Beverage container cap

Abstract

A cap for use with a beverage container comprising a housing that attaches to a beverage container, the housing comprising an opening for dispensing the contents of the beverage container and further comprising a valve button, a valve seal actuator located inside the housing, and a valve seal comprising a food grade elastomeric material that in its resting position is biased against the internal top surface of the housing to seal the opening, wherein pressure on the valve button activates the valve seal actuator to open the seal formed between the valve seal and the opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cap for use with a beverage container comprising:
 a housing that attaches to a beverage container, the housing comprising an opening for dispensing the contents of the beverage container and further comprising a valve button;   a valve seal actuator located inside the housing and a valve seal comprising a food grade elastomeric material that in its resting position is biased against the internal top surface of the housing to seal the opening;   wherein pressure on the valve button activates the valve seal actuator to open the seal formed between the valve seal and the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the valve seal uses the spring force of the elastomeric material to achieve and maintain a seal. 
     
     
         3 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the valve seal has a sealing side that matches the interior contours of the housing in the area of opening. 
     
     
         4 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the valve seal has a generally U-shaped profile with a generally vertical actuating side. 
     
     
         5 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the valve seal has a generally vertical anchor side that may be contoured to match the shape of the interior side of the housing or other adjacent surface. 
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the valve button is located on the side surface of housing generally opposite the peripheral location of the opening. 
     
     
         7 . The cap of  claim 1 , further comprising a clip that extends downward from lower periphery of housing. 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 7 , wherein the clip has concave inner surface to provide for secure engagement when used with a belt or in a pocket. 
     
     
         9 . The cap of  claim 7 , wherein the clip comprises a material that improves frictional engagement such as an elastomeric material or coating. 
     
     
         10 . The cap of  claim 1 , the housing further comprising a display for the presentation of information to the user. 
     
     
         11 . The cap of  claim 10 , further comprising one or more sensors to gather information to be displayed to the user. 
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the sensors include a heart rate monitor. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 11 , wherein the sensors include a pedometer. 
     
     
         14 . A cap for use with a beverage container comprising:
 a cap housing that attaches to a beverage container, the cap housing comprising an opening for dispensing the contents of the beverage container and further comprising a valve button that can be depressed into a valve button cavity extending into the housing, the valve button including a shaft that extends through an aperture in the valve button cavity into the interior of housing;   a shaft seal that seals the aperture and retains the valve button in the valve button cavity;   a valve seal actuator attached to the valve button shaft and located inside the housing and a valve seal comprising a food grade elastomeric material that in its resting position is biased against the internal top surface of the housing to seal the opening;   wherein pressure on the valve button activates the valve seal actuator to open the seal formed between the valve seal and the opening.   
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the valve seal uses the spring force of the elastomeric material to achieve and maintain a seal. 
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the valve seal has a sealing side that matches the interior contours of the housing in the area of opening. 
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the valve seal has a generally U-shaped profile with a generally vertical actuating side. 
     
     
         18 . The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the valve seal has a generally vertical anchor side that may be contoured to match the shape of the interior side of the housing or other adjacent surface. 
     
     
         19 . The cap of  claim 14 , wherein the valve button is located on the side surface of housing generally opposite the peripheral location of the opening. 
     
     
         20 . The cap of  claim 14 , further comprising a clip that extends downward from lower periphery of housing.