EP2861105B1 - Double valve for an anti-spill cup and corresponding cup - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of childcare. More specifically, the invention relates to leakage cups for children and, in particular, the sealing of such cups anti-leak.

More specifically, the invention relates to a dual valve for cooperating with a lid of a leak-proof cup.

2. Techniques of the prior art

Conventionally, the anti-leak cups are composed of a cup for containing a liquid, and a lid with a neck for a child to drink easily.

Such anti-leakage cups also generally include an air inlet, to balance the pressures between the inside and the outside of the cup. To achieve an effective seal, it is important that the liquid inside the cup does not spill when spilled, or even when it is shaken. On the other hand, when a child sucks at the level of the neck, the liquid must pass easily, so that the child can drink without difficulty.

For this, we equip on the one hand the air inlet and on the other hand the neck, or liquid outlet, adapted valves. In particular, there have been proposed many double valves cooperating with the lid and comprising a first valve controlling the entry of air into the cup and a second valve allowing the passage of a liquid from the inside of the cup to the mouth of the cup. the child.

Such a double valve is for example described in the patent document EP 1 014 839 B1 . This valve comprises a valve having an opening and being placed in a locking member having a wall impervious to the passage of a liquid. When the cup is not in use, the opening is pressed against the wall and blocks the passage of the liquid. Conversely, when a child aspires to drink, the material emerges from the wall and the opening then allows the passage of liquid.

A disadvantage of such valves is that the flow is not sufficient which forces the child to exert a relatively strong pressure to obtain a good flow which is not satisfactory.

Another disadvantage of such valves is the fact that they are composed of several elements, which frequently causes malfunctions between these different elements and therefore is detrimental to the flow rate or the pressure necessary to obtain a suitable flow rate. more satisfactory. This can also be problematic in the sealing of the leak-proof cup.

Yet another disadvantage of such valves is that they require the implementation of complex means in the form of several elements which generates a relatively high cost and can complicate maintenance.

WO2005 / 032951 discloses a double valve according to the preamble of claim 1.

3. Objectives of the invention

The invention particularly aims to overcome at least some of these various disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, in at least one embodiment, an object of the invention is to provide a valve to optimize the performance of a leak-proof cup by providing the possibility of obtaining a sufficient flow while exerting pressure relatively suitable for a child.

Another object of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide a good seal, when the cup is reversed or shaken.

The invention also aims, according to at least one embodiment, to provide such a valve which eliminates, or at least reduces, the risk of malfunctions due to the presence of several parts.

Yet another object of at least one embodiment of the invention is to provide such a valve to reduce or eliminate the sealing problems of a leak-proof cup implementing such a valve.

Another objective of at least one embodiment is to provide such a valve which is simple to implement, maintain, and inexpensive.

4. Presentation of the invention

These objectives, as well as others which will appear more clearly later, are achieved by means of a double valve intended to cooperate with a cover of a leak-proof cup for a child, having a first valve, for introducing air, and a second valve for the passage of a liquid,
the first valve comprising a base, an intermediate portion called a barrel, and a duckbill valve, and the second valve comprising a base and a barrel, and having an upper outer surface at least partially concave, forming a valve allowing the passage of said liquid.

According to the invention, said first and second valves are oriented in opposite directions, the direction of a valve being defined from its base towards its valve, and said first and second valves are connected by a connecting portion placed so that said connecting portion extends between said barrel and said duckbill valve of the first valve, and the height of said duckbill valve is substantially less than the height of said barrel of the second valve, so that when said base the second valve rests on a plane, said duckbill valve is not in contact with said plane.

Thus, the invention proposes a new and inventive approach to implement a dual valve composed of two valves of distinct structures and opposite directions of their orientation, the particular combination is very effective. Indeed, the implementation of these two valves, one in duckbill that must allow air to pass and the other penetrating into the neck of the lid and which must allow the liquid to pass through, allows the valve to beak duck to offset the action of the other valve, while preventing the liquid from escaping from the cup.

The second valve may define a decreasing truncated oval section, from its base to the upper outer portion, at least two degrees, the lower degree having a perimeter greater than the upper degree, and the higher degree being dimensioned so as not to come in contact with the edges of the neck.

In this way, this second valve is not deformed when it is used, which makes it possible to have no loss of efficiency.

In this case, the higher degree may have a thickness less than the thickness of the lower degree.

The second valve may also comprise, at its base, a groove, so that a wall of the lid neck can be housed in the groove, to keep it effectively connected to the lid.

The first valve and the second valve are connected by a connecting portion.

The connecting portion is formed such that the end of the first valve is substantially recessed relative to the base of the second valve so as not to deteriorate when the lid is, for example, placed on a table.

This feature allows to limit the overall size of the valve, and, if necessary, to maintain the entire valve in the interior volume of the lid. This allows in particular to prevent the first valve is damaged when the cover is laid flat.

In embodiments of the invention, the dual valve may be silicone, and may be manufactured by injection.

• la première valve empêche le passage dudit liquide vers l'extérieur de ladite tasse et laisse entrer l'air dans ladite tasse, lorsque la différence entre la pression sur la surface intérieure de ladite première valve et la pression sur la surface extérieure de ladite première valve est supérieure à un premier seuil de déclenchement ;
• la deuxième valve permet le passage dudit liquide vers l'extérieur de ladite tasse lorsque la différence entre la pression sur la surface intérieure de ladite deuxième valve et la pression sur la surface extérieure de ladite deuxième valve est supérieure à un deuxième seuil de déclenchement, de manière à contenir ledit liquide dans ladite tasse tant que ledit deuxième seuil n'est pas atteint.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the double valve is such that, in a functional manner:

• the first valve prevents passage of said liquid to the outside of said cup and allows air to enter said cup, when the difference between the pressure on the inner surface of said first valve and the pressure on the outer surface of said first valve is greater than a first trigger threshold;
• the second valve allows the passage of said liquid towards the outside of said cup when the difference between the pressure on the inner surface of said second valve and the pressure on the outer surface of said second valve is greater than a second trigger threshold, to contain said liquid in said cup until said second threshold is reached.

In particular, the first trigger threshold being lower than the second trigger threshold allows the duckbill valve to compensate for the action of the other valve.

The invention also relates to a leak-proof cup for children, comprising such a double valve, and a lid adapted to cooperate with said double valve.

5. List of figures

• la figure 1 illustre en vue de côté, un mode de réalisation d'une valve double selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 présente en perspective une valve double selon le mode de réalisation de la figure 1, mise en oeuvre au sein d'un couvercle de tasse anti-fuite ; et
• la figure 3 représente, sous forme de diagramme, les caractéristiques respectives d'ouverture des première et deuxième valves ;
• la figure 4 représente l'ensemble formé par une tasse comprenant une valve double selon l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly after reading the following description, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the accompanying drawings below, among which:

• the figure 1 illustrates in side view, an embodiment of a dual valve according to the invention;
• the figure 2 presents in perspective a double valve according to the embodiment of the figure 1 , implemented within a leak-proof cup lid; and
• the figure 3 represents in diagrammatic form the respective opening characteristics of the first and second valves;
• the figure 4 represents the assembly formed by a cup comprising a double valve according to the invention.

6. Detailed Description of an Embodiment of the Invention 6.0 Introduction

The invention therefore proposes a double valve for leak-proof cup for children. An example of a leak-proof cup embodying the invention is shown on the figure 4 . It comprises a container 41, which can be closed by a lid 42, for example screwable. This cover 42 has a spout 421, allowing a child to drink a liquid contained in the container, and a vent 422, allowing the passage of air inside the cup. Optionally, the spout 421 and the vent 422 are covered with a removable cap 44.

• une première valve en bec de canard, permettant le passage de l'air afin d'homogénéiser la pression entre l'environnement extérieur et l'intérieur de la tasse à partir d'un premier seuil de pression, et
• une seconde valve pénétrant à l'intérieur du goulot du couvercle, permettant le passage du liquide à partir d'un deuxième seuil de pression, le premier seuil étant inférieur au deuxième seuil. La forme concave de cette deuxième valve permet à celle-ci, lorsque la tasse anti-fuite est tête en bas, de ne subir que la pression exercée par le liquide présent dans la tasse ce qui n'est pas suffisant pour forcer l'ouverture de cette valve et donc le passage du liquide. Lorsque l'enfant aspire au niveau du goulot de la tasse, la dépression qu'il crée entraine un effondrement de la forme concave qui provoque ainsi l'ouverture de la fente et laisse passer le liquide.

The lid has, on its inner face, elements for receiving a double valve 43 according to the invention, comprising:

• a first duckbill valve, allowing the passage of air to homogenize the pressure between the outside environment and the inside of the cup from a first pressure threshold, and
• a second valve penetrating inside the neck of the lid, allowing the passage of the liquid from a second pressure threshold, the first threshold being lower than the second threshold. The concave shape of this second valve allows it, when the cup anti-leak is upside down, to only suffer the pressure exerted by the liquid in the cup which is not sufficient to force the opening of this valve and therefore the passage of the liquid. When the child sucks at the neck of the cup, the depression it creates causes a collapse of the concave shape that causes the opening of the slot and let the liquid.

A particular example of implementation of the invention is illustrated in the figures and described below. In all the figures of this document, identical elements are designated by the same reference numeral.

6.1 Structure of the double valve according to the invention

The figure 1 is a side view of a double valve according to this embodiment while the figure 2 presents in perspective a double valve according to the embodiment of the figure 1 , implemented within a leak-proof cup lid.

A valve comprises, according to the vocabulary of the present description, a first end, or inlet end, also called base, through which a flow (air or liquid, depending on the valve) can penetrate. This flow exits the valve through a second end, or outlet end, also called valve, when a sufficient pressure difference actuates the opening of the valve. The inlet end is connected to the outlet end by a barrel.

The direction of a valve is defined as the direction from the inlet end, or base, of a valve towards its outlet end, or valve.

The double valve 1 of the invention therefore comprises a first valve 2 allowing the introduction of air inside a leak-proof cup (not shown in the figures) and a second valve 3 allowing the passage of a liquid from inside the cup to the outside of it.

According to the invention, the double valve is intended to cooperate with a lid 9, figure 2 , (or 42, figure 4 ) of the leak-proof cup and to be housed at a neck 91 formed in the lid 9. In this embodiment, the double valve is made by silicone injection. Of course, we can provide to manufacture this valve in a material other than silicone and / or by another manufacturing process that injection.

The first valve 2 is a duckbill valve formed of a bottom portion, or base, 21 of cylindrical shape, an intermediate portion, or barrel, 22, and an upper portion 23 having a valve, called "duckbill" , Of beveled shape and having at its end a valve 24 to allow air to enter the interior of the cup. The lower portion 21 cooperates with the walls of a through opening 93 formed in the cover 9, so as to hold the double valve in place. Thus, the outside air entering through the through hole 93 can enter through the opening of the valve 24 into the cup.

The direction, illustrated by the arrow SENS1, of the first valve is defined from its lower part, or base, 21 to its upper part 23 carrying the valve duckbill.

The duckbill 23 has two walls 231 and 232 which meet in a contact portion forming the valve 24 itself. At rest, the two walls are in contact with one another at the contact portion, closing the valve. When the pressure difference is sufficient, the walls move away from each other, opening the valve 24.

The duckbill 23 defines a convex surface, viewed from the outside of the valve. The contact portion 233 therefore corresponds to the upper part of the valve.

The second valve 3 is a truncated stem valve of decreasing oval section, from its base 35 to an upper outer portion 32, defining the structural direction of the valve, illustrated by the arrow SENS2. The upper outer portion 32 has a partially concave upper surface viewed from the outside of the valve, the concave region being centered on a flat surface. This concave surface has a valve formed by a slot 321 allowing the passage of a liquid from the inside of the cup to the outside of the cup, when the pressure difference is sufficient to ensure removal one of the other of the lips of the slot 321.

The oval section of the barrel of the second valve is decreasing (from its base to the top), and has two degrees, namely a lower degree and a higher degree 31.

Thus, according to the invention, the first and second valves are oriented in a substantially vertical direction, when the cup is placed on a table, but in a direction opposite to one another. Indeed, as illustrated by the figure 1 , the direction of the structural sense of the valve 2, SENS1, is opposite to the direction of the structural direction of the valve 3, SENS2. In other words, the base 21 of the first valve 2 is located at an end opposite the base 35 of the second valve 3.

So when the mug as depicted in relation to the figure 4 is placed on a table, the base 21 of the first valve is located "at the top" of the first valve 2, while the base 35 of the second valve is located "at the bottom" of the second valve 3.

Conversely, when the cup is turned over (when a child drinks), the lid being oriented substantially downward, the base 21 of the first valve is located "at the bottom" of the first valve 2, while the base 35 of the second valve is located "at the top" of the second valve 3.The directions of the two valves, corresponding to the axis of the two barrels, are therefore substantially parallel. The bases of these are however located at opposite ends of the first and second valves respectively.

On these figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the upper degree 31 of the valve 3 has a thickness less than the thickness of the lower degree. In this way, a relatively high rigidity is obtained which allows, on the one hand, the valve to play its role effectively without interaction, and on the other hand to eliminate or at least reduce the risk of deterioration of the opening of the valve, when installed on the lid.

As illustrated in figures 1 and 2 , the second valve further comprises, at its base 35, a flap 34 delimiting a groove 341 formed so that a wall of the neck of the lid 9 is housed in the groove and comes into contact with the bottom of this groove 341. This flap is delimited by an upper surface corresponding to the base 35, located at an altitude greater than the end 24 of the first valve 2, and by a lower surface 342 substantially at the same altitude as the lower surface of the intermediate portion 22 of the first valve.

By being thus maintained under or at the plane P defined by the base 35 of the second valve 3, the end 24 of the first valve 2 is protected: when the lid is detached from the cup, the lid then resting on this base 35. Similarly, when the double valve 1 is detached from the lid, and for example placed on a table, it rests on the base 35, without the end 24 comes into contact with the table.

The first valve 2 and the second valve 3 are connected via a connecting portion 4 whose lower surface is coplanar with the lower surface of the intermediate portion 22 and the bottom surface 342 of the flap. This configuration makes it easier to fix the double valve in the anti-leakage cup and also makes it possible to limit the forces at the coincidence zones of the two valves with the end of the corresponding connecting portion.

The position of this connecting portion 4 at the free end of the flap 34 serves to shift the first valve 2, and therefore the position of its end 24, to position it with respect to the plane P.

6.2 Operation of the double valve according to the invention

It is presented later, in relation to the diagrams of the figure 3 , the respective characteristics of the first valve 2 and the second valve 3. These two diagrams illustrate the state of the first and second valve, closed (0) or open (1), depending on the pressure differential between the pressure applied on the outer surface of the valve (hereinafter referred to as external pressure Pext) and the pressure applied to the inner surface of the valve (hereinafter referred to as the internal pressure Pint).

It will be noted that the pressures Pext and Pint are different for the two valves. In particular, the external pressure Pext1 of the valve 2 is equal to the internal pressure Pint2 of the valve 3, that is to say the pressure inside the cup.

A valve opens when the pressure on the inner surfaces of this valve (Pint) is sufficiently greater than the pressure on its outer surfaces (Pext). The opening threshold of the opening of the valve can be defined as the minimum differential between these two pressures (S = Pint-Pext).

On this figure 3 the curve referenced A represents the characteristic curve of the first valve 2. As illustrated by this curve A, the first valve 2 is hermetic to the passage of fluid, in this case air, from the outside to the inside of the valve. the cup when the pressure on the outer surface Pext1 (that is to say inside the cup) is greater than the pressure on the inner surface Pint1. When the differential between the internal pressure Pint1 and the external pressure Pext1 becomes greater than a first threshold S1, the valve 2 opens and allows the passage of air between the outside and inside of the cup. The air can therefore, from this threshold value S1, enter the cup. The passage of air in the cup is possible from this threshold value S1 and to differential values greater than this threshold value. As soon as the differential Pint1-Pext1 returns below this threshold S1, the valve 2 closes.

This threshold S1 may for example be between 20 cm H2O and 30 cm H2O (ie substantially between 1950 Pa and 2950 Pa)

On this figure 3 , the curve referenced B represents the characteristic curve of the second valve 3, allowing the passage of the liquid in the cup, when a child applies a depression by suction. As illustrated by this curve B, the second valve is hermetic to the passage of fluid, in this case the liquid contained in the cup, from the inside to the outside of the cup when the pressure Pext2 on the outer surface of the valve 3 is greater than the pressure Pint2 on the inner surface of the valve 3, and as long as the pressure differential Pint2-Pext2 did not reach a second S2 trip threshold.

When the differential reaches this second trigger S2, which allows the passage of fluid between the inside and the outside of the cup, the second valve 3 opens and the liquid in the cup can come out of the cup and penetrate in the neck of the lid. The passage of the liquid from the cup is possible from this threshold value S2 and, of course, to differential values higher than this threshold value. The valve 3 closes as soon as we go back below this threshold S2.

In this embodiment, the value of the second trigger threshold corresponds substantially to the value of the depression caused by the suction of a child.

This threshold S2 may for example be between 40 cm H2O and 80 cm H2O (ie substantially between 3920 Pa and 7850 Pa).

This figure 3 also shows that the first valve 2 is, whatever the value of the differential, hermetic to the passage of fluid from the inside of the cup to the outside and that the second valve is, whatever the value of the differential, hermetic to the passage of fluid from the outside of the cup inward.

The combination of these two valves, having two distinct opening thresholds, allows the setting of the inside of the cup to atmospheric pressure. The first valve thus compensates for the action of the second valve.

According to the invention, the value S1 of the tripping threshold of the first valve is lower than the value S2 of the tripping threshold of the second valve. Thus, the first valve 2 opens as soon as the threshold S1 reached. The second valve 3 opens later, when the pressure differential between the outside and the inside of the cup reaches the threshold S2.

In other words, the first valve 2 opens with a pressure difference Pint-Pext less than that of the second valve 3. Conversely, the second valve closes more quickly, as soon as the differential returns below the threshold S2.

Claims (7)

1. Double valve (1) intended to cooperate with a lid (9) of an anti-spill cup for a child, having a first valve (2) for the introduction of air, and a second valve (3) for the passage of a liquid,
   said first valve (2) comprising a base (21), an intermediate part referred to as the "body" (22), and a duckbill-shaped flap-valve (23), and said second valve (3) comprising a base (35) and a body and having an upper outer surface which is at least partly concave and forms a flap-valve (32) which allows the passage of the said liquid,
   the said first and second valves (2, 3) being connected by a linking portion (4),
   characterised in that the said first and second valves (2, 3) are oriented in opposite directions (SENS1, SENS2), the direction of a valve (2, 3) being defined from its base (21, 35) towards its flap-valve (23, 32),
   and in that the said linking portion extends between the said body (22) and the said duckbill-shaped flap-valve (23) of the first valve (2),
   and in that the height of the said duckbill-shaped flap-valve (23) is substantially smaller than the height of the said body of the second valve (3),
   so that, when the base (35) of the second valve (3) is resting on a surface (P), the said duckbill-shaped flap-valve (23) is not in contact with the said surface (P).
2. Double valve (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said second valve (3) defines a trunk with an oval cross-section which decreases, from its base towards the said upper outer part, at at least two steps, the lower step (30) possessing a perimeter which is larger than the upper step (31).
3. Double valve (1) according to Claim 2, characterised in that the said upper step (31) possesses a thickness which is smaller than the thickness of the said lower step (30).
4. Double valve (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the said second valve comprises a channel (341) at its base.
5. Double valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is made of silicone.
6. Double valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is manufactured by injection.
7. Anti-spill cup for children, comprising a double valve according to Claim 1 and a lid (9) which is capable of cooperating with the said double valve (1).

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