Leak- proof drinking container

Abstract

A leak-proof closure ( 10 ) for dispensing liquid from a container ( 12 ). The closure ( 10 ) contains a recessed channel ( 11 ) which forms an outlet passage ( 13 ) when the closure ( 10 ) is attached to the container ( 12 ). When the container ( 12 ) is overturned, the liquid will begin to flow into the outlet passage ( 13 ) at the fluid entrance ( 15 ). The displacement of the liquid from the container ( 12 ) will create a partial vacuum in the container ( 12 ). This partial vacuum will prevent the liquid from reaching the fluid exit ( 14 ), thus it will not leak. When the fluid exit ( 14 ) is inserted into the user's mouth and suction is applied, the liquid in the container ( 12 ) will flow into the fluid entrance ( 15 ), through the outlet passage ( 13 ), out of the fluid exit ( 14 ), and into the user's mouth.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A closure for use in dispensing a liquid from a container, said container defining a wall, said closure comprising: 
 (a) a cover adapted to close off the open end of said container, said cover presenting a recessed channel;    (b) an outlet passage formed by said recessed channel and said wall of said container when said closure is attached to said container, said outlet passage having a fluid entrance and a fluid exit so as to provide communication between the interior and exterior of said container.    
     
     
         2 . The closure according to  claim 1  wherein said cover further includes a spout with a through hole which provides for communication between the end of said spout and said fluid exit of said outlet passage.  
     
     
         3 . The closure according to  claim 1  wherein said cover further includes a vent means which opens at a predetermined pressure differential between the interior and exterior of said container.  
     
     
         4 . The closure according to  claim 1  wherein said outlet passage has a volume greater than 0.060 cubic inches.  
     
     
         5 . The closure according to  claim 1  wherein said cover has multiple recessed channels.  
     
     
         6 . The closure according to  claim 1  wherein said wall of said container further includes a corresponding second recessed channel which cooperates with said recessed channel of said cover to form said outlet passage.  
     
     
         7 . The closure according to  claim 2  wherein said cover has multiple recessed channels.  
     
     
         8 . A closure for use in dispensing a liquid from a container, said closure defining a wall, said closure adapted to close off the open end of said container, said container comprising: 
 (a) a recessed channel;    (b) an outlet passage formed by said recessed channel and said wall of said closure when said closure is attached to said container, said outlet passage having a fluid entrance and a fluid exit so as to provide communication between the interior and exterior of said container.    
     
     
         9 . The closure according to  claim 8  wherein said cover further includes a spout with a through hole which provides for communication between the end of said spout and said fluid exit of said outlet passage.  
     
     
         10 . The closure according to  claim 8  wherein said cover further includes a vent means which opens at a predetermined pressure differential between the interior and exterior of said container.  
     
     
         11 . The closure according to  claim 8  wherein said outlet passage has a volume greater than 0.060 cubic inches.  
     
     
         12 . The closure according to  claim 8  wherein said container has multiple recessed channels.  
     
     
         13 . The closure according to  claim 8  wherein said wall of said closure further includes a corresponding second recessed channel which cooperates with said recessed channel of said container to form said outlet passage.  
     
     
         14 . The closure according to  claim 9  wherein said cover has multiple recessed channels.  
     
     
         15 . A closure for use in dispensing a liquid from a container, said container defining a wall presenting a first recessed channel, said closure comprising: 
 (a) a cover adapted to close off the open end of said container, said cover defining a second recessed channel;    (b) an outlet passage formed by said first recessed channel of said container and said second recessed channel of said cover when said closure is attached to said container, said outlet passage having a fluid entrance and a fluid exit so as to provide communication between the interior and exterior of said container.    
     
     
         16 . The closure according to  claim 15  wherein said cover further includes a spout with a through hole which provides for communication between the end of said spout and said fluid exit of said outlet passage.  
     
     
         17 . The closure according to  claim 15  wherein said cover further includes a vent means which opens at a predetermined pressure differential between the interior and exterior of said container.  
     
     
         18 . The closure according to  claim 15  wherein said outlet passage has a volume greater than 0.060 cubic inches.  
     
     
         19 . The closure according to  claim 15  wherein said outlet passage is made of multiple said first recessed channels and multiple said second recessed channels.  
     
     
         20 . The closure according to  claim 16  wherein said outlet passage is made of multiple said first recessed channels and multiple said second recessed channels.