U.S. patent application number 11/839108 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for disposable non-spillable childs dispensing cup.
Invention is credited to Emily Price Walker.
Application Number | 20090045206 11/839108 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40362171 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090045206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; Emily Price |
February 19, 2009 |
DISPOSABLE NON-SPILLABLE CHILDS DISPENSING CUP
Abstract
A disposable sealed drink container suitable for use by a child
to imbibe liquids and possessing a shape and size adapted for use
in conventional drink dispensing machines including aluminum can
vending machines and plastic bottle vending machines. The container
includes a sealed impermeable vessel to suitable for containing a
beverage, an extended spout designed to resist leakage when tipped
and allow fluid to flow when suction is applied, and a protective
cap.
Inventors: |
Walker; Emily Price;
(Greenville, SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEXSEN PRUET, LLC
P.O. BOX 10648
GREENVILLE
SC
29603
US
|
Family ID: |
40362171 |
Appl. No.: |
11/839108 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/713 ;
220/711; 220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/2272 20130101;
B65D 47/0842 20130101; B65D 2251/0093 20130101; B65D 51/20
20130101; B65D 2251/105 20130101; B65D 2251/0056 20130101; B65D
2251/0018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/713 ;
220/711; 220/714 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A container for fluids suitable for human consumption having an
outermost exterior substantially defining a surface of revolution
about a vertical axis and sized for use in a drink vending machine,
said container comprising: a vessel having an upper portion and a
lower portion, said upper portion having an extended spout at its
upper end sized to be placed in a human mouth, said spout having a
tip with an aperture designed to resist leakage when tipped and
allow fluid to flow when suction is applied, and said lower portion
for containing said fluid; a releasable seal attached to said
vessel to prevent fluid egress from said vessel; and a cap
releasable attached to the top of said vessel forming an enclosure
protecting said extended spout.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the inside diameter of said cap
is greater than the exterior diameter of said upper portion of said
vessel.
3. The container of claim 1 in which said vessel and said cap have
matingly engageable threads permitting releasable connection of
said cap to said vessel.
4. The container of claim 1 in which said upper portion contains a
vent aperture allowing air to enter said vessel when suction is
applied to said extended spout but resists leakage when tipped.
5. The container of claim 1 in which said upper portion contains a
valve allowing air to enter said vessel when suction is applied to
said extended spout but results leakage when tipped.
6. The container of claim 1 in which said upper portion contains a
valve allowing fluid to flow when suction is applied and resist
leakage when tipped.
7. The container of claim 1 in which said upper portion and said
lower portion are releasably secured to one another.
8. The container of claim 7 in which the top of said lower portion
has an opening and an annular rim to which said releasable seal is
attached.
9. The container of claim 8 in which said upper portion and said
rim of said lower portion are adapted to releasably snap fit
together.
10. The container of claim 1 in which said lower portion and said
cap have matingly engageable threads.
11. The container of claim 1 having a width in the range of 52 mm
to 76 mm and a height in the range of 92 mm to 306 mm.
12. The container of claim 1 having the shape, height and width
permitting said container to be dispensed by a soda can vending
machine.
13. The container of claim 1 having the shape, height and width
permitting said container to be dispensed by a soda bottle vending
machine drink bottle.
14. The container of claim 1 having a releasably attached tamper
evident seal encircling the outer surfaces of said cap and said
vessel at their junction.
15. A container for fluids for human consumption having an exterior
substantially defining a surface of revolution, comprising: a lower
portion having an annular opening at its upper end, and a unitary
upper portion including a lid hinged to a cap, said lid including a
upstanding sippy spout with a vertical opening and an upstanding
vent having a central vertical opening, said spout and vent having
radial sealing surfaces, said cap including downward protrusions
for sealing engagement with said spout and vent.
16. A method of expanding a vending machine customer base by
merchandising a vendible sippy cut containing beverage by placing
the beverage in a container having an extended spout that resists
leakage when tipped but allows fluid to flow when suction is
applied, said container having a shape and size that can be vended
as a sealed container from a refrigerated vending machine.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to containers that are specially
adapted for use in can and bottle drink vending machines that
enable dispensing of a child's disposable drinking cup containing
beverage and possessing an extended mouthpiece that resists fluid
flow when inverted, but allows adequate flow when suction is
applied.
[0002] Children's cups possessing an extended spout for placing in
the child's mouth and drinking from, commonly referred to as "sippy
cups" and "sipper cups," have provided a convenient method of
providing beverage to children while reducing spills associated
with a young person's lack of motor skills. Sippy cups possess an
extended spout that can be placed in a child's mouth. The spouts
generally restrict fluid flow if the cup is inverted by means of
valves and/or possessing small apertures through which the fluid
must flow. When suction is applied the resistance to fluid flow is
reduced allowing the child to drink.
[0003] Vending machines do not currently dispense drinks contained
in drinking bottles or cans suitable for young children. When
running errands, caretakers have to pack drinks and bottles for
their children. If the young child needs a drink or bottle and the
caretaker has not packed any, the caretaker has to sit and hold the
cup for the young child, go into a store for a bottle, or even stop
the errands altogether and go home.
[0004] Present drink vending machines carry beverages and juices,
but the cans and bottles presently available in such vending
machines do not sufficiently restrict the flow of liquid to prevent
spills if the bottle is inverted. The openings of such bottles and
cans are also awkward for a small child to drink from.
[0005] Present sipper cups, while better capable of reducing spills
and more biometrically suited for small children than cans or
current drink bottles, are not readily adaptable for use in
conventional drink vending machines such that a drink machine
service company could easily add such a product to a vending
machine's inventory for caretaker's to conveniently purchase.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Provided is a disposable drinking container suitable for use
by a child and adapted to be dispensed from a drink vending
machine. The container includes a vessel containing a liquid
beverage, a releasable seal attached to the top of the vessel
containing the liquid, the vessel having an upper portion having an
extended spout, and a removable cap. The container is an
appropriate shape and size for dispensing from a vending machine.
The shape of the product allows for its use in conventional drink
dispensing machines used in theme parks, shopping centers,
restaurants and the like including aluminum can dispensing machines
and plastic and glass bottle dispensing machines. Ideally the
drinking container is lightweight and biodegradable. A releasably
attached safety seal protects the contents of the container until
the child is ready to consume its contents.
[0007] The extended spout contains an aperture or apertures to
allow fluid to flow when suction is applied but resists fluid flow
when the cup is inverted. Such function may be accomplished by any
means known to those in the art including appropriate selection of
the aperture dimensions and employment of valves. The extended
spout is dimensioned to comfortably fit in a child's mouth. The
content of the vessel is contained by a safety seal releasably
attached to the top of the vessel. The extended spout and safety
seal are protected by a removable cap releasably attached to the
vessel. In the preferred embodiment of the container, the cap is
threadably attached to the vessel and secured with a tamper evident
seal extending around the circumference of the interface between
the cap and the vessel.
[0008] Typically, a child's caretaker will purchase the container
for the child from a convenient vending machine. The parent then
will remove and discard the cap and safety seal. The caretaker then
will attach the upper portion of the vessel to the lower portion of
the vessel and hand the assembled vessel to the child. The child
may then insert the extended spout in his or her mouth, invert the
vessel, and suck the beverage from the vessel. The parent will then
be able continue with their errands or drive with knowledge that
the vessel will reduce or eliminate spills in the event the child
was to tip or drop the drink.
[0009] A drink machine service company will be able to add vendible
sippy cup products to the available selections on a standard drink
machine without the need to invest in new equipment. Such an
expansion of their product lines will expand their customer base by
attracting caretakers of young children.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The preferred construction of the invention is illustrated
by the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective of the container possessing the
shape and size of a standard 20-ounce drink bottle;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the container possessing the shape
and size of a standard 12-ounce drink can;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a vertical section of the container shown in FIG.
3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the container shown in FIGS. 3
and 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a vertical section of a drink container with a
snap on sippy closure having a hinged seal cap, and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective of the closure shown in FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As illustrated in the accompanying drawings a disposable
drinking container is shown for containing a liquid beverage,
suitable for use by a child and adapted to be dispensed from a
drink vending machine or equally convenient for a caretaker, may be
purchased free standing at any number of locations such as
convenience stores, theme parks or restaurants. The container is
generally constructed from a resilient polymer based material
suitable for use as a beverage container. In the preferred
embodiment, the components will be of a biodegradable and/or
recyclable material. Other materials may be used, including metal,
paper, cardboard, and expanded polymers. FIG. 1 shows a perspective
view of an embodiment of the invention with a shape of a standard
20-ounce drink bottle 11. The outside surface the assembled
container 11 approximately defines a surface of revolution about a
vertical axis 13.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the container 11 which has
a vessel includes an upper portion 41 snap fit onto a lower portion
21. The container 11 also includes a safety seal 31, a cap 61, and
a tamper evident seal 71. The lower portion 21 possesses an opening
25 and an annular rim 23. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
the lower portion 21 has external threads 27 possessing a minor
diameter greater than the outside diameter of the upper portion 41,
thereby enabling cap 61, possessing internal threads 63 dimensioned
to mate with the external threads 27, to fit over the rim 23. Thus
there is no interference between the internal threads 63 and the
upper portion 41 when the cap 61 is removably secured to the lower
portion 21 or removed therefrom. The tamper evident seal 71, may or
may not be present around the circumference of the container 11
covering the joint between the cap 61 and the vessel 21, 41 where,
if present, would be irreparably damaged upon removal of the cap
61.
[0020] The upper portion 41 possesses an extended spout 43 adapted
to be placed comfortably within a child's mouth. The extended spout
43 possesses at least one aperture 45 adapted to resist flow of
liquid when the vessel 21, 41 is tipped or dropped, but allow flow
of liquid when suction is applied, such as when the extended spout
43 is placed within a child's mouth and the child is sucking. The
vessel 21, 41 may also have a vent aperture 47 adapted to allow air
to flow into the vessel 21, 41, but resist the flow of fluid out of
the vessel 21, 41 when tipped or dropped. The apertures 45, 47 may
possess one or more valves adapted to resist fluid flow out of the
vessel 21, 41 when dropped or tipped, but allow fluid to flow when
suction is applied to the extended spout 43.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein the
outside surface of the container 111 possesses the size and shape
of a standard 12-ounce drink can. The container 111 includes a
lower portion 121 connected to a cap 161, and a removably secured
tamper evident seal 71. FIG. 4 shows a vertical section of the
container 111 further illustrating the preferred embodiment of the
invention filled with a liquid 5, such as a fruit juice, juice
cocktail, or milk, and ready for distribution in a standard drink
can vending machine. Seal 31 may be constructed from but is not
limited to a polymer, metallic foil, or a combination thereof, and
is releasably attached to the rim 23 of the vessel 121, 41
preferably in a manner that would prevent resealing of the safety
seal 31 to the rim 23. The tamper evident seal 71 is releasably
attached to the container 111 such that removal of the cap 161 from
the vessel 121, 41 would destroy, permanently deform, or break the
tamper evident seal 71. FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0022] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a plastic container 171 dispensable
by present day vending machines which has a cylindrical drink
containing lower portion or cup 172 and a one piece snap-on top
portion 173. The top portion 173 includes a lid 174 having a
snap-on fit with the lower portion 172 and a cap 176 hinged to and
interconnected with the lid 174 by a narrow flexible web 177. The
web 177 fits in a slot 181 in the side wall 182 of the cap 176 so
that in the closed position of the cap 176 shown in FIG. 6, the web
177 aligns with and does not extend radially outward beyond the
cylindrical side wall 182 of the cap 176. The lid 174 has an
upstanding sippy or drinking spout 186 with an orfice 187 at its
upper end. An annular ridge 188 extends radially outward from the
spout 186 near its upper end and present a radially outward facing
sealing surface. The lid also has an upstanding vent 191 with an
orifice 192 and a radially outward annular ridge 193. As shown in
FIG. 6, the cap 176 includes downwardly extending cylindrical
connectors 196, 197, each of which have a radially inward facing
sealing surface. The connectors 196, 197 have a snap-on sealing fit
with the sippy spout 186 and the vent 191, respectively, when the
cap 176 is in its illustrated closed position. A tamper evident
seal 199 completes the sealing of the illustrated sippy drink
container.
[0023] It is understood that the vessel 21, 41 or 121, 41 may be
filled with the beverage 5 and sealed with the safety seal 31. When
dispensed the vessel is in an assembled condition as shown by FIG.
1 or 3. Upon being dispensed from a standard drink bottle or can
vending machine, the caretaker of a small child breaks and discards
the tamper evident seal 71 and removes the cap 61 or 161. The
caretaker then unsnaps the upper portion 41 from the lower portion
21 or 121 and lifts pull tab 33 connected to safety seal 31
creating an opening. The caretaker then may discard the safety seal
31. The caretaker then re-secures the upper portion 41 to the rim
23 of the lower portion 21 or 121 and gives the child the
reassembled vessel 21, 41 or 121, 41 for drinking. Upon completion
of consumption of the beverage, the components of the container 11
or 111 may be discarded, recycled, or cleaned and reused by the
caretaker.
[0024] It should be understand that various modifications may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *