US 6,290,090 B1Granted

Drip-less carbonated beverage container “flow control element” with suction spout

AssigneeENPROS Holding B.V.

InventorJan Essebaggers

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Abstract

The invention relates to a “flow control element” with suction spout for (metal) carbonated beverage cans (canteens), cups or handheld containers that hold temporarily a carbonated fluid or hot drink under pressure and that is closed off with a leak proof cover. Spilling of the fluid held therein is prevented during awkward drinking situations such as in cars while driving, walking or other less controlled drinking situations. The fluid in a beverage can, remains under pressure of the carbonation process while access is possible through the subject flow control element when a suction is applied to the spout. For non pressurized fluids an air inlet vent is provided to prevent the suction of a vacuum in the container, thereby reducing the fluid flow while drinking. In all situations and position of the container no spilling of the fluid is possible. The spout is permanently attached to the lid of the container, in case of an aluminum beverage can, or may be both removable when used for a drinking cup or handheld container. The spout is leak tight attached to a housing enclosure that holds a spring, a centrally perforated membrane, a hollow valve stem and a valve. This housing enclosure extends into the inside of the container, which extended part functions as a guide for the valve stem and that incorporates the valve seat. The hollow valve stem is attached to the perforated membrane on one side and to the valve on the other side. When suction is applied to the spout, the membrane moves the valve and opens a flow path, thereby allowing fluid to flow through the valve stem and the perforated membrane to the mouth. When the suction stops, a spring closes the valve against the gas pressure in the can or container. The fluid opening to the valve extends through a flexible tube to the bottom of the container to allow emptying of the container completely. An air vent is provided, when the internal gas pressure sinks below the atmospheric pressure.

A drip-less “flow control element” for emptying a hand held carbonized beverage can, whereby the gas pressure above the fluid is maintained within the can, while no liquid is spilled during drinking the fluid from the can and while in motion, comprising:

a) a handheld liquid container means for temporarily storing a carbonized beverage or liquid under gas pressure;
b) said container means provided with a hermetically sealed off top cover;
c) said top cover holds said flow control element that fits hermetically sealed within said top cover;
d) said flow control element comprising a spout, connected to a housing on the outside of said container top-cover with an extruded tubular portion to the inside of said container, which housing holds a spring loaded membrane connected via a hollow valve stem to a valve that blocks off the fluid flow from said container and that holds the gas pressure within the container when not in use;
e) said membrane is centrally perforated for the fluid to pass and that opens a valve when the user sucks on the spout, thereby providing a passage for the liquid in said container to flow to the mouth;
f) said spring loaded membrane has an active surface area substantial larger than the flow area of the valve;
g) said membrane connected to a valve through a hollow valve-stem that fits closely in said tubular shaped extruded portion of said housing, allowing the valve-stem to move up and down, while fluid is allowed to pass through the hollow valve-stem, but no fluid is allowed to pass on the outside during drinking from the can or container;
h) said hollow valve-stem holding a valve of resilient material that blocks the fluid flow when closed;
i) said membrane is spring loaded in order to close the valve when the suction force on the membrane ceases and no further liquid is required from the container;
j) said extruded part of said housing having vent holes in the upper part thereof, that connects to the underside of said membrane which is held at atmospheric pressure by providing an air passage in the side of said housing towards the inside of the container;
k) said vent holes are blocked off with an elastic band, closing the vent holes when the gas pressure inside the container, is higher than the atmospheric outside pressure and open the vent holes when by fluid displacement from the container, the gas pressure may drop below atmospheric outside pressure;
l) said extruded part of said housing in which the valve stem moves up and down, having an enlarged inside diameter in the upper portion of said extrude part in order to allow air to flow to said air vents.

9 more elements

Facts

Application

09/585,660Filed 1 Jun 2000

Granted

18 Sep 2001

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

B67D 7/0277
For transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants: using negative pressure
B65D 47/248
With poppet valves or lift valves, i.e. valves opening or closing a passageway by a relative motion substantially perpendicular to the plane of…:…
B67D 1/0456
Apparatus utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on beverages in storage containers: siphons, i.e. beverage…
B65D 2517/0046
Reclosable openings: unusual reclosable openings

Abstract

Claims13