Cap with suction unit for cup

Abstract: A cap with a suction unit includes a cap having a semi-spherical recess defined in a top thereof and communicating with an outlet defined through an inner end of the semi-spherical recess. A first air hole is defined through an inner periphery of the semi-spherical recess. A suction member has a spherical base, which is rotatably engaged with the semi-spherical recess, and a tube extends from the spherical base. A passage is defined through the spherical base and the tube. A second air hole is defined through the spherical base. The passage and the second air hole are respectively in communication with the outlet and the first hole when the suction member is pivoted to a first position, and the passage and the second air hole are respectively not in communication with the outlet and the air hole when the suction member is pivoted to a second position. (end of abstract)

Cap with suction unit for cup description/claims

Brief Patent Description

Full Patent Description

Patent Application Claims

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a cap with a suction unit for a cup, and the suction unit is suitable to suck particulate food in the beverage.

2. The Prior Arts

A conventional beverage cup shown in FIGS. 1-3 generally includes a cap A, a suction member B and a cup C, in which the cap A includes a recess A1 and an elongate groove A3 defined in a top of the cap A, and the elongate groove A3 communicates with the recess A1. An outlet A5 is defined through the cap A and located in the recess A1, and two notches A2 are defined in two insides of the recess A1. An air hole A4 is defined through the cap A and located in the elongate groove A3. The suction member B includes a base B1 and two pivots B2 which are engaged with the two notches A2. A passage B4 is defined axially through the suction member B and a protrusion B3 extends from an outer periphery of the suction member B.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the suction member B is pivoted away from the cap A, the passage B4 communicates with the outlet A5 and the protrusion B3 is disengaged from the air hole A4 so that the user can suck the beverage from the cup C. As shown in FIG. 3, when the suction member B is pivoted downward and engaged with the elongate groove A3, the air hole A4 is sealed by the protrusion B3 and the outlet A5 is sealed by the base B1 of the suction member B, such that the beverage does not spill from the cap A.

However, due to the curvature of the base B1 of the suction member B, the outlet A5 in the flat surface of the recess A1 is not well sealed. This restricts the size of the outlet A5, and pulps or particulate food in the beverage are difficult to be sucked via the suction member B.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a cap with a suction unit for a cup, and the suction unit allows the user to suck particulate food in the cup. Besides, the suction unit resolves the shortcoming of the conventional suction unit that the dust might contaminate the beverage via the hole in the cap.

The solution of the present invention is to provide a suction member with a spherical base which is rotatably engaged with a semi-spherical recess in the cap so that the outlet in the cap can be completely sealed by the base, and furthermore a passage defined through the suction member can be made large enough to suck particulate food in the beverage.

The suction unit of the present invention also prevents dust from entering the cup by arranging air holes in the semi-spherical recess.

According to the present invention, a cap with a suction unit includes a cap having a semi-spherical recess defined in a top thereof and an outlet defined through an inner end of the semi-spherical recess. At least one first air hole is defined through an inner periphery of the semi-spherical recess. A suction member has a spherical base which is rotatably engaged with the semi-spherical recess, and a tube extends from the spherical base. A passage is defined through the spherical base and the tube, and at least one second air hole is defined through the spherical base. The passage and the second air hole are respectively in communication with the outlet and the first air hole when the suction member is pivoted to a first position, such that the user can suck the beverage in the cup. The passage and the second air hole are respectively not in communication with the outlet and the first air hole when the suction member is pivoted to a second position.

Two flanges extend from the top of the cap and an opening defined by the semi-spherical recess is located between the two flanges. Each flange includes an inner surface which has the same curvature as the semi-spherical recess. The suction member is then restricted to be pivoted in upward and downward directions.

An elongate groove is defined in the top of the cap and the tube of the suction member is removably engaged with the groove when the suction member is located in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view to show a conventional suction member and cap;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view to show that the conventional suction member is pivoted away from the cap;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show that the conventional suction member is pivoted toward the cap;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view to show a cap with a suction unit for a cup in accordance with the present invention, a straw and a cup;

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Food/drink container
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Industry Class:
Receptacles

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