US3877614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-spillable liquid dispensing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-22
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1993-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A non-spillable fluid dispensing system having an arrangement for placing a fluid in a cavity provided in a container into communication with a medium surrounding the container. The pressure in the cavity is normally substantially the same as the pressure of the medium. A further arrangement is provided for selectively increasing the pressure in the cavity to a value greater than that of the medium for forcing fluid through the placing arrangement and out of the cavity. The placing arrangement may be either a passage formed in the wall of the container or a length of tubing, and a drinking cup having a drinking lip may be connected to an end of the passage or tubing outside of the container cavity. A bellows is arranged so that a compression of the bellows will increase the pressure in the cavity so as to force fluid in the cavity into the drinking cup. Releasing the bellows will return the cavity to its normal pressure and cause any fluid remaining in the drinking cup to be drawn back toward the cavity. In this manner, an accidental overturning of the container and similar unexpected events will not result in a spilling of the fluid, which may be a potable liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:43
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B11/00; B05B11/01; B05B11/06; B05B11/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
405 words
A non-spillable fluid dispensing system, comprising, in combination: a. means in the form of a tube for placing a fluid in a cavity in a container into communication with a medium surrounding the container, the pressure in the cavity being normally substantially the same as the pressure of the medium; b. a drinking cup having a drinking lip and connected to the placing means outside of the container cavity; c. means for selectively increasing the pressure in the cavity to a value greater than that of the medium and forcing fluid through the placing means and out of cavity into the cup, and sequentially decreasing the pressure in the container cavity and drawing fluid into the cavity from the placing means, the fluid being selectively forced into the cup from the container cavity by the pressure increasing means and from the cup into the cavity when the pressure in the cavity is less than that of the medium, the pressure increasing means including a bellows arrangeable adjacent the container for being operatively engaged by one using the container, passage means for placing the bellows in communication with the container cavity and valve means associated with the passage means for permitting a flow of fluid from the bellows to increase pressure of fluid in the container cavity and blocking flow of fluid from the cavity to the bellows, said passage means having a main passage portion and constricted passage portions connecting the main passage portion to the bellows and cavity, and said valve means being a valve element arranged in the main passage portion for moving between the constricted passage portions, said valve element dimensioned to pass freely through the main passage portion and be blocked from entering the constricted passage portions, the constricted passage portion connecting the bellows to the main passage portion being arranged at an end of the main passage portion for the vaLve element to block a flow from the cavity to the bellows, and the constricted passage portion connecting the cavity to the main passage portion being arranged spaced from an end of the main passage portion for permitting a flow from the bellows to the cavity; and d. means for selectively sealing an opening of the container communicating with the cavity, the valve means being arranged in the sealing means and the bellows connected to the sealing means, with the sealing means, valve means, and bellows forming an integral unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
405 words
A non-spillable fluid dispensing system, comprising, in combination: a. means in the form of a tube for placing a fluid in a cavity in a container into communication with a medium surrounding the container, the pressure in the cavity being normally substantially the same as the pressure of the medium; b. a drinking cup having a drinking lip and connected to the placing means outside of the container cavity; c. means for selectively increasing the pressure in the cavity to a value greater than that of the medium and forcing fluid through the placing means and out of cavity into the cup, and sequentially decreasing the pressure in the container cavity and drawing fluid into the cavity from the placing means, the fluid being selectively forced into the cup from the container cavity by the pressure increasing means and from the cup into the cavity when the pressure in the cavity is less than that of the medium, the pressure increasing means including a bellows arrangeable adjacent the container for being operatively engaged by one using the container, passage means for placing the bellows in communication with the container cavity and valve means associated with the passage means for permitting a flow of fluid from the bellows to increase pressure of fluid in the container cavity and blocking flow of fluid from the cavity to the bellows, said passage means having a main passage portion and constricted passage portions connecting the main passage portion to the bellows and cavity, and said valve means being a valve element arranged in the main passage portion for moving between the constricted passage portions, said valve element dimensioned to pass freely through the main passage portion and be blocked from entering the constricted passage portions, the constricted passage portion connecting the bellows to the main passage portion being arranged at an end of the main passage portion for the vaLve element to block a flow from the cavity to the bellows, and the constricted passage portion connecting the cavity to the main passage portion being arranged spaced from an end of the main passage portion for permitting a flow from the bellows to the cavity; and d. means for selectively sealing an opening of the container communicating with the cavity, the valve means being arranged in the sealing means and the bellows connected to the sealing means, with the sealing means, valve means, and bellows forming an integral unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the placing means is a tube extending from the bottom of the container cavity to a high fluid level, back toward the container cavity bottom, and out of the cavity through the sealing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the placing means is formed in a wall of the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said valve element is spherical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
301 words
A non-spillable fluid dispensing system, comprising, in combination: a. means in the form of a tube for placing a fluid in a cavity in a container into communication with a medium surrounding the container, the pressure in the cavity being normally substantially the same as the pressure of the medium; b. a drinking cup having a drinking lip and connected to the placing means outside of the container cavity; and c. means for selectively increasing the pressure in the cavity to a value greater than that of the medium and forcing fluid through the placing means and out of cavity into the cup, and sequentially decreasing the pressure in the container cavity and drawing fluid into the cavity from the placing means, the fluid being selectively forced into the cup from the container cavity by the pressure increasing means and from the cup into the cavity when the pressure in the cavity is less than that of the medium, the pressure increasing means including a bellows arranged adjacent the container for being operatively engaged by one using the container, passage means for placing the bellows in communication with the container cavity and means associated with the passage means for permitting a flow of fluid from the bellows to increase pressure of fluid in the container cavity and blocking flow of fluid from the cavity to the bellows, the pressure increasing means including a bellows, a diaphragm arranged forming a wall of the container cavity and passage means for placing the bellows in communication with the diaphragm and permitting a flow from the bellows to expand the diaphragm and reduce the volume of the cavity with an accompanying increase in pressure, the bellows, diaphragm and passage means forming an integral unit arrangeable sealing an opening of the container communicating with the cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
301 words
A non-spillable fluid dispensing system, comprising, in combination: a. means in the form of a tube for placing a fluid in a cavity in a container into communication with a medium surrounding the container, the pressure in the cavity being normally substantially the same as the pressure of the medium; b. a drinking cup having a drinking lip and connected to the placing means outside of the container cavity; and c. means for selectively increasing the pressure in the cavity to a value greater than that of the medium and forcing fluid through the placing means and out of cavity into the cup, and sequentially decreasing the pressure in the container cavity and drawing fluid into the cavity from the placing means, the fluid being selectively forced into the cup from the container cavity by the pressure increasing means and from the cup into the cavity when the pressure in the cavity is less than that of the medium, the pressure increasing means including a bellows arranged adjacent the container for being operatively engaged by one using the container, passage means for placing the bellows in communication with the container cavity and means associated with the passage means for permitting a flow of fluid from the bellows to increase pressure of fluid in the container cavity and blocking flow of fluid from the cavity to the bellows, the pressure increasing means including a bellows, a diaphragm arranged forming a wall of the container cavity and passage means for placing the bellows in communication with the diaphragm and permitting a flow from the bellows to expand the diaphragm and reduce the volume of the cavity with an accompanying increase in pressure, the bellows, diaphragm and passage means forming an integral unit arrangeable sealing an opening of the container communicating with the cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein the placing means is a tube extending from a bottom of the container cavity to a high fluid level, back toward the container cavity bottom, and out of the cavity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |