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:
Apr. 06, 1999
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1997
Peter C Simpson, Glencoe, IL (US);
John W Lai, San Francisco, CA (US);
Thomas J Melk, Chicago, IL (US);
Outer Circle Products, Ltd., Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A dispensing lid assembly which includes a rotatable spout for use with a container defining a container cavity. The container may be the type having deflectable sidewalls. The rotatable spout includes an arcuate ball portion and a nozzle portion. The arcuate rotator portion is retained on a base of the lid assembly to allow rotation thereof to align a through hole in the spout with a dispensing hole in the base. The arcuate rotator portion is configured to reduce the wear on a sealing gasket. A check valve assembly is attached to the base of the dispensing lid assembly. The check valve assembly includes a diaphragm which is pre-loaded within a valve chamber to provide a desired sealing effect between the diaphragm and the base portion. The check valve assembly is configured to pre-load forces on the diaphragm such that a desired inhaling force will unseat the diaphragm from the corresponding portion of the base to draw air therethrough. Upon equalization of the pressure within the container cavity and the ambient atmosphere, the diaphragm will return to seal against the base portion to prevent dripping therethrough.