Valve Assembly

Abstract

A valve assembly for a drinking vessel which includes a first valve portion having a fluid outlet and a second valve portion including a flexible diaphragm having a blocking portion movable from a closed sealing position to an open position with the second valve portion holding the flexible diaphragm relative to the first valve portion such that when the flexible diaphragm is in the closed sealing position the blocking portion seals the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to prevent fluid flow therethrough, the second valve portion further includes one or more apertures formed therein and spaced from the blocking portion such that a fluid flow path is formed from the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to at least one of the apertures of the second valve portion when the blocking portion is moved from the closed sealing position to the open position.

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         73 . A valve assembly for a drinking vessel, comprising:
 a first valve portion having a fluid outlet formed therein;   a second valve portion including a flexible diaphragm having a blocking portion movable from a closed sealing position to an open position;   the second valve portion holding the flexible diaphragm relative to the first valve portion such that when the flexible diaphragm is in the closed sealing position the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm seals the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to prevent fluid flow therethrough;   wherein the second valve portion further includes one or more apertures formed therein and spaced from the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm such that a fluid flow path is formed from the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to at least one of the apertures of the second valve portion when the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm is moved from the closed sealing position to the open position.   
     
     
         74 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the one or more apertures formed in the second valve portion are formed in the flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         75 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the second valve portion further comprises a frame coupled to the flexible diaphragm and the one or more apertures are formed in the frame. 
     
     
         76 . The valve assembly of  claim 75  wherein the frame of the second valve portion holds the perimeter of the flexible diaphragm in place relative to the first valve portion. 
     
     
         77 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the flexible diaphragm of the second valve portion is sealingly tensioned over the fluid outlet of the first valve portion when the flexible diaphragm is in the closed sealing position. 
     
     
         78 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm comprises a central portion of the diaphragm and is impermeable to the passage of liquid. 
     
     
         79 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the fluid outlet of the first valve portion is a first fluid outlet and wherein the valve assembly further comprises a second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         80 . The valve assembly of  claim 79  wherein the valve assembly is arranged to couple to a lid of a drinking vessel with the second fluid outlet located within the drinking cup when the drinking cup is joined to the lid such that when suction is applied to a drinking hole of the drinking cup the flexible diaphragm is caused to lift off the first fluid outlet of the first valve portion thereby allowing fluid in the vessel to flow from the first fluid outlet to the second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         81 . The valve assembly of  claim 80  wherein the flexible diaphragm is arranged to lift off the first fluid outlet of the first valve portion in a substantially similar direction to a direction of fluid flow through the first fluid outlet. 
     
     
         82 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the valve assembly is arranged to be integrated in a base of a drinking vessel for venting air into the drinking vessel. 
     
     
         83 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein at least a portion of the second valve portion adjacent the flexible diaphragm comprises a crenelated perimeter. 
     
     
         84 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the second valve portion is formed of a slightly compressible silicone material. 
     
     
         85 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the fluid outlet comprises a bowed portion arranged to cause a corresponding bowing in the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm when in the closed sealing position. 
     
     
         86 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  further comprising an air inlet and a further flexible diaphragm arranged to seal off the air inlet. 
     
     
         87 . The valve assembly of  claim 73  wherein the valve assembly is arranged to couple to a drinking spout of a drinking vessel, and wherein the flexible diaphragm is arranged relative to the drinking spout such that when the flexible diaphragm moves from the closed sealing position to the open position the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm is arranged to move in a direction substantially non-parallel to a direction of fluid flow through the drinking spout. 
     
     
         88 . The valve assembly of  claim 87  further comprising an air inlet and a further flexible diaphragm arranged to seal off the air inlet wherein the valve assembly is further arranged such that when suction is applied to the drinking hole the further flexible diaphragm is caused to lift off the air inlet thereby allowing air to flow into the drinking vessel. 
     
     
         89 . A drinking vessel comprising a valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
 a first valve portion having a fluid outlet formed therein;   a second valve portion including a flexible diaphragm having a blocking portion movable from a closed sealing position to an open position; and   the second valve portion holding the flexible diaphragm relative to the first valve portion such that when the flexible diaphragm is in the closed sealing position the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm seals the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to prevent fluid flow therethrough;   wherein the second valve portion further includes one or more apertures formed therein and spaced from the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm such that a fluid flow path is formed from the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to at least one of the apertures of the second valve portion when the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm is moved from the closed sealing position to the open position.   
     
     
         90 . The valve assembly of  claim 89  wherein the fluid outlet of the first valve portion is a first fluid outlet and wherein the valve assembly further comprises a second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         91 . The valve assembly of  claim 90  wherein the valve assembly is arranged to couple to a lid of a drinking vessel with the second fluid outlet located within the drinking cup when the drinking cup is joined to the lid such that when suction is applied to a drinking hole of the drinking cup the flexible diaphragm is caused to lift off the first fluid outlet of the first valve portion thereby allowing fluid in the vessel to flow from the first fluid outlet to the second fluid outlet. 
     
     
         92 . The valve assembly of  claim 91  wherein the flexible diaphragm is arranged to lift off the first fluid outlet of the first valve portion in a substantially similar direction to a direction of fluid flow through the first fluid outlet. 
     
     
         93 . The valve assembly of  claim 89  wherein the fluid outlet comprises a bowed portion arranged to cause a corresponding bowing in the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm when in the closed sealing position. 
     
     
         94 . A drinking vessel comprising a valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
 a first valve portion having a fluid outlet formed therein;   a second valve portion including a flexible diaphragm having a blocking portion movable from a closed sealing position to an open position;   the second valve portion holding the flexible diaphragm relative to the first valve portion such that when the flexible diaphragm is in the closed sealing position the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm seals the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to prevent fluid flow therethrough;   the second valve portion further includes one or more apertures formed therein and spaced from the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm such that a fluid flow path is formed from the fluid outlet of the first valve portion to at least one of the apertures of the second valve portion when the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm is moved from the closed sealing position to the open position;   wherein the valve assembly is arranged to couple to a lid of a drinking vessel with the second fluid outlet located within the drinking cup when the drinking cup is joined to the lid such that when suction is applied to a drinking hole of the drinking cup the flexible diaphragm is caused to lift off the first fluid outlet of the first valve portion thereby allowing fluid in the vessel to flow from the first fluid outlet to the second fluid outlet, and   the flexible diaphragm is arranged to lift off the first fluid outlet of the first valve portion in a substantially similar direction to a direction of fluid flow through the first fluid outlet.   
     
     
         95 . The valve assembly of  claim 94  wherein the fluid outlet comprises a bowed portion arranged to cause a corresponding bowing in the blocking portion of the flexible diaphragm when in the closed sealing position.