Spill-proof cap for beverage containers

• US 5,873,478 A
• Filed: 01/13/1997
• Issued: 02/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lynn A. Sullivan, Michael John Sullivan
• Original Assignee: Lynn A. Sullivan, Michael John Sullivan
• Inventors: Sullivan, Michael J., Sullivan, Lynn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US08/782,290
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 222/534, 222/482, 222/481.5, 220/708, 220/367.1, 220/705, 220/373, 220/714, 220/717, 215/389, 215/388, 215/902, 215/11.4, 215/11.5, 215/11.1, 215/235, 215/236
• US Class Current: 215/389
• 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 51/1644 the element being a valve B65D51/1661 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 215/902 Vent

Abstract

A spill-proof cap or lid for a standard beverage container, such as a soft drink, water and other liquid bottle, includes a housing which is configured to fit over the container opening. The housing includes top and bottom, each of which includes a recess. A spout is mounted in the top recess and is pivotable between open and closed positions. A flow control section extends generally vertically in the bottom recess for receiving a flow control member. The flow control member is removably positioned in the flow control section and includes a flow control valve and an air intake valve. The spout includes at least one passageway which is in fluid communication with the bottom recess through a passageway extending between the top and bottom of the housing. In use, the cap is substituted for the conventional cap or lid that the typical soft drink, water or other liquid bottle is equipped with. When the spout is flipped upwardly in the open position, and a suction pressure is applied, the liquid from inside the bottle flows out through the spout passageway. When the suction pressure on the spout is released, the flow of liquid stops. Upon flipping the spout to the horizontal closed position, any risk of spilling or dripping is avoided.

Claims

1. A spill-proof cap for a beverage container, comprising:

a) a housing configured to fit over a container opening;

b) said housing including a top and a bottom, each of said top and bottom including a recess;

c) a spout mounted in said top recess and pivotable between open and closed positions;

d) first and second generally tubular members positioned substantially vertically in said bottom recess;

e) a flow control member removably positioned in said bottom recess and including a flow control valve and an air intake valve;

f) said flow control valve being received in said first tubular member and said air intake valve being received in said second tubular member;

g) said spout including a first passageway;

h) said housing including a second passageway extending between the top and bottom thereof and in fluid communication with said first passageway when said spout is in said open position;

i) said housing including a periphery interrupted by a radially outwardly inclined edge,

j) said spout including a free end portion, and

k) said free end portion overlying said inclined edge when said spout is in said closed position.

2. The spill-proof cap of claim 1, wherein:

a) said housing includes an air inlet passageway having a first opening in communication with the exterior of the cap; and

b) said air inlet passageway having a second opening in communication with said second tubular member.

3. The spill-proof cap of claim 1, wherein:

a) said spout extends within said periphery.

4. The spill-proof cap of claim 1, wherein:

a) said top recess is generally linear and extends along a first axis; and

b) said first and second tubular members are positioned adjacent to each other along a line extending parallel to said first axis.

5. The spill-proof cap of claim 2, wherein:

a) said air inlet passageway extends radially in said housing and is generally parallel to said spout in said closed position thereof.

6. The spill-proof cap of claim 2, wherein:

a) said air inlet passageway extends radially and generally at a right angle to said spout in said open position thereof.

7. The spill-proof cap of claim 2, wherein:

a) said air inlet passageway extends generally at a right angle to said second tubular member.

8. The spill-proof cap of claim 1, wherein:

a) said spout includes third and fourth passageways running generally parallel to said first passageway.

9. The spill-proof cap of claim 1, wherein:

a) each of said flow control and air intake valves comprises a spring-biased valve.

10. The spill-proof cap of claim 1, wherein:

a) said top of said housing has a diameter less than the diameter of said bottom thereof.