Cap for a container

Abstract

A cap for a container for storing liquid comprising a base comprising at least one passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container. The cap comprises a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising a depressible portion, a flange portion at least partially surrounding the depressible portion, and a seal stem extending downwardly from the depressible portion. The seal is movable between a first position, wherein the depressible portion is above the flange portion and a second position, wherein the flange portion is above the depressible portion. The cap also comprises a valve connected to the seal stem and movable between a closed position, wherein the valve prevents the outward passage of the consumable liquid through the passage and an open position, wherein the valve allows passage of the consumable liquid through the passage. In use, upon pressure of a user on the depressible portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved downwardly such that the valve is moved into the open position and the seal is moved into the second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on the flange portion of the seal, the depressible portion is moved upwardly such that the valve is moved into the closed position and the seal is moved into the first position.

1 . A cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storing consumable liquid, said cap comprising:
 (a) a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, said base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and extending between said upper aperture and said lower aperture, said base further defining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis of said cap;   (b) a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising:
 (i) a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding said depressible portion for overlapping said upper aperture; 
 (ii) a peripheral wall extending downwardly through said central aperture of said base, said peripheral wall having a lower end mounted to said base; and 
 (iii) a seal stem extending downwardly from said depressible portion through said central aperture of said cap and along said central longitudinal axis; wherein said seal is movable between a first position, wherein said depressible portion is above said flange portion and said upper aperture is covered, and a second position, wherein said flange portion is above said depressible portion and said upper aperture is uncovered; 
   (c) a valve connected to said seal stem and movable between a closed position wherein said valve blocks said lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through said passage and an open position wherein said valve frees said lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through said passage;   wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on said depressible portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved downwardly such that said valve is moved into said open position and said seal is moved into said second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on said flange portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved upwardly such that said valve is moved into said closed position and said seal is moved into said first position.   
     
     
         2 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said peripheral wall of said seal has an upper end that joins said top section between said depressible portion and said flange portion. 
     
     
         3 . A cap as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said upper end of said peripheral wall of said seal completely surrounds said depressible portion. 
     
     
         4 . A cap as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said upper end of said peripheral wall of said seal comprises a live hinge. 
     
     
         5 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an upper peripheral wall extending upwardly from said base and encircling said central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . A cap as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said upper peripheral wall defines an inclined surface converging towards said upper surface of said base such that, when said cap is upright, liquid on said upper peripheral wall is urged downward towards said upper surface. 
     
     
         7 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a lower peripheral wall encircling said longitudinal axis, said lower peripheral wall being adapted for affixing said cap to the container. 
     
     
         8 . A cap as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said lower peripheral wall comprises threading for connecting with a threaded portion of the container. 
     
     
         9 . A cap as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said lower peripheral wall extends downwardly from said base. 
     
     
         10 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said seal stem is encircled by said peripheral wall of said seal. 
     
     
         11 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said lower surface of said base has a ring encircling said central longitudinal axis and defining a valve seat. 
     
     
         12 . A cap as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said valve comprises a valve head being held upwardly against said valve seat when said valve is in said closed position for blocking said lower aperture. 
     
     
         13 . A cap as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said valve head comprises a ring of elastomeric material for abutting said valve seat when said valve is in said closed position. 
     
     
         14 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said valve comprises a section projecting upwardly for encircling said seal stem. 
     
     
         15 . A cap as defined in  claim 14 , wherein seal depressible portion of said seal comprises a bottom wall defining an abutting surface and said section has an upper end abutting said abutting surface. 
     
     
         16 . A cap as defined in  claim 15 , wherein when said seal is in said first position, applying downward pressure upon said depressible portion causes said section to move downwardly for causing said valve to move to said open position. 
     
     
         17 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said valve is removable. 
     
     
         18 . A cap as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said valve comprises a central opening for receiving a portion of said seal stem, said seal stem comprising a deformable stem head that is wider than said central opening of said valve but can be forced through said central opening for disconnecting said valve from said seal stem. 
     
     
         19 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a central ring extending upwardly therefrom around said central aperture, said central ring having an outer peripheral wall, wherein when said flange portion of said seal is above said depressible portion, said flange portion extends over said upper aperture such that splashing of consumable liquid outwards through said upper aperture is blocked by said outer peripheral wall and said flange portion. 
     
     
         20 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flange portion comprises an external edge, wherein when said depressible portion is above said flange portion, said external edge contacts said upper surface of said base radially outwards from said upper aperture. 
     
     
         21 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said upper aperture, lower aperture and passage are a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a first passage of respective pluralities of upper apertures, lower apertures and passages, and wherein each passage of said plurality of passages extend between a respective upper aperture an lower aperture from among the pluralities of upper apertures and lower apertures. 
     
     
         22 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said base comprises a central ring extending upwardly therefrom around said central aperture, said central ring having an inner peripheral wall and said peripheral wall of said seal is held against said inner peripheral wall such that no liquid can escape through said central aperture. 
     
     
         23 . A cap as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said cap has an insert ring for holding said peripheral wall of said seal against said central ring. 
     
     
         24 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric material is food grade silicone. 
     
     
         25 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric material has a hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore. 
     
     
         26 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the length of said seal stem when relaxed is shorter than a distance required to connect said depressible portion of said seal to said valve when said seal is in the first position and said valve is in the closed position such that said elastomeric material of said seal is stretched and the resilience of said elastomeric material causes a pretension to pull said valve upwards and holds it in the closed position. 
     
     
         27 . A cap as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric material has a resilience such that said seal remains in said first and second positions when no pressure of the user is applied on either of said depressible portion or said flange portion. 
     
     
         28 . A cap for a container having a mouth and defining an interior for storing consumable liquid, said cap comprising:
 (a) a base adapted to being affixed to the container for covering the mouth of the container, said base comprising an upper surface comprising an upper aperture, a lower surface comprising a lower aperture, and a passage adapted to be in fluid communication with the interior of the container and extending between said upper aperture and said lower aperture, said base further defining a central aperture encircling a central longitudinal axis of said cap;   (b) a seal made of an elastomeric material and comprising:
 (i) a depressible portion and a flange portion at least partially surrounding said depressible portion for overlapping said upper aperture, said depressible portion having a bottom wall defining an abutting surface; 
 (ii) a peripheral wall extending downwardly through said central aperture of said base, said peripheral wall having a lower end mounted to said base; and 
 (iii) a seal stem extending downwardly from said depressible portion through said central aperture of said cap and along said central longitudinal axis; wherein said seal is movable between a first position, wherein said depressible portion is above said flange portion and said upper aperture is covered, and a second position, wherein said flange portion is above said depressible portion and said upper aperture is uncovered; 
   (c) a valve connected to said seal stem and movable between a closed position wherein said valve blocks said lower aperture to prevent the outward passage of the consumable liquid through said passage and an open position wherein said valve frees said lower aperture and allows passage of the consumable liquid through said passage, said valve comprising a section projecting upwardly for encircling said seal stem, said section having an upper end abutting said abutting surface;   wherein, in use, upon pressure of a user on said depressible portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved downwardly such that said valve is moved into said open position and said seal is moved into said second position, and wherein, upon pressure of the user on said flange portion of said seal, said depressible portion is moved upwardly such that said valve is moved into said closed position and said seal is moved into said first position.   
     
     
         29 . A cap as defined in  claim 28 , wherein when said seal is in said first position, applying downward pressure upon said depressible portion causes said section to move downwardly for causing said valve to move to said open position. 
     
     
         30 . A cap as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said flange portion comprises an external edge, wherein when said depressible portion is above said flange portion, said external edge contacts said upper surface of said base radially outwards from said upper aperture. 
     
     
         31 . A cap as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said upper aperture, lower aperture and passage are a first upper aperture, a first lower aperture and a first passage of respective pluralities of upper apertures, lower apertures and passages, and wherein each passage of said plurality of passages extend between a respective upper aperture an lower aperture from among the pluralities of upper apertures and lower apertures. 
     
     
         32 . A cap as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the length of said seal stem when relaxed is shorter than a distance required to connect said depressible portion of said seal to said valve when said seal is in the first position and said valve is in the closed position such that said elastomeric material of said seal is stretched and the resilience of said elastomeric material causes a pretension to pull said valve upwards and holds it in the closed position. 
     
     
         33 . A cap as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said elastomeric material has a resilience such that said seal remains in said first and second positions when no pressure of the user is applied on either of said depressible portion or said flange portion. 
     
     
         34 . A cap as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said elastomeric material has a hardness of between 55 Shore and 65 Shore.