Fluid dispensing vessel

• US 8,397,940 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZAK DESIGNS, INC.
• Original Assignee: ZAK DESIGNS, INC.
• Inventors: Steininger, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): POOS, MADISON LYNN
• Application Number:
  US12/924,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20120080456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 220/254.1, 220/260, 220/262, 220/703, 220/711, 220/713, 220/714, 220/715, 222/531, 222/532
• US Class Current: 220/714
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/18 of rigid material
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2272 from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/248 the valve being opened or closed by imparting a motion to the valve stem B65D47/244, B65D47/245 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3869 formed with double walls, i.e. hollow

Abstract

A fluid dispensing vessel is described and which includes a container body for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed, and a removable lid having first and second portions which move one relative to the other, and wherein when the second portion of the lid is in a first position, fluid may not be dispensed from the container body, and when located in the second position, fluid may be dispensed from the container body, and wherein a latch is provided which releases the second portion of the removable lid from the first portion for travel to a second position to allow the dispensing of fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid dispensing vessel, comprising:

a container body for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container has a top dispensing opening, and a longitudinal axis; and

a removable lid having a first portion which sealably cooperates with the top dispensing opening of the container body, and a second portion which moveably cooperates with the first portion and which is reciprocally, longitudinally moveable relative to the first portion, and the container body, between a first position, where the second portion of the removable lid occludes the top dispensing opening, and a second position, where the top dispensing opening is non occluded and fluid may be dispensed from the container body, and wherein the first portion of the removable lid is at least partially, telescopingly received within the second portion of the removable lid.

2. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a first biasing spring located between the first and second portions of the removable lid, and which biases the second portion of the removable lid in a longitudinally coaxial direction outwardly relative to the container body, and in the direction of the second position.

3. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the first portion of the removable lid defines a first passageway, having a valve seat, and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the container body, and wherein the second portion of the removable lid has a valve member which is received, at least in part, within the first passageway, and which is sized so as to sealably cooperate and occlude the first passageway when the second portion of the removable lid is located in the first position.

4. A fluid dispensing vessel comprising:

a container body for enclosing a fluid to be dispensed, and wherein the container has a top dispensing opening, and a longitudinal axis;

a removable lid having a first portion which sealably cooperates with the top dispensing opening of the container body, and a second portion which moveably cooperates with the first portion and which is reciprocally, longitudinally moveable relative to the first portion, and the container body, between a first position, where the second portion of the removable lid occludes the top dispensing opening, and a second position, where the top dispensing opening is non occluded and fluid may be dispensed from the container body; and

a latch moveably borne by the second portion of the removable lid, and which releasably secures the second portion of the removable lid in the first position, and wherein the latch has a first end which extends radially outwardly relative to the second portion of the removable lid, and a second end which has an engagement portion which releasably engages the first portion of the removable lid to secure the second portion of the removable lid in the first position.

5. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising:

a first biasing spring located between the first and second portions of the removable lid, and which biases the second portion of the removable lid in a longitudinally coaxial direction outwardly relative to the container body, and in the direction of the second position; and

a second biasing spring borne by the second portion of the removable lid, and which biasingly cooperates with the latch so as to cause the latch to be urged in a radially outward direction relative to the second portion of the removable lid, and wherein the latch is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel which is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis of the container body.

6. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the latch has an intermediate portion which is located between the first and second ends thereof, and which defines, at least in part, an aperture, and wherein the first biasing spring extends through the aperture defined by the intermediate portion of the latch, and wherein a first biasing force generated by the first biasing spring is substantially perpendicular to a second biasing force which is generated by the second biasing spring.

7. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 6, and wherein a physical force applied by a user to the first end of the latch overcomes the second biasing force of the second biasing spring, and thereafter causes the engagement portion of the latch to move out of engagement with the first portion of the removable lid, and wherein following disengagement of the engagement portion from the first portion of the removable lid, the first biasing spring moves the second portion of the removable lid from the first position to the second position.

8. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 7, and wherein a force applied by a user in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the container body, and in a direction toward the container body overcomes the first biasing force generated by the first biasing spring, and wherein in response to this aforementioned inwardly directed longitudinal force, the second portion of the removable lid moves from the second position to the first position, and wherein, in the first position, the second biasing spring causes the engagement portion of the latch to move into cooperative engagement with the first portion of the removable lid so as to releasably secure the second portion of the removable lid in the first position.

9. A fluid dispensing vessel, comprising:

a container body defining an internal cavity for enclosing a source of a fluid to be dispensed, and a top dispensing opening through which the source of fluid passes to be received in, and pass out of the internal cavity;

a first portion which receives, in part, and sealably cooperates with, the container body, and which further defines a first passageway, having a valve seat, and which allows the source of fluid to flow out of the internal cavity of the container body;

a second portion which telescopingly receives and reciprocally cooperates, at least in part, with the first portion, and wherein the second portion further includes a valve member for selectively sealably occluding the first passageway, by engaging the valve seat of the first passageway, when the removable lid is located in the first position, and which further allows fluid to flow out of a container body when the removable lid is located in the second position;

a first fluid impervious seal borne by the valve member for sealably engaging the valve seat, and effectively occluding the first passageway when the removable lid is in the first position;

a second fluid impervious seal borne by the first passageway as defined by the first portion of the removable lid, and which sealably engages the second portion of the removable lid when the removable lid is in each of the first and second positions;

a removable lid for selectively occluding the top dispensing opening of the container body, and wherein the removable lid defines, at least in part, a fluid dispensing opening, and wherein the removable lid is moveable along a predetermined path of travel between a first position, which prohibits fluid flow from the internal cavity of the container body, and a second position, which permits fluid flow from the container body; and

a spring biased latch which is moveably borne by the removable lid, and which further retains the removable lid in the first position, and which, when forcibly engaged, permits the removable lid to move from the first position, to the second position.

10. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 9, and wherein a portion of the container body defining the top dispensing opening is telescopingly received within the removable lid in the nature of friction fit.

11. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 9, and wherein a portion of the container body defining the top dispensing opening mechanically cooperates with the removable lid.

12. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 11, and further comprising:

a first biasing spring positioned between the first and second portions of the removable lid, and wherein the first biasing spring causes the removable lid to move from the first position to the second position.

13. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the spring biased latch is moveably borne by the second portion of the removable lid, and further selectively engages the first portion of the removable lid when the removable lid is in the first position, and wherein the spring biased latch includes a second biasing spring which causes the latch to biasingly engage the first portion of the removable lid, and wherein the latch when forcibly engaged by a user compresses the second biasing spring so as to permit the latch to disengage from the first portion of the removable lid and facilitates a movement of the removable lid from the first position to the second position.

14. A fluid dispensing vessel as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the spring biased latch includes a first end which extends substantially radially outwardly relative to the second portion of the removable lid, and which further when forcibly engaged causes the latch to disengage from the first portion of the removable lid, and the second portion of the removable lid to move from the first to the second position.

15. A fluid dispensing valve as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the removable lid moves from the second position back to the first position when a longitudinally inwardly directed force is applied to the removable lid which is sufficient to overcome a biasing force which is provided by the first biasing spring, and which further simultaneously causes the second portion of the removable lid to move from the second position to the first position, and wherein in the first position the spring biased latch can engage the first portion of the removable lid so as to maintain the removable lid in the first position.

16. A fluid dispensing valve as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the first and second biasing springs apply individual forces which are perpendicularly oriented one relative to the other.

17. A fluid dispensing vessel, comprising:

a container body defined by a sidewall, a bottom surface coupled to the sidewall, and which further has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the container body has a top peripheral edge defining a dispensing opening, and wherein the sidewall of the container body further defines an internal cavity for enclosing a source of liquid to be dispensed to a user;

a first portion of a removable lid which releasably engages the sidewall of the container body, and which further at least partially occludes the dispensing opening thereof, and wherein the first portion has a main body having a longitudinal axis which is further defined, at least in part, by a top surface which has a peripheral edge, and wherein a continuous sidewall having inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces depends downwardly from the peripheral edge, and wherein the inwardly facing surface of the continuous sidewall further defines an internal cavity which is sized so as to telescopingly receive, at least in part, and sealably cooperates, with the top peripheral edge of the container body, and wherein the outside facing surface of the continuous sidewall defines a recessed channel having a given length dimension, and which has a proximal and a distal end, and wherein the top surface of the first portion of the removable lid further has a first spring seat which is defined by a continuous sidewall forming a cavity, and wherein the continuous sidewall of the first spring seat extends normally upwardly relative to the top surface of the first portion, and wherein the continuous sidewall of the first spring seat has a first engagement aperture formed therein, and which extends therethrough, and wherein the top surface further has a first passageway which extends normally, upwardly, relative thereto, and wherein the first passageway is defined by a continuous sidewall which has a proximal end mounted on the top surface of the first portion, and an opposite, distal end, and wherein the sidewall defining the first passageway is coaxially oriented relative to a valve seat which is formed in the top surface of the first portion, and wherein the valve seat couples the first passageway in fluid flowing relation relative to internal cavity of the container body;

a second portion of the removable lid which is reciprocally longitudinally moveable relative to both the first portion of the removable lid, and the container body, and wherein the second portion of the removable lid has a main body defined by a top surface, and which has inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces, and a peripheral edge, and wherein a circumscribing sidewall extends downwardly relative to the peripheral edge of the main body, and which also has inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces, and wherein the top surface of the second portion defines a fluid dispensing aperture which extends therethrough, and which is oriented in fluid flowing communication with the distal end of the first passageway as defined by the first portion of the removable lid, and wherein the inside facing surface of the circumscribing sidewall of the second portion defines an internal cavity which is sized so as to telescopingly receive the first portion of the removable lid, and to facilitate, at least in part, the reciprocal longitudinal movement of the second portion relative to the first portion, and wherein the inside facing surface of the continuous sidewall of the second portion further includes a protrusion which is matingly received within the recessed channel defined by the first portion, and which is operable to limit the reciprocal longitudinal movement of the second portion relative to the first portion, and wherein a latch aperture is formed in the continuous sidewall of the second portion, and wherein a valve member is mounted on the inside facing surface of the top surface of the second portion, and is coaxially aligned relative to the first passageway as defined by the first portion of the removable lid, and wherein the valve member has a distal end which sealably mates with the valve seat as defined by the first portion when the second portion of the removable lid is located in a first position, so as to prohibit a flow of the source of the liquid from the container body, and is displaced from the valve seat when the second portion of the removable lid is located in a second position, so as to facilitate the flow of the source of the liquid from the container body, through the first passageway, and out of the fluid dispensing aperture formed in the top surface of the second portion, and wherein a second spring seat is defined by a continuous sidewall which depends downwardly relative to the inside facing surface of top surface of the second portion, and wherein the continuous sidewall of the second spring seat has inside and outside facing surfaces, and wherein the inside facing surface thereof defines a cavity which is coaxially aligned relative to the first spring seat and is sized so that the first spring seat may be telescopingly received within the cavity as defined by the second spring seat, and wherein the continuous sidewall defining the second spring seat has a second engagement aperture formed therein, and wherein when the second portion of the removable lid is in the first position, the first and second engagement apertures are coaxially aligned, and wherein the outside facing surface of the continuous sidewall forming the second spring seat has a latch guiding channel formed therein;

a first biasing spring positioned between the first and second portions of the removable lid and located in the cavities defined by the first and second spring seats, and wherein the first biasing spring exerts a first biasing force which causes the second portion of the removable lid to be urged in a direction towards the second position, which is coaxially oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the container body;

a moveable latch borne by the second portion of the removable lid, and which releasably secures the second portion of the removable lid in the first position against the first biasing force as exerted by the first biasing spring, and wherein the latch has a main body with a first, proximal end, which extends radially outwardly relative to the second portion of the removable lid, and out through the latch aperture formed in second portion;

a second, distal end, which mounts an inwardly facing engagement portion which is slideably received within, and extends through, the second engagement aperture as defined by the second spring seat; and

an intermediate portion which extends between the first and second ends, and wherein the intermediate portion of the latch defines an aperture which is sized so as to receive the second spring seat therein, and wherein the intermediate portion of the latch is slideably received in the latch guiding channel which is formed in the second spring seat; and

a second biasing spring is located between the outside facing surface of the continuous sidewall defining the second spring seat, and the first end of the latch, and wherein the second biasing spring is located at least in part within the aperture as defined by the intermediate portion of the main body of the latch, and wherein the second biasing spring exerts a second biasing force which is perpendicular to the first biasing force, and further causes the first end of the latch to be urged radially outwardly relative to the second portion of the removable lid, and wherein when the first portion of the removable lid is located in the first position, the engagement portion of the latch extends through the coaxially aligned first and second engagement apertures as formed in the first and second spring seats so as to retain the second portion in the first position against the first biasing force generated by the first biasing spring, and wherein in the first position, no liquid can be dispensed from the container body, and wherein when a user exerts force on the first end of the latch to move it radially inwardly relative to the second portion of the removable lid, the engagement portion is moved out of the first engagement aperture as defined by the first spring seat, and the first biasing spring is then effective in moving the second portion of the removable lid from the first position to the second position so as to facilitate the dispensing of the source of liquid out through the fluid dispensing opening as formed in the second portion of the removable lid.