Vented container
View Patent ↗There is provided a spill proof cup assembly having a cap with at least one spout outlet, a cup with an upper open portion adapted to securely and sealingly receive the cap, and a thermoplastic elastomer, or similar elastomeric material, co-molded bottom portion with a vent disposed therein for allowing air to enter the cup as fluid exits through the spout outlet. The result is a one-way flow of air.
1. A container comprising:
a hollow body having a first end, a second end and an inner volume; and
a flexible membrane having a vent area, wherein said vent area has a one-way pressure actuated valve that allows flow of air into said inner volume,
wherein said hollow body has an inner flange along a lower inner edge of said second end with one or more apertures, and wherein said flexible membrane has an upper layer and a lower layer extending around said flange filling in said one or more apertures thereby securing said flexible membrane to said flange.
2. The container of claim 1 , further comprising a dispensing orifice disposed on said first end of said hollow body, wherein said vent area dissipates a vacuum created in said inner volume as a fluid is withdrawn from said hollow body through said dispensing orifice and wherein said one-way pressure actuated valve is a resealable aperture.
3. The container of claim 2 , wherein said first end is sealed except for said dispensing orifice.
4. The container of claim 1 , wherein said one-way pressure actuated valve has at least one aperture, and wherein said at least one aperture is formed through said flexible membrane.
5. The container of claim 4 , wherein said at least one aperture is a plurality of openings that are arranged in a substantially circular pattern.
6. The container of claim 4 , wherein said second end is a lower end of said hollow body, wherein said lower end has a bottom wall at least partially traversing said lower end, wherein said bottom wall has at least one opening formed therethrough, and wherein said at least one aperture in said flexible membrane is offset along a longitudinal axis of said hollow body from said at least one opening in said bottom wall.