Valved container closure

• US 4,946,062 A
• Filed: 02/03/1989
• Issued: 08/07/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter Coy
• Original Assignee: Peter Coy
• Inventors: Coy, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Marcus, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): STUCKER, NOVA E
• Application Number:
  US07/306,765
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 220/90.2, 220/90.4, 220/90.6, 220/254, 220/367, 220/380, 215/11.4, 215/11.5, 215/18, 222/212, 222/213, 222/490, 383/49
• US Class Current: 220/714
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 17/502 applied to the external part of the container wall only
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2517/0013 pull-out tear panel, e.g. by means of a tear-tab
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2517/0083 Rigid plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2517/0089 Unusual details
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2517/5027 Single layer
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2517/5083 with means facilitating initial lifting of tape, e.g. lift or pull-tabs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00027 Stackable lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2018 comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 53/08 Flexible adhesive strips adapted to seal filling or discharging apertures

Abstract

A container closure lid having a valved spout is disclosed. The valve is normally closed so as to prevent spillage from the container. In use, the valve is opened by the application of force laterally to the edge of the valve. In addition, a valved spout which is particularly adapted to permit close stacking of the lids is disclosed.

Claims

1. A valved spout for controlled dispensing of a liquid from a container, said spout comprised of an outer resilient member having inlet and outlet ends and a body segment which defines the exterior of said spout and an inner member having downwardly depending opposed portions that close the outlet end of said outer member and terminate in an apex valve.

2. The valved spout of claim 1 wherein said apex valve is opened by the application of force in a direction edgewise to said opposed portions.

3. A stackable container lid having a valved spout for controlled dispensing of a liquid from a container, said spout comprising:

an outer resilient member having a fixed end, a body segment and a free end, said body segment tapered from the fixed end toward the free end and defining the exterior of said spout, and

an inner resilient member having downwardly depending opposed portions which close said free end and terminate in an apex valve.

4. An individual beverage package comprising:

a beverage container;

a quantity of a consumable beverage within said container; and

a container closure including a mouth-operable valved drinking spout, said spout further including;

a tubular body having a first and communicating with the interior of said container and a second end for engagement by the user'"'"'s mouth; and

an apex value means disposed within said tubular body proximate said second end, said apex valve means comprising portions depending downwardly from said second end and terminating inwardly of said first end, said apex value means being selectively operable between opened and closed positions by the application to and release of pressure from said tubular body.

5. A stackable container lid comprising:

a body having means for sealingly engaging a container rim;

a mouth-operable valved drinking spout having a first end attached to said body for communication with the interior of the container and a second end extending from said body for engagement by a user'"'"'s mouth;

an apex valve disposed within said spout proximate said second end and defining a cavity within said second end;

said valve being selectively operable such that the application of pressure to said tubular body by the user'"'"'s mouth opens said valve and such that release of said mouth pressure causes said valve to close;

said spout tapered from the first end toward the second end such that the second end of a like spout is inserted within the first end of the spout and is nested therewith.