Patent · US Expired

Vented fluid closure and container

US7328820B2 · kind B2 · utility

11Cited by
29References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 27, 2005
Grant dateFeb 12, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65D47/32
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A vented closure for a liquid container which will not freely pour includes a cap hinged at one side and movable between open and closed positions relative to a base collar. In an open position, a primary fluid passageway extends through a shaped mouthpiece which is elongated and tapered to conform to a user's mouth. One or more air vents of small size are located in a protected floor of the base collar at positions spaced within predetermined ranges of offsets from the dispensing opening so as to convey liquid into contact with the air vents in a manner to self-seal the air vents by surface tension of the liquid until an unbalance force is present. The cap and collar mate along an offset diagonal edge, and a grip area for the user's thumb or finger is offset from a center line. The offsets cause the cap to flip open with additional clearance and without obstructing a user's nose.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.