Cup assembly
First Claim
1. A valve for a cup having a cap and an inner volume, the valve comprising:
- a passageway having first and second ends, said first end being open and in fluid communication with the inner volume of the cup, said second end being open and in fluid communication with atmosphere, wherein said passageway has a cross-sectional area that is small enough to substantially prevent air from flowing past fluid in said passageway when the cup is tilted or inverted, wherein said passageway has a length and a dispensing volume, wherein said length and said dispensing volume are large enough to substantially prevent spillage or shake-out of the fluid from the inner volume of the cup when the cup is tilted or inverted; and
a vent that alleviates build up of vacuum in the inner volume only when the fluid is being dispensed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cup for reducing or eliminating spillage or shake-out is provided. The cup has a cap and a spill and shake-out inhibiting element. The spill and shake-out inhibiting element is a dispensing tunnel, which provides for the formation of a pressure differential between the inside of the cup and the atmosphere when fluid begins to flow through the dispensing tunnel. The pressure differential, when it reaches a predetermined level, prevents further flow or movement of the fluid through the dispensing tunnel until additional suction is applied by the user. The diameter of the dispensing tunnel is small enough to effectively prevent air bubbles from flowing past the fluid in the dispensing tunnel. The cup is vented during dispensing of the liquid contained therein.
75 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A valve for a cup having a cap and an inner volume, the valve comprising:
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a passageway having first and second ends, said first end being open and in fluid communication with the inner volume of the cup, said second end being open and in fluid communication with atmosphere, wherein said passageway has a cross-sectional area that is small enough to substantially prevent air from flowing past fluid in said passageway when the cup is tilted or inverted, wherein said passageway has a length and a dispensing volume, wherein said length and said dispensing volume are large enough to substantially prevent spillage or shake-out of the fluid from the inner volume of the cup when the cup is tilted or inverted; and
a vent that alleviates build up of vacuum in the inner volume only when the fluid is being dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A cup assembly comprising:
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a cap having a first connecting structure;
a cup having an inner volume and a second connecting structure, said first and second connecting structures connecting said cap with said cup;
a valve having a passageway with first and second ends, said first end being open and in fluid communication with said inner volume of said cup, said second end being open and in fluid communication with atmosphere, wherein said passageway has a cross-sectional area that is small enough to substantially prevent air from flowing past fluid in said passageway when said cup is tilted or inverted; and
a vent that alleviates build up of vacuum in said inner volume only when the fluid is being dispensed. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification