Method and device for preventing the inadvertent outflow of a fluid from a driking container

Abstract

A method and device for preventing unintended liquid flow from drinking containers are achieved by means of securing an inner tube ( 29 ) provided with a bellows ( 4 ) within an outer tube ( 1 ) and terminating one end of the inner tube ( 29 ) as a valve ( 70, 70 ′), whereby the suction force from the user provides a pressure difference across the bellows ( 4 ), causing the bellows ( 4 ) to move the valve ( 70, 70 ′) with sufficient force to open. When the suction force ceases, the valve ( 70, 70 ′) closes, and it remains closed, even when the liquid in the drinking container ( 61 ) is pressurized with pressure (P3).

1 . A method of preventing unintended outflow of fluids from drinking containers, characterised in that an inner tube ( 29 ) is provided with a pattern ( 33 ) allowing the tube ( 29 ) to change its shape upon supply of an internal underpressure (P2), and that the inner tube ( 29 ) is terminated as a valve head ( 26 ), and that the inner tube ( 29 ) is anchored to the outer cap ( 1 ) at the one end (A), and that the other end of the inner tube ( 29 ) is used as a valve head ( 26 ) which blocks at least one opening ( 36 ) of the outer tube ( 1 ) until the user supplies a sufficient underpressure (P2).  
   
   
       2 . A method of preventing unintended outflow of fluids from drinking containers, characterised in that an inner tube ( 29 ) is provided with a pattern ( 33 ) allowing the tube ( 29 ) to change its shape upon supply of an internal underpressure (P2), and that the inner tube ( 29 ) is terminated as a deformation valve ( 70 ′), and that the inner tube ( 29 ) is anchored to the outer cap ( 1 ) at both ends (A and B), and that the deformation valve ( 70 ′) remains closed ( 9   b ,  10   a ) until the user supplies a sufficient underpressure (P2).  
   
   
       3 . A device for preventing unintended outflow of fluids from a drinking container ( 61 ), the device comprising an outer tube ( 1 ) and an inner tube ( 29 ), and the device being provided to the drinking container ( 61 ), characterised in that one end portion of the inner tube ( 29 ) is fixedly anchored to the outer tube ( 1 ), wherein the inner tube ( 29 ) also is arranged to be movable relative to the outer tube ( 1 ), and wherein the inner tube ( 29 ) is provided with at least one valve head ( 26 ) in its movable region, whereas the outer tube ( 1 ) is provided with at least one opening ( 36   a ,  36   b ), and wherein movement of the at least one valve head ( 26 ) relative to the openings ( 36   a ,  36   b ) opens or closes to through-flow of fluids from the drinking container ( 61 ), an underpressure in the inner tube ( 29 ) opening to fluid through-flow, whereas the inner tube ( 29 ) otherwise is closed to through-flow.  
   
   
       4 . A device for preventing unintended outflow of fluids from a drinking container ( 61 ), the device comprising an outer tube ( 1 ) and an inner tube ( 29 ), and the device being provided to the drinking container ( 61 ), characterised in that both end portions of the inner tube ( 29 ) are fixedly anchored to the outer tube ( 1 ), wherein the inner tube ( 29 ) also is arranged to be movable relative to the outer tube ( 1 ), and wherein the inner tube ( 29 ) is provided with at least one deformation valve ( 70 ′) in its movable region, and wherein the movement of the free end of the bellows ( 4 ) relative to the anchored end of the valve ( 70 ′) opens or closes to through-flow of fluids from the drinking container ( 61 ), an underpressure in the inner tube ( 29 ) opening the deformation valve ( 70 ′) to fluid through-flow, whereas the deformation valve ( 70 ′) otherwise is closed to through-flow.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the valve ( 70 ′) uses both the axial and rotational movements of the bellows ( 4 ).  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is provided with at least one barb ( 32 ).  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is provided with at least one hole ( 20 ) that allows inlet of air into the drinking container ( 61 ) during consumption of the liquid ( 60 ).  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is formed into a part of a cap or otherwise is provided with threads ( 11 ) or other fastening devices for connecting with a drinking container ( 61 ).  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the bellows ( 4 ) is formed with at least one type of recess ( 33 ) formed in the inner tube ( 29 ), and that at least one recess ( 33 ) is formed as a helix having at least one rotational direction and at least one pitch.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is formed from a part of the drinking container ( 61 ).  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the at least one valve ( 70 ,  70 ′) is positioned on the inside of the drinking container ( 61 ) after having applied the device.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 3 , characterised in that the inner tube ( 29 ) is coated with at least one outer layer of plastics material before heat-welding of the outside ( 13 ) to other surfaces.  
   
   
       13 . A device according  claim 4 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is formed from a plastic foil ( 91 ) attached to itself or to each other and to the tube ( 29 ).  
   
   
       14 . A device according  claim 4 , characterised in that the inner tube ( 29 ) is coated with at least one inner layer of plastics material that maintains proper sealing of the deformation valve ( 70 ′).  
   
   
       15 . A device for providing a continuous inlet of air to a drinking container ( 61 ), the device consisting of an outer tube ( 1 ) provided with a sealing surface ( 102 ) and at least one groove ( 100 ) for air through-flow, and a gasket ( 101 ) having a hole ( 104 ), characterised in that the at least one groove ( 100 ) is placed in the surface of the outer tube ( 1 ) to seal against the gasket ( 101 ), whereby air may be drawn from the outside of the outer tube ( 1 ), and the air may be carried onwards to the sealing surface ( 102 ), thus allowing the outer pressure (P1) to exert a force on the outside ( 105 ) of the gasket, which thereby opens the valve zone ( 102 ,  104 ) for the intake of air from the outside of the device through the at least one groove ( 100 ) when sufficient underpressure exists in the container ( 61 ).  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is provided with at least one barb ( 32 ).  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is provided with at least one hole ( 20 ) that allows inlet of air into the drinking container ( 61 ) during consumption of the liquid ( 60 ).  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is formed into a part of a cap or otherwise is provided with threads ( 11 ) or other fastening devices for connecting with a drinking container ( 61 ).  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the bellows ( 4 ) is formed with at least one type of recess ( 33 ) formed in the inner tube ( 29 ), and that at least one recess ( 33 ) is formed as a helix having at least one rotational direction and at least one pitch.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the outer tube ( 1 ) is formed from a part of the drinking container ( 61 ).  
   
   
       21 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the at least one valve ( 70 ,  70 ′) is positioned on the inside of the drinking container ( 61 ) after having applied the device.  
   
   
       22 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the inner tube ( 29 ) is coated with at least one outer layer of plastics material before heat-welding of the outside ( 13 ) to other surfaces.