US20060226146A1

US20060226146A1 - Dispensing vessels

Info

Publication number: US20060226146A1
Application number: US11/101,177
Authority: US
Inventors: Mandy Haberman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-06
Filing date: 2005-04-06
Publication date: 2006-10-12

Abstract

A drinking vessel comprising: an open-mouthed container; a lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion for a person to drink from; the lid at least partially defining a liquid outlet arranged below the level of the rim or rim-portion to allow liquid to flow from the interior of the container and over the rim or rim-portion as the drinking vessel is tilted; the lid having a support part extending partially across the open-mouth of the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to the support part across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped container, the closure flap being biased towards a closed position in which the closure flap closes the liquid outlet to prevent flow of liquid therethrough; there being provided a mechanism configured to move or deflect the closure flap against said bias to open said liquid outlet and permit the flow of liquid therethrough.

Description

THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to a dispensing vessel, suitable for dispensing flowable contents. More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a non-spill drinking vessel having a circumferential rim or rim-pinion from which a user can drink.
Trainer cups (that is a cup or mug provided with a lid having a mouthpiece or spout associated therewith) are well-known and have been designed to bridge the gap between use of a baby's feeding bottle and use of a normal cup or glass by a young child. Such a trainer cup will often be a child's first step in learning to feed itself. As will be appreciated, young children have a tendency to knock or throw their cups and even though the existence of the lid may reduce or at least delay spillage of liquid from the cup, it has previously been found to be advantageous to provide a non-spill trainer cup.
A non-spill trainer cup is disclosed in EP0634922B1, which comprises a mouthpiece generally in the form of a spout, and a membrane slit-valve provided therebelow. This arrangement is configured such that the membrane slit valve will open upon the application of suction to the mouthpiece by a person drinking from the cup, and the membrane slit valve will thereafter reseal, to prevent inadvertent spilling from the cup.
However, the above-mentioned known trainer cup and other similar devices, whilst largely eliminating the problems associated with spillage, still rely upon the provision of a mouthpiece in the form of a spout activated by sucking, biting or suckling to activate flow, and so a young child using this type of cup is not taught how to drink in a more adult manner by using oral motor function to manipulate a bolus of liquid from the front to the back of the mouth, and to drink from the circumferential rim of a cup.
Also, because the above-mentioned known trainer cup and other similar devices have been effective in preventing spillages, many mothers rely on them for a continued period after their child's development, which could slow the child's advancement to drink from a conventional open cup having a rim. It is therefore desirable to provide an alternative type of drinking vessel, which could be used by young children, but also by adults, for example for convenience when travelling or for use by the elderly or infirm, and which enables the child or person to drink from the cup in a more adult manner, but wherein the cup is still substantially spill-proof.
It is also considered to be advantageous to provide a simple and attractive sealing mechanism for such cups which could, for example, be formed cheaply and conveniently from material such as paper or polystyrene, to enable the entire cup assembly to be produced as a single-use, disposable unit for use, for example, by the fast food industry. It is also envisaged that a similarly simple and attractive sealing mechanism could be provided on a dispensing vessel to dispense flowable contents other than drinking liquids, for example powders and granulated foodstuffs or the like.
The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved dispensing vessel,
According to the present invention there is provided; a dispensing vessel comprising:
an open-mouthed container;
a lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion;
the lid at least partially defining an outlet arranged below the level of the rim or rim-portion to allow contents of the vessel to flow from the interior of the container and over the rim or rim-portion as the vessel is tilted;
the lid having a support part extending partially across the open-mouth of the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to the support part across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped container, the closure flap being biased towards a closed position in which the closure flap closes the outlet to prevent flow of said contents therethrough;
there being provided a mechanism configured to move or deflect the closure flap against said bias to open said outlet and permit the flow of said contents therethrough.
Preferably, said closure flap has a free edge and is arranged such that when in said closed position, the closure flap extends from said support part to a position below the level of the rim or rim-portion where the free edge releasably seals against an inner wall-surface of the container or of the lid to prevent the flow of contents between the inner wall-surface and the closure flap; and wherein said mechanism is configured to move or deflect the closure flap from said closed position such that its free edge becomes released from its seal against said inner wall-surface, so as to permit contents to flow from the interior of the container, between said inner wall-surface and the closure flap, and over the rim or rim-portion as the drinking vessel is tilted.
Advantageously, said inner-wall-surface is provided with an inwardly directed formation against which said free edge of the closure flap seals.
Conveniently, said free edge is generally arcuate.
Preferably, said closure flap is generally dished in configuration.
Advantageously, said fold or living hinge extends generally diametrically across the open-mouth of the container.
Conveniently, the outlet is defined between the lid and the container.
Preferably, the outlet is defined between the free edge of the closure flap and the inner wall-surface of a side wall of the container.
Advantageously, the raised circumferential rim or rim-portion is provided on the container.
Conveniently, the raised circumferential rim or rim portion is provided on the lid.
Preferably, the lid is removable from the container.
Advantageously, the lid is formed integrally with the container.
Conveniently, the closure mechanism comprises at least one moveable element arranged for actuation by the hand of a person dispensing contents from the vessel.
Preferably, said moveable element forms part of the handle.
Advantageously, the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid or container.
Conveniently, the said moveable element comprises part of the container being resiliently deformable, the arrangement being such that deforming said part of the container causes movement or deflection of said closure flap.
Preferably, actuation of the or each said moveable element causes deflection or distortion of said fold or living hinge which, in turn, imparts said movement or deflection on said closure flap.
Advantageously, said rim-portion is provided as part of a spout or mouthpiece.
Preferably, the dispensing vessel takes the form of a drinking vessel to dispense liquid contents from the vessel as it is tilted.
So that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciate, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing vessel in the form of a drinking vessel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 a is a view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 2, but illustrating only the handle part of the drinking vessel;
FIG. 3 b is a side elevational view of the handle illustrated in FIG. 3 a;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid of the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the lid in a first condition;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to that of FIG. 4, illustrating the lid in an alternate condition;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dispensing vessel in the form of a drinking vessel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid of the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 6, showing the lid in a first condition;
FIG. 9 is a view corresponding generally to that of FIG. 8, illustrating the lid in a second, alternate condition; and
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alternative component for use with the drinking vessel illustrated in FIG. 6.
The embodiments described below are all drinking vessels intended to be used to dispense liquid. However, it should be appreciated that variants of the invention could be used to dispense other flowable contents from the vessel such as, for example, granulated or powdered substances.
Turning initially to consider FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a drinking vessel 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The drinking vessel 1 comprises an open-mouthed generally cup-shaped container 2, provided with a removable lid 3 to close the open mouth of the cup-shaped container 2. The lid 3 comprises a skirt 4 sized to engage sealingly the uppermost edge of the cup-shaped container 2. The lid 3 also has a raised circumferential rim 5 which, as best seen in FIG. 2, has a portion 6 thereof raised significantly higher than the rest of the rim 5. It is intended that a person drinking from the drinking vessel 1 will put his or her lips to the circumferential rim 5, and most particularly the raised part 6, and drink from the cup in the generally conventional manner, by tilting from the cup so that liquid flows from the interior of the container 2 over the raised rim portion 6.
Also illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drinking vessel 1 comprises an operating handle 7 in the form (in this example) of a lever, which takes a generally L-shaped configuration as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 3 b, with its larger limb 8 extending downwardly from the lid 3, substantially adjacent the side wall of the cup-shaped container 2, at a position diametrically opposed to the raised rim portion 6 of the lid 3. The outermost surface of the major limb 8 of the operating handle 7 is preferably provided with a plurality of raised ridges or contours 9 to improve a person's awareness of and contact with the handle 7. The smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 extends generally across the lid 3 towards the raised rim portion 6. At the junction between the large limb 8 and the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7, the handle 7 is provided with a pair of outwardly directed spigots 11 which, as will be described in more detail hereinafter, serve to mount the handle 7 pivotally to the upper part of the lid 3.
Preferably, the larger limb 8 of the handle 7 is at least partially received within a correspondingly-shaped recess 12 formed in the side wall of the cup-shaped container 2, so that the handle 7 does not protrude too far from the otherwise smooth surface of the cup-shaped container 2.
As illustrated in FIG. 3 b, at approximately half-way down the main limb 8, the handle is provided with a rearwardly and downwardly directed resilient finger 13 which is configured to bear against the innermost extent of the recess 12 within which the handle 7 is received.
In use, a person drinking from the drinking vessel 1 is able to operate the handle 7 with the fingers of his or her hand being used to hold the drinking vessel, actuation of the handle being effected by pressing the main limb 8 inwardly relative to the cup-shaped container 2, against the inherent bias provided by the resilient finger 13 bearing against the recess 12. Pulling the main limb 8 of the handle inwardly in this manner causes the handle to pivot about its spigots 11 relative to the lid 3, thereby raising the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 which extends across the lid 3.
As also illustrated in FIG. 3 b, the innermost end of the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 is provided with a forwardly-extending flange 14 spaced slightly below the undersurface of the smaller limb 10. The function of this flange 14 will be described hereinafter in more detail.
FIG. 4 illustrates the lid 3 in more detail, with the handle 7 being omitted. As mentioned previously, the lid 3 is provided with a skirt 4 for engagement with the uppermost rim of the cup-shaped container 2, and a raised circumferential rim 5 also projects upwardly from the skirt 4, the raised rim 5 being significantly higher at its most raised portion 6. The skirt 4, at its position diametrically opposite the raised rim portion 6, is provided with a recess 15 sized and configured to receive the uppermost part of the handle 7, In this region, the raised rim 5 is also cut away, and a pair of opposed bores or apertures 16 are provided extending into the raised rim 5, away from the recess 15. Each of these apertures or bores 16 is sized and configured to receive a respective spigot 11 extending outwardly from the handle 7, to provide a pivotal mounting for the handle 7 with respect to the lid 3.
Extending across the lid, there are provided two main parts. The first of these parts is a support part 17 which, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, takes the form of a generally horizontal wall portion. The support part 17 is sealingly and securely engaged (preferably co-moulded with) the innermost wall surface of the skirt 4 and its associated raised circumferential rim 5. At a position spaced slightly inwardly of the recess 15, the support part 17 is provided with a downwardly and forwardly extending notch 1 8 which is sized and configured to receive the flange 14 carried by the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7, when the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid 3.
It is to be appreciated that the support part 17 is preferably moulded from resilient plastics material which is arranged to deform slightly, but always to remain secured in intimate contact to (or integral with) the inner wall surface of the circumferential rim 5. It will therefore be appreciated that actuation of the operating handle 7 by a person holding the drinking vessel 1, by pressing the main limb 8 inwardly relative to the cup-shaped container 2, causes the smaller limb 10 of the handle 7 to lift, pulling with it the central region of the support part 17, by virtue of the engagement between the flange 14 and the notch 18. This causes the central region of the support part 17 to lift or deflect in an upwards manner.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the support part 17 extends only part-way across the open mouth of the cup-shaped container. The support part 17 supports and is formed integrally with a closure flap 19 by a substantially arcuate fold, crease or living hinge 20, The closure flap 19 extends substantially completely across the remainder of the open mouth of the cup-shaped container such that its free arcuate edge 21 (which extends from one end of the arcuate fold or living hinge 20 to the other end of the fold or living hinge 20) sealingly engages the innermost wall surface of the raised rim 5 of the lid 3.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the arcuate free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 is greater than the radius of the circumferential rim 5 which, together with the arcuate configuration of the living hinge 20, causes the closure flap 19 to adopt a concave configuration, in which it is dished inwardly of the drinking vessel.
The present invention is not, of course, limited to an arcuate free edge 21, and it is envisaged that the free edge 21 may be elliptical, parabolic, or any other suitable shape.
The closure flap 19 is preferably moulded integrally with the support part 17 from the same resiliently deformable material, and by virtue of its inwardly-dished configuration, is resiliently biased to adopt its initial position substantially as illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the arcuate free edge of the closure flap 19 sealingly engages against the inner side wall of the lid 3. However, it will readily be appreciated that, should the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 become disengaged from the inner wall surface of the lid 3, then a liquid outlet will be opened, between the inner surface of the side wall and the free edge 21, allowing liquid contents of the cup-shaped container 2 to flow through the liquid outlet, between the inner wall surface and the free edge 21 and over the raised rim portion 6 as the drinking vessel 1 is tilted.
The closure flap 19 can be selectively opened by actuation of the operating handle 7. As previously explained, by pressing the main limb 8 of the operating handle 7 inwardly relative to the body of the cup-shaped container 2, the support part 17 of the lid 3 is caused to lift or deflect upwardly. This upwards movement of the support part 17 causes the radius of curvature of the living hinge 20 to alter, the tendency of this being to deflect or move the closure flap 19 downwardly so that its free edge 21 moves away from the inner wall surface against which it is initially sealingly engaged (as illustrated in FIG. 5). This operation of the handle 7, therefore opens up the liquid outlet defined between the closure flap 19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.
Releasing the inwards pressure on the operating handle 7, removes the lifting force applied to the central region of the support part 17 and therefore, the support part 17 and its associated closure flap 19 both return to their original conditions by virtue of their inherent resiliency, thereby returning the closure flap 19 to its closed position in which the liquid outlet is substantially scaled by virtue of the sealing engagement between the free edge 21 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.
It should therefore be understood that the support part 17, and the lid 3 effectively comprise a mechanism configured to move or deflect the flap 19 against its inherent bias, to open an outlet and to permit the flow of liquid (or in other variants, any convenient flowable contents) therethrough.
However, it is also envisaged that the closure flap 19 could be actuated simply by squeezing together diametrically opposed regions of the sidewall of the cup-shaped container 2 in the regions spaced generally vertically below the two ends of the arcuate living hinge 20 (as illustrated by arrows A in FIGS. I and 2). Because of the engagement of the skirt 4 of the lid and the uppermost edge of the cup-shaped container 2, the deflection of the sidewalls of the container 2 created by squeezing in this manner is also imparted to the raised circumferential rim 5 of the lid, with the result that the arcuate living hinge 20 is deflected such that the closure flap 19 is again moved or deflected downwardly to release its seal against the inner wall surface. The inwardly deformable sidewalls of the container 2, and the support part 17 of the lid can also therefore be considered to represent a mechanism configured to move or deflect the flap 19 against its inherent bias, to open a liquid outlet and to permit the flow of liquid therethrough.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the effectiveness of the seal between the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3 may be improved by providing the inner wall surface and/or the free edge 21 with a soft, elastorneric-type material such as, for example, Evoprene (™). Also, it is envisaged that the effectiveness of the seal could be further or alternatively improved by providing a small inwardly-directed formation such as a lip or ridge around the innermost wall surface of the lid 3 against which the uppermost part of the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 can engage.
In any event, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1, the closure flap 19 extends downwardly from the living hinge 20 and so should the drinking vessel 1 become upturned for any reason, then the pressure of the liquid contents of the drinking vessel acting against the undersurface of the closure flap 19 will serve to tighten the seal between the closure flap 19 and the inner wall surface of the lid 3.
Turning now to consider FIGS. 6 through to 10, an alternative embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, it should be appreciated that the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10 are largely identical to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the main difference being simply the mechanism configured to move or deflect the closure flap. In particular, it should be appreciated that the embodiments of FIG. 6 to 10 again comprise a generally cup-shaped container 2 and lid 3 of largely identical form to those illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The lid 3 is again provided a similar support part 17 and closure flap 19, the configuration of each being substantially identical to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5. However, as will be readily apparent from FIG. 6, the operating handle 7 of the previously-described embodiment is replaced by an alternative configuration of handle-operated mechanism.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a handle assembly 30 is provided which extends substantially transversely across the lid 3, and has two handle arms 31 which extend generally downwardly adjacent opposed sides of the cup-shaped container 2,
As illustrated most clearly in FIG. 6, the handle assembly 30 has two main parts 32, 34 arranged substantially adjacent one another, but separated across almost their entire extent, apart from in the region of the lowermost ends of the handle arms 8. However, as illustrated, the two main parts 34, 32 are separated by a thin flexible membrane or web 33.
The handle assembly 30 is preferably moulded from resiliently deformable plastics material and hence one part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moveable towards the other part 32, against a bias provided by the inherent resiliency of the plastic material.
The part 32 of the handle assembly 30 is secured to the uppermost part of the support part 17 of the lid 3 by virtue of a pair of fasteners indicated generally at 35. This part 32 of the handle assembly 30 is therefore fixed with respect to the lid 3. The fasteners may be attached to the part 32 of the handle assembly 30, for instance by welding, or may alternatively be formed integrally therewith.
However, the other part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moveable with respect to the lid 3, and is provided, in its central region, with an elongate slot 36 which is configured to slidingly receive a spigot 37 projecting upwardly from the support part 17, in the region of the living hinge 20. The moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 can therefore be moved towards the fixed part 32 of the handle assembly 30, against the inherent resilient bias of the handle assembly 30, such that the spigot 37 slides within the elongate slot 36. The slot has a length such that, as the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moved towards the fixed part 32, there will come an instant in time when the upstanding spigot 37 becomes engaged with the end of the slot 36, whereafter further movement of the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly towards the fixed part 32, will cause the spigot 37 itself to be deflected towards the fixed part 32 of the handle assembly 30. This deflection of the upstanding spigot 37 causes the resiliently-deformable support part 17 of the lid 3 also to deform, so that the radius of curvature of the living hinge 20 is increased which, in a substantially identical manner to that of the previous embodiment, causes the closure flap 19 to deform downwardly, so that its free edge 21 moves away from the inner wall surface of the lid 3 against which it was initially sealed, by opening up the liquid outlet between the free edge 21 and the inner wall surface.
When it is desired subsequently to re-close the liquid aperture, a person drinking from the drinking vessel simply needs to release the pressure previously applied to both handle arms 31 to move the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 towards the fixed part 32. When this pressure is released, the inherent resiliency of the handle assembly 30, and the support part 17, causes the spigot 37 to return to its initial position, thereby returning the arcuate living hinge 20 to its initial radius of curvature and hence re-sealing the liquid outlet.
Because the slot 36 is sized so as to allow an initial degree of movement of the moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 towards the fixed part 32 without causing the spigot 37 also to move, the opening mechanism of this embodiment ensures that a person, for example, a small child or infant, grasping only one handle arm 31, and urging the moveable part 34 of that handle arm towards the fixed part 32 will be unsuccessful in deflecting the spigot 37, and hence will not open the liquid outlet. Only when the moveable parts 34 of both handle arms 31 are moved towards their respective fixed parts 32, will the slot 36 be moved sufficiently for its end to engage the spigot 37, to thereby deflect the spigot 37, distort the arcuate hinge 20, and open the liquid aperture. This safety feature serves to prevent inadvertent opening of the liquid aperture as an infant child carries the drinking vessel 1 by simply grasping tightly a single handle arm 31. The arrangement is configured only to open the liquid aperture when both handle arms are grasped as the child safely drinks from the drinking vessel in a controlled manner.
It is envisaged that the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9, could be modified slightly, by providing a forwardly-extending flange 38 carried by the central moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30. This modification is illustrated schematically in side view in FIG. 10, from which it will be seen that the forwardmost part of the flange 38 carries a downwardly-depending bearing surface 39. As the central moveable part 34 of the handle assembly 30 is moved towards the fixed part 32 during actuation of the handle assembly 30, it will be understood that the bearing surface 39 is therefore caused to move towards the closure flap 19 as indicated by arrow 40, and so the downwardly-depending bearing surface 39 will be caused to bear against the outermost surface of the closure flap 19, and to deflect the closure flap 19 downwardly so that its free edge 21 moves away from its sealing engagement with the inner wall surface of the lid. This feature could be provided in addition to the spigot 37, or, if preferred, as an alternative means to open the closure flap 19, without relying upon forced distortion of the radius of curvature of the arcuate living hinge 20.
A further possible modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 9 involves providing the support part 17 as a separate component from the skirt 4. It is envisaged that the support part 17 could, for example, be configured so as to be releasably engageable, around its arcuate periphery, with the skirt 4 of the lid. The skirt 4 and support part 17 in such an arrangement must be engageable in a liquid-tight manner and to remain in intimate contact with one another.
It is to be appreciated, that whilst the specific embodiments have been described in detail with reference to particular features, certain modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. For example, whilst, in each of the above-described embodiments, the raised rim or rim portion from which a person is intended to drink from the drinking vessel is formed as part of the lid 3, the circumferential rim or rim portion could, instead, be formed as part of the cup-shaped container 2. In this sort of arrangement, it is also envisaged that the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 could sealingly engage against an inner wall surface of the side wall of the cup-shaped container 2, rather than against an inner wall surface carried by the lid 3 itself Furthermore, it is also envisaged that the lid 3 could alternatively be formed integrally with the cup-shaped container, to permanently close the otherwise open-mouth of the cup-shaped container. Such an arrangement would be particularly suitable for use as part of a single use, disposable drinking vessel which would be particularly attractive for use in the fast food industry.
As regards the materials from which the drinking vessel of the invention could be manufactured, it should be appreciated that a large variety of different materials could be used. For example, a drinking vessel in accordance with the present invention intended for use by young children, or elderly adults, could be moulded from robust plastics materials, However, the drinking vessel could, alternatively, be made from polystyrene, or paper materials which would make the arrangement particularly attractive for use in the fast food industry, where the drinking vessel would need to be readily disposable and recyclable,
In each of the above-mentioned embodiments., it should be appreciated that the outlet which opens as the free edge 21 of the closure flap 19 moves out of the sealing engagement with its associated inner wall surface, is relatively large when compared to the re-sealable liquid outlet apertures of known products such as a child's trainer cup. This allows the drinking vessel of the present invention to be used successfully with hot drinking liquids, as the relatively wide opening allows steam and aroma to escape, thus providing a person drinking from the drinking vessel with a full sense of appreciation of both the flavour and temperature of the contents. It has also been found that the increased size of the re-sealable liquid outlet allows the drinking vessel to be used with fizzy or carbonated drinks so that pressure build-up within the sealed drinking vessel can be safely released, without the tendency to spurt, which can be a problem with conventional re-sealable trainer cups where the valved outlet aperture is only very small.
However, it may also be desirable for certain applications to limit the size of the crescent-shaped aperture of the outlet. This could be done, for example, by providing a flexible gusset between the free edge 21 of the closure flap and its associated wall surface, the gusset being provided with a relatively small aperture to allow the out-flow of flowable contents from the vessel.
It is also envisaged that in each of the embodiments described above, a mouthpiece or spout could be provided above the position where the free edge of the closure flap seals against the associated inner wall surface. In such an arrangement, the mouthpiece or spout would define the rim or rim portion of the dispensing vessel.
It may also, in some circumstances, be appropriate to provide the closure flap 19 in a form made from highly flexible material, reinforced with a more rigid skeleton-type structure, comprising, for example, a plurality of strengthening ribs or the like.
In the present specification “comprises” means “includes or consists of” and “comprising” means “including or consisting of”.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof,

Claims

1. A dispensing vessel, comprising:

an open-mouthed container;

a lid for the open mouth of said container; and a rim or a rim-portion;

the lid at least partially defining an outlet arranged below the level of the rim or rim-portion to allow contents of the vessel to flow from the interior of the container and over the rim or rim-portion as the vessel is tilted;

the lid having a support part extending partially across the open-mouth of the container and a closure flap hingedly connected to the support part across at least part of the open-mouth of the cup-shaped container, the closure flap being biased towards a closed position in which the closure flap closes the outlet to prevent flow of said contents therethrough; and

a mechanism configured to move or deflect the closure flap against said bias to open said outlet and permit the flow of said contents therethrough.

2. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein said closure flap has a free edge and is arranged such that when in said closed position, the closure flap extends from said support part to a position below the level of the rim or rim-portion where the free edge releasably seals against an inner wall-surface of the container or of the lid to prevent the flow of contents between the inner wall-surface and the closure flap; and wherein said mechanism is configured to move or deflect the closure flap from said closed position such that its free edge becomes released from its seal against said inner wall-surface, so as to permit contents to flow from the interior of the container, between said inner wall-surface and the closure flap, and over the rim or rim-portion as the dispensing vessel is tilted.

3. A dispensing vessel according to claim 2, wherein said inner wall-surface is provided with an inwardly directed formation against which said free edge of the closure flap seals.

4. A dispensing vessel according to claim 3, wherein said free edge is substantially arcuate.

5. A dispensing vessel according to claim 2 wherein said free edge is generally dished in configuration.

6. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein the closure flap hinged connection comprises one of a fold or a crease or a living hinge extending generally diametrically across the open-mouth of the container.

7. A dispensing vessel according to claim 2, wherein the outlet is defined between the lid and the container.

8. A dispensing vessel according to claim 7 wherein the outlet is defined between the free edge of the closure flap and the inner wall-surface of a sidewall of the container.

9. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the rim or rim-portion has a raised circumference.

10. A dispensing vessel according to claim 9 wherein the raised circumferential rim or rim-portion is provided on the lid.

11. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the lid is removable from the container.

12. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein the lid is formed integrally with the container.

13. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises at least one moveable element arranged for actuation by the hand of a person dispensing contents from the vessel.

14. A dispensing vessel according to claim 13, wherein said moveable element forms part of a handle.

15. A dispensing vessel according to claim 14, wherein the handle is pivotally mounted to the lid or container.

16. A dispensing vessel according to claim 13, wherein said moveable element comprises part of the container being resiliently deformable, the arrangement being such that deforming said part of the container causes movement or deflection of said closure flap.

17. A drinking vessel according to claim 6 wherein the mechanism comprises at least one moveable element arranged for actuation by the hand of a person dispensing contents from the vessel, and wherein actuation of the or each moveable element causes deflection or distortion of said fold or living hinge which, in turn, imparts said movement or deflection on said closure flap.

18. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 having said rim-portion provided as part of a spout or mouthpiece.

19. A dispensing vessel according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing vessel comprises a drinking vessel, adapted to dispense liquid contents of the vessel as it is tilted.

20. (canceled)