초록 ▼

A liquid metering assembly is described and which includes a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a container cap defining a dispensing aperture and a vent aperture which is releasably affixed to the container; a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container c

A liquid metering assembly is described and which includes a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a container cap defining a dispensing aperture and a vent aperture which is releasably affixed to the container; a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container cap, and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the dispensing aperture, and wherein the moveable diaphragm has a valve member; and a moveable liquid volume control member which cooperates with the moveable diaphragm, and wherein, when a predetermined suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, a user may withdraw a given volume of liquid from the beverage container.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A liquid metering assembly, comprising: a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed;a container cap for engaging and enclosing the source of fluid within the container, and wherein the container cap defines a dispensing aperture, and a vent aperture;a moveable diaphragm releasa

1. A liquid metering assembly, comprising: a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed;a container cap for engaging and enclosing the source of fluid within the container, and wherein the container cap defines a dispensing aperture, and a vent aperture;a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container cap, and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the dispensing aperture, and wherein the moveable diaphragm further has a valve member; anda moveable liquid volume control member having a main body which has a thickness dimension which is variable, and which sealably, and matingly cooperates with the moveable diaphragm, and which further defines a liquid receiving chamber, and a fluid flowing aperture which extends therethrough, and wherein the liquid receiving chamber of the movable liquid volume control member further defines a multiplicity of fluid flowing channels which each have a predetermined length and width dimension, and a variable depth dimension as defined by the variable thickness dimension of the main body of the liquid volume control member, and which are further individually oriented in fluid receiving relation relative to the fluid flowing aperture, and wherein the valve member is received in the fluid flowing aperture, and is moveable relative thereto when a suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, and wherein a selective movement of the liquid volume control member relative to the moveable diaphragm orients one of the multiplicity of fluid flowing channels in fluid receiving relation relative to the fluid flowing aperture, and in fluid delivering relation relative to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, and wherein the selective movement of the liquid volume control member relative to the moveable diaphragm varies a volume of the liquid which is dispensed from the container when a given amount of suction is applied to the dispensing aperture; anda movement limiting member defined by the moveable liquid volume control member and which is positioned in the liquid receiving chamber thereof, and which limits the motion of the movable diaphragm relative to the moveable liquid volume control member. 2. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the container is a beverage container, and the source of the liquid to be dispensed is a liquid which can be consumed by a user of the beverage container, and wherein the container cap comprises a drinking cap which defines a drinking spout, and the dispensing aperture comprises a drinking aperture, and wherein the suction is applied by a user's mouth to the drinking aperture of the beverage container. 3. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the drinking cap has a main body having an outside facing surface, and an opposite, inside facing surface, and wherein the inside facing surface defines a first cavity which releasably, matingly cooperates with the beverage container, and which further defines a reduced dimensioned, second cavity, which is defined, at least in part, by a downwardly depending sidewall which is mounted on the inside facing surface of the drinking cap, and wherein the drinking spout defines a fluid passageway which communicates with the second cavity, and the vent aperture communicates in fluid flowing relation relative to the second cavity. 4. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the movable diaphragm further includes a moveable flap which selectively occludes the vent aperture when the liquid metering assembly is in operation. 5. A liquid metering assembly is claimed in claim 3, and wherein the moveable diaphragm further includes a slit valve which selectively occludes the vent aperture when the liquid metering assembly is in operation. 6. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the downwardly extending sidewall is substantially circular shaped and further defines a generally radially extending space which communicates with the second cavity, and wherein the vent aperture communicates with the radially extending space, and wherein the moveable diaphragm is fluid sealably received, at least in part, within the second cavity. 7. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 6, and wherein the moveable diaphragm has a main body which is defined by an outside facing surface, and an opposite inside facing surface, and wherein a second fluid passageway extends upwardly from the outside facing surface of the moveable diaphragm, and is further telescopingly and fluid sealably received, at least in part, within the fluid passageway which is defined, at least in part, by the drinking spout, and wherein the valve member is elongated in shape, and further extends normally, downwardly, from the inside facing surface of the moveable diaphragm, and wherein the elongated valve member has a distal end, and an intermediate portion, and wherein a valve portion is made integral with the elongated valve member and is located on the intermediate portion, and wherein a slit valve is located in spaced, selectively occluding, outwardly disposed relation relative to the sidewall of the main body, and is oriented in covering relation relative to the radially extending space which is defined, at least in part, by the downwardly depending sidewall. 8. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 7, and wherein each of the multiplicity of fluid flowing channels extend substantially radially outwardly from the liquid receiving chamber, and towards the peripheral edge, and wherein a finger grip extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the main body and facilitates the selective positioning of the liquid volume control member relative to the moveable diaphragm, and wherein the top surface of the main body of the liquid control member is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity as defined by the moveable diaphragm, and the elongated valve member is received within, and is moveable relative to, the fluid flowing aperture. 9. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the distal end of the elongated valve member depends downwardly relative to the bottom surface of the liquid volume control member, and wherein the valve portion sealably seats thereagainst, and occludes the fluid flowing aperture as defined by the liquid volume control member when located in a first, seated position, and wherein in the first, seated position, the source of the liquid contained within the beverage container cannot pass through the fluid flowing aperture, and be received in the liquid receiving chamber, and wherein the elongated valve member is moveable to a second, fluid flowing position which is displaced from the first, seated position, and which further permits the source of the liquid received within the beverage container to pass through the fluid flowing aperture, and into the liquid receiving chamber, and wherein the elongated valve member moves between the aforementioned first and second positions when the user applies a suction to the drinking aperture, and which causes the moveable diaphragm to move away from the drinking cap, and then subsequently carry the elongated valve member from the first to the second position. 10. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the suction supplied to the drinking aperture is effective in opening the slit valve relative to the vent aperture, and wherein the slit valve, upon the application of the suction moves from a first, occluding position relative to the vent aperture, and wherein, in the first occluding position, the source of the liquid contained in the beverage container is prevented from escaping the beverage container by way of the vent aperture, to a second non-occluding position, and wherein, in the second non-occluding position, the vent aperture is at least partially non-occluded so as to facilitate communication of the internal cavity of the beverage container with a surrounding ambient environment. 11. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the fluid flowing channels have a width dimension of about 1.8 mm; a length dimension of about 15 mm; and a depth dimension of about 0.2 mm to about 4 mm. 12. A liquid metering assembly comprising: a beverage container having an internal cavity for receiving a source of a liquid, and wherein the beverage container has a neck portion which communicates with the internal cavity thereof;a drinking cap which is releasably engageable with the neck portion, and which has a drinking aperture through which the source of liquid may move from the internal cavity, and then be consumed by a user, and a vent aperture which couples a surrounding ambient environment with the internal cavity, and wherein a portion of the drinking cap defines a fluid passageway which communicates with the drinking aperture;a moveable diaphragm matingly cooperating with the drinking cap, and further having an elongated valve member which depends downwardly from the diaphragm, and which is further moveable therewith; andan adjustable liquid volume control member that defines a liquid receiving chamber, and wherein the adjustable liquid volume control member is located in releasable, mating and rotatably movable cooperation with the moveable diaphragm, and which is further disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the drinking aperture, and wherein the liquid volume control member defines a fluid flowing aperture which extends through the liquid volume control member, and which couples the liquid receiving chamber with the internal cavity of the beverage container, and wherein the elongated valve member extends through the fluid flowing aperture, and wherein the adjustable liquid volume control member has a main body defined by a peripheral edge, a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface defines the liquid receiving chamber, and wherein the fluid flowing aperture is formed in the main body and extends therethrough, and wherein a multiplicity of fluid flowing channels are formed in the top surface, and wherein the multiplicity of fluid flowing channels each has a dimension distinct from the other fluid flowing channels, and wherein at least one of the fluid flowing channels is positioned in fluid flowing relation relative to the fluid passageway, and wherein the main body is configured to be selectively, and sealably rotated relative to the moveable diaphragm so as to allow for dispensing of a volume of the source of the liquid, and wherein a suction applied to the drinking aperture causes the diaphragm to move away from the drinking cap, and thereby urge the elongated valve member from a first, seated, and sealed position, where the elongated valve member is positioned against the liquid volume control member, and occludes the fluid flowing aperture, and which further prohibits the flow of the source of the liquid from the internal cavity of the beverage container to the drinking aperture, and by way of the fluid flowing aperture; to a second, fluid flowing position, and wherein, in the second position, the elongated valve member is displaced from the first, seated position, and which facilitates the flow of the source of the liquid from the internal cavity of the beverage container, and through the fluid flowing aperture, and then to the drinking aperture, and by way of the liquid receiving chamber, and wherein the adjustable liquid volume control member further has at least one movement limiting member which is mounted in the liquid receiving chamber as defined by the top surface thereof, and wherein the movement limiting member restricts the movement of the moveable diaphragm when a suction is applied to the drinking aperture so as to prohibit the moveable diaphragm from occluding the fluid flowing aperture which is formed in the liquid volume control member. 13. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the drinking cap has a main body having an outside facing surface, and an opposite inside facing surface, and wherein the outside facing surface defines, at least in part, a drinking spout which has a distal end, and wherein the drinking aperture is formed in the distal end, and extends therethrough; and wherein the inside facing surface of the drinking cap defines a first cavity which receives, and cooperates, at least in part with, a portion of the neck of the beverage container, and a reduced dimensioned, second cavity, which is defined by a downwardly depending sidewall, and wherein the drinking aperture, and the vent aperture communicate with the second cavity, and wherein the drinking spout defines, at least in part, the fluid passageway which extends from the second cavity to the drinking aperture. 14. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the moveable diaphragm has a main body defined by an outside facing surface, and an opposite inside facing surface, and wherein a second fluid passageway extends upwardly from the outside facing surface of the moveable diaphragm, and is telescopingly received, at least in part, within the fluid passageway which is defined, at least in part, by the drinking spout, and wherein the main body of the moveable diaphragm further has a sidewall which depends downwardly from the top surface, and which defines an internal cavity, and wherein the elongated valve member extends normally, downwardly, from the inside facing surface of the moveable diaphragm, and which further has a distal end, and an intermediate portion, and wherein a valve portion is made integral with the elongated valve member, and is located on the intermediate portion, and wherein a slit valve mounted on, and located in spaced relation relative to, the sidewall of the main body. 15. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 14, and wherein each of the multiplicity of fluid flowing channels extends substantially radially, outwardly, from the liquid receiving chamber toward the peripheral edge, and wherein the main body can be selectively rotated so as to allow the delivery of an adjustable amount of the source of the liquid from the beverage container to the drinking spout, and wherein a finger grip extends downwardly from the bottom surface of the main body, and facilitates the selective positioning of the liquid volume control member, and wherein the top surface of the main body of the liquid control member is received, at least in part, within the internal cavity as defined by the moveable diaphragm, and the elongated valve member is received within and moveable relative to the fluid flowing aperture. 16. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the second cavity as defined by the inside facing surface of the drinking cap has a predetermined cross sectional dimension, and wherein the outside facing surface of the moveable diaphragm has a cross sectional dimension which is slightly less than the cross sectional dimension of the second cavity. 17. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the top surface of the liquid volume control member is sealably received within the internal cavity of the moveable diaphragm, and wherein the distal end of the elongated valve member depends downwardly relative to the bottom surface of the liquid volume control member. 18. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the suction supplied to the drinking aperture is effective in opening the slit valve relative to the vent aperture, and wherein the slit valve, upon the application of a suction, moves from a first, occluding position relative to the vent aperture, and wherein, in the first occluding position, the source of the liquid contained in the beverage container is prevented from escaping from the beverage container by way of the vent aperture; to a second non-occluding position, and wherein, in the second non-occluding position, the vent aperture is at least partially non-occluded, and a surrounding ambient environment may communicate with the internal cavity of the beverage container. 19. A liquid metering assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the fluid flowing channels have a width dimension of about 1.8 mm; a length dimension of about 15 mm; and a depth dimension of about 0.2 mm to about 4 mm. 20. A liquid metering assembly comprising: a container enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed;a container cap for engaging and enclosing the source of fluid within the container, and wherein the container cap defines a dispensing aperture, and a vent aperture, and wherein a portion of the container cap defines a drinking spout;a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container cap, and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the dispensing aperture, and wherein the moveable diaphragm further has a valve member; anda rotatably moveable liquid volume control member which sealably, and matingly cooperates with the moveable diaphragm, and which further defines a liquid receiving chamber and a fluid flowing aperture, and wherein the valve member of the moveable diaphragm is received in the fluid flowing aperture, and is moveable relative thereto when a suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, and wherein the moveable liquid volume control member has a main body defined by a peripheral edge, a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface defines the liquid receiving chamber, and wherein the fluid flowing aperture extends therethrough the main body, and wherein a multiplicity of fluid flowing channels are formed in the top surface, and each of the fluid flowing channels has a dimension distinct from the other fluid flowing channels based upon a variable thickness of the moveable liquid volume control member, and wherein at least one of the fluid flowing channels is positioned in fluid flowing relation relative to the fluid passageway, and wherein the main body is configured to be selectively, and sealably rotated relative to the moveable diaphragm so as to allow for a dispensing of a volume of the source of the liquid from the container to the drinking spout, and wherein a selective rotatable movement of the liquid volume control member relative to the moveable diaphragm varies a volume of the liquid which is dispensed from the container when a given amount of the suction is applied to the dispensing aperture relative to other positions of the liquid volume control member.