WATER BOTTLE WITH SELF-CLOSING VALVE

• US 20170166364A1
• Filed: 01/29/2015
• Published: 06/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components Incorporated
• Inventors: Jones, Ryan C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,472,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/04 Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/42 Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/00 Apparatus or devices for controlling flow of liquids under gravity from storage containers for dispensing purposes separating and dispensing metered quantities of liquids G01F

Abstract

A liquid-dispensing container comprises a housing and a valve member. The housing is adapted to hold a liquid and includes an opening defined by a wall having an inner edge and an outer edge. The valve member has a ledge engaging the outer edge and a cleat engaging the inner edge. The valve member can further include an integral gasket positioned between the ledge and the cleat and deformed in engagement with the wall. The cleat preferably includes a beveled surface. The valve member can be inserted from the outside of the housing and without the need for additional retention members. Specifically, the valve member is secured to the housing by contacting the cleat with the outer edge of the wall, moving the valve member toward the housing such that the cleat passes through the opening, and engaging the cleat with the inner edge of the wall.

Claims

1. A liquid-dispensing container comprising:

a housing adapted to hold a liquid in an interior volume, the housing including an opening defined by a wall having an inner edge and an outer edge; and

a valve member having a ledge engaging the outer edge of the wall and a cleat spaced from the ledge and engaging the inner edge of the wall.

2. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a bottle and a separable cap.

3. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the opening is formed in the cap.

4. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cap is threaded to the bottle.

5. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve member further includes an integral gasket positioned between the ledge and the cleat, the gasket being deformed in engagement with the wall.

6. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleat comprises a plurality of cleats circumferentially spaced from each other.

7. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleat includes a beveled surface that facilitates insertion of the valve member into the housing.

9. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a bottle and a separable cap, and wherein providing a housing includes attaching the cap to the bottle.

10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valve member further includes an integral gasket, and wherein the method further comprises deforming the gasket against the wall.

11. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein contacting includes deflecting the cleat inward away from the wall.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleat includes a beveled surface that facilitates insertion of the valve member into the housing and wherein contacting includes engaging the beveled surface with the outer edge of the side wall.

8. A method of assembling a liquid-dispensing container comprising:

providing a housing adapted to hold a liquid in an interior volume, the housing including an opening defined by a wall having an inner edge and an outer edge;

providing a valve member having a cleat;

contacting the cleat with the outer edge of the wall;

moving the valve member toward the housing such that the cleat passes through the opening; and

engaging the cleat with the inner edge of the wall.

13. A liquid-dispensing container comprising:

a housing adapted to hold a liquid in an interior volume, the housing including an opening defined by an inner edge and an outer edge; and

a valve member having a ledge engaging the outer edge and a cleat spaced from the ledge and engaging the inner edge.

14. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the housing includes a battle and a separable cap.

15. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner and outer edges are defined by a wall and the valve member further includes an integral gasket positioned between the ledge and the cleat, the gasket being deformed in engagement with the wall.

16. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cleat comprises a plurality of cleats circumferentially spaced from each other.

17. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cleat includes a beveled surface that facilitates insertion of the valve member into the housing.

18. A liquid-dispensing container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cleat is secured to a flexible leg to facilitate biased movement of the cleat away from the inner edge.