hard material such as PPSU. The outside diameter 58 (FIG. 3) of ringwall 28 is preferably equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter 20 (FIG. 1) of container 12. Also in the preferred embodiment, ringwall 28 is angled slightly to allow for ease of insertion into container 12. Inner wall 26 is adjacent to internal flange 30 that is also preferably constructed of a soft material such as silicone and has formed therein flange openings 32 to allow fluid to flow out of container 12. Internal flange 30 defines annular opening 31 adapted to receive disk 34.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross-section view along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 is described. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, sealing sleeve 60 sits atop container 12. Sealing sleeve 60 comprises sleeve 37 having outer portion 55 and inner portion 53. In the preferred embodiment, sealing sleeve 60 can be constructed of any suitable material well known to those skilled in the art. Internal flange 30 is adjacent to inner portion 53 and defines annular opening 31. Internal flange 30 includes flange opening 32 to allow fluid to flow out of container 12. Sleeve 37 is formed so that a seal is formed between sealing sleeve 60 and container 12 so that sleeve 37 holds fast to container 12 and creates a strong enough seal to prevent fluid to leak from container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a cross-section view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 is described. In the preferred embodiment, disk 34 is configured to cooperate with either sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60. Disk 34 is shown with handle 36 connected to disk rim 38 along upper surface 40. Protruding from the underside of disk rim 38 along the periphery of lower surface 42 are fittings 44. Disk openings 46 are provided so that fluid in container 12 can flow through flange openings 32 of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 when the openings are aligned. Fittings 44 are comprised of posts 90 that are flexibly attached to the lower surface of shoulder 37. Each of posts 90 has notch 92 that cooperatively interacts with internal flange 30 of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 to form a seal. The distance between opposite radial notches 92 is equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter of internal flange 30. Each of posts 92 is shaped at an inward angle to facilitate insertion of disk 34 into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60. As disk 34 is inserted into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 each of posts 92 is forced by internal flange 30 to flex in the inward direction. When notches 92 align with internal flange 30 the force applied to posts 92 by internal flange 30 is relieved causing posts 90 to spring back to their original position. The interaction of posts 90, notches 92 and internal flange 30 cooperate to hold disk 34 to internal flange 30. The holding force however should not be so strong as to prevent disk 34 from rotating atop internal flange 30. In an alternative embodiment, disk rim 38 can be provided with sealable opening 50 configured to receive a straw or the like.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a cross-section view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4 is described. There, disk 34 is shown in a slightly different configuration with an alternatively shaped handle 36 and no sealable opening 50. In this configuration disk 34 has disk rim 38 that includes shoulder 39 and disk openings 46. The undersurface of disk rim 38 has fittings 44 that include posts 90 with notches 92. In one embodiment, disk 34 is constructed entirely of a hard material such as PPSU.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a more detailed view of an alternative embodiment of a sealing ring 32 and disk 34 in accord with the present invention is described. While this alternative embodiment is illustrated in connection with sealing ring 32, the teachings and principles apply equally as well to use in connection with the embodiment employing sealing sleeve 60. In this embodiment, sealing ring 32 includes stop 76 formed on internal flange 30. Disk 34 includes lip 78 along void 80. When disk 34 is inserted into annular opening 31 of sealing ring 22, void 80 and lip 78 cooperatively work with stop 76 to indicate when the device is in open and closed conditions.
Along lip 78, over the length of void 80, are indicators 94 for showing the positions of disk openings 46 relative to flange openings 32. One of indicators 94 will represent an open condition when disk openings 46 and flange openings 32 are completely aligned allowing the maximum fluid flow out of container 12 and another of indicators 94 will represent a closed condition when disk openings 46 and flange openings 32 are completely unaligned preventing fluid flow out of container 12. The intermediate indicators will represent partially aligned openings permitting some flow of liquid out of container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a cross-section view along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9 is described. In the FIG. 10 embodiment sealing ring 22 is intended to sit within container 12 and along with disk 34, control the flow of liquid out of container 12. In this embodiment, sealing ring 22 is comprised of ringwall 24 that is formed of both a hard and soft material. In a preferred embodiment, outer wall 28 and inner wall 26 are formed from a soft material such as silicone that is over molded on a rigid form 86. In the preferred embodiment, rigid form 86 is formed of a hard material such as PPSU. The outside diameter 58 (FIG. 4) of ringwall 28 is preferably equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter 20 (FIG. 1) of container 12. Also in the preferred embodiment, ringwall 28 is angled slightly to allow for ease of insertion into container 12. Inner wall 26 is adjacent to internal flange 30 that is also preferably constructed of a soft material such as silicone and has formed therein flange openings 30 to allow fluid to flow out of container 12. Internal flange 30 defines annular opening 31 adapted to receive disk 34. Adjacent to ringwall 24 and positioned on internal flange 30 is stop 76 that interacts with void 80 of disk 34 to provide an indication of open and closed conditions of liquid flow out of container 12.
Referring now to FIG. 11, a cross-section view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 9 is described. In this alternative embodiment, disk 34 is configured to cooperate with either sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 to control liquid flow out of container 12 and to provide the user with an indication of the liquid flow as being fully open, partially open, or closed. Disk 34 is shown with handle 36 connected to disk rim 38 along upper surface 40. Disk rim 38 has shoulder 39 that is adapted to form a seal along inner wall 26 of sealing ring 22. Also along the upper surface of disk rim 38 are indicators 94 that are positioned on lip 78 along void 80 (FIG. 9). Protruding from the underside of disk rim 38 along the periphery of lower surface 42 are fittings 44. Disk openings 46 are provided so that fluid in container 12 can flow through flange openings of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 when the openings are either fully or partially aligned. Fittings 44 are comprised of posts 90 that are flexibly attached to the lower surface of disk rim 38. Each of posts 90 has notch 92 that cooperatively interacts with internal flange 30 of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 to form a seal. The distance between opposite radial notches 92 is equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter of internal flange 30. Each of posts 92 is shaped at an inward angle to facilitate insertion of disk 34 into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60. As disk 34 is inserted into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 each of posts 92 is forced by internal flange 30 to flex in the inward direction. When notches 92 align with internal flange 30 the force applied to posts 92 by internal flange 30 is relieved causing posts 90 to spring back to their original position. The interaction of posts 90, notches 92 and internal flange 30 cooperate to hold disk 34 to internal flange 30. The holding force however should not be so strong as to prevent disk 34 from rotating atop internal flange 30. In an alternative embodiment, disk rim 38 can be provided with sealable opening 50 configured to receive a straw or the like.
Referring now to FIG. 12, a combination of the cross-sections of 5-5 and 7-7 of FIG. 3 is described. In the preferred embodiment, disk 34 is configured to cooperate with either sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60. For illustrative purposes, disk 34 is shown in combination with sealing ring 22. Disk 34 is shown with handle 36 connected to disk rim 38 having an upper surface 40 and terminating in shoulder 39. Protruding from the underside of disk rim 38 along the periphery of lower surface 42 are fittings 44. Disk openings 46 are provided along with flange openings 32, shown aligned with one another, so that fluid in container 12 can flow through flange openings 32 of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 and disk openings 46. Fittings 44 are comprised of posts 90 that are flexibly attached to the lower surface of shoulder 37. Each of posts 90 has notch 92 that cooperatively interacts with internal flange 30 of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 at tab 96 to form a seal. The distance between opposite radial notches 92 is equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter of internal flange 30 at tab 96. Each of posts 92 is shaped at an inward angle to facilitate insertion of disk 34 into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60. As disk 34 was inserted into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 each of posts 92 was forced by internal flange 30 to flex in the inward direction. When notches 92 aligned with internal flange 30 the force applied to posts 92 by internal flange 30 was relieved causing posts 90 to spring back to their original position holding disk 34 tightly to sealing ring 22. The interaction of posts 90, notches 92, tab 96, and internal flange 30 cooperate to hold disk 34 to internal flange 30 and sealing ring 22. The holding force however should not be so strong as to prevent disk 34 from rotating atop internal flange 30. In an alternative embodiment, disk rim 38 can be provided with sealable opening 50 configured to receive a straw or the like.
Referring now to FIG. 13, a combination of the cross-sections of 6-6 and 8-8 of FIG. 4 is described. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, disk 34 is fitted into sealing sleeve 60 that sits atop container 12. Sealing sleeve 60 comprises sleeve 37 having outer portion 55 and inner portion 53. In the preferred embodiment, sealing sleeve 60 can be constructed of any suitable material well known to those skilled in the art. Internal flange 30 is adjacent to inner portion 53 and defines annular opening 31. Internal flange 30 includes flange opening 32 to allow fluid to flow out of container 12. Internal flange openings 32, when aligned with disk openings 46, allow liquid to flow out of container 12. Sleeve 38 is formed so that rim seal 88 conforms to the neck 16 of upper open end 52 of container 12 so that sleeve 37 holds sealing sleeve 60 tight to container 12 and creates a strong enough seal to prevent fluid to leak from container 12. Disk 34 is shown with handle 36 adjacent to disk rim 38 that includes shoulder 39 and disk openings 46. The undersurface of disk rim 38 has fittings 44 that include posts 90 with notches 92 that are shaped to matingly fit tab 96. In one embodiment, disk 34 and sealing sleeve 60 are constructed entirely of a hard material such as PPSU.
Referring now to FIG. 14, a combination of the cross-sections of 10-10 and 11-11 of FIG. 9 is described. In this embodiment sealing ring 22 is intended to sit within container 12 and along with disk 34, control the flow of liquid out of container 12. In this embodiment, sealing ring 22 is comprised of ringwall 24 that is formed of both a hard and soft material. In a preferred embodiment, outer wall 28 and inner wall 26 are formed from a soft material such as silicone that is over molded on a rigid form 86. In the preferred embodiment, rigid form 86 is formed of a hard material such as PPSU. The outside diameter 58 (FIG. 4) of ringwall 28 is preferably equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter 20 (FIG. 1) of container 12. Also in the preferred embodiment, ringwall 28 is angled slightly to allow for ease of insertion into container 12. Inner wall 26 is adjacent to internal flange 30 that is also preferably constructed of a soft material such as silicone and has formed therein flange openings 30 to allow fluid to flow out of container 12. Internal flange 30 defines annular opening 31 adapted to receive disk 34. Adjacent to ringwall 24 and positioned on internal flange 30 is stop 76 that interacts with void 80 of disk 34 to provide an indication of fully open, partially open, and closed conditions of liquid flow out of container 12. In this embodiment, disk 34 is configured to cooperate with either sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 to control liquid flow out of container 12 and to provide the user with an indication of the liquid flow as being fully open, partially open, or closed. Disk 34 is shown with handle 36 connected to disk rim 38 along upper surface 40 and terminating in shoulder 39. Also along the upper surface of disk rim 38 are indicators 94 that are positioned on lip 78 along void 80 (FIG. 9). Protruding from the underside of disk rim 38 along the periphery of lower surface 42 are fittings 44. Disk openings 46 are provided so that fluid in container 12 can flow through flange openings of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 when the openings are aligned. Fittings 44 are comprised of posts 90 that are flexibly attached to the lower surface of disk rim 38. Each of posts 90 has notch 92 that cooperatively interacts with internal flange 30 of sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 to form a seal. The distance between opposite radial notches 92 is equal to or slightly larger than the inside diameter of internal flange 30. Each of posts 92 is shaped at an inward angle to facilitate insertion of disk 34 into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60. As disk 34 is inserted into sealing ring 22 or sealing sleeve 60 each of posts 92 is forced by internal flange 30 to flex in the inward direction. When notches 92 align with internal flange 30 the force applied to posts 92 by internal flange 30 is relieved causing posts 90 to spring back to their original position. The interaction of posts 90, notches 92 and internal flange 30 cooperate to hold disk 34 to internal flange 30. The holding force however should not be so strong as to prevent disk 34 from rotating atop internal flange 30. In an alternative embodiment, disk rim 38 can be provided with sealable opening 50 configured to receive a straw or the like.
Although exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the disclosure as described may be made. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the disclosure.
Patent Application
20250024971
