U.S. patent application number 11/500858 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-14 for pre-fillable and disposable sippy cup.
Invention is credited to Nancy L. Meli.
Application Number | 20080035653 11/500858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39049649 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080035653 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meli; Nancy L. |
February 14, 2008 |
Pre-fillable and disposable sippy cup
Abstract
A pre-fillable and disposable sippy cup includes a one piece
main body and a dispensing spout that can be easily configured for
use by either toddlers or older children.
Inventors: |
Meli; Nancy L.; (Richland,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUNG I. OH, PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION
710 QUAIL VALLEY LANE
WEST COVINA
CA
91791
US
|
Family ID: |
39049649 |
Appl. No.: |
11/500858 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/717 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00425
20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101; B65D 43/0202 20130101; B65D
2543/00046 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00537
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/717 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A disposable sippy cup comprising: A) a one-piece main body
having (1) a first end which is a bottom end when the main body is
in use, (2) a second end which is a top end when the main body is
in use, (3) a cylindrical wall connecting the first end to the
second end of the main body, (4) a longitudinal axis which extends
between the first end and the second end of the main body; B) a
cover which is one piece with the cylindrical wall of the main body
and which is located on the second end of the main body, the cover,
the wall and the second end defining a closed chamber in which
liquid is located when the main body is in use, the cover having
(1) a liquid exit port defined therethrough, (2) a dispensing spout
unit which is one piece with the cover and which is located
adjacent to the liquid exit port, the dispensing spout unit
including a body having (a) a first end which is one piece with the
cover and which surrounds the liquid exit port, (b) a second end
with a liquid dispensing hole defined therethrough, (c) a liquid
passage defined through the body of the dispensing spout unit from
the first end of the body of the spout unit to the second end of
the body of the spout unit, (d) a break line in the body of the
spout unit, the body of the spout unit including a first portion
adjacent to the first end of the body of the spout unit and a
breakaway portion located between the break line and the second end
of the body of the dispensing spout unit, the breakaway portion
being one piece with the first portion of the body of the spout
unit and being removably attached to the first portion of the body
of the spout unit by the break line, (e) a dispensing rim being
located at the break line to be exposed when the breakaway portion
is removed from the first portion of the body of the spout unit,
the liquid passage fluidically connecting the dispensing rim in the
body of the spout unit to the closed chamber; C) a one-piece cover
which fits over the cover on the first end of the main body and
over the spout unit and which includes a pull portion that is
removably attached to the cylindrical wall of the main body
adjacent to the second end of the main body; and D) a spout unit
cover which is removably mounted on the spout unit body and which
includes a pull tab thereon.
2. A disposable sippy cup comprising: A) a one-piece main body
having (1) a first end which is a bottom end when the main body is
in use, (2) a second end which is a top end when the main body is
in use, (3) a cylindrical wall connecting the first end of the main
body to the second end of the main body, and (4) an end cover which
is one piece with the cylindrical wall of the main body, the wall
and the cover and the second end defining a closed chamber in which
liquid is located when the main body is in use, the cover having
(a) a liquid exit port defined therethrough, and (b) a dispensing
spout unit which is one piece with the cover and which is located
adjacent to the liquid exit port, the dispensing spout unit
including a body having (i) a first end which is one piece with the
cover and which surrounds the liquid exit port, (ii) a second end
with a liquid dispensing hole defined therethrough, (iii) a liquid
passage through the body of the dispensing spout unit from the
first end of the body of the dispensing spout unit to the second
end of the body of the dispensing spout unit, and (iv) a break line
in the body of the dispensing spout unit, the body of the
dispensing spout unit including a first portion adjacent to the
first end of the body of the dispensing spout unit and a breakaway
portion located between the break line and the second end of the
body of the dispensing spout unit, the breakaway portion being one
piece with the first portion and being removably attached to the
first portion by the break line, (v) a dispensing rim located on
the body of the dispensing spout unit at the break line, the
dispensing rim being exposed when the breakaway portion is removed
from the first portion and being fluidically connected to the
closed chamber of the main body by the liquid passage; and B) a
one-piece cover which fits over the end cover on the first end of
the main body and over the spout unit and which is removably
attached to the cylindrical wall of the main body.
3. The sippy cup defined in claim 1 wherein the main body is
plastic.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the general art of liquid
containers and dispensers, and to the particular field of child and
infant feeding cups.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The history of baby and toddler liquid feeding systems has
remained essentially unimproved over a long period of time. The
major improvement in baby bottles and toddler cups, formerly
manufactured of glass, or other breakable materials, is the
replacement of the breakable liquid housing, relatively recently,
by plastic, or other non-breakable materials.
[0003] In the prior art baby bottle systems, the liquid storage
"bottle", or liquid housing, is usually sealed with a flexible
latex or silicone rubber nipple. The nipple is usually
removably-attached to the bottle by means of a threaded collar,
which is designed to squeeze the nipple flange against the rim of
the bottle. As the baby sucks on the nipple, the liquid in the
bottle is removed by the baby's sucking. As the milk, or other
liquid, is removed from the bottle, air will enter the bottle
through the nipple, thereby resulting in an equalization of the
pressure both inside and outside of the bottle, to that of normal
atmospheric pressure.
[0004] One of the major problems inherent with the prior art liquid
feeding system, is that the baby also ingests a very large amount
of air during the difficult process of sucking the milk out of the
bottle against the increasing pressures being developed in the
bottle. This then results in a "bloating" of the baby's stomach,
with the likelihood of concomitant vomiting of the mixture of
ingested milk and large amounts of air. A partial "solution" to the
ingestion of air during sucking, was arrived at by the use of
bottles incorporating disposable, collapsible, polyethylene, or the
like, baby bottle liners. However, this has proved to be an
expensive alternative, having, as well, its own major problems.
Aside from its greater costs, when a bottle utilizing a liner is
held upside down, it drips or leaks profusely--the amount being
essentially proportional to the size of the nipple liquid outlet.
This major drawback, has led to the need for another, more suitable
solution, to the vexing air-liquid ingestion problem. Another major
problem inherent with the use of the conventional prior art baby
bottles, capped by the conventional latex nipple, has been the
often uncontrolled spilling or dripping, of large quantities of
milk during its use.
[0005] As the baby grows into a toddler, the need for a dripless
liquid feeding/training sipping cup becomes quite obvious. The
previously designed prior art toddler sipping cups, have been
usually constructed of a non-breakable plastic, or the like,
material, incorporating a tightly-fitting, removable cup sealing
lid. The cup's sealing lid, may be either of the `snap-on/off` or
`screw-on/off`/version. Generally, the prior art's cup sealing lid,
incorporates a `nipple`- or `spout-like` liquid outlet
protuberance, allowing a child to suck or sip out the liquid
contents of the cup.
[0006] Further, the cup's lid is usually vented, by means of air
holes, in order to provide an adequate sucking or sipping liquid
flow. The child then places the `nipple` or `spout` in his/her
mouth, and then tilts the cup, and sucks or sips, in order to
provide the desired liquid flow. However, this prior art design
generally also has resulted in the dripping or `leaking` of large
volumes of liquid, when the liquid outlet is not located in the
child's mouth.
[0007] Drinking cups for young children often include a cap with an
aperture spout and a valve to prevent fluid from being spilled.
However, traditional valve youth drinking cups are difficult and/or
time consuming to clean such that the valve can potentially become
unsanitary and/or not fully functional. This problem is compounded
by the fact that some mothers forget or are too busy to spend the
time necessary to thoroughly clean the valve, or do not realize how
important a thorough cleaning is. Another problem is that, in many
existing cups having valves, it is difficult to tell if or when
their valve(s) is properly cleaned, particularly when the valve is
positioned inside of a concave region in their cap where it is
difficult to see and reach. There are also numerous additional
functional requirements that are difficult to achieve
simultaneously. For example, the valve must be fast acting in order
to prevent spillage, yet must allow fluid to flow easily out the
spout to a young child using the drinking cup. Also, the drinking
cup must reliably prevent leakage, yet must also operate equally
well at multiple angles. Also, it is preferable that the valve
allow fluid still in the spout to redrain back into the drinking
cup so that small spills do not occur. In the cost competitive
industry of products for young children, the drinking cup must be
mechanically non-complex with a minimum number of pieces to
minimize cost. Where the cap and valve can be disassembled, the
loose pieces must be large enough to prevent them from being lost
and to allow easy reassembly, yet must fit into and operate in the
relatively small interior of a cup sized for a young user. Further,
the reassembly procedure must be apparent from the parts
themselves.
[0008] Some known drinking cups have a cap that includes a first
valve to control fluid flow out of the spout, and a second valve to
control air flow into the drinking cup. However, this valving
arrangement increases the number of pieces, doubles the sanitation
and misfunction problems, and adds significant expense to the
product. Another problem is that these known valving arrangements
do not work properly if either of the valves becomes plugged or
partially inoperative, which is more likely to occur with two
valves than with a single valve.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a cup that is versatile as
well as easy to use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are
overcome by a pre-fillable and disposable sippy cup which includes
a one piece main body having thereon a dispensing spout that can be
easily configured for use by either toddlers or older children.
[0011] Using the sippy cup embodying the present invention will
permit sale of a filled cup in a store and then disposal of the cup
after use. This avoids the need for an adult to fill a cup before
leaving on a trip, while trying to drive, or the like, and then for
the adult to clean the cup after use.
[0012] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0013] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following drawings and description. The components in the figures
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the
figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the different views.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an infant or toddler sippy
cup embodying the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a detail of a top for the cup shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 shows a cover for the dispensing spout of the cup
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the
present invention is embodied in a disposable sippy cup 10 which
can be sold in stores and which will contain liquid, such as juice,
milk, or the like and which is to be discarded after use. Sippy cup
10 comprises a one-piece main body 12. The one piece nature of the
body makes is easy and convenient for a manufacturer to pre-load
liquid into the cup and seal it for storage and shipping. The one
piece nature of the cup will allow sealing in a manner that
prevents bacteria or the like from entering the cup whereby the
storage of the cup will be safe. Still further, the one piece
nature of the cup will prevent, or at least minimize, leakage and
spillage during use of the cup. In one form of the invention, body
12 is plastic.
[0019] One piece body 12 includes a first end 14 which is a bottom
end when the body is in use, with the use orientation being shown
in FIG. 1. Body 12 further includes a second end 16 which is a top
end when the body is in use. A cylindrical wall 20 connects first
end 14 to second end 16, and a longitudinal axis 24 extends between
first end 14 and second end 16.
[0020] A cover 30 can be plastic and is one piece with cylindrical
wall 20 and is located on second end 16. Cover 30, wall 20 and
second end 14 define a closed chamber 32 in which liquid L is
located when the body is in use. Cover 30 has a liquid exit port 40
defined therethrough. A dispensing spout unit 44 is one piece with
cover 30 and is located adjacent to liquid exit port 40. Dispensing
spout unit 44 includes a body 46 which has a first end 48 which is
one piece with cover 30 and which surrounds liquid exit port 40.
Body 46 further includes a second end 50 with liquid dispensing
holes, such as liquid dispensing hole 52, defined therethrough.
[0021] A break line 56 is defined in body 46. Body 46 includes a
first portion 58 adjacent to first end 48 and a breakaway portion
60 located between break line 56 and second end 50 of the body.
Breakaway portion 60 is one piece with first portion 58 and is
removably attached to the first portion by the break line. Using
the break line to break portion 60 off of portion 58 will remove
the first portion from the second portion and leave a dispensing
opening 62 in the spout unit through which liquid flows from
chamber 32. The dispensing opening is defined by a rim 64 which
will be exposed when the breakaway portion is removed from the
first portion. A fluid passage 66 fluidically connects first end 48
of body 46 to second end 50 of the body. Removing first portion 58
from second portion 60 removes the liquid dispensing holes so a
flow path between chamber 32 and dispensing opening 62 and via
opening 40 and fluid passage 66 to the child is formed. This will
permit older children to use cup 10 as well as children who require
dispensing holes. This makes the cup amendable for use by both
infants who require the dispensing holes and older children who do
not require those liquid dispensing holes.
[0022] A one-piece cover 70 fits over plastic end cover 30 on the
first end of body 12 and over spout unit 44 and is removably
attached to cylindrical wall 20 of the body adjacent to second end
16 of the body. Cover 70 further ensures a sanitary cup during
storage. Cover 70 has lip 72 thereon which is grasped to remove the
cover from the body.
[0023] A spout unit cover 80 is removably mounted on spout unit
body 46 and includes a pull portion 82 thereon. Cover unit 80 can
be used to close the spout unit after cover 70 has been removed.
This will permit the cup to be closed when a child has used only a
portion of the liquid stored in the cup.
[0024] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is
not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and
their equivalents.
* * * * *