Closure device for liquid container

Abstract

Closure device (1) for a liquid container (100), comprising an elastically deformable membrane (2) having a body (3) which can be placed to close an opening (105) of the container (100). The membrane (2) comprises a connecting portion (4), an impermeable main wall (5) projecting from the connecting portion (4), and a free edge (6) elastically deformable in the presence of an external suction effect. The membrane (2) also has a lower body (8) projecting from the connecting portion (4) and comprising a plurality of openings (9) for the passage of liquid and a retaining flange (10) engageable with an edge (110) of the container (100). The membrane (2) is configured to switch between a resting configuration in which the free edge (6) of the main body (3) is spaced from the retaining flange (10) of the lower body (8), and a working configuration in which the free edge (6) of the main body (3) is close to the retaining flange (10) of the lower body (8).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a closure device for a container suitable for containing liquids. Such a device finds particular application in the field relating to closures for educational containers, including for example glasses or cups intended for use by children or disabled persons, in order to avoid splashing of the liquid contained in the container during use or in situations where the container may be shaken. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, closure devices for liquid containers are known that allow drinking from the container without causing splashing and without the need for removing and reapplying an awkward lid.

[0003] An example of a closure device is disclosed in document EP 2265152 A1. In particular, such a closure device comprises a gasket adapted to abut against an edge of a valve element and a splash guard having a central cavity adapted to receive and constrain to the gasket.

[0004] Document GB 2461005 A shows another example of a device for drinking from a container capable of preventing the formation of splashes. In particular, this device comprises a support element, a gasket insertable into the support element and a retaining element adapted to hold the gasket in place against the support element.

[0005] Other closure devices are disclosed in prior art document EP 3934488 A1, which shows a gasket and a closure body for accommodating the gasket. In particular, the closure body comprises a passage for the liquid and a portion adapted to abut against a lip of the gasket to allow retention of the gasket.

[0006] Other examples of closure devices are shown in prior art document EP 1632437 A1, in which a tubular portion is movable relative to a fixed portion to switch between an open configuration and a closed configuration for allowing and preventing the discharge of liquid, respectively.

[0007] Problems with existing technology

[0008] Known closure devices require the moulding of different parts having complex shapes and are therefore difficult to manufacture, having to perform all the necessary functions to allow a child or a disabled person to drink from the container while avoiding splashing and at the same time ensuring a good seal between the device and the container. Summary of the invention

[0009] In this context, the technical task of the present invention is to propose a closure device for a liquid container which allows overcoming the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a closure device for a container which is simplified and easy to manufacture and assemble by the user without loss of functionality, so that a child or a disabled person can drink from the container without causing unwanted spillage of the liquid and without having to screw on and off the cap for each use.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to find an alternative to the solutions of the prior art which allows easier cleaning of the components.

[0012] The above technical task and specific aims are achieved by a device for a liquid container having the characteristics set out in one or more of the appended claims.

[0013] Advantages of the invention

[0014] The invention has the advantage that a closure device with a simple geometry, easy to replicate and without inaccessible parts or recesses is obtained in a simple and effective manner. In particular, the closure device of the invention comprises a film adapted to be elastically deformed to transform between a resting configuration and a working configuration. Therefore, it is possible to make it easy to obtain the device in the resting configuration and use the device in the working configuration, which is difficult to obtain with the same production technology.

[0015] Advantageously, the closure device of the invention allows the main functions of the closure device to be integrated in the membrane, significantly reducing the complexity of the construction and production.

[0016] The invention also has the further advantage of allowing a thorough and practicable cleaning of the components.In fact, in the rest configuration, the membrane can be disengaged from the container and, thanks to the simple geometry without narrow recesses, the membrane can be thoroughly cleaned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following, by way of reference and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of a closure device, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] - Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a closure device according to the present invention in a first configuration;

[0019] - Figure 2 The first configuration is shown according to Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of a closure device;

[0020] - Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a closure device according to the invention in a first configuration;

[0021] - Figure 4shows a cross-sectional view of a cup-shaped container provided with a device according to the invention in a first configuration;

[0022] - Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of a closure device according to the present invention in a second configuration;

[0023] - Figure 6 The second configuration is shown according to Figure 5 A bottom perspective view of a closure device;

[0024] - Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a closure device according to the invention in a second configuration;

[0025] - Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a cup-shaped container provided with a device according to the invention in a second configuration is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] With reference to the figures, a closure device for a liquid container is indicated with 1. However, 100 denotes a liquid container 100, in particular a container for drinking liquids, said container comprising an opening 105 delimited by an opening edge 110.

[0027] The device 1 of the invention comprises an elastically deformable membrane 2 having a body 3 suitable for being placed so as to close an opening 105 of a container 100 .

[0028] The body 3 of the membrane 2 comprises a connecting portion 4 and an impermeable main wall 5 which projects from the connecting portion 4 and has a free edge 6 opposite the connecting portion 4 .

[0029] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting part 4 has one or more openings 41 to allow air to pass between the internal environment of the container and the external environment of the container. It should be noted that such openings do not allow liquid to pass. For example, the openings 41 can be formed as notches in the connecting part 4. Therefore, the body 3 as a whole is preferably impermeable to liquids.

[0030] The membrane 2 also has a lower body 8, which extends from the connecting portion 4 of the body 3 and includes a retaining flange 10, which is suitable for engaging with the opening edge 110 of the container 100 to constrain the membrane 2 to the container 100. The lower body 8 also includes a plurality of openings 9 for the passage of liquid. Preferably, the openings 9 are circular or oval. Still preferably, the openings 9 are evenly arranged on the lower body 8. In particular, the openings 9 can be distributed circumferentially along the lower body 8, and optionally, some openings 9 can be radially spaced from each other. Still preferably, the lower body 8 has a plurality of grooves (e.g. radial grooves), in which one or more openings 9 are positioned.

[0031] according to Figure 4 and Figure 8In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the device 1 comprises a collar 20 which can be coupled to the container 100. It should be noted that the collar 20 is disclosed as a component of the device 1, but the collar 20 can also be understood as a component of the container 100.

[0032] Preferably, the collar 20 comprises a side wall 21 delimiting a cavity 24 suitable for receiving the membrane 2. Still preferably, the collar 20 comprises an end 22 having an upper edge 23.

[0033] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the side wall 21 of the collar 20 is adapted to retain the retaining flange 10 against the edge 110 of the container 100 and more preferably, between the edge 110 of the container 100 and the side wall 21 itself.

[0034] Preferably, the side wall 21 has a threaded portion adapted to couple with a corresponding threaded portion of the rim 110 of the container 100. The retaining flange 10 is adapted to be inserted between the upper edge 23 of the collar 20 and the threaded portion.

[0035] Still preferably, the free edge 6 of the membrane 2 is adapted to come into abutment with the end 22 of the collar 20 , and more preferably with the upper edge 23 of the end 22 .

[0036] Thus, the free edge 6 is adapted to seal the opening 105 of the container 100, engaging, for example, the opening edge 110 or, alternatively, the end 22 of the collar 20. Furthermore, the free edge 6 is configured to elastically deform when subjected to the suction action of the user, so as to put the internal environment of the container 100 in fluid communication with its external environment. In particular, the free edge 6 is configured to allow liquid to be discharged through the opening 9 of the lower body 8. This known type of deformation involves a local lifting of the free edge 6 from the opening edge 110 and / or from the end 22 of the collar 20.

[0037] The membrane 2 is configured to switch elastically between a rest configuration and a working configuration. The rest configuration is used for the construction and assembly of the membrane 2, but in this configuration the membrane 2 is not suitable for sealing the opening 105 of the container 100. In particular, in the rest configuration, the free edge 6 of the membrane 2 is raised relative to the edge 110 of the container 100 and / or relative to the end 22 of the collar 20, in particular relative to the upper edge 23. Figures 1 to 4 In the rest configuration shown, the free edge 6 of the main body 3 is spaced apart from the retaining flange 10 of the lower body 8. Figures 5 to 8 In the working configuration shown, the free edge 6 of the body 3 is close to the retaining flange 10 of the lower body so as to seal the opening 105 of the container and / or the cavity of the collar 20, resting on the edge 110 and / or the end 22 of the container, in particular on the upper edge 23 of the collar 20.

[0038] It should be noted that, for the purposes of this description, “close to” refers to a position of the free edge 6 that is less spaced from the retaining flange 10 along the main direction X relative to the position assumed in the rest configuration.

[0039] Preferably, the membrane 2 is configured to elastically switch from the rest configuration to the working configuration when receiving pressure at the connection 4 of the body 3. Therefore, in the rest configuration, the user can connect the membrane 2 to the container 100 and then change the membrane from the rest configuration to the working configuration by applying pressure at the connection 4.

[0040] According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in the drawings, the main body 3 and the lower body 8 of the membrane 2 each have a respective recess 3a, 8a, which face opposite orientations in the rest configuration and face the same orientation in the working configuration. More specifically, both the main body 3 and the lower body 8 have a concave shape, are closed at the connection 4, and have an opening opposite to the connection 4.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the invention, the main body 3 and the lower body 8 have a hollow frustoconical shape. In particular, in the rest configuration, the main body 3 and the lower body 8 define an X-shape in cross section with the respective recesses 3a, 8a facing in opposite orientations.

[0042] It should be noted that the membrane 2 of the closure device of the present invention has a simple and easily reproducible geometry in the resting configuration. Therefore, it should be noted that this geometry allows accurate and feasible cleaning of the closure device, in particular the membrane.

[0043] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, in the working configuration, the main body 3 is at least partially received in the recess 8 a of the lower body 8 .

[0044] Preferably, in transition between the rest configuration and the working configuration, the lower body 8 is configured to be elastically deformed by reversing the orientation of the corresponding recessed portion 8 a by folding at a first folding line 11 extending between the connecting portion 4 of the main body 3 and the lower body 8 .

[0045] Still preferably, the membrane 2 has a second folding line 12 along the retaining flange 10 for switching between the rest configuration and the working configuration.

[0046] According to one aspect, the first folding line 11 and / or the second folding line 12 are defined by a groove respectively included in the connecting portion 4 and / or the retaining flange 10. Alternatively, the connecting portion 4 and / or the retaining flange 10 are shaped so as to define a weakening at the first folding line 11 and / or the second folding line 12 respectively. Such a weakening is suitable for promoting deformation of the material constituting the membrane 2 along the weakening.

[0047] Still preferably, the lower body is adapted to deform between the connection portion 4 and the retaining flange 10 to reverse the orientation of the corresponding recess 8a. Thus, when switching between the rest configuration and the working configuration, the retaining flange 10 and the connection portion 4 remain at least partially undeformed.

[0048] according to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the preferred aspect of the invention shown, the membrane 2 in the working configuration defines a suction chamber 7 between the main wall 5 of the body 3 and the lower body 8. The suction chamber 7 is suitable for receiving liquid from the container 100 through a plurality of openings 9 of the lower body 8 and temporarily retaining the liquid.

[0049] In addition, the free edge 6 in the working configuration is suitable for sealing the suction chamber 7 to retain the liquid. In addition, the free edge is suitable for elastic deformation when subjected to the suction action of the user to make the suction chamber 7 communicate with the environment outside the container 100, thereby allowing the liquid to be discharged from the suction chamber 7.

[0050] according to Figure 4 and Figure 8 In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown, a suction chamber 7 is defined between the main wall 5 of the body 3 , the lower body 8 and the side wall 21 of the collar 20 .

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the membrane 2 is made in one piece. Preferably, the membrane 2 can be made by molding, preferably by injection molding, especially when in the rest configuration. However, in a preferred embodiment, the shape of the membrane 2 in the working configuration will not allow it to be molded.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown, the membrane 2 can be made overmoulded onto the collar.

[0053] Preferably, the membrane 2 is made of a polymeric material, and more preferably of silicone.

[0054] Advantageously, the membrane 2 has an optimized and simple-to-make shape defined by a simple geometric figure obtainable by molding. Thus, it is possible to speed up and simplify the membrane manufacturing process and simplify the assembly process on the container. In fact, as previously anticipated, making the membrane in a single piece according to a simple geometric shape makes cleaning the device more feasible.

[0055] Another object of the invention is a liquid container 100 comprising a container body 101 suitable for receiving a liquid and having a free open edge 110 and an opening 105 delimited by the edge 110 for allowing the passage of the liquid along a main direction X.

[0056] The container 100 , subject of the present invention, also comprises a closure device 1 according to the present description, coupled to a rim 110 .

[0057] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the coupling between the device 1 and the opening edge 110 of the container 100 is achieved by means of a reversible connection between the collar 20 of the device 1 and the respective threads of the edge 110 of the container.

[0058] According to an alternative embodiment, the retaining flange 10 of the membrane 2 of the device 1 may comprise a corresponding seat suitable for receiving internally at least part of the edge 110 of a container for coupling to said seat. Alternatively, the container 100 may have a seat suitable for receiving the retaining flange 10 of the membrane 2 of the device 1 and constrained to the retaining flange 10.

Claims

1. A closure device (1) for a container (100) for drinking liquids, the device comprising: - an elastically deformable membrane (2) having: a body (3) configured to be placed to close an opening (105) of a liquid container (100) delimited by an opening edge (110), said body (3) comprising a connecting portion (4) and an impermeable main wall (5) protruding from said connecting portion (4), said main wall (5) having a free edge (6) opposite said connecting portion (4), - a lower body (8) extending from the connection portion (4) of the body (3) and comprising a retaining flange (10) adapted to engage with the edge (110) of the container (100) engaged to constrain the membrane (2) to the container (100), the lower body (8) comprising a plurality of openings (9) for the passage of liquid, wherein the free edge (6) is configured to elastically deform when subjected to suction by a user, so as to allow the environment inside the container (100) to be fluidically connected to the environment outside the container and to allow liquid to be discharged from the opening (9), It is characterized in that the membrane (2) is constructed to switch elastically between a rest configuration and a working configuration, in which the free edge (6) of the main body (3) is spaced apart from the retaining flange (10) of the lower body (8), and in the working configuration, the free edge (6) of the main body (3) is close to the retaining flange (10) of the lower body (8).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The main body (3) and the lower body (8) of the membrane (2) each have a respective recess (3a, 8a), the recess of the main body (3) and the recess of the lower body (8) facing opposite directions in the rest configuration and facing the same direction in the working configuration.

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: In the working configuration, the main body (3) is at least partially housed in the recess (8a) of the lower body (8).

4. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein: In the conversion between the rest configuration and the working configuration, the lower body (8) is constructed to be elastically deformed by reversing the orientation of the corresponding recess (8a) by folding at a first folding line (11) extending between the connecting portion (4) of the main body (3) and the lower body (8).

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The main body (3) and the lower body (8) have a hollow frustoconical shape, and in the rest configuration, the main body (3) and the lower body (8) define an X-shape in cross section with the respective recesses facing in opposite orientations.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The membrane (2) has a second fold line (12) along the retaining flange for switching between the rest configuration and the working configuration.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The membrane (2) is configured to elastically switch from the rest configuration to the working configuration upon receiving pressure at a connection portion (4) of the body (3).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The membrane (2) in the working configuration defines a suction chamber (7) between the main wall (5) of the main body (3) and the lower body (8), the suction chamber being suitable for receiving liquid from the container (100) through the plurality of openings (9), and the free edge (6) in the working configuration being suitable for sealing the suction chamber (7) and being suitable for deforming when subjected to suction action by a user so as to connect the suction chamber (7) with the ambient fluid outside the container (100).

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The membrane (2) is produced in one piece and can preferably be produced in the resting configuration by means of forming.

10. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a collar (20) which can be coupled to the container (100) and comprises a side wall (21) which defines a cavity (24) suitable for receiving the membrane (2), wherein The free edge (6) of the membrane (2) is configured to abut against the end (22) of the collar (20).

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The side wall (21) of the collar (20) is configured to retain the retaining flange (10) against an edge (110) of the container (100).

12. A container (100) for drinking liquid, comprising: a container body (101) suitable for receiving a liquid and having an upper free edge (110) and an opening (105) delimited by said edge (110) for allowing the liquid to pass along a main direction (X), and - Closure device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, coupled to said edge (110).

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