VALVE FOR DRINKING CONTAINER

摘要

Disclosed valves for drinking from a portable fluid container allow for manual actuation of the valve between an open configuration that permits fluid flow and a closed configuration that substantially prevents fluid flow. Disclosed valves comprise a valve housing having inner bore fluidly coupled to an inflow channel and an outflow channel that are angled with respect to one another, and a reciprocating valve member that is adjustably positioned partially within the bore to open and close the fluid flow pathway through the bore from the inflow channel to the outflow channel. The reciprocating valve member is shaped such that it can prevent fluid flow when fully inserted within the bore to a closed configuration, and can allow fluid flow when the valve member is retracted from this closed position by a relatively short distance to an open configuration.

主权项

1. A valve for a drinking container, the valve comprising:
a housing and a valve member adjustably coupled to the housing; wherein the housing comprises a fluid inlet, a bore having a lower chamber and an upper chamber, and a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid inlet, the bore lower chamber, and the bore upper chamber are aligned along a central axis, and the fluid outlet extends laterally from the bore upper chamber in a direction transverse to the central axis; wherein the bore upper chamber is larger in diameter than the bore lower chamber, and the bore lower chamber is larger in diameter than the fluid inlet; wherein the bore upper chamber has an open upper end for receiving the valve member; wherein the valve member comprises a lower body having a lower sealing member sized to seal within the bore lower chamber, and the valve member comprises an upper body having an upper sealing member sized to seal within the bore upper chamber; wherein the valve member is adjustable relative to the housing in the directions of the central axis between an open position and a closed position; wherein when the valve member is in the closed position, the upper sealing member is in sealing contact with the bore upper chamber and the lower sealing member is in sealing contact with the bore lower chamber, such that fluid entering the fluid inlet cannot flow through the bore lower chamber into the bore upper chamber or into the fluid outlet; and wherein when the valve member is in the open position, the upper sealing member remains in sealing contact with the bore upper chamber and the lower sealing member is positioned above the bore lower chamber and in the bore upper chamber, such that fluid can flow from the fluid inlet, through the bore lower chamber, through the bore upper chamber around the lower sealing member, and into the fluid outlet, but fluid is prevented from leaking through the open upper end of the bore upper chamber.