Flow control element for use with leak-proof cup assemblies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap in fluid communication with a spout aperture of the drinking cup cap, the flow control element comprising:
- a first stack having an upper portion being configured to be removably sealed adjacent to the spout aperture, said first stack having a sidewall, said sidewall having a first valve to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.
31 Citations
79 Claims
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1. A flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap in fluid communication with a spout aperture of the drinking cup cap, the flow control element comprising:
a first stack having an upper portion being configured to be removably sealed adjacent to the spout aperture, said first stack having a sidewall, said sidewall having a first valve to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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3-4. -4. (canceled)
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6-12. -12. (canceled)
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17. A flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating surface in fluid communication with a spout aperture, the flow control element comprising:
a first stack having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being removably sealable in the first mating surface, said lower portion for engaging an inner surface and an outer surface of the first mating surface, said first stack having a first valve for selective fluid communication with the spout aperture. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A drinking cup assembly comprising:
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a cup having an open end;
a cap being adapted to seal said open end, said cap having a first aperture and a first mating surface in fluid communication with said first aperture; and
a flow control element having a first stack adapted to have an upper portion removably sealed in said first mating surface, said first stack having a first valve defined in a sidewall thereof, said first valve selectively placing said cup in fluid communication with said first aperture. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 29, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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27-28. -28. (canceled)
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30-36. -36. (canceled)
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44. A drinking cup assembly comprising:
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a cup having an open end;
a cap adapted to seal said open end, said cap having a first aperture defined in a drinking spout, and a first mating member in fluid communication with said first aperture; and
a flow control element having a first stack, said first stack having a portion for frictionally engaging an inside and an outside of said first mating member and thereby place said first stack in fluid communication with said first aperture. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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- 50. (canceled)
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57. A drinking cup assembly comprising:
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a cup having an open end;
a cap being adapted to seal said open end, said cap having a drinking spout and a first mating member, said first mating member having a first mating surface and being in fluid communication with said spout; and
a flow control element having a first stack, said first stack having a first valve face, first inner and outer surfaces and first upper and lower portions, said first upper portion having a first outer diameter and said first lower portion having a second outer diameter, wherein said first stack is sized to frictionally engage and hold in position said first mating surface of said first mating member and thereby place said first stack in fluid communication with said spout, wherein said first outer diameter is larger than said second outer diameter, and wherein said first valve face is connected to said first inner surface of said first stack. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79)
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58-59. -59. (canceled)
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69. (canceled)
Specification