U.S. patent application number 10/242649 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-08 for disposable beverage container.
Invention is credited to Leinenweber, Tara.
Application Number | 20030085232 10/242649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26935229 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030085232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Leinenweber, Tara |
May 8, 2003 |
Disposable beverage container
Abstract
The invention provides a beverage container which can be readily
handled by a child, and which is spill-proof, sterile and can be
pre-filled for use as a single-use beverage container. The beverage
container can be mass-produced inexpensively, pre-filled and
disposable. A top portion and spout are constructed to be spill
resistant and sealable for ease of manufacture and use by a toddler
learning to drink from a cup.
Inventors: |
Leinenweber, Tara; (Chicago,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCANDREWS HELD & MALLOY, LTD
500 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 3400
CHICAGO
IL
60661
|
Family ID: |
26935229 |
Appl. No.: |
10/242649 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60335328 |
Nov 2, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/705 ; 215/2;
220/254.3; 220/717 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/305 20130101;
A47G 19/2272 20130101; B65D 47/2037 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/705 ;
220/717; 215/2; 220/254.3 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
1. A pre-fillable spill-resistant sterile container comprising: a
housing comprising a body portion, a top portion and a bottom
portion, the body portion configured to be gripable by a small
child, the top portion including an articulating mouthpiece
disposed therein, and the bottom portion having a cavity through
which a liquid can be dispensed into a volume defined by the body
portion, the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the
mouthpiece comprises a member having a passage therethrough and a
depending resilient tube extending into said volume, such that
liquid within said volume can pass through said passage when the
member is in an open position and no liquid can pass through when
the member is in the closed position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
60/335,328, filed on Nov. 2, 2001, under the Attorney Docket No.
13331US01.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Pre-filled beverage containers come in all shapes and sizes.
More particularly, disposable beverage containers come in various
forms, from glass bottles to aluminum cans to paper and plastic
cups. These disposable beverage containers provide a great deal of
convenience in that they never require cleaning and are readily
available for consumption. However, a large segment of the
population is currently unable to take advantage of the convenience
of pre-filled disposable beverage containers. For children making
the transition from bottle to cup, a suitable pre-filled disposable
beverage container is not currently available.
[0005] Every child between the infant and preschool stages makes
the transition from bottle to cup. Commonly, children during this
stage use "sippy cups" in order to gain a feel for drinking from a
regular cup. These "sippy cups" generally use a top with a
restricted flow mouthpiece in order to prevent large spills while a
child learns to hold and maneuver a regular cup.
[0006] While "sippy cups" have become widely popular, they suffer
from several disadvantages. First, they require advanced planning
and preparation on the part of parents, since "sippy cups" do not
come pre-filled with a beverage product. Since "sippy cups" are
generally not disposable, they are not as sanitary as a fresh,
disposable cup, and empty or partially unused cups must be retained
for cleaning and re-use. Also, replacing lost or worn out cups can
be costly.
[0007] Several pre-filled disposable products are available for
children, but each of these has certain drawbacks associated with
it. Disposable juice boxes and bags employ a straw to provide
access to the beverage product stored inside. Children making the
transition from bottle to cup likely have not yet learned to use a
straw, and thus a straw may present a hazard to children of this
age group. Also, these beverage products are prone to leaks and
spills due to the soft structure of the boxes and bags and the lack
of a seal around the straw.
[0008] Therefore, a substantial need exists for a pre-filled
disposable beverage container suitable for use by children making
the transition from bottle to cup.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention generally relates to disposable
beverage containers and, more particularly, relates to a disposable
children's cup which is pre-filled with a beverage and marketed as
a ready-to-drink product.
[0010] According to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, pre-filled disposable beverage containers are provided
which are suitable for use by children making the transition from
bottle to cup. The disposable beverage containers use a top with a
mouthpiece which provides a restricted liquid flow in order to
prevent excess spillage while allowing a child to gain a feel for
drinking from a standard cup. These containers are pre-filled with
an appropriate beverage product in order to provide a complete,
ready-to-drink product which children can consume and then
discard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the first
embodiment with a snap-in turret mouthpiece in the up position.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top portion with the
mouthpiece folded down and a safety seal over the mouthpiece.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side partially cutaway view of the top and
including the depending straw portion, and the fill section.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a broken away perspective view of the first
embodiment with the mouthpiece in the down position.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side, partially cutaway view of the bottom of
the embodiment showing how the cup may be pre-filled.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment with the mouthpiece
in the up position.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment in an expanded view
of the top, the mouthpiece and the straw portion.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the integrated
straw mouthpiece of the second embodiment along the line 9-9 of
FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates the first embodiment of the present
invention with the mouthpiece 105 in the up position. The
pre-filled disposable beverage container 101 consists of a liquid
housing 102 and a top 104. The beverage container 101 would be
molded so that the liquid housing 102 and top 104 form one single
piece. The mouthpiece 105 is a snap-in turret style mouthpiece with
an integrated straw that can flip up for restricted flow drinking
or down to keep the liquid inside. The liquid is filled through the
bottom 103 of the container.
[0021] FIG. 2 which is a broken away perspective view of the top
104 of the first embodiment container with the mouthpiece 105 in
the recessed position and with a safety seal 106. This seal
protects tampering with the contents and keeps the mouthpiece 105
sanitary. Such safety seals are well known, and will be recognized
by those having ordinary skill in the art.
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of the top of the first
embodiment with the integrated straw mouthpiece 105 in the up
position and attached to the top 104. It is noted that the
mouthpiece 105 is shown with one large hole 109 in which the liquid
passes through. There is the possibility of a variety of hole sizes
or even a series of small holes that may be more preferable to a
particular manufacturer.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a cut away view of the inner components
of the first embodiment of beverage container 101. The housing 102
is pre-filled with liquid through a hole in the bottom 103. A
plastic cover is then sealed over the bottom 103 to keep the liquid
inside housing 102. As the beverage container is disposable, it is
not necessary to fill it again. The top 104 of the beverage
container 101 is molded to the housing 102. A snap-in turret style
mouthpiece 105 contains an integrated straw feature 108 which
allows for restricted flow of liquid through the liquid housing
102. When the mouthpiece 105 is in the up position the integrated
straw 108 allows for easy flow of liquid. An additional hole 107 is
needed to allow for the free flow of liquid through the straw
108.
[0024] One drawback of "sippy cups" noted earlier is the tendency
for the cups to leak. FIG. 5 illustrates a cut away view of the
integrated straw 108 of the mouthpiece 105 crimped shut as to keep
the liquid from leaking through the mouthpiece 105.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, partially cutaway view of a
bottom portion 114 of container 101. In the center thereof is a
cylindrical shoulder 115 with a hole 114 in the center thereof.
Though this hole 114 container 101 can be pre-filled with a liquid,
as shown in FIG. 6. Once filled, hole 114 can be sealed by
heat-sealing shoulder 115. By this method, or others known to those
of skill in the art, a pre-filled, sanitary disposable cup can be
provided.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the pre-filled
disposable beverage container 101 with the integrated straw
mouthpiece 105 in the up position. The liquid housing 102 is
separate from the top 104. The top 104 is constructed as to include
the integrated straw mouthpiece 105. The top 104 is attached to the
liquid housing 102 by a snap on cap 112. The mouthpiece 105 would
allow for restricted flow of beverage from the liquid housing 102.
While the shape of the second embodiment of the beverage container
is wide at the bottom and thinner at the top, it is noted that any
variety of shapes may be employed. The exact shape of the beverage
container 101 is not essential to the invention, and will purely be
a choice of the particular manufacturer. Similarly, the size of the
liquid housing 102 in relation to top 104 is simply a choice of the
particular manufacturer and not essential to the invention. The top
is thinner in this second embodiment beverage container 101 only
for the ease of filling during manufacturing.
[0027] It is noted that a safety seal in the second embodiment
would be the same as the safety seal 106 in FIG. 2 of the first
embodiment. All that would seem necessary is a peel away seal at
the top of the mouthpiece 105. However, any additional safety seals
or variations therein would be determined by the manufacturer.
[0028] FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment of beverage container 101
broken into components. The snap-on cap 112 has a rim 109 around
the top 104 which would mate with and snap over circumferential
shoulder 110 of the housing unit 102. This would create a seal
between the top 104 and the housing unit 102 to keep the liquid
inside the beverage container 101. This figure also illustrates the
components of the integrated straw mouthpiece 105. The straw 108 is
integrated into the mouthpiece 105 so liquid flows through the
straw 108 only. Therefore, if the mouthpiece 105 is up or down
determines the flow of liquid.
[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates an up close view of the top 104 of the
second embodiment of the beverage container 101. The mouthpiece 105
is a turret style mouthpiece which snaps in to the top of the cup
104. The integrated straw 108 rests inside the mouthpiece 105.
[0030] Both disposable beverage containers herein described may be
formed of a variety of materials. Plastic provides several
advantages, since it is readily available, easy to shape and
recyclable if the proper grade is selected. Plastic would also
allow for the heat seal over the bottom where the liquid is filled
in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, container 101 is pre-filled with
a beverage, preferably for use by a child. In mass-producing the
containers, each can be filled and sealed, for example, as
described above with respect to FIG. 6. The container 101 may be a
single piece as shown with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, or may be
two-piece as shown in FIG. 8. If a one-piece construction,
container 101 may be blow-molded or otherwise formed as is known by
those of skill in the art. If container 101 is of a multi-piece
construction, it is preferably comprised of base 102 having a rim
110 which is designed to matingly engage a lip 109 of a top portion
104. As shown in FIG. 8, the container 101 is completed by press
fitting top 104 over rim 110 to form a permanent and liquid-tight
seal which may not be broken unless destroyed. In this manner, an
inexpensive, easily made and pre-filled container 101 may be
manufactured.
[0032] While the first embodiment beverage container 101 is shown
in a specific cylindrical shape, it is noted that the beverage
container 101 could take on any variety of shapes or sizes. The
exact shape of the beverage container 101 is not essential to the
invention, and will be purely a choice of a particular
manufacturer. Similarly, the size of the liquid housing 102 in
relation to the top 104 is simply a choice of a particular
manufacturer.
[0033] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the invention without
departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within
the scope of the appended claims.
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