Liquid container having cap with slit valve

• US 20040251278A1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Company Limited
• Inventors: Arai, Toshihiro
• Application Number:
  US10/332,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20040251278A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/212
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2031 the element being formed by a slit, narrow opening or constrictable spout, the size of the outlet passage being able to be varied by increasing or decreasing the pressure B65D47/2025 takes precedence

Abstract

A liquid container according to the present invention includes a container body (1) that can be resiliently deformed when grasped and pressed by user, and a cap (2) secured to a mouth portion of the container body (1). The cap (2) includes a cap body (2a) having an opening (O) in communication with interior of the container, and a slit valve (2b) having slits that can be opened to discharge a desired amount of a liquid within the container, with the container tilted and the container body (1) pressed. Further, the slits include a first slit (S₁) that extends in a direction (T) in which the container is to be tilted, and a second slit (S₂) intersecting with the first slit (S₁).

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising

a container body that can be resiliently deformed when grasped and pressed by a user, and a cape secured to a mouth portion of the container body, said cape comprising a cap body having an opening in communication with an interior of the container;

a slit valve having slits that can be opened to discharge a desired amount of a liquid within the container, with the container tilted and the container body pressed, wherein said slits comprise a first slit that extends in a direction (T) in which said container is to be tilted, and a second slit intersecting with said first slit

a valve retainer that cooperates with the cap body to hold the slit valve; and

a positioner that defines an angular position of the valve retainer relative to the cap body.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein said container body has a cross-sectional shape that determines the direction (T) in which said container is to be tilted as it is grasped by the user.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein said container body has a flat cross-sectional shape.

4. The liquid container according to claim 3, wherein one of said first slit and said second slit of the slit valves extends in a direction of major axis of the container as seen in its cross-section, and the other of said first slit and said second slit extends in a direction of minor axis of the container.

5. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein said cap further comprises a cover that is hinge-connected to the cap main body so as to be movable between a closed position where it is engaged by the cap main body and an open position exposing said slit valve.

7. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the positioner comprises at least one projection provided on the valve retainer and at least one recess formed in the cap body, the at least one recess corresponding to the at least one projection such that when the at least one projection is engaged with the at least one recess, the first slit is aligned in the direction (T) in which the container is to be tilted.

6. (Canceled)