Liquid supply device

Abstract

Liquid supply devices with a spout are widely known in the state of the art. the liquid supply devices may be bottles, vacuum flasks, thermoses, and thermo-cups. For example, a bottle comprises a housing (in the form of a vessel or container for liquid) and a head or cap that comprises a spout, as well as means to open and close the flow of liquid from the liquid supply device. Liquid can be any of water, tea, coffee, beverages, etc.. The liquid supply device disclosed comprises a housing (1), a head (2) with fixing means and a flexible spout (3), and a nozzle (4) with walls having an outer edge (7) and an inner channel with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), wherein the nozzle (4) is arranged in the head (2) to provide fluid communication between the inner volume of the housing (1) and the outside of the liquid supply device through the inner channel, and wherein when the liquid supply device is in closed position, the flexible spout (3) is forced towards the outer edge (7) of the nozzle (4) thereby forming a liquid impermeable dome (13) acting as closure.

Description

[0001] Liquid supply devices with a spout are widely known in the state of the art. Such liquid supply devices may be bottles, thermoses, and thermo-cups. For example, a bottle comprises a housing (formed by a vessel or a container for liquid) and a head or a cap that comprises a spout and means to open and close liquid flow. The liquid may be water, tea, coffee, any beverages, etc..BACKGROUND

[0002] The liquid supply device of U.S. patent No. 10870520 (applicant: Mark Heinke, priority 03.07.2018, IPC B650 43 / 16, B65D 41 / 16, B650 47 / 06, B65D 85 / 80) is known from the state of the art. The liquid supply device comprises a housing and a head. The head consists of a spout and fixing means. The fixing means is a lid. This lid comprises upper and base parts wherein the upper part is hinged, that is, said upper part is constructed as a flip-top lid. The spout consists of a flexible tube for liquid and a base with said flexible tube to be inserted into the base. Two guides and a seat for the flexible tube are formed on an inner wall of the upper part of the lid. The lower part of the lid is made of a soft material with two sealing ribs along the perimeter of the lid. A recess, an outlet aperture for the flexible tube and a ventilation hole are made in the base part of the lid.

[0003] The liquid supply device operates as follows. The user pours the liquid into the housing (the vessel or the container for liquid). Then the user inserts the spout into the outlet aperture in the base part of the lid and the tube for liquid into a hole formed in the base of the spout. Then the user closes the housing with the lid. When the upper part of the lid is opened, it is referred to as an "open position" of the liquid supply device. When the upper part of the lid is closed, it is referred to as a "closed position" of the liquid supply device. Liquid may flow through the liquid supply device in the "open position". Liquid flow is blocked when the liquid supply device is in the "closed position". When the user closes the upper part of the lid, the liquid supply device goes from the "open position" to the "closed position". The flexible tube of the spout with the guides goes into the seat, the central part of the tube is pressed to an outer surface of the base part of the lid, and thus the liquid pass gets closed. The liquid outlet and a part of the flexible tube located close to the tube for liquid remain free. The free part of the liquid outlet of the spout's flexible tube fits into the recess in the base part of the lid. The flexible tube is not compact; a large section thereof remains free, thereby increasing the parasitic volume, which may cause proliferation of bacteria. In addition, a large section of the flexible tube is completely pinched, which can subsequently lead to partial or complete sticking of the upper and lower walls.

[0004] The liquid supply device of U.S. patent application No. 20170208974 (applicant: Handi-Craft Company, priority 24.01.2017, IPC A47G 19 / 22, F16 31 / 126, A47G 21 / 18) is known from the state of the art. Said device comprises a housing and a head, the latter consists of a spout and fixing means. The fixing means is made as a lid. An inner wall of the upper part of the lid is made convex and provided with a protrusion. At the bottom of the lid, there is a hole for the spout. The spout is made flexible and in the form of a single piece that has a complex shape.

[0005] The liquid supply device operates as follows. The user pours the liquid into the housing (bottle). The user then inserts the spout into the hole in the bottom of the lid. When the upper part of the lid is folded back, the part of the spout that protrudes above the bottom of the lid is in the open position. This allows the user to get a portion of liquid. Due to the protrusion made in the upper part of the lid, when closing the upper part of the lid, the part of the spout protruding above the lower part of the lid is pinched at a single point only, at the protrusion. In this case, the spout areas before and after said protrusion remain in a free state.

[0006] A disadvantage of each of said devices is the following.

[0007] Each of the flexible spouts has got a complicated shape comprising an external outlet flexible tube of the spout and a base hermetically attached to the top of the housing. The diameter of the flexible tube is much smaller than the base. The surface area of the base attached to the housing is much larger than the diameter of the spout tube. This makes these spouts difficult or impossible to remove and clean. To remove said spouts, the user has to disassemble the liquid supply device, that is, to detach the housing from the head (or cap) and take the tube for liquid out of the flexible spout base - it is only then that the user gets the flexible spout.

[0008] In the closed position, the flexible tube is squeezed near its end. The inside of the outlet tube which was close to the user's mouth remains in contact with the liquid within the bottle. This is not good from the point of view of hygiene.

[0009] The liquid supply device of U.S. patent No. 3181743 (applicant: Newby Arthur Wesley, priority 19.06.1961, IPC B65D 47 / 066) known in the state of the art can be regarded as the closest analogue to the present invention. Said device has got open and closed positions and comprises a head (cap) with fixing means and a spout. The spout has a base inserted into the head (cap). The fixing means comprises the following parts: a stop which is formed in the base, two protrusions, a recess, and a latch. A cavity is made in the body of the head. The protrusions are located opposite to one another on the inner walls of an aperture for the spout. The cavity and the latch are situated on the sidewall of the body. The spout consists of three parts: an upper, a lower and a middle part, wherein the upper and the lower parts are harder than the middle part. The aperture for the spout is formed in the cavity.

[0010] The liquid supply device operates as follows. The user pours liquid into the vessel (e.g. a bottle) and inserts the device into it. Then the user opens the device. The user then manually releases the upper part of the spout from the latch. The spout moves into an intermediate position in which the middle part is in a bent state behind the protrusions. After this, the user manually pulls the spout between the protrusions into the open position of the device.

[0011] When the user no longer requires liquid, it manually pulls the spout between the protrusions, as a result of which said thin middle part appears between the protrusions. Then the user secures the spout with said latch.

[0012] The device disclosed in U.S. patent No. 3181743 regarded as the closest analogue has got several disadvantages. For example, to open and close the liquid supply device, the user has to pull and push, respectively, the end of the spout manually. For this purpose, the flexible spout is made relatively long and with three zones - two hard zones and a flexible middle zone. This arrangement increases the risk of spout contamination due to its geometrical construction. Also, the risk of contamination is high because the device is equipped with no means for separating the spout from the environment and as it is difficult to wash the device as well. Competing liquid supply devises are much easier to be used by simply pushing a button: the lid flips open and the flexible spout lifts up automatically. In the closest analogue, the flexible spout not only remains opened to the environment, but the user also touches the end of the spout with its hands at each time when the device is opened or closed - this drastically decreases hygiene of the device.

[0013] In light of the afore-mentioned, the object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply device that has a reasonably simple and user-friendly design, safety from leakage and can be used with improved hygiene and lower risk for the liquid within the vessel to get contaminated.SUMMARY

[0014] The above objects of the invention are achieved by a liquid supply means that is simple, safe and hygienic to use, as well as simple to manufacture. That is, the above objects are achieved by constructing the liquid supply device according to claim 1. Possible further preferred embodiments of the device are set forth in claims 2 to 13.

[0015] In particular, the liquid supply device according to the invention allows to attach the flexible spout hermetically to the nozzle; to open and close the liquid flow; to remove the flexible spout; to clean and / or replace the flexible spout with a new one; to secure the attachment of the flexible spout to the nozzle of the bottle at each time the user closes the lid for a long-term use, that is many times; a usage of a flexible spout inexpensive to manufacture; a simple shape of the flexible spout tube thereby allowing it easier to maintain the device hygienic; an airtight seal to avoid spontaneous liquid leakage from the liquid purification device during transportation. DRAWINGS

[0016] To clarify further the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more detailed description of the invention will be rendered by reference to the drawings. The drawings described herein are only for illustrative purposes of certain preferred embodiments and it is appreciated that said drawings depict only typical characteristics of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a liquid supply device according to the invention, in general, with a head and a vessel assembled together, in partial sectional view; Figure 2 illustrates the liquid supply device presented in Figure 1 with its head detached from the vessel; Figure 3 shows the head of the liquid supply device in the opened position; Figure 4 shows the head of the liquid supply device in the intermediate position; Figures 5, 5a, and 6, 6a show various embodiments of the head of the liquid supply device in the closed position with the flexible spout pulled onto the nozzle, that is, in a state of the liquid supply device ready for being used; and Figures 7, 8 show possible further embodiments of the head of the liquid supply device in the closed position with the flexible spout being inserted into the nozzle, that is, in a state of the liquid supply device ready for being used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While describing the principle of the present invention in conjunction with the embodiments, it will be understood that these are preferred embodiments of the liquid supply device according to the invention; further alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are also apparent to a skilled person in the art. Furthermore, in the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be readily understood that the present invention can be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been taught in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure certain aspects of the invention.

[0018] The liquid supply device, as shown in Figure 1, in general, can be made as a liquid storage or liquid purification device, for example, in the form of a filter bottle, a bottle, a vacuum flask / thermos, a thermo-cup, etc.

[0019] In general, the liquid supply device comprises a housing 1 in the form of a vessel for storing liquid therein and a head 2, wherein the head 2 can be attached to the housing 1 in a detachable manner, by means of e.g. a threaded connection or a bayonet connection, to hinder any leakage of liquid to be stored in the housing 1. The head 2 is equipped with a lid 8 on its top portion. The lid 8 can be designed as a flip-top cover. Alternatively, the lid 8 can be attached pivotably to the head 2 by means of at least one axle / pin. In a yet further embodiment, the lid 8 can be designed as a simple cap (not shown) that is removable from the head 2 completely. Optionally, as it is shown in Figure 3, to assist in its return to the closing position, the lid 8 is equipped with an appropriate retracting spring mechanism 12.

[0020] Particularly, the housing 1 is made, for example, but not limited to, as a polymeric (for example, plastic or silicone) bottle or a metal thermo-bottle or vacuum flask.

[0021] Optionally, as it is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the liquid supply device is designed with a tube 9 for liquid transport between an inner volume of the housing 1 and the outside of the liquid supply device. The tube 9 is arranged within the housing 1 and formed as a hard or elastic element. Optionally, the tube 9 is further equipped, for example, with a filtration element 10 or a cartridge with taste additive (not shown) arranged within the housing 1 in fluid communication with both the tube 9 and the inner volume of the housing 1.

[0022] Optionally, the liquid supply device is further equipped with a button 11. The button 11 can be designed as mechanical button which is used to open the lid 8 through any suitable mechanism known to the skilled person in the art by means of being actuated through pushing said button 11. Alternatively, the button 11 can be designed as electronic button (not shown) which is also used to start and stop the process of liquid supply besides the opening of the lid 8.

[0023] Figures 3 to 8 illustrate several preferred embodiments of the head 2. The head 2 comprises a nozzle 4, a flexible spout 3 and fixing means. Optionally, the head 2 further contains additional elements that might ease and / or make more comfortable the operation / use of the liquid supply device; such additional elements can be one or more of filtration elements, a compressor, a battery, connecting items (not shown). Some examples for such arrangements can be found e.g. in European patent application No. EP 20791619.8 related to a filter bottle equipped with a controller. The flexible spout 3 and the fixing means are connected to each other directly or through a connecting element (not shown).

[0024] The nozzle 4 is made with an inlet aperture 5 (from now on, also an inlet) and an outlet aperture 6 (from now on, also an outlet) and walls that extend between the inlet 5 and the outlet 6. The inlet 5 is in fluid communication with the tube 9. The outlet 6 is made with an outer edge 7. The nozzle 4 can be made any of polymers, ceramics, metals or a combination of these materials.

[0025] The flexible spout 3 is made, at least along a portion thereof, as a tube that has a first end and a second end. The tube is made predominantly, but not limited to, from silicone or rubber. The flexible spout 3 comprises walls that extend between the first and second ends and surround an inner channel for liquid transport and for attaching said spout 3 to the nozzle 4, as discussed below in more detail. The walls can be designed with sections of the same thickness or with different thicknesses.

[0026] As to the attachment of the spout 3 to the nozzle 4, in a first embodiment, the flexible spout 3 can be put, preferably pulled onto the nozzle 4 at the second end of the spout 3, as it is shown in Figures 3 to 6. Alternatively, in a second embodiment, the flexible spout 3 can be inserted into the nozzle 4 at the second end of the spout 3, specifically, into an indent formed, for example, as a recess in the walls of the nozzle 4, as it is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Here, the walls of the nozzle 4 and the walls of the flexible spout 3 form together an outer diameter D (see, for example, Figures 3, 7, 8). In particular, the outer diameter D is limited by the outer walls of the flexible spout 3 and the nozzle 4 within the spout 3 pulled onto the nozzle 4 (see Figures 3 to 6; said first embodiment). Or, the outer diameter D is limited by the outer walls of the nozzle 4 with the flexible spout 3 inserted into the indent of the nozzle 4 (see Figures 7, 8; said second embodiment). By folding back said flexible spout 3 on the nozzle 4 close to the first end of the spout 3, an impermeable dome 13 (see the enlarged views of Figures 5a and 6a) is formed from opposite portions of the walls of the flexible spout 3. That is, in the closed position of the device, a closure gets formed by opposite portions of the walls of the flexible spout 3 compressed together by the lid 8 closed; said closure ensures hygienie of the device. Preferably, the spatial dimensions of the impermeable dome 13 fall into an orthogonal planar projection of the outer diameter D.

[0027] In the assembled state of the liquid supply device according to the invention, that is, when the flexible spout 3 and the nozzle 4 are joined together at the second end of the spout 3, the hardness of the nozzle 4 with a lower section of the flexible spout 3 is somewhat higher than the hardness of the material of the flexible spout 3 alone. This improves the quality of closing by said impermeable dome 13.

[0028] In preferred embodiments, the fixing means can be equally made as the lid 8 (see Figures 1 to 8), a clamping device or a cover, or a separate cap (not shown). The clamping device can be constructed, for example, but not limited to, as a slide (not shown).

[0029] When the fixing means is made as a clamping device in the form of a slide, upon operating the clamping device by the user, the flexible spout 3 gets compressed, parts of the walls of the flexible spout 3 are pressed together and to the outlet 6 of the nozzle 4, thereby forming the impermeable dome 13 to close the spout 3.

[0030] Within the scope of the invention, the liquid supply device operates as follows. As a start, the user detaches the head 2 from the housing 1 and pours liquid (for example, water, tea, coffee, any beverage, etc.) into the vessel of the housing 1. In this step, if the tube 9 is elastic, the head 2 remains hung to the tube 9. That is, when the user pours the liquid into the housing 1, the tube 9, with the optional filtration element 10, remains within the housing 1 and thus the user does not touch them by its hands. Then, the user closes the head 2, for example, by attaching the head 2 to the housing 1 of the liquid supply device. To obtain some liquid, the user opens the lid 8. This can be done, for example, by actuating the mechanical or electronic button 11, if it is available. As a result, the liquid supply device gets into its "opened position". When the user needs no more liquid, it simply closes back the lid 8, as a result of which the liquid supply device gets into its "closed position" due to the impermeable dome 13 created by the lid 8.

[0031] When the liquid supply device is in the "closed position", the walls of the flexible spout 3 are pushed toward the outer edge 7 of the nozzle 4 and prevent the flow of liquid, forming thereby an area of "water impermeable sandwich"; see e.g. area B in Figure 6. The rest of the walls of the flexible spout 3 and the outer edge 7 of the nozzle 4 form the impermeable dome 13 which is located preferably within the orthogonal planar projection of the outer diameter D.

[0032] The flexible spout 3 can be easily removed from the nozzle 4 for cleaning, storage and / or replacement, but at the same time said spout 3 is kept securely and hermetically attached to the nozzle 4 and it withstands to numerous openings and closings of the lid 8. Each time the user closes the lid 8, the lid 8 pushes the spout 3 toward the nozzle 4. Slipping off the spout 3 from the nozzle 4 is prevented by force locking between the spout 3 and the nozzle 4 provided by a friction force between the two elements. When the user takes the spout 3 into its mouth for repeated drinking from the liquid supply device, multiple pulling motions (a step-by-step smooth removal of the spout 3 due to its flexibility) take place. Moreover, each time the user closes the lid 8, the lid 8 will push smoothly the spout 3 onto or deeper into the nozzle 4 thereby allowing a secure attachment of the spout 3 to the nozzle 4.

[0033] A further advantage of the liquid supply device according to the invention is an optional enlargement of the tip of the flexible spout 3 by means of carefully choosing the shape of the end portion of said spout 3 (for example, by making use of spouts 3 having semi spherical or ball shaped ends). This makes it easier to hold the spout 3 inside the user's mouth and also reduces the risk of smearing lipstick onto the spout 3 which helps with avoiding contamination of the spout 3 and also the liquid stored within the housing 1.

[0034] The flexible spout 3 is formed with a minimal length to make drinking liquid comfortable. This reduces the volume where dirt and microorganisms accumulate. In comparison with the analogues known from the state of the art, there is no need for additional means to close the liquid outlet, such as the protrusions provided in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Patent Appl. No. 20170208974 and U.S. patent No.3181743, or appropriate clamps (see U.S. patent No. 3181743). Optionally, in the liquid supply device according to the invention, the flip-flop movement of the lid 8 is designed to provide large force arm to minimize the force needed for the closing of the lid 8 while providing a large force for pushing said flexible spout 3 to the outer edge 7 of the nozzle 4 to form the impermeable dome 13 that assures a clean closure of the spout 3.

[0035] In summary, in use, the spout of the liquid supply device according to the invention can be easily and hermetically plugged onto or into the nozzle which is a clear difference compared to the known prior art solutions. The afore-described construction of a flexible spout with a nozzle provides excellent hygiene, as the user will not touch the flexible spout while it uses the liquid supply device, unlike, for example, in case of the closest analogue disclosed in U.S. patent No. 3181743.

[0036] The foregoing technical description, for the mere purpose of explanation, has been prepared with reference to specific embodiments as illustrations of the underlying inventive concept. As is clear for a skilled person in the art, numerous other practical embodiments with many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments discussed hereby are thus only preferred exemplary embodiments.

Claims

1. A liquid supply device, comprising a housing (1) with an inner volume capable of storing liquid, and a head (2) comprising fixing means, and a flexible spout (3) having first and second ends, and walls extending between said first and second ends, and a nozzle (4) with walls having an outer edge (7) and an inner channel with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), the nozzle (4) is arranged in the head (2) to provide fluid communication between the inner volume of the housing (1) and the outside of the liquid supply device through said inner channel, characterized in that the liquid supply device further comprises a liquid impermeable dome (13), wherein the nozzle (4) is connected to the flexible spout (3) at the second end of the spout (3), and the liquid impermeable dome (13) is formed by the walls of the flexible spout (3) close to the first end of the spout (3) folded back onto the outer edge (7) of the nozzle (4).

2. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls of the spout (3) and the walls of the nozzle (4) form together an outer diameter (D), and the liquid impermeable dome (13) exhibits spatial dimensions falling within an orthogonal planar projection of the outer diameter (D).

3. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that at least a part of the flexible spout (3) is formed as a tube made any of soft polymers, rubber, and silicone.

4. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the nozzle (4) is made any of polymers, ceramics, metals and a combination of these materials.

5. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing means is made as a cap.

6. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing means is made as a flip-top cover.

7. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing means is made as a clamping element.

8. The liquid supply device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a slide.

9. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fixing means is made as a lid (8).

10. The liquid supply device according to claim 9, characterized in that the lid (8) is equipped with a flip-top mechanism to attach the lid (8) to the head (2).

11. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the spout (3) is formed as a spout detachable from the nozzle (4).

12. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that flexible spout (3) is formed with an enlarged end of ball-shape.

13. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the head (2) further comprises any of a compressor and a pump to assist liquid transport in use of the liquid supply device.

14. The liquid supply device according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the head (2) further comprises an electronic controller to obtain information about any of drinking and liquid filtration.

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