Abstract:
An infant cup includes a container, a lid, and an elbow straw. The container is configured to receive and hold a fluid and contains an opening at the top of the container. Furthermore, the lid is sealingly engaged with the container and includes an outlet configured to output the contents of the container. Moreover, the elbow straw is rotatably coupled to the lid and configured to sit and rotate within the container when the lid is coupled to the container. Additionally, the straw is weighted and thus, no matter what direction a child tips the infant cup, the tip of the straw will always rotate to be in contact with the fluid within the container. The elbow straw is also removable from the lid for ease of cleaning. The container may also contain handles attached to the outside of the container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/700,017, entitled “Infant Cup with Rotating Straw”, filed Sep. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an infant beverage container. More specifically, the present invention is an infant beverage container that includes a straw attached to the lid and which rotates within the container. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Various types of beverage containers exist for infants. Because infants are in the early stages of development, they generally do not understand spatial concepts such as up and down, right and left, etc. Therefore, when an infant attempts to drink out of an infant beverage container, the infant may hold the beverage container the wrong way. This may cause fluid to flow too quickly out of the outlet. Moreover, no liquid at all my flow out of the beverage container if the beverage container is held and used in an improper manner. Furthermore, with certain sippy cups, the design of the lid and spout cause fluid to undesirably remain within the container. These cups always leave part of the fluid within the container, causing waste of a product or leaving infants unsatisfied and wanting more. 
         [0004]    Therefore, what is needed is an infant beverage container that is designed to allow the same amount of fluid flow from within the container despite the manner in which the beverage container is used or held. Furthermore, what is needed is a beverage container that contains an inner straw that rotates within the container, enabling fluid to be extracted from the container at any angle the beverage container may be held. What is needed is an infant beverage container that makes it easier for children who are still developing cognitive and motor skills to be able to drink without the help of their parents. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one exemplary embodiment, an infant cup according to the present invention includes a container, a lid removably coupled to the base, and a straw rotatably coupled to the lid. The container contains an opening which is covered when the lid is attached to the container. Furthermore, the lid includes an exterior, an interior, and an outlet disposed on the exterior of the lid. In addition, the straw is rotatably coupled to the interior of the lid, where the straw is configured to rotate within the container when the lid is attached to the container. Moreover, the straw is in fluid communication with the outlet of the lid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an infant cup according to the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the second embodiment of an infant cup according to the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of the container and the handle attachment of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of the lid of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5   a  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the lid of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of the insert of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6   a  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the insert of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6   b  illustrates a side view of the insert of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7   a  illustrates a top perspective view of the insert coupled to the lid of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7   b  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the insert coupled to the lid of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the insert elbow straw of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the attachment collar of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of the insert elbow straw of  FIG. 8  coupled to the attachment collar of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom perspective view of the lid with the insert coupled to the lid, the attachment collar coupled to the insert, and the elbow straw coupled to the attachment collar of the infant cup of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the infant cup  10  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. According to this embodiment, the infant cup  10  includes a container  100 , a lid  200 , an elbow straw  300 , and a handle attachment  400 . The container  100  is a rounded container with and opening  150  located at the top of the container  100 . Furthermore, the container  100  contains a base  110  located at the bottom of the container  100  to provide support for the infant cup  10  to stand on a support surface. As illustrated, the container  100  contains a rounded bottom, which generates the need for the base  110 . According to this embodiment, the base  110  is an extension from the sidewall  120  of the container  100 . As illustrated, the base  110  is not configured to house fluid when fluid is placed within the container  100 . In another embodiment, the container  100  may be shaped with a bottom that is configured to allow the container  100  to stand upon a support surface. Furthermore, at the top of the container  100 , the sidewall  120  is formed into an edge  130  and a vertically extending rim  140 . As illustrated, the edge  130  enables the handle attachment  400  to sit upon the edge  130  when attached to the container  100 . Furthermore, the rim  140  enables the lid  200  to be removably coupled to the container  100 . The lid  200  may attach to the container  100  via a snap fit, friction fit, threads, or other similar means. In this embodiment, the lid  200  contains internal threads (not shown) that mate with threads (not shown) on the rim  140  of the container  100  to enable the lid  200  to be screwed onto the container  100 . 
         [0023]    As stated previously, the handle attachment  400  rests upon the edge  130  of the container  100 , which is formed from the sidewall  120  of the container  100 . In this embodiment, the handle attachment  400  contains a ring  410 , a first handle  420 , and a second handle  430 . The ring  410  is dimensioned to fit around the rim  140  of the container  100  and rest on top of the edge  130 . Furthermore, extending outwardly from the ring  410  is the first handle  420  and the second handle  430 . The two handles  420 ,  430  extend from the ring  410  at positions 180 degrees apart from one another. Therefore, a user of the infant cup  10  has handles  420 ,  430  positioned 180 degrees apart from one another around the infant cup  10 . This configuration enables two-handed use by infants and children. In another embodiment, the infant cup  10  may have more or less then two handles, including no handles attached to the infant cup  10 . Furthermore, in another embodiment, the handles  420 ,  430  may be repositionable with respect to one another. 
         [0024]    The lid  200  of the infant cup  10  contains an exterior  230  and an interior  240 . In this embodiment, the lid  200  is configured to be rounded and circular, similar to that of the container  100 . This enables the lid  200  to be screwed onto the container  100  as described previously. Furthermore, disposed on the exterior  230  of the lid  200  is a spout  210 . The spout  210  is disposed at a central location on the exterior of the lid  200 . In other embodiments, the spout  210  may be disposed off center on the lid  200 . The spout  210  is equipped with a fluid outlet  212 , which is designed to deliver fluid from within the container  100  to a user. The interior  240  of the lid  200  contains an extension member  220  that extends vertically downward into the container  100  when the lid  200  is attached to the container  100 . The extension member  220  further includes a channel  222  that delivers fluid from within the container  100  to the outlet  212  of the spout  210 . At the end of the extension member  220  is a slot  224 , which is configured to releasably receive the elbow straw  300  and allow the elbow straw  300  to rotate. 
         [0025]    The elbow straw  300 , as stated previously, is rotatably and releasably coupled to the lid  200 . As illustrated, the elbow straw  300  contains a boss  320  on one end, and a tip  310  on the opposite end of the elbow straw  300 . Furthermore, the elbow straw  300  comprises an L-shape, where a right angle is formed by the elbow straw  300  between the tip  310  and the boss  320 . As illustrated, the boss  320  is sized and configured to be received by the slot  224  in the extension member  220  of the lid  200 . The boss  320  is rounded to allow the straw  300  to rotate within the slot  224  of the extension member  220  of the lid  200 . Furthermore, as illustrated, the tip  310  has a wider diameter than the remainder of the straw  300 . In addition, the tip  310  of the elbow straw contains an inlet  312 , configured to allow fluid to flow into the elbow straw  300 . Moreover, a channel  330  runs from the inlet  312  through the boss  320 , enabling the inlet  312  to be in fluid communication with the outlet  212  of the lid  200  when the elbow straw  300  is attached to the lid  200 . The elbow straw  300 , according to this embodiment, is constructed from a hard rigid material such as polypropylene. Further, as previously stated, the elbow straw  300  is removably coupled to the slot  224  of the extension member  220  of the lid  200  (shown in the ghosted representation at the middle of  FIG. 1 ). As illustrated, the elbow straw  300  can be removed by a parent pulling downwardly on the elbow straw  300  (as illustrated by the arrows) to separate it from the extension member  220  of the lid. This enables easy cleaning of the lid  200  and the elbow straw  300  when needed. 
         [0026]    In this embodiment, the tip  310  of the elbow straw  300  contains a weight that facilitates the tip  310  and the elbow straw  300  to point vertically downward with respect to the horizon during use of the infant cup  10 . During use, the infant cup  10  is tilted to some degree sideways off of being vertical, the orientation illustrated in  FIG. 1 . When tilted sideways, gravity forces the elbow straw  300  to rotate within the slot  224  because gravity causes the weight in the tip  310  of the elbow straw  300  to be in its lowest position within the container  100 . As the infant cup  10  is tilted, the fluid within the container  100  is repositioned within the container  100  due to gravity, causing the liquid and the tip  310  of the elbow straw  300  to be in contact with one another substantially all of the time. Thus, no matter what direction a child tips the infant cup  10 , the tip  310  of the elbow straw  300  will rotate to be in contact with the fluid in the container  100 . This allows a user to apply suction to the spout  210  and extract the fluid from within the container  100 . 
         [0027]    A second embodiment of the infant cup  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 ,  5   a ,  6 ,  6   a ,  6   b ,  7 ,  7   a , and  8 - 11 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , illustrated is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the infant cup  10 . This embodiment of the infant cup  10  includes a container  100 , a lid  200 , and a spout  510 . As illustrated, the lid  200  is coupled to the container  100 . According to this embodiment, the lid  200  is removably attached to the container  100 . Extending substantially upward from the center of the lid  200  is spout  510 . Furthermore, an optional attachment to the container  100  is handle attachment  400 . According to this embodiment, the handle attachment  400  includes a first handle  420  and a second handle  430 . In other embodiments, the infant cup  10  may not include any handle attachment  400 , or may include a handle attachment  400  with more or less than two handles  420 ,  430 . 
         [0028]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , illustrated is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the infant cup  10 . As previously stated, the infant cup  10  includes a container  100 , a lid, a spout  510 , and optionally, a handle attachment  400 . As further illustrated by  FIG. 3 , the infant cup  10  also includes an elbow straw, an attachment collar  600 , and insert  500 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the container  100  is substantially cylindrical in shape with a sidewall  120  that defines an exterior surface  124  and an interior surface  122 . Because of the container&#39;s  100  shape and sidewall  120 , the container  100  is configured to house a fluid placed within the interior  122  of the container  100 . According to this embodiment, the sidewall  120  of the container  100  forms a substantially flat bottom that is configured to rest on a support surface. Moreover, proximate to the top of the container  100 , the sidewall  120  is formed into an edge  130  and a vertically upstanding rim  140 . The vertically upstanding rim  140  defines an opening  150  that provides access to the interior  122  of the container  100 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the edge  130  enables the handle attachment  400  to rest upon the edge  130 . Furthermore, the rim  140  enables the lid  200  to be removably coupled to the container  100 . In this embodiment, rim  140  includes threads  142  that allow the lid  200  to be screwed onto the container  100 . 
         [0029]    Continuing with  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the handle attachment  400  includes a ring  410 , a first handle  420  coupled to and extending from the ring  410 , and a second handle  430  also coupled to and extending from the ring  410 . In the embodiment illustrated, the first handle  420  is coupled to the ring  410  at a first position with the second handle  430  coupled to the ring  410  at a second position opposite the first position on the ring  410 . In other words, the handles  420 ,  430  are spaced 180 degrees apart from one another on the ring  410 . As stated previously regarding the first embodiment, the positioning of the handles  420 ,  430  enables two-handed use by infants and children. Furthermore, the ring  410  is dimensioned to fit around the rim  140  and threads  142  of the container  100  and rest upon the top of the edge  130 . In addition, the ring  410  is configured to rotate about the container  100  while being supported by the edge  130 . This enables the handles  420 ,  430  to be repositioned about the container  100 . 
         [0030]    Turning to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  5   a , illustrated is the lid  200 . The lid  200  of the infant cup  10  contains an exterior  230  and an interior  240 . The lid  200  may be formed in a rounded and circular shape that enables the lid  200  to be screwed onto the container  100 . In this embodiment, the lid  200  includes a centrally located opening  250 , an offset orifice  280 , and a skirt  260 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  7   a , the central opening  250  is configured to receive and support the spout  510 . Furthermore, the offset orifice  280  may be located at any location on the lid  200 , as it serves as an air inlet into the container  100  when the lid  200  is secured to the container  100  and suction is applied to the spout  510 . The skirt  260  of the lid  200  extends downward and is configured to engage the rim  140  of the container  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5   a , the skirt  260  of the lid includes threads  262 , and these threads  262  are configured to interact with the threads  142  of the rim  140  of the container  100  to removably secure the lid  200  to the container  100  by screwing the lid  200  onto the container  100 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5   a , extending downwardly from the interior  240  of the lid  200  is an extension member  270 . The extension member  270  is a circular member that is positioned in the interior  240  of the lid  200  proximate to the skirt  260 . The extension member  270  does not extend downwardly further than the skirt  260 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 ,  6   a , and  6   b , illustrated is the insert  500  that is configured to be coupled to the lid  200 . The insert  500  includes a circular base  530  with a centrally located spout  510  extending substantially upward from the base  530 . In this embodiment, the insert  500  is uniformly constructed of a flexible and resilient material. In this embodiment, the spout  510  is formed in a substantially frusoconical shape. Located on the end of the spout  510  is a deformable valve member  512 . The valve member  512  may include one or a plurality of slits that deform when pressure is applied to the spout  510 . Deformation of the valve member  512  allows liquid to pass through the spout  510 . Moreover, located near the base of the spout  510  is flange  514 . As best seen in  FIG. 6   b , the flange  514  extends outwardly from the spout  510 . Furthermore, the flange  514  is positioned on the spout  510  above the connection of the spout  510  to the base  530  creating a gap  516  between the flange  514  and the base  530 . 
         [0032]    Continuing with  FIGS. 6 ,  6   a , and  6   b , the base  530  further includes an air port  520  that is offset from the spout  510  the same distance that the offset orifice  280  is offset from the central opening  250  on the lid  200 . The base  530  also includes an air channel  522  that circumvents the spout  510 . The air channel  522  is aligned with the air port  520  to at least partially intersect a portion of the air port  520 . The base  530  further includes an outer channel  532  proximate to the outer edge  534  of the base  530 . 
         [0033]    As best illustrated by  FIG. 6   a , the underside of the insert  500  includes an aperture  540  that provide access into the spout  510 . The edge of the aperture  540  includes an outcropping  542 . Furthermore, according to this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 6   a , the air port  520  forms a V-shape that extends downwardly from the base  530 . The V-shape of the air port  520  may include a slit on the point of the V, the slit deforming into an opening when pressure is applied to the spout  510 . The V-shape of the air port  520  enables the air port  520  to prevent liquid from flowing out of the air port  520  when the container  100  is tilted or tipped, causing liquid to rest against the insert  500  and the lid  200 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  7   a , the insert  500  is configured to couple to the lid  200 . The spout  510  and flange  514 , are configured to extend through the opening  250  of the lid  200 , and are positioned on the exterior  230  of the lid  200 . Moreover, the base  530  of the insert  500  is positioned in the interior  240  of the lid  200 . The flange  514  on the spout  510  is configured to have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the opening  250  of the lid  200 . The edge of the opening  250  on the lid  200  is positioned in the gap  516 , between the flange  514  and the base  530 . Furthermore, as illustrated, the outer channel  532  is configured to frictionally engage the extension member  270  (see  FIG. 5   a ) in the interior  240  of the lid  200 . The combination of the flange  514  extending beyond the diameter of the opening  250  on the exterior  230  of the lid  200  and the outer channel  532  frictionally engaging the extension member  270  on the interior  240  of the lid  200  couples the insert  500  into the lid  200 . 
         [0035]    In addition, as stated previously, the air port  520  is positioned at a location on the base  530  of the insert  500  the same distance from the center of the insert  500  as the distance from the center of the lid  200  to the offset orifice  280 . Therefore, when the insert  500  is coupled to the lid  200 , the air port  520  is aligned with the offset orifice  280 , providing fluid communication between the air port  520  and the offset orifice  280 . Positioning the insert  500  perfectly on the lid  200  so that the air port  520  and the offset orifice  280  are aligned may be difficult. Furthermore, the insert  500  may rotate when coupled to the lid  200 . However, the air channel  522  circulates around the entire base  530  of the insert  500  at a distance from the center of the insert  500  that is equal to the distance the offset orifice  280  is from the center of the lid  200 . Therefore, the offset orifice  280  is aligned with some portion of the air channel  522  in any position the insert  500  may be positioned on the lid  200 . Furthermore, because the air channel  522  intersects the air port  520 , the offset orifice  280  will always be in fluid communication with the air port  520  when the insert  500  is coupled to the lid  200 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 , illustrated is the elbow straw  300  and the attachment collar  600 . As illustrated, the elbow straw  300  includes a first end  310  and a second end  320 , and forms an L-shaped with a right angle between the first end  310  and the second end  320 . According to this embodiment, the first end  310  of the elbow straw  300  is wider than the remainder of the elbow straw  310 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the bottom and sides of the first end  310  extend out from the straw  300 , creating a weighted portion  314 . Furthermore, at the first end  310  of the straw  300  is an inlet  312 , configured to allow fluid to flow into the elbow straw  300 . Moreover, the second end  320  of the straw  300  includes an outlet  322 , configured to allow fluid to flow out of the elbow straw  300 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a channel  330  connects the inlet  312  to the outlet  322 , enabling fluid to flow from the inlet  312  to the outlet  322  through the elbow straw  300 . The elbow straw  300  further includes a set of bosses  324  located proximate to the second end  320 , the bosses  324  extending outwardly from the elbow straw  300 . The elbow straw  300  further includes an extension member  340  that extends outwardly from the elbow straw  300  at a location between the right angle bend and the second end  320 . 
         [0037]    As best illustrated in  FIG. 9 , illustrated is a perspective view of the attachment collar  600 . The collar  600  includes a circular flange  610 , a cylinder  620  extending upwardly from the flange  610 , and a channel  630  that extends through the cylinder  620  and the flange  610 . The channel  630  is sized to accept the insertion of the second end  320  of the elbow straw  300  into the channel  630 . When the attachment collar  600  is attached to the elbow straw  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the second end  320  of the straw  300  extends upwardly through the collar  600  so the flange  610  of the collar  600  is positioned adjacent to the extension member  340  of the straw  300 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the extension member  340  extends from the elbow straw  300  a distance farther than the diameter of the flange  610  when the collar  600  is attached to the straw  300 . Furthermore, the straw  300  is configured to rotate or spin within the collar  600 . The bosses  324  enable the straw  300  to be coupled to the collar  600 , but still enable the elbow straw  300  to rotate within the collar  600 . In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the collar  600  includes depression  622  in the cylinder  620 . The depression  622  is configured to attach the collar  600  to the insert  500 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , illustrated is the interior  240  of the lid  200  with the insert  500  coupled to the lid  200 , attachment collar  600  coupled to the insert  500 , and the elbow straw  300  rotatably coupled to the collar  600 . As previously described and shown in  FIGS. 7 and 7   a , the insert  500  is configured to be coupled to the lid  300  with the spout  510  extending from the exterior  230  of the lid  200  and the aperture  540  with the outcropping  542  being on the interior  240  of the lid  200 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 11 , the collar  600  is coupled to the aperture  540  of the insert  500 . Best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the depression  622  is configured to engage the outcropping  542  of the aperture  540  of the insert  500 . Furthermore, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the elbow straw  300  is rotatably coupled to the collar  600  and the collar  600  is attached to the insert  500 , the inlet  312  of the elbow straw  300  is in fluid communication with the valve member  512  of the spout  510 . Fluid is configured to flow into the inlet  312  of the elbow straw  300 , travel through the channel  330  to the outlet  322  of the straw  300  into the spout  510  and to the valve member  512 . 
         [0039]    During use, the weight  314  of the first end  310  of the elbow straw  300  facilitates the first end  310  and the elbow straw  300  to point vertically downward with respect to the horizon during use of the infant cup  10 . During use, the infant cup  10  is tilted to some degree sideways off the vertical orientation illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . When tilted, gravitational forces cause the elbow straw  300  to rotate within the attachment collar  600  because gravity causes the weight  314  in the first end  310  of the elbow straw  300  to be in its lowest position within the container  100 . As the infant cup  10  is tilted, the fluid within the container  100  is also repositioned within the container  100  due to gravity, causing the liquid and the first end  310  of the elbow straw  300  to be in contact with one another. Thus, no matter what direction a child tips the infant cup  10 , the first end  310  of the elbow straw  300  will rotate to be in contact with the fluid in the container  100 . This allows a user to apply suction to the spout  510  and extract the fluid from within the container  100 . In other embodiments, the elbow straw  300  may be more flexible, enabling the first end  310  of the straw  300  to move throughout the container  100  rather than just rotate within the collar  600 . 
         [0040]    It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention. 
         [0041]    Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.