U.S. patent application number 10/770022 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for secure spill-proof configuration for child training cup.
Invention is credited to Minyayev, Max.
Application Number | 20050167438 10/770022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34808233 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050167438 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minyayev, Max |
August 4, 2005 |
Secure spill-proof configuration for child training cup
Abstract
A configuration for a training cup suitable for young children
that prevents spilling from the drinking spout by means of a
securely connected spill-proof attachment to the lid assembly of
the cup. The method of the secure connection of the spill-proof
attachment prevents it from coming loose under all conditions that
are suitable for the utilization of the cup by a child.
Inventors: |
Minyayev, Max; (Cortlandt
Manor, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAX MINYAYEV
UNIT 32
341 FURNACE DOCK RD.
CORTLANDT MANOR
NY
10567
US
|
Family ID: |
34808233 |
Appl. No.: |
10/770022 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/714 ;
220/717 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2272
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/714 ;
220/717 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A secure spill-proof configuration for child training cup
comprising: a cup lid with a rigidly attached drinking spout
assembly, a pressure valve attachment, where the frictionally
connecting surfaces of the drinking spout assembly and the pressure
valve attachment comprise surface threading.
2. Frictionally connecting surfaces as stated in claim 1 comprising
the internal surface of the insertion receptacle tube of the
drinking spout assembly and the external surface of the insertion
tube of the pressure valve attachment.
3. Surface threading as stated in claim 1 comprising a plurality of
angular threads.
4. Surface threading as stated in claim 1 comprising a plurality of
horizontal threads.
5. A pressure valve attachment as stated in claim 1 comprising a
circumferential stopper.
6. A pressure valve attachment as stated in claim 1 comprising a
handling grip.
7. A handling grip as stated in claim 6 comprising a plurality of
external vertical surface facets.
8. A handling grip as stated in claim 6 comprising a plurality of
external vertical surface threads.
Description
REFERENCES
[0001] U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,857--Leak resistant and squeeze
resistant liquid box container
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,053--Child's bottle and food
container
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,557--Spill proof training cup
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is in the field of child feeding
devices. Its specific intention is to provide a secure spill-proof
configuration for a child's training cup.
[0005] There have been numerous attempts to create a spill-proof
training cup. Fusco's "Spill proof training cup" (U.S. Pat. No.
6,568,557), Verbovszky's "Child's bottle and food container" (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,938,053), and Rosen's "Leak resistant and squeeze
resistant liquid box container" (U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,857) are just
a few examples of such attempts. While the technological principles
of these devices are sound, their complexity has prevented mass
implementation of their functions.
[0006] A new design was recently developed by the Gerber Products
Company. The patent for this product is pending, so a direct
reference cannot be made. This method involves a lid where the
drinking spout assembly is compressible (the compression is
normally achieved by the child's lip movement during drinking) and
an attachment, which houses a pressure valve and is inserted
directly into the drinking spout assembly. The construction of the
pressure valve requires that it be made from a bendable and springy
elastic material and have a cross-shaped cut. The valve is opened
when the air is sucked out of the drinking spout by the child's
mouth movement, thereby allowing the liquid in the cup to flow to
the drinking spout. The valve remains closed otherwise.
[0007] While the simplicity of this approach makes the Gerber
product very attractive, it possesses a fundamental flaw. It relies
on the smooth surface friction between the drinking spout assembly
and the pressure valve attachment to remain connected. In practice,
this does not work for two reasons: one--the liquid flowing through
the pressure valve attachment and the drinking spout assembly
lubricates all surfaces, thereby lowering any existing friction;
two--the child can shake the cup during or in between utilizations,
thereby loosening the connection between the pressure valve
attachment and the drinking spout assembly.
[0008] The present invention provides a solution for a secure
connection between the pressure valve attachment and the drinking
spout assembly. The connection surfaces of the pressure valve
attachment and the drinking spout assembly are made non-smooth with
threading, thereby increasing the level of friction between them.
Furthermore, the connection surfaces comprise angular threading
which provides a secure "bolt and nut" type connection. The
connection is implemented by inserting the pressure valve
attachment into the drinking spout assembly and rotating the
pressure valve attachment, thereby continuing the insertion process
along the threads until the circumferential stopper on the pressure
valve attachment prevents further insertion. The handling grip is
provided on the non-inserted portion of the pressure valve
attachment and comprises a non-smooth surface consisting of a
plurality of external vertical facets or external vertical
threading or both.
[0009] Various other features and characteristics of the present
invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
after a reading of the following specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 shows the top and side section views of the Gerber
Products Company configuration of the cup lid with the drinking
spout assembly.
[0011] FIG. 2 shows the side section view of the Gerber Products
Company configuration of the cup lid with the drinking spout
assembly and the top section and side section views of the Gerber
Product Company configuration of the pressure valve attachment.
[0012] FIG. 3 shows the side section views of the cup lid with the
drinking spout assembly and the pressure valve attachment
components of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a side and top section views of the pressure
valve attachment component of the present invention where the
handling grip possesses a plurality of external vertical
facets.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a side and top section views of the pressure
valve attachment component of the present invention where the
handling grip possesses external vertical threading.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the Gerber Product Company
configuration of the cup lid and the drinking spout assembly is
shown. The cup lid is comprised of the lid body 1 and threading 6
for the purpose of attaching to the liquid-holding cup (not shown).
The lid body 1 is rigidly connected to the drinking spout assembly
2 which includes the drinking spout 4, a plurality of drinking
holes 3, and a pressure valve insertion receptacle tube 5.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, the Gerber Product Company
configuration of the pressure valve attachment relative to the cup
lid and the drinking spout assembly is shown. The pressure valve
attachment is comprised of a body 1 which consists of an insertion
tube 3, handle 4, and handle reinforcement 5. The insertion tube 3
houses and is rigidly attached to the pressure valve 2. The
pressure valve 2 is constructed of a bendable and springy elastic
material and has a cross-shaped cut.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, the cup lid with the drinking spout
assembly and the pressure valve components of the present invention
are shown. The frictionally connecting surfaces of the drinking
spout assembly 2 and the pressure valve attachment 3, more
specifically the internal surface of the insertion receptacle tube
of the drinking spout assembly 2 and the external surface of the
insertion tube of the pressure valve attachment 3, comprise surface
threading to facilitate the gradual rotational insertion of
pressure valve attachment 5 into the drinking spout assembly 1
until the circumferential stopper 4 will prevent further insertion,
thereby providing a secure connection between the drinking spout
assembly 1 and the pressure valve attachment 5. The threading is
comprised of a plurality of angular or horizontal surface
threads.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, one variation of the pressure valve
attachment component of the present invention is shown. The
pressure valve component is comprised of a tubular body with
external surface threading 3, stopper 4, handling grip 5, and
pressure valve 6. The handling grip 5 is comprised of a plurality
of external vertical surface facets. The threading is comprised of
a plurality of external angular or horizontal surface threads.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 5, another variation the pressure valve
attachment component of the present invention is shown. The
pressure valve component is comprised of a tubular body with
external surface threading 3, stopper 4, handling grip 5, and
pressure valve 6. The handling grip 5 is comprised of a plurality
of external vertical surface threads. The threading is comprised of
a plurality of external angular or horizontal surface threads.
[0020] While the present invention has been described with respect
to a particular embodiment, modifications and variations may be
made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.
For example, the insertion receptacle tube of the drinking spout
assembly could comprise external surface threading while the
pressure valve attachment would comprise internal surface
threading. The diameter of the insertion tube of the pressure valve
attachment will be increased to accommodate the connection to the
receptacle tube of the drinking spout assembly. The receptacle tube
of the drinking spout assembly could then be inserted into the
pressure valve attachment.
* * * * *