Dual-path container closure

Abstract

A dual access closure for a beverage container having a body with an attachment interface to engage to a top of a beverage container, a sealed elongated housing attached to an underside of the body, a first access element adapted to open and close a first opening through the body into the sealed elongated housing, a vapor generating device within the sealed elongated housing and coupled to the first opening, and a second access element adapted to open and close a second opening through the body outside the sealed elongated housing. With the body engaged to the top of the beverage container, a user can manipulate the first access interface to draw vapor from the vapor generating device and can manipulate the second access element to ingest beverage from the beverage container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of devices and methods for use with tobacco and other materials, and more specifically, to a container closure that allows a user to access a vapor pen enclosed in the container, or to draw liquid from the container. Background Technology

[0002] A considerable number of beverage containers, such as water and coffee containers, exist in conventional technology, suitable for users to fill and refill, and to draw liquid from the container as needed. A considerable number of vaporizers also exist in the art, allowing users to draw in flavored vapors as needed. There is a need for a closure for existing beverage containers, the housing having a device with replaceable suction elements that allows liquid, such as coffee or water, to be drawn from the container via one suction element, and also allows drawing from a closed vapor-generating device via a separate suction element. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one embodiment of the invention, a dual-passage closure for a beverage container is provided, comprising: a body having an attachment interface for engaging with the top of the beverage container; a sealed elongated housing attached to the underside of the body; a first passage element adapted to open and close a first opening through the body into the sealed elongated housing; a steam generating device located within the sealed elongated housing and coupled to the first opening; and a second passage element adapted to open and close a second opening outside the sealed elongated housing through the body. With the body engaged with the top of the beverage container, a user can manipulate the first passage interface to draw steam from the steam generating device and can manipulate the second passage element to draw beverage from the beverage container.

[0004] In one embodiment of the invention, the closure further includes a tube coupled to a second opening, extending downward into any beverage contained in the beverage container. Similarly, in one embodiment, the closure includes a flexible connector shaped to connect at one end to a first opening and at the opposite end to any of a plurality of different steam generating devices. In one embodiment, the attachment interface of the body is a female thread that mates with a male thread on the top of the beverage container. And, in one embodiment, the attachment interface of the body is a male thread that mates with a female thread on the top of the beverage container.

[0005] In one embodiment, the attachment interface of the body is a flexible edge adapted to snap onto the upper edge of the beverage container. Similarly, in one embodiment, the beverage container is a paper cup. In one embodiment, the first passage element is an elongated element having a first hole of length through it, pivoting within a first elongated well in the upper region of the body, such that when the first passage element is located in the first elongated well, a first opening through the body is sealed by the surface of the first passage element, and when the first passage element rotates to extend upward from the first elongated well, the first hole of that length aligns with the first opening, forming a channel from the upper end of the passage element to the sealed elongated housing. In one embodiment, the second passage element is an elongated element having a first hole of length through it, pivoting within a second elongated well in the upper region of the body, such that when the second passage element is located in the second elongated well, a second opening through the body is sealed by the surface of the second passage element, and when the second passage element rotates to extend upward from the second elongated well, the hole of that length aligns with the second opening, forming a channel from the upper end of the passage element to the lower part of the body outside the sealed elongated housing. In one embodiment, the closure further includes a first vent through the body, extending through the bottom opening of the first elongated well, such that when the first passage element is located in the first elongated well, a tip on the first passage element closes the vent, and when the first passage element is rotated to extend upward from the first elongated well, the vent is opened. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the closure further includes a second vent through the body, extending through the bottom opening of the second elongated well, such that when the second passage element is located in the second elongated well, a tip on the second passage element closes the vent, and when the second passage element is rotated to extend upward from the second elongated well, the vent is opened.

[0006] In one embodiment of the invention, a dual-passage closure for a beverage container is provided, comprising: a body having an attachment interface for engaging with the top of the beverage container; a sealed elongated shell attached to the underside of the body; a first passage element adapted to open and close a first opening through the body into the sealed elongated shell; a tube connected to the first opening and extending downward into the sealed elongated shell; and a second passage element adapted to open and close a second opening outside the sealed elongated shell through the body. With the body engaged with the top of the beverage container, the beverage container can hold a first beverage, and the sealed elongated shell can hold a second beverage, with each beverage selectively accessible via the associated passage element.

[0007] In one embodiment, the closure further includes a tube coupled to the second opening, extending downward into any beverage contained in the beverage container. In one embodiment, a second passage element adapted to open and close the second opening through the body outside the sealed elongated housing is a pivot cap adapted to close the second opening, and the second opening near the edge of the body provides a user with an angled beverage container and direct access to a second beverage. Similarly, in one embodiment, the attachment interface of the body is a female thread that mates with a male thread on the top of the beverage container. Likewise, in one embodiment, the attachment interface of the body is a male thread that mates with a female thread on the top of the beverage container.

[0008] In one embodiment, the attachment interface of the body is a flexible edge adapted to snap onto the upper edge of a beverage container. Similarly, in one embodiment, the beverage container is a paper cup. In one embodiment, the closure further includes a first vent through the body, opening outside the sealing housing below the pivot cap, such that a tip on the pivot cap closes the vent when the pivot cap is closed, and opens the vent when the pivot cap is rotated to open a second opening. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the closure further includes a second vent through the body, the second vent leading into the sealing housing, such that a tip on the first passage element closes the vent when the first passage element is closed to seal the first opening, and opens the vent when the first passage element is rotated to extend upwards. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a front view of a container closure that engages with a container in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 The product removed from the container is shown. Figure 1 The container closure is shown, along with the inner sealed housing.

[0011] Figure 3 Is it through Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the closure component.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A front cross-sectional view of the internal sealed housing.

[0013] Figure 5 Is it through Figure 1 The cross-section of the container closure.

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the connector is shown.

[0015] Figure 7This is a perspective view of a closure for a container in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The cross-section of the closed component. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view of a container closure 101 engaged with container 102 in an embodiment of the present invention. The container can be any of a variety of conventional beverage containers known in the art, such as aluminum coffee containers offered by many coffee companies. In this embodiment of the invention, the closure 101 includes a body 103, which in this example has an internal female thread to engage the male threaded top of container 102. In an alternative embodiment, the closure may have a body with male threads to engage the female threaded top of the container. In other embodiments, the closure may have an interface to engage other types of containers, such as even paper cups.

[0018] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the closure 101 has two access wells 104 and 105. Access well 104 has a pivoting access element 106, which, when flipped up, opens a path from the suction tip down through the closure into a second sealed housing within the outer housing of the container 102. In this example, a steam-generating device, such as a steam pen, is connected within the second sealed housing via access element 106, allowing the user to flip up element 106 and draw steam from the steam-generating device.

[0019] The passageway 105 has a pivoting passage element 107, similar in design and function to passage element 106, which connects to a tube below the closure that extends downwards into any liquid that can be carried in container 102, such as water or coffee. The user can tip up passage element 107 and draw liquid through the tube and passage element, as if using a straw. A vent (not shown) is provided for pressure equalization. Finally, a handle 108 is provided on the closure to carry the closure and any additional containers.

[0020] Figure 2The diagram shows a closure 101 removed from container 102, a second inner sealing housing 201 that can enclose, for example, a steam generating device, and a tube 202 that extends downwards and can extend into any liquid that can be carried in a container similar to container 102. It should be noted that housing 201 is completely closed and sealed to isolate it from any liquid that may be in container 102, while tube 202 is open to that liquid and extends downwards into it, which could be water, coffee, or any other beverage. Tube 202 can be made of a suitable polymer material.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view through the closure 101, taken along the centerline of well 104 and passage element 106. In this cross-section, well 104 can be seen as a rectangular shell with an open top. Passage element 106 is an elongated unit with a width adapted to the width of well 104. A channel 303, having a length passing through element 106, has an opening 304a at one end and an opening 304b at the other end. The end of element 106 with opening 304b has a spherical shape, and opening 304b opens through this spherical shape. Passage element 106 pivots above well 104 along an axis at the center of the spherical shape, allowing a user to use a tip 301 to rotate the passage element around the pivoting passage to a stopping point where opening 304b aligns with the vertical channel 309 passing through closure 101.

[0022] The sealing element 305 is located in the channel 308 and has a concave spherical shape facing upward into the well 104, and the spherical shape 302 of the passage element 106 rests against the sealing element 305 and rotates against the sealing element 305. At the rotation stop point where the opening 304b is aligned with the vertical channel 309, the user can place their lips on the end of the element 106 with the opening 304b and can draw in the volume of the vertical channel 308 that is open below the closure 101.

[0023] In addition to the passage 303 leading to the passage 309 through the passage element 106, a small vent 311 extends vertically through the sealing element 305 and communicates with the passage 312 leading to the volume below the closure element 101. When the passage element is rotated to be fully within the well 104, a small tip 310 on the underside of the passage element 106 closes the hole 311. The passage 309 leads to and passes through the cylindrical tip 315.

[0024] The male threaded portion 314 on the lower part of the closure 101 provides engagement of the elongated housing 201 with the female thread on the top of the housing 201 (see...). Figure 2It also includes a washer 307, which abuts against the housing 201 when the housing 201 is fully engaged with the threaded portion 314. The internal female thread 313 engages with the external male thread on the top of the beverage container 102, and the washer 306 engages with the top edge of the beverage container to provide a seal.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a front cross-sectional view of the inner sealing housing 201, which engages with the thread 314 of the closure 101 via internal threads. The sealing housing 201, fully engaged by the thread 314, pushes against the washer 307, as... Figure 3 As shown, the internal volume of the housing 201 is isolated from the volume within the beverage container 102 by a gasket 307. In one embodiment of the invention, the connector 401, a molded flexible polymer, has a circular opening at one end for connection to the tip 315, and an opening at the opposite end for connection to a steam generating device 402, which can be a conventional steam pen of one of several types. When the passage element 106 is fully rotated to the stop position to align the opening 304b with the channel 309, the user can draw steam from the opening 304a by aspiration. The channel 312 provides a vent to the atmosphere for the volume within the housing 201 outside the steam generating device.

[0026] Figure 5 It is the cross-section passing through the closure 101 along the centerline of the passage element 107 in well 105. The passage element 107 differs from the passage element 106 in that the tip 507 is positioned to close the vent opening 508 that passes through the bottom surface of well 105 into the internal volume of the beverage container 102. The vent opening 508 has a sealing element 509 to ensure a good seal when the passage element 107 is rotated downwards to close the opening 508 through the tip 507.

[0027] and Figure 3 A sealing element 307, similar to a sealing element 505, surrounds the opening in the bottom surface of the well 105 leading to the channel 506. The passage element 107 has a spherical end 502 that matches the spherical shape of the sealing element 505, allowing the passage element 107 to be rotated via a tip 501 to align the opening 504b with the channel 506. The channel 506 terminates at a tip 510 to which the tube 202 is attached, due to the tube 202 being formed of a flexible polymer material. In an alternative embodiment, the tube 202 may be attached to the tip 510 via a flexible tube connector component. With the passage element 107 fully rotated to the stop position and the opening 504b aligned with the channel 506, the user can aspirate from the opening 504a to bring liquid from the beverage container 102 through the channels 506 and 503 to the user's mouth.

[0028] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the closure 101 described above, in conjunction with the inner housing 201, the connector 401, the steam device 402, and the pipe 202, can selectively open and close two separate passage elements and access steam from the steam device 402 or a sip of beverage from the beverage container 102.

[0029] Figure 6 It is suitable for connecting the pointed end 315 and the steam device 402. Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view of the connector 401. Region 402 is a circle with a circular internal channel 404, which is pushed onto the tip 315 to connect with channel 309. The wider portion 408 has internal regions 405, 406, and 407 of different shapes to engage the tip ends of different steam generating devices. Figure 4 In the example shown, the joining is performed through region 407 because Figure 4 The steam generating device has a wide and flat appearance. In one embodiment, the connector 401 is molded to accommodate and connect to three of the more preferred conventional steam generating devices.

[0030] In the above figures and description, the closure 101 is shown and described as having internal threads to mate with external threads on the upper end of a beverage container. In an alternative embodiment, the beverage container may have an upper region of internal threads, and the closure may have an external thread region to engage the internal threads of the beverage container. In yet another embodiment, the closure may be adapted to snap-fit ​​onto the upper edge of a beverage container (e.g., a paper cup) having a flat upper edge.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a closure 701 suitable for snapping onto a thin-walled beverage container 707 (e.g., a paper cup). In this example, the closure has an upper body 702 molded from a polymer material and is substantially rigid. A lower body 703 has relatively thin walls to allow for some flexibility in engaging the upper edge of the beverage container 707. A substantially rectangular well 704 is formed in the upper body, and a pivot cover 705 engages with the inner wall of the well. A second well 709 is formed in the upper body, and a passage element 706 engages with the inner wall of the well 709. The passage element 706 is similar to... Figure 2 The passage elements 106 and 107, and have an opening 708 leading to a channel extending through the length of the passage element.

[0032] Figure 8This is a cross-section of the closure 701 taken longitudinally along the centerline passing through the pivot cover 705 and the passage element 706. The thin-walled lower body 703 is shown snapping onto the upper edge of the paper cup 707. In this embodiment, a washer seat 710 with an opening 711 is provided in the vertical opening through the closure body 702. This opening 711 is closed by the shape of the pivot cover 705 when the pivot cover is in the downward horizontal closed position. When the pivot cover 705 pivots upward, the opening 711 is exposed, providing an interface for the user to place their lip on the edge of the closure, tilt the beverage container, and drink from it, as if the user were opening the container. Opening the pivot cover also opens the vent 713, which is closed by the tip 712 when the pivot cover is in the closed position.

[0033] The passage element 706 pivots within well 709, just as passage elements 106 and 107 do in wells 104 and 105, and the passage element 706 has a spherical end 716 that mates with the spherical shape of the washer seat 717, such that the passage element 706 is rotatable to align opening 715 with opening 718, so that channel 720 leads to the outside through opening 718, opening 715, channel 714 and opening 708.

[0034] In this example, male thread 719 and Figure 3 The thread 314 shown is the same, allowing the inner housing 201 to be... Figure 4 As shown, it is connected to the male thread 719 via a female thread to support the washer 724. Figure 4 The connector 401 can be engaged with the tip 721 and the steam generating device 402, as... Figure 4 As shown.

[0035] The closure 701 is therefore a two-way container closure, just like the closure 101. The user can manipulate the pivot 705 to drink from the paper cup and can manipulate the passage element 706 to draw steam from a steam generating device (e.g., device 402 and other devices), which is adapted to draw steam through a connector (e.g., ...). Figure 6 (The connector shown in the figure) is used to close.

[0036] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 2 and 3 The illustrated embodiment is suitable for snapping onto a paper cup (e.g.) Figure 7 and 8 On beverage containers (707), such as Figure 8 As shown, and Figure 8 The embodiments shown can also be adapted to have male or female threads for engaging beverage containers, as described above. Figure 2 and 3As illustrated in the example shown.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, refer again Figure 2 and Figure 4 The connector 401 and the steam generating device can be removed from inside the sealed housing 201, and a tube similar to pipe 202 can be connected to tip 315 to extend downward into the interior of the sealed housing. In this arrangement, one beverage can be introduced into container 102 outside the sealed housing 201, and a second different beverage can be introduced into the sealed housing 201. In this arrangement, the two beverages are completely separated and do not mix, and the user can draw one beverage from the container outside the sealed housing and draw a different beverage from inside the sealed housing inside the beverage container. As a simple example, there can be water in one place and vodka in another, and the passage element can be manipulated to draw one or the other.

[0038] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the embodiments and examples presented and described above are exemplary and not intended to limit the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be described in combination with several varying features. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims.

Claims

1. A dual-passage closure for beverage containers, comprising: The main body has an attachment interface for attaching to the top of a beverage container; A sealed, elongated housing attached to the underside of the main body; A first passage element adapted to open and close a first opening through the body into the sealed elongated housing; A steam generating device, which is located within the sealed, elongated housing and connected to the first opening; as well as A second passage element adapted to open and close a second opening through the body outside the sealed elongated housing; When the main body is attached to the top of the beverage container, the user can manipulate the first passage interface to draw steam from the steam generating device and can manipulate the second passage element to take beverage from the beverage container. The first passage element is an elongated element having a first hole of length through the element, the first passage element pivoting within a first elongated well in the upper region of the body such that when the first passage element is located in the first elongated well, the first opening through the body is sealed by the surface of the first passage element, and when the first passage element rotates to extend upward from the first elongated well, the first hole of length aligns with the first opening, such that a channel is formed from the upper end of the passage element into the sealed elongated housing; A first vent hole passes through the body and through the bottom opening of the first elongated well, such that when the first passage element is located in the first elongated well, the tip of the first passage element closes the vent hole, and when the first passage element is rotated to extend upward from the first elongated well, the vent hole is opened.

2. The dual-channel closure of claim 1 further includes a tube connected to the second opening, the tube extending downward into any beverage contained in the beverage container.

3. The dual-passage closure according to claim 1 further includes a flexible connector shaped to connect at one end to the first opening and at the opposite end to any one of a plurality of different steam generating devices.

4. The dual-channel closure according to claim 1, wherein, The attachment interface of the main body is a female thread that matches the male thread at the top of the beverage container.

5. The dual-channel closure according to claim 1, wherein, The attachment interface of the main body is a male thread that matches the female thread at the top of the beverage container.

6. The dual-channel closure according to claim 1, wherein, The attachment interface of the main body is a flexible edge adapted to snap onto the upper edge of the beverage container.

7. The dual-channel closure according to claim 6, wherein, The beverage container is a paper cup.

8. The dual-channel closure according to claim 1, wherein, The second passage element is an elongated element having a first hole of length passing through the element. The second passage element pivots within a second elongated well in the upper region of the body, such that when the second passage element is located in the second elongated well, the second opening through the body is sealed by the surface of the second passage element, and when the second passage element rotates to extend upward from the second elongated well, the hole of length aligns with the second opening, thereby forming a channel from the upper end of the passage element to the lower part of the body outside the sealed elongated housing.

9. The dual-passage closure according to claim 1, further comprising a second vent through the body, the second vent passing through the bottom opening of the second elongated well, such that when the second passage element is located in the second elongated well, the tip of the second passage element closes the vent, and when the second passage element is rotated to extend upward from the second elongated well, the vent is opened.

10. A dual-passage closure for a beverage container, comprising: The main body has an attachment interface for attaching to the top of a beverage container; A sealed, elongated housing attached to the underside of the main body; A first passage element adapted to open and close a first opening through the body into the sealed elongated housing; A tube that connects to the first opening and extends downward into the sealed, elongated housing; as well as A second passage element adapted to open and close a second opening through the body outside the sealed elongated housing; When the main body is attached to the top of the beverage container, the beverage container is able to hold a first beverage, and the sealed elongated shell is able to hold a second beverage, and each beverage can be selectively accessed through associated access elements.

11. The dual-channel closure of claim 10, further comprising a tube coupled to the second opening, the tube extending downward into any beverage contained in the beverage container.

12. The dual-channel closure according to claim 10, wherein, The second passage element, adapted to open and close the second opening through the body outside the sealed elongated housing, is a pivot cap adapted to close the second opening, and the second opening near the edge of the body provides the user with the ability to tilt the beverage container and drink the second beverage directly from the second opening.

13. The dual-channel closure according to claim 10, wherein, The attachment interface of the main body is a female thread that matches the male thread at the top of the beverage container.

14. The dual-channel closure according to claim 10, wherein, The attachment interface of the main body is a male thread that matches the female thread at the top of the beverage container.

15. The dual-channel closure according to claim 10, wherein, The attachment interface of the main body is a flexible edge adapted to snap onto the upper edge of the beverage container.

16. The dual-channel closure according to claim 15, wherein, The beverage container is a paper cup.

17. The dual-passage closure of claim 10 further includes a first vent through the body, the first vent opening outside the sealing housing below the pivot cover, such that when the pivot cover is closed, a tip on the pivot cover closes the vent, and when the pivot cover is rotated to open the second opening, the vent is opened.

18. The dual-passage closure of claim 10 further includes a second vent through the body, the second vent leading into the sealing housing, such that when the first passage element is closed to seal the first opening, a tip on the first passage element closes the vent, and when the first passage element is rotated to extend upward, the vent is opened.

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