SPILL-RESISTANT TUMBLER

Abstract

A spill-resistant drinking vessel includes a body; a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing; a vent and seal plate having an integral vent valve and an integral liquid valve and further having a plate seal flange on one side; wherein the first and plate seal flanges are configured to engage with one another to provide a seal between the lid housing and the seal and vent plate; and wherein the vent orifice and the integral vent valve are in fluid communication with one another. An associated method of assembling a spill-resistant drinking vessel is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to drinkware and, more particularly, to spill-resistant drinkware for children.

BACKGROUND

Spill-resistant drinkware products for children, particularly those three years of age and older, frequently use straws as the means to deliver the contents to a child. In order to minimize spills and leakage in these products, a series of seals and valves, generally composed of silicone, are used at the various leak/spill points in the product. For example, there may be a silicone valve inside the straw, a silicone seal around the straw, a silicone venting valve, and a silicone. While these products to provide a measure of spill-resistance, the various silicone components tend to grow mildew. Further, because of the multiple components, they can be difficult to clean and, in some cases, some of the components may not be fully accessible to be thoroughly cleaned. These factors frequently discourage parents from conducting thorough cleaning of the products, thereby decreasing the hygiene associated with use of these products.

Therefore, it would be preferable to have a spill-resistance tumbler or similar drinkware product that still maximizes spill-resistance while doing so with a reduced set of sealing components that are readily accessible and easier to dissemble and reassemble to encourage more frequent and thorough cleaning.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a spill-resistant drinking vessel that includes a body; a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing; a vent and seal plate having an integral vent valve and an integral liquid valve and further having a plate seal flange on one side; wherein the first and plate seal flanges are configured to engage with one another to provide a seal between the lid housing and the seal and vent plate; and wherein the vent orifice and the integral vent valve are in fluid communication with one another.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a seal and vent plate for a spill-resistant drinking vessel also includes an integral straw extension with upper and lower portions to accommodate upper and lower straw parts and wherein the integral liquid valve is between the upper and lower portions of the integral straw extension.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a spill-resistant drinking vessel includes a body having a rim at an open top end and external screw threads extending circumferentially around the body adjacent to the rim; a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing, wherein the vent orifice and the vent valve are in fluid communication with one another, the lid housing further including an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage the external screw threads on the body; a vent and seal plate that includes an integral vent valve; an integral straw extension for at least one straw part, the integral straw extension including upper and lower portions and an integrally formed liquid valve therein configured between the upper and lower portions; and a plate seal flange on one side extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative the body; and wherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body; and wherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a spill-resistant drinking vessel includes a body having a rim at an open top end and external screw threads extending circumferentially around the body adjacent to the rim; a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing, wherein the vent orifice and the vent valve are in fluid communication with one another, the lid housing further comprising an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage the external screw threads on the body; a vent and seal plate includes an integral vent valve; an integral straw extension, the integral straw extension including an integrally formed liquid valve therein; a plate seal flange on one side extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative to the body; and at least one projection extending from an underside of the vent and seal plate adjacent to a periphery of the vent and seal plate, wherein the at least one projection contacts a rim of the body when the vent and seal plate is seated on the body; wherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body; and wherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure a method of assembling a spill-resistant drinking vessel includes the steps of providing a body having a rim at an open top end and external screw threads extending circumferentially around the body adjacent to the rim; a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing, wherein the vent orifice and the vent valve are in fluid communication with one another, the lid housing having an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage the external screw threads on the body; a vent and seal plate having an integral vent valve; an integral straw extension, the integral straw extension including an integrally formed liquid valve therein, and upper and lower portions between which the integrally formed liquid valve is positioned; and a plate seal flange on one side extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative the body; and wherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body; and wherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body; inserting at least a lower straw part into the lower portion of the straw extension; seating the vent and seal plate against the rim of the body; inserting an upper straw part into the upper portion of the straw extension if not inserted at the same time as the lower straw part; guiding the upper straw part through the straw orifice of the lid housing while lowering the lid housing onto the vent and seal plate and body assembly; and screwing the lid housing onto the body.

These aspects are merely illustrative of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention and should not be deemed as limiting in any manner. These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the referenced drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference is now made more particularly to the drawings, which illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the same parts throughout the views.

FIG. 1 is a section view of an embodiment of a spill resistant tumbler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a spill resistant tumbler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a lid housing suitable for use with a spill resistant tumbler according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the lid housing of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view of an upper straw suitable for use with a spill resistant tumbler according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view of a lower straw suitable for use with a spill resistant tumbler according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of a seal plate suitable for use with a spill resistant tumbler according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a lower perspective view of the seal plate of FIG. 7

FIG. 9 is a section view of the seal plate of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a lower perspective view of a seal plate according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. The following definitions and non-limiting guidelines must be considered in reviewing the description of the technology set forth herein.

The headings (such as “Introduction” and “Summary”) and sub-headings used herein are intended only for general organization of topics within the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure of the technology or any aspect thereof. In particular, subject matter disclosed in the “Introduction” may include novel technology and may not constitute a recitation of prior art. Subject matter disclosed in the “Summary” is not an exhaustive or complete disclosure of the entire scope of the technology or any embodiments thereof. Classification or discussion of a material within a section of this specification as having a particular utility is made for convenience, and no inference should be drawn that the material must necessarily or solely function in accordance with its classification herein when it is used in any given composition.

The citation of references herein does not constitute an admission that those references are prior art or have any relevance to the patentability of the technology disclosed herein. All references cited in the “Description” section of this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the technology, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the technology. Moreover, recitation of multiple embodiments having stated features is not intended to exclude other embodiments having additional features, or other embodiments incorporating different combinations of the stated features. Specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes of how to make and use the apparatus and systems of this technology and, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are not intended to be a representation that given embodiments of this technology have, or have not, been made or tested.

As referred to herein, all compositional percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the word “include,” and its variants, is intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that may also be useful in the materials, compositions, devices, and methods of this technology. Similarly, the terms “can” and “may” and their variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation that an embodiment can or may comprise certain elements or features does not exclude other embodiments of the present technology that do not contain those elements or features.

“A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. “About” when applied to values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters. In addition, disclosure of ranges includes disclosure of all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a spill-resistant tumbler according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tumbler may include a container or body 10 to hold the contents of the tumbler. The body may be provided with external screw threads 12 around the rim of the body 10 to facilitate secure connection of a lid housing 20 to the body 10. Other means of securing the lid housing 20 to the body 10 as known in the art may also be utilized.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the lid housing 20 in more detail. The lid housing 20 serves to enclose the open top of the body 10. The lid housing 20 may include a top surface 22 surrounded by a downwardly extending annular skirt 24, which may include internal screw threads 26 or other means to secure the lid housing 20 to the body 10. An annular seal plate flange 28 may extend from the lower side of the top surface 22. A straw orifice 30 centrally passes through the top surface 22. The rim of the straw orifice 30 includes a straw lip 32. The straw lip 32 includes an upper portion with a slightly smaller diameter than a lower portion. A vent orifice 34 also passes through the top surface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the vent orifice is located toward the outer portion of the top surface 22. Preferably, the vent orifice 34 is located within the circumference of the annular seal plate flange 28.

In some embodiments, the lid housing 20 may also include a skirt cover 36, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The skirt cover 36 may provide a separate surface for embossing or other labeling for the product or be made in a different color or texture for esthetic purposes.

The tumbler also may include a seal and vent plate 90, an embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. The upper side of the seal and vent plate 90 may an include an annular lid seal flange 92. The annular lid seal flange 92 coordinates with the annular plate seal flange 28 of the lid housing 20 to create a seal around the periphery of the vent and seal plate 90 and to maintain spacing between the vent and seal plate 90 and the top surface 22 of the lid housing 20 to provide a flow path between the vent orifice 34 of the lid housing 20 and a vent valve 94 of the seal and vent plate 90. The annular lid seal flange 92 may have an inner diameter slightly greater than an outer diameter of the annular plate seal flange 28 but less than an inner diameter of the skirt 24. This arrangement allows the annular lid seal flange 92 to fit between the skirt 24 and the annular plate seal flange 28 to form a first seal between the seal and vent plate 90 and the lid housing 20.

As noted above, the vent and seal plate 90 includes a vent valve 94. The vent valve 94 allows for the controlled flow of air from outside the tumbler to pass into the body 10 to allow the relative pressure in the body 10 to be equalized with atmospheric pressure. The vent valve 94 is preferably formed integrally with the rest of the vent and seal plate 90. It may be formed as a crosscut, slit, duckbill, or similar valve and is biased to a normally closed position. In operation, when the exterior pressure exceeds the pressure inside the tumbler, the pressure differential forces the vent valve 94 to open to allow to flow of air from atmosphere into the interior of the body 10. As the pressures inside and outside of the tumbler equalize, the vent valve 94 is allowed to close to prevent further flow of air into the tumbler.

The vent and seal plate 90 further includes a straw extension 96, which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends downwardly from the vent and seal plate 90. The straw extension 96 is open at its top and bottom end. A liquid valve 98 is positioned between the top and bottom of the straw extension 96 as is most clearly shown in FIG. 9. The liquid valve 98 is preferable formed integrally with the straw extension 96 and the rest of the vent and seal plate 90. The liquid valve 98 may be a silicone crosscut, slit, duckbill or similar valve. The liquid valve 98 is biased to a normally closed position and opens and closes in response to pressure differentials between the exterior and interior of the tumbler. More particularly, when the pressure above the liquid valve 98 is less than the pressure inside of the tumbler, for example, due to a child sucking on the straw, which is described in more detail below, associated with the tumbler, the liquid valve 98 opens to allow liquid from the body 10 to pass through. When the suction from the user is stopped, the liquid valve closes to reseal the straw extension and prevent further flow or leakage of liquid out of the container.

In this manner, the liquid valve 98 and the vent valve 94 open and close in a coordinated manner to allow for the required flow of liquid out of and air into the interior of the tumbler for use and to prevent the flow of liquid and air, or leakage of liquid, when a user is not trying to drink from the tumbler.

The straw extension may also include one or more sealing grooves 100 above and/or below the liquid valve 98. These sealing grooves 100 coordinate with features on an upper 50 and lower 70 straw to secure the straw portions into the straw extension 96 as described below.

Notably, the arrangement of the vent and seal plate 90 provides a single, integrated piece. The vent and seal plate 90 may be made from a silicone or similar material.

The upper straw 50, shown in FIG. 5, includes a central passage passing axially through the upper straw 50. A user sucks on the upper straw 50 to draw liquid from the tumbler. A sealing end 58 of the upper straw 50 may include one or more sealing ridges 60. These sealing ridges 60 are forced into the sealing grooves 100 of the straw extension 96 to secure the upper straw into the straw extension 96 while still allowing for removal of the upper straw 50 when sufficient force is applied to pull the upper straw 50 out. Note that available alternatives to the sealing ridges 60 may include threads or the sealing end 58 may be straight sided with a friction or interference fit with the upper portion of the straw extension 96. The sealing end 58 may be provided with a chamfered bottom edge to facilitate insertion of the upper straw into the straw extension 96.

The upper straw 50 may be provided with a lid flange 54. The lid flange 54 flares outward from the rest of the upper straw 50. An upper portion of the lid flange 54 may be provided with tapered, conical shape. The bottom portion of the lid flange 54 may have a lid groove 56 along the outside circumference. The lid groove 56 coordinates with the straw lip 32 of the lid housing 20 to secure and seal the upper straw 50 and the lid housing 20. As the lid housing 20 is lowered onto the body, the straw lip 32 eventually passes over the lid flange 54 and slides into the lid groove 56. In an alternate embodiment, the lid groove 56 may be replaced with a flat surface that is narrower than a bottom portion of the lid flange 54, thereby providing a shoulder on which the straw lip 32 may rest, effectively sandwiching the bottom portion of the lid flange 54 between the straw lip 32 and the tope surface of the vent and seal plate 90 to form a seal.

A lower straw 70 may be inserted into the lower portion of the straw extension 96 as shown in FIG. 1. As with the upper straw 50, the lower straw may have a sealing end 74 that may, in turn, be provided with one or more sealing ridges 78 to secure the lower straw to the straw extension 96. The lower straw 70 serves as a conduit for liquid within the tumbler to flow through a central passage 72 to the liquid valve 98.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a vent and seal plate 190 suitable for use with the tumbler of the present disclosure. The vent and seal plate 190 is largely identical to the vent and seal plate 90 described above with the addition of at least one, and in the illustrated embodiment, two, projections 192 on the underside—which faces the rim and interior of the body 10—of the vent and seal plate 190 and arranged adjacent to the periphery of the vent and seal plate 190. The projections 192 are positioned at the portion of the perimeter of the vent and seal plate 190 that is aligned with and contacts the rim of the body 10 when the vent and seal plate 190 is seated on the body 10.

The projections 192 address a potential “vacuum effect” that can occur in which the vent and seal plate 190 falls out as the lid housing 20 is unscrewed from the body 10. This effect is caused by a vacuum created between the vent and seal plate and the body 10. The projections 192 in this embodiment of the vent and seal plate 190 provide for an interruption in the interface between the vent and seal plate 190 and the body 10, thereby allowing for venting between the two components. Removal of the lid housing 20 releases the compression exerted on the vent and seal plate 190 and the body 10. The projections 192 then partially raise portions of the vent and seal plate 190 slightly away from the rim of the body 10 to allow for venting between the vent and seal plate 190 and the body 10 as the lid housing immediately as the lid housing 20 is removed. While in the preferred embodiment two projections 192 positioned at 1800 from one another along the perimeter of the vent and seal plate 190 are utilized, embodiments with a single projection 192 or more than two projections 192 are also contemplated.

As can be understood through the foregoing description and the drawings, embodiments of the disclosure provide for a tumbler sealing arrangement with a significantly reduced number of components, in the illustrated examples, four: the lid housing, vent and seal plate, upper straw, and lower straw. The arrangement of the liquid and vent valves being integrated with the vent and seal plate facilitate this reduction in components. As a benefit, disassembly for cleaning, cleaning of the components, and reassembly for use are all made significantly easier for the user. This encourages more frequent cleaning and, as a result, enhanced hygiene.

The preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. However, as various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings, including all materials expressly incorporated by reference herein, shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiment but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A spill-resistant drinking vessel, comprising: a body;a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing;a vent and seal plate having an integral vent valve and an integral liquid valve and further having a plate seal flange on one side;wherein the first and plate seal flanges are configured to engage with one another to provide a seal between the lid housing and the seal and vent plate; andwherein the vent orifice and the integral vent valve are in fluid communication with one another.

2. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vent and seal plate further comprises an integral straw extension.

3. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein said plate further comprises an integral straw extension with upper and lower portions to accommodate upper and lower straw parts and wherein the integral liquid valve is configured between the upper and lower portions of the integral straw extension.

4. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 3, wherein the upper straw part further comprises a flange configured to seal against the vent and seal plate.

5. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 3, wherein the lid housing further comprises a straw orifice to allow the upper straw part to pass through the lid housing.

6. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lid housing comprises an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage external screw threads on the body and wherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body, the plate seal flange extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative to the body and the annular skirt and lid seal flange extending downwardly from the lid housing relative to the body, and wherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body.

7. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vent and seal plate further comprises at least one projection extending from an underside of the vent and seal plate adjacent to a periphery of the vent and seal plate.

8. A spill-resistant drinking vessel, comprising: a body having a rim at an open top end and external screw threads extending circumferentially around the body adjacent to the rim;a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing, wherein the vent orifice and the vent valve are in fluid communication with one another, the lid housing further comprising an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage the external screw threads on the body;a vent and seal plate comprising; an integral vent valve;an integral straw extension for at least one straw part, the integral straw extension including upper and lower portions and an integrally formed liquid valve configured between the upper and lower portions; anda plate seal flange on one side extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative the body; andwherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body; andand wherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body.

9. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 8, wherein the integral straw extension further comprises upper and lower portions to accommodate upper and lower straw parts and wherein the integral liquid valve is configured between the upper and lower portions of the integral straw extension.

10. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 9, wherein the upper straw part further comprises a straw flange configured to seal against the vent and seal plate.

11. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 9, wherein the lid housing further comprises a straw orifice to allow the upper straw part to pass through the lid housing.

12. The spill-resistant drinking vessel as set forth in claim 8, wherein the vent and seal plate further comprises at least one projection extending from an underside of the vent and seal plate adjacent to a periphery of the vent and seal plate and configured to engage the rim of the body when the vent and seal plate is assembled onto the body.

13. A spill-resistant drinking vessel, comprising: a body having a rim at an open top end and external screw threads extending circumferentially around the body adjacent to the rim;a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, further having a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing, wherein the vent orifice and the vent valve are in fluid communication with one another, the lid housing further comprising an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage the external screw threads on the body;a vent and seal plate comprising; an integral vent valve;an integral straw extension for at least one straw part, the integral straw extension including an integrally formed liquid valve therein;a plate seal flange on one side extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative to the body; andat least one projection extending from an underside of the vent and seal plate adjacent to a periphery of the vent and seal plate, wherein the at least one projection contacts a rim of the body when the vent and seal plate is seated on the body;wherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body; andand wherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body.

14. A method of assembling a spill-resistant drinking vessel, comprising the steps of: providing: a body having a rim at an open top end and external screw threads extending circumferentially around the body adjacent to the rim;a lid housing securable to the body and having a top surface from which a lid seal flange extends downwardly on one side, a straw orifice and a vent orifice passing through the lid housing, wherein the vent orifice and the vent valve are in fluid communication with one another, the lid housing further comprising an annular skirt having internal screw threads configured to engage the external screw threads on the body;a vent and seal plate comprising; an integral vent valve;an integral straw extension, the integral straw extension including an integrally formed liquid valve therein, and upper and lower portions between which the integrally formed liquid valve is positioned; anda plate seal flange on one side extending upwardly from the vent and seal plate relative the body; andwherein the plate seal flange is configured to fit concentrically between the annular skirt and the lid seal flange when the lid housing and plate are assembled onto the body; andwherein the plate seal flange is compressed between the lid housing and a rim of the body as the lid housing is screwed onto the body;inserting at least a lower straw part into the lower portion of the straw extension;seating the vent and seal plate against the rim of the body;inserting an upper straw part into the upper portion of the straw extension if not inserted at the same time as the lower straw part;guiding the upper straw part through the straw orifice of the lid housing while lowering the lid housing onto the vent and seal plate and body assembly; andscrewing the lid housing onto the body.