U.S. patent application number 11/091539 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for child-proof drink bottle.
Invention is credited to Amanda Zaytoun.
Application Number | 20060213912 11/091539 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37034176 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060213912 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zaytoun; Amanda |
September 28, 2006 |
Child-proof drink bottle
Abstract
A container that provides a child-resistant cap or lid to
prevent unwanted opening and subsequent spillage of the contents.
The container is designed to dispense a beverage and can be used as
a "sippy bottle" for small children. The lid and rim are outfitted
with an interlocking mechanism, which functions to childproof the
container by requiring the user to first apply a downward force
before rotating and removing the lid. The interface between the
container and the lid forms a watertight seal to minimize spills
and leaks, even when the bottle is tipped over.
Inventors: |
Zaytoun; Amanda; (New Bern,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEST & ASSOCIATES, A PC
2815 MITCHELL DRIVE
SUITE 209
WALNUT CREEK
CA
94598
US
|
Family ID: |
37034176 |
Appl. No.: |
11/091539 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/293 ;
220/717 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2215/02 20130101;
B65D 41/06 20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/293 ;
220/717 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/06 20060101
B65D041/06; A47G 19/22 20060101 A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A child resistant container, comprising: a reservoir body, said
reservoir body comprising a neck connected to said body defining a
mouth at one end; a top rim comprising at least one alignment stub
that is engageable with a lid body; a lid body comprising a
sealable groove, wherein at least one of locking tab is engageable
with said at least one alignment stub.
2. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of alignment stubs and a same number of alignment
tabs.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein said alignment stubs
are disposed along the exterior surface of said top rim.
4. The container according to claim 2, wherein said alignment stubs
have an interlockable shape or pattern that interlocks with said
alignment tabs.
5. The container according to claim 2, wherein said locking tabs
are disposed along the interior surface of said sealable
groove.
6. The container according to claim 3, wherein said locking tabs
have a shape or pattern that is interlockable with said alignment
stubs.
7. The container according to claim 1, wherein said lid body is
engageable with said reservoir body by applying a downward force
and rotating said lid body.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of
said lid body further comprises a drinking channel such as a spout
or nipple.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein said sealable groove
is further comprised of a sealing ring or gasket constructed from a
soft and compressible material to form a uniform, watertight
seal.
10. The container according to claim 1, wherein the exterior of
said reservoir body further comprises a holding structure such as a
cup handle.
11. The container according to claim 1, wherein the outer surfaces
of said reservoir body and lid body are further comprised of a
different material such as rubber or insulation.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure is for a container that provides a
child-resistant cap or lid to prevent unwanted opening and
subsequent spillage of the contents. More particularly, the
container is designed to dispense a beverage and can be used as a
"sippy bottle" for small children. The lid and rim are outfitted
with an interlocking mechanism, which functions to childproof the
container by requiring the user to first apply a downward force
before rotating and removing the lid. The interface between the
container and the lid forms a watertight seal to minimize spills
and leaks, even when the bottle is tipped over.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] In bringing up small children, it is often a challenge to
provide cups or bottles to meet their special requirements. There
are many spill proof "sippy bottles" available which effectively
retain the beverage after being tipped over, or even dropped on the
ground. To this end, the traditional sippy bottle has performed
well. However, it is common to find that a child is able to open
these bottles, particularly as the child develops curiosity and
learns to twist and to pull apart objects. Therefore, what is
needed is a childproof container that may be conveniently opened by
adults. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
container that is safe for children to use, particularly in the
absence of adult supervision.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,020 issued to Featherston on Aug. 31,
2004, entitled "Toddler Drinking Cup," illustrates a container that
is designed for use by children. Typically, these types of cups and
containers have a conventional twist-on cap that may be detached by
small children. In this instance, FIG. 2 of Featherston illustrates
"a spiral or thread" as the fastening structure that is used to
attach the lid to the cup. Obviously, this would not pose much of a
problem to a curious toddler who wished to open the container. What
is needed is a child proof fastening structure or mechanism that
prevents the child from unnecessarily opening the container, yet
allows adults to conveniently open. It is also an object of the
invention to provide a container that is economical and easy to
manufacture. Furthermore, it is another object of the invention to
provide a container that is simple and easy to clean.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the top portion of the
reservoir body of one embodiment of the container.
[0008] FIG. 2a is a close up view showing the locking mechanism of
the embodiment of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the bottom portion of the lid
body of one embodiment of the container.
[0010] FIG. 3a shows a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the attachment of the lid body
of one embodiment of the container.
[0012] FIG. 4a shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 in an engaged but
unlocked position.
[0013] FIG. 4b shows the embodiment of FIG. 4 in a locked
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the container 10. A
reservoir body 100 is preferably cylindrical in shape but may be of
any shape or size that serves as a container suitable to be used by
small children. In alternate embodiments, a cup handle may be
attached to reservoir body 100. The inner volume of reservoir body
100 should be sufficient to accommodate a beverage and have a
surface that is smooth and easy to clean.
[0015] Lid body 300 is fastenable to reservoir body 100 and is
illustrated as being attached thereto as shown in FIG. 1. Base 102
is accordingly shaped to support the container in a vertical
position if placed on a substantially flat surface. In the
preferred embodiment, the main components of container 10 are
depicted as cylindrical featuring distal ends that exhibit a
circular perimeter such that they are more easily engageable. The
main components of container 10 may be constructed from the same
material or from different materials. For example, a preferred
material may be a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, polystyrene, or mixtures or combinations thereof.
For safety, the preferred embodiment features no sharp edges or
corners. In alternate embodiments, the outer surfaces and edges of
container 10 may be additionally formed or coated with a softer
material to further increase safety while being used by small
children.
[0016] In FIG. 2, container 10 is displayed with the top lid body
300 removed. Top rim 200 is located along the upper distal end of
the reservoir body 100, which may be formed together as a single
component, or fused together as such. It is important to note that
top rim 200 may require a stronger, more durable material than
reservoir body 100 because of the engaging function, thereby
requiring a different material or coating. Also, the upper boundary
of top rim 200 should have a smooth, uniform surface to aid in
achieving a proper seal.
[0017] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer surface
of top rim 200 includes a plurality of alignment stubs 210 that may
be formed integrally with top rim 200. Alignment stubs 210 are
symmetrically disposed along the side surface of top rim 200 to
permit engagement with corresponding lock tabs 310 (see below) of
lid body 300. It is understood that alignment stubs 210 may be of
any shape or size, and the number of alignment stubs 210 should be
sufficient enough to tightly secure lid body 300 thereto. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 2a, a ramped or angled leading edge 220
features an end slot 222 to incorporate a push down,
lock-and-release mechanism engaging lid body 300 with top rim 200.
In alternate embodiments, different alignment stub shapes and
configurations may be used to provide a child proof
lock-and-release mechanism.
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of lid body 300, which features
a drink spout 304 on the top surface. Drink spout 304 may be formed
from a different material or integrated as one piece with lid body
300. A plurality of lock tabs 310 are symmetrically disposed at the
lower portion of lid body 300 and facilitate a lock and release
mechanism when engaged with alignment stubs 210 located on top rim
200. The lock tabs 310 may be formed integrally in one piece with
lid body 300, or fused together as such. Lock tabs 310 may be
constructed or coated with a stronger, more durable material due to
the nature of their interlocking function. In preferred
embodiments, the tabs are geometrically conformed to fit alignment
stubs 210 and have the corresponding width and height of end slot
222, as shown in FIG. 2a. The lock tabs and alignment stubs used
may be of any shape, size or height, as long as the tabs and stubs
form a matching lock-and-release combination.
[0019] The bottom view of the top lid body 300 as depicted in FIG.
3a reveals the configuration of lock tabs 310 along the interior
surface of sealable groove 350. In preferred embodiments, a sealing
ring 330 is contained within the top boundary of sealable groove
350 to assist in forming a watertight seal with top rim 200 of
reservoir body 100. Any soft or compressible watertight material
such as rubber or soft plastic may be used to form sealing ring
330. The extent of compressibility must accommodate alignment stubs
210, particularly the distance from an end slot 222 with respect to
top rim 200.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates the attachment of lid body 300 to
reservoir body 100. Locking tabs 310 engage alignment stubs 210
such that lid body 300 is positioned with the exterior surface of
top rim 200. By pushing down and rotating lid body 300 as shown in
FIG. 4a, sealable groove 350 will become integral with top rim 200,
forming a watertight seal. Once lid body 300 is rotated into the
fully locked position as shown in FIG. 4b, locking tabs 310 will
click into end slots 222, thereby assuring a proper seal. To remove
lid body 300, the operation is similar in that lid body 300 must
first be pushed down in order to disengage locking tabs 310 from
end slots 222, and then and rotated in a counter direction.
[0021] In preferred embodiments, a clockwise rotation of lid body
300 with respect to reservoir body 100 follows the conventional
manner of sealing a container. In alternate embodiments, a
counter-clockwise sealing rotation may be implemented instead,
which may be more childproof if the child is accustomed to twisting
open lids in the conventional counter-clockwise direction.
[0022] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described
and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the
spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *