초록 ▼

A drinking spout for beverage cans, bottles, cups or handheld containers that temporarily hold a drinking fluid (beverage), which can be carbonated or a hot drink under pressure and which is closed off by the spout. Spilling of the fluid held therein is prevented during awkward drinking situations s

A drinking spout for beverage cans, bottles, cups or handheld containers that temporarily hold a drinking fluid (beverage), which can be carbonated or a hot drink under pressure and which is closed off by the spout. Spilling of the fluid held therein is prevented during awkward drinking situations such as in cars while driving, walking or other less controlled drinking conditions. The fluid in the container, remains under pressure while permanent access is possible through the spout. The spout comprises a suction piece that is leak tight attached to a valve housing which holds a spring, a centrally perforated inverted membrane and a valve. When suction is applied to the spout, the inverted membrane moves downwards thereby opening the valve against the internal pressure of the bottle or container and allowing fluid to pass to the mouth. When the suction stops, a spring closes the valve. Air venting is provided, through the same valve, when the internal gas pressure drops below the atmospheric pressure.

대표청구항 ▼

What I claim as my invention is: 1. A spout assembly for connecting to an opening of a container to empty a fluid from the container, which fluid may be under a gas pressure, the spout assembly comprising: a spout that includes (i) a mouthpiece through which fluid can pass and (ii) a tube, the tube

What I claim as my invention is: 1. A spout assembly for connecting to an opening of a container to empty a fluid from the container, which fluid may be under a gas pressure, the spout assembly comprising: a spout that includes (i) a mouthpiece through which fluid can pass and (ii) a tube, the tube being in fluid communication with the mouthpiece so that fluid can pass through the tube and the mouthpiece; a valve assembly including (i) a valve housing including a valve seat and (ii) a valve that is resiliently urged against the valve seat by an urging force; a membrane device that includes (i) a membrane device opening and (ii) a fixed seal that seals between the spout and the valve housing; and a seal structure that maintains a seal between the membrane device opening and the tube; said membrane device flexing toward an interior of the container when suction is applied to the tube via the mouthpiece, and forcing the valve away from the valve seat in opposition to the urging force. 2. The spout assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring that applies the urging force. 3. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein the membrane device applies the urging force. 4. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein an air passage is formed in the spout, the air passage promoting retention of atmospheric pressure between the spout and a side of the membrane device that faces away from the interior of the container. 5. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein the membrane has an undulating shape in cross section and is of a resilient material. 6. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein a surface area of the membrane device on which the suction acts is substantially larger than a surface area of the valve on which inside gas pressure of the container acts. 7. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal structure comprises a seal tube that extends from the membrane device and slidingly seals against the tube of the spout. 8. The spout assembly of claim 1, wherein the seal structure comprises a bellows between the tube and the membrane device opening. 9. A combination, comprising: a container that has an opening; and the spout assembly of claim 1, attached to the container and covering the opening of the container. 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the container is made of metal or plastic material that can hold a fluid under gas pressure or at elevated temperature. 11. The combination of claim 9, further comprising a fluid contained within the container. 12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the fluid is under gas pressure. 13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the fluid is a beverage. 14. The combination of claim 9, wherein the container includes a first screw thread surrounding the opening of the container, and the spout assembly includes a second screw thread that engages with the first screw thread. 15. The combination of claim 9, wherein the spout assembly is permanently pressed on the opening of the container.