The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 15, 1994
Filed:
Feb. 05, 1993
Michael Yeung, Newark, CA (US);
Robert N Lee, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Chein-Hwa Tsao, Saratoga, CA (US);
Innostar, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A device which prevents spillage when a water bottle is inverted for installation onto a water dispenser. The device establishes the flow of water from the water bottle into the water dispenser after a predetermined time delay from when the bottle is inverted. The device is a membrane closure which initially provides a water tight seal on the mouth of the water bottle, but which opens up to allow water to flow from the bottle after a predictable time delay. Thus, the user can slowly and carefully invert the water bottle and place it in the correct position. Three embodiments are presented: 1) a membrane seal which is folded multiple times to create an initially water tight seal, which, when the water bottle is inverted, slowly unfolds due to the hydrostatic pressure, thereby opening the seal and allowing the water to flow; 2) a membrane seal of a moisture sensitive material which is coated with a water impermeable material and which is scored in a desired rupture pattern. When the bottle is inverted, the water penetrates the membrane seal which ruptures, allowing the water to flow after a predictable time delay; 3) a composite membrane seal made of a water impermeable material which has a moisture sensitive material within it, forming a desired rupture pattern. When the bottle is inverted, the water penetrates the moisture sensitive material and weakens it so that it will rupture after a predictable time delay.