Flow switch

Abstract

A flow switch assembly which includes a valve housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatably engaged relative each other. The upper and lower body portions define a chamber. The housing includes an inlet and outlet to the chamber. A valve member seated in the chamber of the valve housing for movement between an open position establishing at least one passage between the inlet and the outlet and a closed position wherein the at least one passage between the inlet and the outlet is non-established (preferably by said valve member sealing at least one of said inlet and outlet). There is also provided interactive cam elements associated with at least one of the upper body portion and the lower body portion, and associated with the valve member, are provided for moving the valve member between the open position and the closed position when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to the lower body portion.

1 . A flow switch assembly comprising; 
 (a) a valve housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatably engaged relative each other, the upper and lower body portions defining a chamber, the housing including an inlet and outlet to said chamber    (b) a valve member seated in the chamber of the valve housing for movement between an open position establishing at least one passage between said inlet and said outlet and a closed position wherein said at least one passage between said inlet and said outlet is non-established,    (c) interactive cam elements associated with (i) at least one of (a) said upper body portion and (b) said lower body portion, and (ii) the valve member, the cam elements positioned to effect movement of the valve member between the open position and the closed position when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to said lower body portion.    
   
   
       2 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said lower body portion provides said inlet to said chamber, and wherein said lower body portion is integrally formed with a container.  
   
   
       3 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said container is a consumer beverage container.  
   
   
       4 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a second valve housing is provided, said second valve housing including an upper body portion (the “second upper body portion”) and a lower body portion (the “second lower body portion”), the second upper and lower body portions defining a chamber (the “second chamber”) capturing a valve member (the “second valve member”), the second valve housing including and inlet and outlet to said second chamber, 
 said second valve member seated in the second chamber of the second valve housing for movement between a position (herein after “open position”) defining a passage (the second passage) between said inlet and said outlet of said second valve housing and a position (herein after “closed position”) wherein said second passage is non-established (preferably by said second valve member sealing at least one of said inlet and outlet of said second chamber),    interactive cam elements associated with said second valve housing and the second valve member for moving the second valve member between the open position and the closed position when the second upper body portion of the second valve housing is rotated relative to said second lower body portion,    wherein a duct is provided intermediate of or defined by said first mentioned upper body portion and said second lower body portion to define a passage between the first mentioned outlet and said second inlet wherein said duck may preferably include an opening.    
   
   
       5 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said first mentioned upper body portion is engaged or integrally formed with said second lower body portion.  
   
   
       6 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said first mentioned valve member can move independently of said second valve member.  
   
   
       7 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said duct retains a tablet.  
   
   
       8 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said first mentioned inlet is of a size to allow the passing of said tablet from said duct through said inlet when said first mentioned valve- member is in said open position.  
   
   
       9 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein, when said valve member is in said open position, said valve member establishes a plurality of said passages between said inlet and outlet.  
   
   
       10 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said valve member includes a plurality of ducts to define at least two of said passages and wherein at least one of said lower and upper body portions includes a plurality of said inlet and outlets respectively, each duct of said plurality of ducts capable, upon the rotation of said valve member, of moving into and out of a said open position being one where at least one passage is established between (i) an or the inlet of said lower body portion and (ii) an or the outlet of said upper body portion.  
   
   
       11 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein each said plurality of ducts are mutually exclusive in providing a passage between an or the said inlet and an or the outlet, to the other of said plurality of ducts or ducts of said valve member.  
   
   
       12 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said valve member has a plurality of ducts to each define a said passage at different angles of rotation of said valve member other than when said valve member is in the closed position.  
   
   
       13 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said plurality of ducts are discrete ducts through said valve member.  
   
   
       14 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said plurality of ducts is a bifurcated duct.  
   
   
       15 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said valve member includes a duct therethrough via which said passage is established, said duct including an outlet opening, said valve member being shaped to present said outlet opening projecting beyond said outlet of said housing when said valve member is in said open position.  
   
   
       16 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a removable overcap is provided, said housing engagable with a removable overcap to conceal said outlet of said housing.  
   
   
       17 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said overcap can engage with said housing only when said valve member is not in said open position.  
   
   
       18 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said upper and lower body portions each include overcap receiving regions, said receiving regions of said upper and lower body portions being movable relative to each other to be in and out of register with each other, wherein when in register they are only then capable of engaging said overcap with said housing, said means to engage being in register only when said valve member is not in said open condition.  
   
   
       19 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a ring is provided to engage about at least part of both of said upper and lower body portions to lock relative rotation there between until such time as said ring is released from said upper and lower body portion.  
   
   
       20 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper and lower body portions include a receptacle to receive a locking element to lock relative rotation of said upper and lower body portions, said receptacle being defined by both said upper and lower body portions.  
   
   
       21 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper body portion and said lower body portion are rotatably engaged with each other to allow relative rotation about an axis, there being provided by said upper and lower body portions a means cooperative to, at a rotational position of said upper and lower body portions corresponding to the valve member being in at least one of said open and closed position, draw said upper and lower body portions together more to thereby effect a clamping of the valve member by said housing to encourage said valve member to thereby sealingly engage one of said inlet and outlet.  
   
   
       22 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said means cooperative is a cam and cam follower provided by said upper and lower body portions respectively.  
   
   
       23 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said means cooperative are complementary threads is provided by way of a threaded engagement of said upper and lower body portions.  
   
   
       24 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said clamping by said valve housing with said valve member occurs at at least one of said inlet and outlet to said chamber to seal against said valve member about said inlet and/or outlet.  
   
   
       25 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 21  wherein one of said upper and lower body portions includes a skirt region with an internally presented interface region to interface with an externally presented interface region of the other of said upper and lower body portions to hold said upper and lower body portions together for said relative rotation about said axis, said skirt region including a cam surface providing cam surface deviation in a direction parallel to said axis and over which a cam follower of the externally presented interface can slide, said deviation being such that the cam follower is displaced in a direction parallel to said axis by said cam surface.  
   
   
       26 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper body portion and said lower body portion are rotatably engaged with each other to allow relative rotation about an axis, and wherein said upper and lower body portions can displace relative each other in a direction parallel the axis, said displacement controlled by a threaded engagement of said upper and lower body portions said threaded engagement being such that at a rotational position of said upper and lower body portions corresponding to the valve member being in at least one of said open and closed position, said upper and lower body portions are in a more proximate displacement to effect a clamping of the valve member by said housing to encourage said valve member to thereby sealingly engage one of said inlet and outlet.  
   
   
       27 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said upper body portion and said lower body portion are rotatably engaged with each other to allow relative rotation about an axis, and wherein said upper and lower body portions can displace relative each other in a direction parallel the axis, said displacement controlled by a ramped surface of at least one of said upper and lower body portions interacting with a reaction surface or like ramped surface of the other of said upper and lower body portion at a rotational position of said upper and lower body portions corresponding to the valve member being in at least one of said open and closed position, said upper and lower body portions are in a more proximate displacement to effect a clamping of the valve member by said housing to encourage said valve member to thereby sealingly engage one of said inlet and outlet.  
   
   
       28 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in any one of claims  1  wherein said upper and lower body portions are rotatable relative to each other about an axis, the rotation being indexed by indexing means of said valve housing cooperating between said upper and lower body portions.  
   
   
       29 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 28  wherein said indexing means encourages the holding of a relative rotational position (herein after “an index position”) of said upper an lower body portions.  
   
   
       30 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 29  wherein a said index position is when said upper and lower body portions are rotated relative to each other corresponding to said valve member being in said open condition.  
   
   
       31 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 29  wherein a said index position is when said upper and lower body portions are rotated relative to each other corresponding to said valve member being in said closed condition.  
   
   
       32 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 29  wherein a plurality of said index positions are provided.  
   
   
       33 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a spring is provided to bias the rotation of said valve member for rotation towards one of said open and closed conditions.  
   
   
       34 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein said spring is mounted to act between said valve member and said lower body portion to bias said valve member.  
   
   
       35 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 33  wherein said spring is mounted to act between said upper and lower body portions to bias their relative rotation to bias said valve member.  
   
   
       36 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said valve member is mounted by said lower body portion by axles that define an axis of rotation about which said valve member can rotate and relative to which said lower body portion remains stationary and said upper body portion can rotate about said axis relative said lower body portion that is non parallel to said first axis.  
   
   
       37 . A consumer beverage container comprising; 
 a container portion    a lower valve body portion integrally formed with said container portion,    an upper valve body portion rotatably engaged with said lower valve body portion and defining with said lower valve body portion a chamber, said lower valve body portion including at least one passage creating an inlet to said chamber to allow fluid passage between said container portion and said chamber, the upper valve body portion including an outlet to said chamber,    a valve member seated in the chamber, said valve member mounted for movement between a position (herein after “open position”) defining at least one passage between said inlet and said outlet and a position (herein after “closed position”) wherein said at least one passage between said inlet and outlet is non-established (preferably said valve member sealing at least one of said inlet and outlet),    means operatively associated with (i) at least one of (a) said upper and (b) lower valve body portions, and (ii) the valve member, for moving the valve member between the open position and the closed position when the upper valve body portion of the housing is rotated relative to said lower valve body portion.    
   
   
       38 . A consumer beverage container including a container defining body having an outlet for transferring fluid to and from said container defining body and a flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  to operatively control the transfer of fluid.  
   
   
       39 . A consumer beverage container as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the lower body portion of said flow switch is integrally formed with said container defining body.  
   
   
       40 . A consumer beverage container comprising a container body portion having a flow switch assembly controlled outlet wherein said flow switch assembly is one as claimed in  claim 4 .  
   
   
       41 . A consumer beverage container as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said first mentioned lower body portion is integrally formed with said container defining body.  
   
   
       42 . A consumer beverage container as claimed in  claim 40  wherein said first mentioned lower body portion is engaged with said container body portion.  
   
   
       43 . A flow switch assembly comprising; 
 (a) a valve housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatable relative each other, the upper and lower body portions defining a chamber, said lower body portion including a plurality of inlets to said chamber and said upper body portion including at least one outlet to said chamber,    (b) a valve member seated in the chamber of the valve housing, said valve member mounted for movement relative to said valve housing between discrete positions each of said discrete positions allowing the establishment by said valve member of a passage between one of said inlets and (a) or the said outlet,    (c) interactive camming elements associated with said valve housing and the valve member for moving the valve member between the discrete positions when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to said lower body portion.    
   
   
       44 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 43  wherein said valve member is mounted for movement relative to said valve housing between discrete positions being ones (i) defining of a passage between a said inlet and a or the said outlet and (ii) defining a closed position, wherein said valve member seals at least one of (a) all of said inlets and (b) said outlet(s).  
   
   
       45 . A flow switch assembly comprising; 
 (a) a valve housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatably engaged to each other, the upper and lower body portions defining a chamber, said lower body portion including at least one inlet to said chamber and said upper body portion including a plurality of outlets to said chamber,    (b) a valve member seated in the chamber of the valve housing, said valve member mounted for movement relative to said valve housing between discrete positions each of said discrete positions allowing the establishing by said valve member of a passage between (a) or the said inlet and one of said outlets,    (c) interactive cam elements associated with said valve housing and the valve member for moving the valve member between the discrete positions when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to said lower body portion.    
   
   
       46 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 45  wherein said valve member is mounted for movement relative to said valve housing between discrete positions being ones (i) defining a passage between one of said outlets and a or the said outlet and (ii) defining a closed position, wherein said valve member seals at least one of (a) all of said outlets and (b) said inlet(s).  
   
   
       47 . A container comprising; 
 a housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion, the upper and lower body portions defining a chamber, the housing including an outlet to said chamber,    a container member seated in the chamber of the housing, said container member including a reservoir to contain a substance and including at least one outlet for said substance, said container member mounted for movement between a position (herein after “open position”) allowing at least one passage to be formed between said outlet of said container member and said outlet to said chamber and a position (herein after “closed position”) wherein said container member seals said outlet of said chamber,    interactive camming elements associated with said housing and the container member for moving the container member between the open position and the closed position when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to said lower body portion.    
   
   
       48 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said container member includes only one outlet that is rotatable to be contiguous with said outlet of said housing when said container member is rotated to said open position.  
   
   
       49 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein, when said container member is in said open position, said container member establishes at least one passage to allow displacement of said substance between said fluid outlet and outlet of said housing.  
   
   
       50 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said container member is mounted by said valve housing for rotation relative to said valve housing, about a first axis.  
   
   
       51 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said container member is substantially spherical in its outer perimeter shape.  
   
   
       52 . A container as claimed in  claim 51  wherein said chamber of said housing is of a substantially complementary shape to said spherical container member.  
   
   
       53 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said housing includes at least one other outlet in addition to said first mentioned outlet and with which said outlet of said container member can create a passage to allow transfer of said substance from said reservoir.  
   
   
       54 . A container as claimed in  claim 47  wherein said outlet(s) of said housing are provided by said upper body portion.  
   
   
       55 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one tablet is disposed in said valve member and wherein at least one of 
 (a) said outlet; and    (b) said passage created when said valve member is in the open condition,    prevents displacement of said tablet through said outlet when said valve member is in the open position yet said inlet is of a shape to allow said tablet to pass therethrough when said valve member is in said open position.    
   
   
       56 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said valve element can include a tablet and wherein said outlet is of a shape that prevents the passage of said tablet through said outlet.  
   
   
       57 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said outlet is of a smaller size than said inlet.  
   
   
       58 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said passage is formed by at least one duct passing through said valve member, said duct having an inlet and an outlet that when in an open position of the valve member are presented to the inlet and outlet of said housing respectively to create said passage.  
   
   
       59 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 58  wherein a said duct includes a constriction between said inlet and outlet.  
   
   
       60 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 58  wherein said duct includes a tablet that is prevented by said constriction from displacing through said outlet of said valve member.  
   
   
       61 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 59  wherein said duct includes a tablet that is prevented by said constriction from displacing through said outlet of said valve member.  
   
   
       62 . A flow switch assembly as claimed in  claim 55  wherein said passage formed in the open position includes a constriction wherein said tablet is prevented by said constriction from displacing through said outlet of said valve member.  
   
   
       63 . A flow switch assembly comprising; 
 (a) a valve housing that includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that are rotatably engaged relative each other, the upper and lower body portions defining a chamber, the housing including an inlet and outlet to said chamber    (b) a valve member seated in said chamber of the valve housing and rotatable about an axis of rotation between two limits of rotation, said valve member including a plurality of ducts each including an inlet and an outlet opening to said inlet and outlet of said housing to create at least two passages between said inlet and outlet of said housing wherein at least one of said passages is created at different rotational positions of said valve member between its limits of rotation,    (c) interactive cam elements operatively associated with (i) at least one of (a) said upper body portion and (b) lower body portion, and (ii) the valve member, for moving the valve member between its limits of rotation when the upper body portion of the housing is rotated relative to said lower body portion.