Sealable cover for an open beverage container

• US 5,242,079 A
• Filed: 09/11/1992
• Issued: 09/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Threeco
• Original Assignee: Three LC Incorporated
• Inventors: Stephens, Ruth A., Pino, Giovanni
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STUCKER, NOVA E
• Application Number:
  US07/943,723
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 215/1 A, 215/229, 215/235, 215/237, 220/705, 220/707, 220/708, 220/709, 220/710, 220/338, 220/367, 220/373, 222/211, 222/464, 222/482, 222/484, 222/526, 222/528, 222/530, 222/531, 222/534, 222/536, 222/538, 222/556, 222/570
• US Class Current: 220/705
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2266 Means for facilitating drinking, e.g. for infants or invalids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/305 provided with a spout, e.g. "escargot"-type valve
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/32 with means for venting

Abstract

This cover for an opened beverage container has a pivoted valve in the withdrawal passage that is opened and closed according to the position of a tubular spout integral with the valve. The valve is supported by journals engaging bearings, and having a conical sealing portion. The spout has a ball-ended vent plug engageable with a vent opening in the cover, with the opening having a snap-in section and a dissociated more relaxed sealing section that continues to grip the ball end gently after repeated uses of the snap-in function.

Claims

1. A cover assembly for a beverage container, including a body portion adapted to form a cover for a standard container, said body portion having a passage disposed to communicate with the interior of said container, and having a receptacle communicating with said passage and including opposed bearing means, said assembly also including a pivoted valve member having journal means engaging said bearing means, and also having a valve portion received in said receptacle and adapted to open and close said passage, said valve member also having a tubular extension adapted to form a continuation of said passage in an open position of said valve member, said body portion also having a vent opening remote from said valve member, said tubular extension also having a ball-ended plug disposed to enter said vent opening in a closed position of said valve member, wherein the improvement comprises:

means on said body portion defining said vent opening with an axial sequence of diameters whereby one diameter receives said ball end in a tight forced fit to provide a snap-in function, and another diameter receives said ball end in a relatively light forced fit to establish a seal.

2. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said one diameter is a first diameter engaged by said ball-ended plug on closure of said valve member to provide said snap-in function, and said other diameter is subsequently engaged on further closure of said valve member.

3. An assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said body portion has a closure panel traversed by said vent opening, and said other diameter is defined by a tubular projection from said closure panel.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein said tubular projection is below said panel.