Flow control element for use with leak-proof cup assemblies

Abstract

There is provided a flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap having a first mating member in fluid communication with a spout aperture. The flow control element has a first stack and a first valve. The first stack has an upper portion that can be positioned to be removably sealed in or with the cap. The first valve is defined in a sidewall of the first stack and is configured to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture.

1 . A flow control element for use with a drinking cup cap in fluid communication with a spout aperture of the drinking cup cap, the flow control element comprising:
 a first stack having an upper portion being configured to be removably sealed adjacent to the spout aperture, said first stack having a sidewall, said sidewall having a first valve to provide selective fluid communication with the spout aperture, wherein said first valve comprises more than one valve face, and each of said valve faces has at least a valve slit defined therein.   
     
     
         2 . The flow control element of  claim 1 , wherein said first valve comprises two valve faces disposed on opposing sidewalls of said stack. 
     
     
         3 . The flow control element of  claim 2 , wherein each of said two valve faces has a vertical slit disposed therein. 
     
     
         4 . The flow control element of  claim 2 , wherein each of said two valve faces has a planar configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The flow control element of  claim 1 , wherein each said valve slit is disposed in a selected position on said valve face, said selected position being selected from the group consisting of a substantially vertical position, a substantially horizontal position, and an angled position. 
     
     
         6 . The flow control element of  claim 1 , wherein each of said valve faces is concave and curves inwardly toward said first stack. 
     
     
         7 . The flow control element of  claim 6 , wherein each of said valve faces has a first slit formed therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . A drinking cup assembly comprising:
 a cup having an open end;   a cap being adapted to seal said open end, said cap having a first aperture an a first mating surface in fluid communication with said first aperture; and   a flow control element having a first stack adapted to have an upper portion removably sealed in said first mating surface, said first stack having a first valve defined in a sidewall thereof, said first valve selectively placing said cup in fluid communication with said first aperture, said first valve having a valve slit defined therethrough, said valve slit comprising two slits in a criss-cross orientation on said valve face.   
     
     
         9 . A drinking cup assembly comprising:
 a cup having an open end;   a cap being adapted to seal said open end, said cap having a first aperture defined in a drinking spout, and a first mating member in fluid communication with said first aperture; and   a flow control element having a first stack, said first stack having a portion for frictionally engaging an inside and an outside of said first mating member and thereby to place said first stack in full communication with said first aperture.   
     
     
         10 . The drinking cup assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said portion frictionally engages said inside, said outside, and a bottom of said first mating member. 
     
     
         11 . The drinking cup assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said portion is a rim disposed at a lower portion of said first stack. 
     
     
         12 . The drinking cup assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said first stack comprises a first valve having a first valve face and a valve slit defined through said first valve face, said first valve being disposed on a sidewall of said first stack. 
     
     
         13 . The drinking assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said first valve face is concave and curved inwardly toward said first stack. 
     
     
         14 . The drinking assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said valve slit is disposed in a selected position on said first valve face, said selected position being selected from the group consisting of a substantially vertical position, a substantially horizontal position and an angled position. 
     
     
         15 . A drinking cup assembly comprising:
 a cup having an open end;   a cap being adapted to seal said open end, said cap having a drinking spout and a first mating member, said first mating member having a first mating surface and being in fluid communication with said spout; and   a flow control element having a first stack, said first stack having a first valve face and first inner surface, and first upper and lower portions, said first upper portion having a first outer diameter, said first lower portion having a second outer diameter,   wherein said first stack is sized to frictionally engage and hold in position said first mating surface of said first mating member to place said first stack in fluid communication with said spout, wherein said first outer diameter is larger than said second outer diameter, wherein said first valve face is connected to said first inner surface of said first stack, wherein said first valve face is concave and curves inwardly toward said first stack, and wherein said first valve face has a first slit formed therethrough.   
     
     
         16 . The drinking assembly of  claim 15 , wherein said first inner surface of said first stack is smooth and tapered.