Drinking vessel

• US 20050056653A1
• Filed: 07/19/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OZ10 Limited
• Original Assignee: OZ10 Limited
• Inventors: Miller, Austen Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,549,556 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/710.500
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2272 from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7889 Sleeve

Abstract

According to the invention a drinking vessel (10) comprises a generally cylindrical container (11) adapted to contain liquid and a generally cylindrical lid (12) adapted to close the container. The lid comprises a generally cylindrical outer member (20), a generally cylindrical inner member (22) located within the outer member so as to define a generally cylindrical aperture (50) between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member, and a generally cylindrical sealing element (21) located in the aperture. The sealing element normally forms a seal between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member but is deformable by suction at the end of the aperture remote from the container so as to cause liquid within the container to flow, from the end of the aperture adjacent to the container, out through the aperture under the action of the suction.

Claims

1. A drinking vessel comprising a generally cylindrical container adapted to contain liquid and a generally cylindrical lid adapted to close the container, in which the lid comprises a generally cylindrical outer member, a generally cylindrical inner element located within the outer member so as to define a generally cylindrical aperture between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member, and a generally cylindrical sealing member located in said aperture, said sealing element normally forming a seal between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member but being deformable by suction at the end of the aperture remote from the container so as to cause liquid within the container to flow, from the end of the aperture adjacent to the container, out through the aperture under the action of the suction.

2. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for holding the sealing element firmly within the aperture.

3. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer member is formed with a generally cylindrical side wall and the inner member is formed with base and a generally cylindrical side wall so that the aperture is formed by a gap between the side walls, and the sealing element is formed with a generally cylindrical side wall located in the aperture and a base abutting against the outer surface of the base of the inner member.

4. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 2, comprising at least one projection extending inwardly from the inner surface of the outer member and engaging with at least one projection extending outwardly from the outer surface of the inner member and adapted to hold the inner member in a required position relative to the outer member.

5. A drinking vessel as claimed in claim 2, in which the side wall of the sealing element is formed with an annular portion which is adapted to fit tightly in the aperture.