초록 ▼

A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet value in communication with an outlet value in communication therewith, eac

A self-sealing drinking container includes a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid, and a lid assembly which fits sealingly on the cup body. The lid assembly has an inlet passage with an inlet value in communication with an outlet value in communication therewith, each of the values including a resilient flexible diaphragm member. Each of the inlet and outlet valves includes a cage having an open top and an open bottom to allow fluid passage therethrough, the cage having a seat formed therein for receiving a diaphragm member. The diaphragm member is located seatably into the seat so as to selectively seal thereagainst and thereby prevent fluid flow therepast. A locator post in each cage is secured to the diaphragm member thereof to ensure its sealing. A predetermined level of fluid pressure differential across each diaphragm member courses, respectively, the diaphragm members to concavely bend away from their respective seat and thereby allow fluid flow through the valves. However, below the respective predetermined levels of fluid pressure differential, the diaphragm members sealingly abut their respective seats, thereby sealing the cup.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A valve assembly for a self-sealing drinking container, comprising:a first cage member having an open portion and a first valve seat formed therein;a first locator member having a head portion, a post portion, and a tip portion;a first diaphragm member secured on said tip of said first locator me

1. A valve assembly for a self-sealing drinking container, comprising:a first cage member having an open portion and a first valve seat formed therein;a first locator member having a head portion, a post portion, and a tip portion;a first diaphragm member secured on said tip of said first locator member; andsaid first diaphragm member having a plurality of stiffening ribs formed thereon, said first diaphragm member being disposed in said first valve seat;said first cage member being releasably attached to a lid of the drinking container and housing said first diaphragm member and said first locator member therewithin such that said first locator member and said first diaphragm member are also releasably attached to said lid as a unit. 2. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said first cage member is an outlet cage member and wherein said open portion is located adjacent a top of said first cage member and wherein said first valve seat is located adjacent a bottom of said first cage member. 3. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said first cage member is an inlet cage member and wherein said open portion is located adjacent a bottom of said first cage member and wherein said first valve seat is located adjacent a top of said first cage member. 4. The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein said head portion of said first locator member is sonic welded to an upper portion of said first cage member. 5. The valve assembly of claim 4, wherein said first diaphragm member has a central hub portion extending generally from said first valve seat toward said open portion, said central hub portion having a bore formed therein for receipt of said tip portion of said first locator member therein. 6. The valve assembly of claim 5, wherein said plurality of ribs on first diaphragm member are uniformly disposed about said central hub portion. 7. The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of ribs extend from a periphery of said first diaphragm member inwardly and terminate at said central hub portion. 8. The valve assembly of claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of ridges increase in height as they extend inwardly toward said central hub portion. 9. The valve assembly of claim 6, wherein said first diaphragm member is press fit onto said first locator member. 10. A self-sealing drinking container, comprising:a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid;a lid assembly sealingly engagable with said cup body, said lid assembly having a first opening;a first valve housed within a first cage member which is removably located in said first opening for selectively sealing said first opening, said first valve comprising:a first valve seat;a flexibily resilient first diaphragm member seated at said first valve seat, said first diaphragm member having a central hub portion protruding from a surface opposite said first valve seat;a first locator having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion being disposed in said raised central hub portion of said first diaphragm member; andwherein said first diaphragm member is sealingly seated at said first valve seat below a first predetermined level of fluid pressure differential applied thereon. 11. A drinking container of claim 10, further comprising:a second valve housed within a second cage member, which is removably located in a second opening for selectively sealing said second opening, said second valve comprising:a second valve seat;a flexibly resilient second diaphragm member seated at said second valve seat, said second diaphragm member having a central hub portion protruding from a surface opposite said second valve seat;a second locator having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion being disposed in said raised central hub portion of said second diaphragm member;and wherein said second diaphragm member is sealingly seated at said second valve below a second predetermined level of fluid pressure differential applied ther eacross; andwherein said first diaphragm member resiliently bends so as to unseal with respect to said first valve seat above said first predetermined fluid pressure differential applied thereacross, and wherein said second diaphragm member resiliently bends so as to unseal with respect to said second seat above said second predetermined level of fluid differential pressure applied thereacross. 12. The drinking container of claim 11, wherein said first valve regulates liquid flow out of said cup body, and wherein said second valve regulates air flow into said cup body responsive to said liquid flow out of said cup body. 13. The drinking container of claim 12, wherein said first and second valves further comprise:a first cage member located in said first opening, said first valve seat being formed in said first cage member; anda second cage member located in said second opening, said second valve seat being formed in said second cage member. 14. The drinking container of claim 13, wherein said first and second cage members are mutually connected together to thereby form a compound valve assembly which sealingly interferes with said lid assembly. 15. The drinking container of claim 13, wherein said first portion of said first locator is sonic welded to said first cage member to secure said first valve. 16. The drinking container of claim 13, wherein said second portion of said second locator is sonic welded to said second cage member to secure said first valve. 17. The drinking container of claim 10, wherein a plurality of ribs are formed on said surface opposite said first valve seat of said first diaphragm member. 18. The drinking container of claim 17, wherein said plurality of ribs are uniformly spaced about said central hub portion. 19. The drinking container of claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of ribs extend from a peripheral portion of said first diaphragm member to said central hub portion. 20. A valve assembly that is releasably engagable with a lid of a drinking container, comprising:a cage member that is intended to communicate with an opening of the lid, said cage member having disposed therewithin:a locator member having a tip portion and a post portion;a diaphragm member secured on said tip portion of said locator member, said diaphragm member having a plurality of ribs formed thereon and engaging a valve seat formed in the lid such that said diaphragm member is movable between a closed position and an open position by flexing based on fluid differential thereacross to allow fluid to flow about the periphery of said diaphragm member; andwhereby said cage member, which includes said locator member and said diaphragm member, can be readily removed from and attached to the lid as required. 21. A self-sealing drinking container, comprising:a cup body having a hollow interior for holding and dispensing a liquid;a lid assembly sealingly engagable with said cup body, said lid assembly having a first opening;a cage member, which is releasably attachable within said first opening for selectively sealing said first opening, said cage member including:a valve seat;a flexibly resilient diaphragm member seated at said valve seat, said first diaphragm member having a central hub portion protruding from a surface opposite said valve seat and a plurality ribs formed on said diaphragm member and extending outwardly from said central hub portion;a first locator having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion being disposed in said raised central hub portion of said diaphragm member; andwherein said first diaphragm member is sealingly seated at said valve seat below a first predetermined level of fluid pressure differential applied thereacross.