Abstract:
The present invention features a cup that is used for children that transitions them from sippy cups to conventional drinking cups. The cup does not require any suction by the child when drinking yet is spill proof when locked for transit. The cup features a reservoir, a top and a lid. Within the top is a central passage and a plate that contains vents. When closed, the lid is flush against the plate and prevents any liquid from leaking. When the lid is rotated open, a gap is exposed between the lid and plate to allow liquid to flow from the reservoir and through the vents to the child&#39;s mouth. Regardless of whether the lid is opened or closed, the lid always remains below the top rim of the top.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention involves the field of beverage containers. Specifically, the invention is directed to a beverage container for a child, or toddler, the beverage container being suited to transition the child from a sippy cup to a conventional drinking cup.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Drinking vessels for infants and children are known. For example, it is desirable to provide cups to meet the special demands created by infants and toddlers. Currently available to meet these needs are spill proof cups, or sippy cups. Sippy cups features valves attached to a lid. Extending outwardly from the lid is a spout. As the child provides suction on the spout, the valve in the lid opens allowing fluid to pass from the reservoir of the cup through the spout and into the child&#39;s mouth. Sippy cups are ideal for transitioning an infant from a baby nurser to a cup-like vessel since both container only allow fluid to flow when suction is initiated by the child.  
           [0003]    However, transitioning a child from a sippy cup to a conventional drinking cup can be an onerous task. The main difference between a conventional drinking cup and a sippy cup is that a conventional drinking cup requires minimal suction by the child. Furthermore, conventional cups have an open top thus making the cup susceptible to spilling large quantities of beverage whenever the cup is tipped. Furthermore, because there is no spout on a conventional cup, the child must maneuver the rim of the cup to her mouth and lift the cup to allow the fluid to flow into her mouth, thus, increasing the probability and occurrence of a spilling. Thus, it is desirable to provide cups with means to simulate the rim of a conventional cup while providing means achieve portability of the cup with minimal spillage.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide cup that helps a child or toddler transition from a sippy cup to a conventional cup.  
           [0005]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cup that causes the child or toddler to drink from the rim of a cup rather than a nipple or spout.  
           [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cup that minimizes the occurrence of leaks and spills while the child is learning how to drink from a cup.  
           [0007]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cup that is lightweight, easily used and easily cleaned.  
           [0008]    This and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a container adapted for use by a child, or toddler, that has, e.g., three separable components: a reservoir, a top and a lid. The reservoir serves to hold any potable liquid. The top threads onto the open end of the reservoir. The top optionally includes a plate that extends across the open end of the reservoir. The plate also includes a central passage therein and a groove along its upper perimeter. A rim projects and extends upwardly from the plate of the top. The lid includes an upper disc portion and a lower cylindrical portion projecting and extending from the bottom surface of the lid. The bottom of the upper disc portion has a perimeter edge that extends axially for engaging the groove of the plate. The lower cylindrical portion further includes flexible position tabs that snap onto an internal threaded wall that defines the central opening in the top. Upon attachment, the lid is positioned below the top edge of the upper rim of the top. The perimeter of the lid that touches the top forms a seal that prevents liquid from flowing out. The lid, e.g., is rotatable with respect to the top. The ramp of the internal threads causes, when the lid is rotated, a separation between the disc portion of the lid and the plate of the top. Vents in the plate of the top permit passage of beverage when the disc portion of the lid is separated from the surface of the plate. Regardless of whether lid is in an open or closed position, the lid always remains below the top edge of the rim of the top. 
       
    
    
       [0009]    Numerous, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will readily become apparent from the following detailed description, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the reservoir of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a top view of the top of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the top of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the lid of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the lid of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the lid of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the lid of the cup in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a container of the present invention generally represented by reference number  10 . The container  10  is preferably substantially cylindrical in shape, but may be of any shape that is adaptable for use as a container by children. For the purposes of describing an exemplary embodiment of the container  10 , the container  10  is illustrated to be cylindrical. Thus, the three main components of container  10 , reservoir  100 , top  200  and lid  300  are substantially cylindrical and/or circular. The number of main components of the container  10  may be varied to be more or less. For example, the reservoir  100  and the top  200  may be formed as a single unitary component. All of the components of the container  10  may be of the same or different materials. For example, a preferred material is a thermoplastic polymer which, e.g., can be a homo-polymer or co-polymer. Examples of thermoplastic polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene and mixtures thereof.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 depicts a front elevational view of the reservoir  100 . The reservoir  100  may be of any shape that is suitable for holding a liquid. For example, the reservoir  100  may be substantially cylindrical or take the form of a chalice or goblet, as shown in FIG. 2. One skilled in the art may pick a shape for the reservoir  100  that is suitable for grasping and handling by children. Furthermore, the reservoir  100  should be able to contain a volume of liquid that is suitable for drinking by children. For example, any volume from about five ounces (approx. 147 mL) to about twelve ounces (approx. 355 mL).  
         [0022]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the reservoir  100  has base  110  and top end  120 . The is base  110  should be designed such that it can support the container  10  when the container  10  is vertical. The top end  120  serves as the exit point for the liquid from the reservoir  100 . The outer surface of the top end  120  has fastening structure  124  thereon. The fastening structure  124  allows top  200  to attach or connect to the reservoir  100 . For example, the fastening structure  124  can be an annular groove, an annular ring or a snap-fit. Preferably, the fastening structure  124  is a spiral or thread. This threading allows the top  200  to be threadably attached to the reservoir  100 . Although not necessary, having the top  200  be detachable from the reservoir  100  allows a user to better access the interior of the reservoir  100  for cleaning and filling.  
         [0023]    FIGS.  3 - 5  show perspective, top and bottom views of the top  200 , respectively. The top  200  has top rim  210 , bottom rim  220 , outer wall  230  and inner wall  240 . Extending across the top  200  and from the inner wall  240  is plate  250 . The plate  250  is situated between the top rim  210  and the bottom rim  220  and parallel to the planes that contain the top rim  210  and the bottom rim  220 . The center of the plate  250  is a circular opening or central passage  252 . Along the perimeter of the central passage  252  is passage wall  254 . The passage wall  254 , e.g., is concentric with the outer wall  230  and the inner wall  240 . Around the top perimeter of the plate  250  is, e.g., a circular seal groove  251 . When the lid  300  is locked in top  200 , the groove  251  is in physical contact with the edge of lid  300 ; this is discussed in more detail below. Located adjacent to the multiple guide slots  256  and on the passage wall  254  are position locks  258 . The position locks  258  can be located, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise from the multiple guide slots  256  depending on the rotation of the lid  300  in the top  200 . For example, if the lid  300  were to be rotated clockwise with respect to the top  200  as viewed from the top, then each position lock  258  is located to the left of a corresponding guide slot  256  when viewing the bottom of the top  200 . The position locks  258  serve to hold lid  300  in an open, or “drink” position. The edge of each arcuate piece of the passage wall  254  between each guide slot  256  and the next locking slot  258 , e.g., between the guide slot  256   a  and the position lock  258   b,  is sloped or tapered. Also along the inner surface of the passage wall  254  are grooves, or drive ribs  257 . The drive ribs  257  serve as attachment points for the lid  300 , as will be seen later.  
         [0024]    Disposed along the plate  250  between the passage wall  254  and the inner wall  240  are vents  260 . The vents  260  extend through the entire thickness of the plate  250 . The vents  260  can be of any shape, number and size. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, vents  260  are trapezoidal in shape and are twelve in number. When the container  10  is tilted downward, liquid flows from the reservoir  100  and through the top  200  via the vents  260 .  
         [0025]    FIGS.  6 - 9  depict top perspective, front, side and bottom perspective views of the lid  300 , respectively. The lid  300  provides a mechanism to seal the reservoir  100  and the top  200  to prevent any liquid from exiting the container  10  when the lid  300  is sealed. The lid  300  has upper portion  310  and lower portion  320 . The upper portion  310  is, e.g., a disc that has a diameter that approximates that of the inner wall  240  of the top  200 . Along the perimeter of bottom surface of upper portion  210  is edge  316 . For example, the edge  316  projects axially away from the bottom surface of upper portion. The edge  316  should have a thickness that is compatible with the width of groove  251  in the plate  250 . When the lid  300  is inserted in the top  200  and closed, the upper portion  310  of the lid is disposed or oriented below the top rim  210  of top  200  to form a physical seal. Additionally, e.g., when the lid  300  is closed, the upper portion  310  covers the vents  260  and prevents any liquid from flowing out of the reservoir  200  and through the vents  260 . When the lid  300  is opened or in an open position, the lid  300  remains disposed or oriented below the top rim  210  of top  200 . Although it is preferable that the edges of the upper portion  310  touch the inner wall  240 , e.g., to form a physical seal, when the lid  300  is locked or closed, it is not necessary provided that the vents  260  are sufficiently covered by the upper portion  310  when the lid  300  is locked or closed. On the top surface  312  of upper portion  310  is handle  314 .  
         [0026]    Handle  314  provides a means for a user to easily remove lid  300  from top  200 . Additionally, handle  314  provides a place for a user to grasp when rotating lid  300 .  
         [0027]    Projecting from the bottom surface of the lid  300  is the lower portion  320 . Although as depicted in FIGS.  5 - 7 , the lower portion  320  is cylindrical and has edge  322 , the lower portion  320  can be any other shape provided that such shape is compatible with the central passage  252 . What is meant by “compatible” is that the central passage  252  and the lower portion  320  have shapes that are similar. For example, if the central passage  252  is circular than the lower portion  320  is cylindrical and the edge  322  is circular. The diameters of the central passage  252  should closely match that of the lower portion  320 .  
         [0028]    Along the distal end of the lower portion  320  opposite of the upper portion  310  are position tabs  326 . For example, the bottom portion  320  can have any number of position tabs  326 , preferably three. Each position tab  326  is located along the perimeter of edge  322  and formed into wall  324  of the lower portion  320 . At the distal end of each position tab  326  is extension  328 , which projects and extends perpendicular and away from the axis of the lower portion  320 . Each extension  328  should match the shape of the guide slot  256  in the top  200 . For example, if the extension  328  has a semi-circular shape, then the guide slot  256  should also have a semi-circular shape. Located along the wall  324  in between the position tab  326  and the upper portion  310  are thread tabs  329 . For example, there is one thread tab  329  for each position tab  326 . The thread tabs  329  are protrusions in the  20  wall  324  that extend radially from the wall  324  of the lower portion  320 . Thread tabs  329  provide pull to engage the edge  322  of lid  300  onto the groove  251 . The thread tabs  329  prevent the lid  300  from falling out of the top  200  in the event that the container  10  is ever turned upside-down.  
         [0029]    To assemble the container  10 , the top  200  is attached, e.g., by screwing, onto the reservoir  100 . The lid  300  is then inserted into the top  200  with the user ensuring that the position tabs  326  are aligned with the guide slots  256 . As the lid  300  is inserted into the top  200 , the position tabs  326  pass through the guide slots  256 . Once the lid  300  is fully inserted into the top  200 , the position tabs  326  engage the edge of the passage wall  254 . This engagement of the position tabs  326  with the edge of the passage wall  254  of the top  200 , e.g., helps to prevent the lid  300  from falling out of the top  200  when the container  10  is inverted or tipped over. As the user rotates the lid  300  in a clockwise fashion, the thread tabs  329  travel along the drive ribs  257  whereas the position tabs  326  travel along the arcuate section of the passage wall  254 . Finally, the lid  300  has a complete physical seal when the edge  316  of upper portion  310  of lid  300  is fully engaged with the groove  251  of the plate  250  of the top  200 .  
         [0030]    To use the container  10 , the user rotates in a counterclockwise fashion the lid  300  a set number of degrees. The counter-rotation of the lid  300  creates a gap between the lid  300  and the inner wall  240 . When the child drinks from the container  10 , fluid flows from the reservoir  100  through the vents  260  of the plate  250  and through the gap between the lid  300  and the inner wall  240  and ultimately into the user&#39;s mouth. No or minimal suction by the user is required or needed.  
         [0031]    Additional features as known in the art can be added to the container  10  to enhance userability. For example, visual markers can be incorporated into the container  10  to show when the lid  300  is properly aligned with top  200  to facilitate easy insertion of the lid  300  into the top  200 . An example of a visual marker is an arrow on the lid  300  and a corresponding arrow on the top  200 . Moreover, audible markers can be incorporated to signal to the user that the lid  300  has been locked; e.g., when the position tabs  326  are rotated into the position locks  258 , a “click” sound can be heard. Furthermore, to enhance the spill-proofness of the container  10 , a gasket can be incorporated between the lid  300  and top  200 .  
         [0032]    It is understood that while the present invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the following claims. Other aspects, advantages and modifications are within the scope of the claims.