Adjustable volume toddler cup

Adjustable volume cups and methods for use are disclosed. Cups of various embodiments may have a series of removable inserts or a moveable bottom member allowing the containable volume to be adjusted.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to the field of toddler cups, and more specifically related to toddler cups with adjustable volumes.

BACKGROUND

There are a lot of toddler cups on the market designed to help a child transition from using a bottle to being able to drink from a regular cup. Even cups designed for the youngest toddler are typically designed to hold 4-6 oz of liquid. A cup with only a couple ounces of liquid requires the child to mindfully manipulate the cup, by changing the angle of the cup, to continue to obtain liquid. Learning to tip the cup upward to continue finding liquid until the cup is empty requires much practice because the child needs to learn to tilt the cup upward and their heads backward at the same time.

A full cup of liquid mitigates this problem by decreasing the need for the child to angle the cup or their head. This results in countless wasted ounces of liquid because a young toddler may not drink more than an ounce at a time. Young toddlers beginning training with a cup may take only a few sips, but still the cup needs to be full to reinforce their efforts.

One way to reduce the waste associated with providing a full cup to a toddler is to use cups with smaller volumes. Using cups as small as the amount of liquid a toddler is likely to drink is impractical and expensive. Also, such a small cup (1 to 2 oz.) is likely to be difficult for a child to hold, thus creating a new problem with learning to use a toddler cup. For the benefit and ease of use of the toddler cup, children are best served by being able to hold a cup of normal size.

Another important issue parents face in raising our children is nutrition. Drinking too much juice or other high calorie liquids is a contributing factor to the crisis of obesity. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to be able to easily and accurately provide toddlers with well measured amounts of calorie-laden drinks.

As such, there remains a need in the art for cups which can help a child become accustomed to drinking from a regular cup.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention may help toddlers cup train by allowing them to hold a full size cup while minimizing the headspace above the liquid. Additional embodiments allow a child to use a regular cup while being limited in the amount of calorie-laden drinks they consume. Embodiments of the invention may also allow parents to vary the amounts of liquids provided to their children, depending on age and the need at the time. This may result in monetary savings by reducing wasted liquids and the need to purchase multiple cups of various sizes.

FIG. 1shows a full-sized toddler cup10with a spill-resistant lid12according to conventional art. It can be seen that when there is a small amount of liquid14, relative to the volume of the cup10a large amount of air16is present. The air16may then be easily ingested by the drinker through the spill-resistant lid12.

A cup20of one or more embodiments of the invention is shown inFIG. 2. By modifying the volume of the cup20, in this case, by moving the bottom28of the cup20toward the lid22, the amount of air26remaining in the cup20can be minimized. It can also be seen that the liquid24within the cup20covers more of the spill-resistant lid22, thereby minimizing the amount of air ingested and reducing the likelihood of a child becoming ill.

Accordingly, one or more embodiments of the invention are directed toward variable volume cups. The cup of some embodiments comprises a housing having an inside surface and an outside surface. The housing is adapted to retain a substance. Retention may be effected in many ways. Some non-limiting examples include a separate bottom surface inside the cup (i.e., a cup that is shaped roughly like a soup can with one end removed), the inside surface can be frustum shaped, or the inside surface could taper to a point. The cup of some embodiments has at least one removable insert. The removable inserts may have an inside surface and an outside surface. The insert is adapted to fit within the housing and retain a substance.

Various embodiments of the invention have a removable cap adapted to fit on the cup. The removable cap of some embodiments comprises a spill-proof mechanism so a child can use the cup without risking spilling the contents. One skilled in the art will be familiar with spill-proof mechanisms which can be used with embodiments of the invention.

Further embodiments have a series of inserts stacked within the cup. Each insert can be stacked within either the cup housing or another insert within the housing. As an example of the stackable insert embodiments, a 12 oz. cup housing may have inserts which decrease the volume to 10, 8, 6 and 4 oz. Any single or combination of inserts can be employed by various aspects of the invention.

Some embodiments of the invention have handles attached to the housing. Other embodiments have handles attached to removable inserts. Handles attached to the inserts are accessible to a human hand when the at least one insert is within the housing. The handles attached to the inserts of multiple embodiments stack within the handles of subsequent inserts.

The housing of various embodiments comprises a gap between the inside surface and outside surface. Other embodiments have a gap between the outer surface and inner surface of the at least one removable insert. The gaps of these embodiments may be adapted to contain a substance. The substance of some embodiments can be frozen in a manner similar to an ice pack. This will serve to keep the contents of the cup cold.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a cup comprising an elongated housing having an inside surface and an outside surface. A bottom may be fitted within the housing in contact with the inside surface of the housing. A means for adjusting the location of the bottom within the inside of the housing is incorporated into certain embodiments. The inside surface and the bottom of these embodiments form a structure adapted for retaining a substance. The structure has a volume and a means for preventing a retained substance from passing between the inside surface and the bottom. The volume contained within the structure can be changed.

The means for adjusting the height of the bottom of the cup in various embodiments of the invention can be a screw-type mechanism, a slide mechanism, or combinations thereof. The screw-type mechanism can be, but is not required to be, attenuated by twisting a bottom portion of the housing, or some other radial motion. The slide-type mechanism can be, but is not required to be, a mechanism similar to a syringe plunger, but any mechanism requiring at least some axial force falls within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention may incorporate handles which are accessible to a human hand to grip the cup.

Other embodiments have a gap between the inside surface and outside surface of the housing. The gap can hold a substance which may be adapted to retain either heat or cold, depending on the desired attributes for the liquid to be held. Some embodiments may have an insulating material on the outside of the housing. Other embodiments may have a housing having different materials on the inside surface and outside surface, allowing a person to hold the cup without their hand getting too cold or hot, depending on the contents of the cup.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed toward methods of using an adjustable volume cup. An insert having an inside surface and an outside surface may be placed within a housing. The housing also having an inside surface and an outside surface, so that the outside surface of the insert is in proximity to the inside surface of the housing. Both the housing and the insert are adapted to hold a substance.

Additional embodiments include attaching a cap having an opening for drinking to the housing. Further embodiments have a spill-proof mechanism incorporated into the cap.

Other embodiments further comprise the step of placing at least one second insert having an inside surface and an outside surface within the first insert so that the outside surface of the at least one second housing is in proximity to the inside surface of the first insert. Still further embodiments have a series of inserts stacked within each other, each subsequent insert decreasing the volume that the cup can hold.

Other embodiments are directed toward a method of using an adjustable volume cup, comprising filling a cup with a desired amount of liquid. The cup having an outside surface, an inside surface and a bottom in contact with the inside surface. The bottom is adapted to prevent liquid from passing between the inside surface of the cup and the bottom. The location of the bottom of the cup is adjusted, thereby determining the volume which the cup can hold.

Further embodiments include the step of attaching a cap having an opening for drinking to the housing. Still further embodiments incorporate a spill-resistant mechanism to the cap.

Various embodiments of the method include the step of freezing a substance located between the outside surface and the inside surface of the cup. The substance can also be heated to keep

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an insert” includes a mixture of two or more inserts, and the like.

FIG. 3shows a drinking cup according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The cup30shown, has a housing31with an exterior surface32and an interior surface33which define a volume34. The housing31can be any shape, as desired by the specific cup design. Handles35are attached to the housing31. A mechanism for attaching a top36is included, in this case it is a series of screw threads37a,37b. The top36may include a mouthpiece38adapted to be placed in the mouth for sipping. An insert39is shown which can be placed within the housing31to decrease the available volume for holding a liquid.

FIG. 4shows a drinking cup40according to other embodiments. The handles41of this embodiment are a separate piece which may be attached to the cup40. For example, the handles41may slide over a threaded section42at the top of the cup40. A gap43between the housing exterior44and the housing interior45may be filled with a substance46. This substance46may have a higher heat capacity than water, such that it will retain temperature longer than water. For example, the substance46may be frozen, thereby causing the contents of the cup to be kept cold. By using a substance with a higher heat capacity than water, the cup will substance46will retain its temperature longer. The insert47may also have a gap48which can be filled with a similar substance49. The cup and/or the insert47can be filled with the substance.

FIG. 5shows a drinking cup50according to further embodiments. The cup50of these embodiments has sides51and a bottom52. The bottom52has an opening53which allows access to a sliding bottom54. The sliding bottom54forms a seal with the inside of the wall51with a suitable sealing mechanism, in this case an o-ring55is used. The location of the sliding bottom54in the embodiment shown can be adjusted by inserting a rod56having a rod end57through the opening53and into a slot58in the sliding bottom54. The rod end57can be fixed within the slot58allowing the sliding bottom54to be moved within the cup50. Once the sliding bottom54has been moved to the desired location, the rod end57can be disengaged from the slot58and the rod56removed. The cup50of some embodiments has integral handles59with the cup50body.

FIG. 6shows another cup60having a substance61within the walls62of the cup60. The substance can also be located within the bottom63and the sliding bottom64, as desired. The handles65of some embodiments can be a separate piece which may or may not be used with the cup60.

The cup70ofFIG. 7uses a threaded rod71mechanism to adjust the location of the sliding bottom72within the cup walls73. The sliding bottom72forms a seal with the cup walls73using a suitable sealing means. The sealing means shown in this drawing is an o-ring74, but can be others. The location of the sliding bottom72can be adjusted by turning a handle75on the base of the cup70. The threaded rod71in this embodiment occupies space within the inside of the cup70. The walls73have markings76which can be read from the outside of the cup. The markings76can be used to indicate the volume that the cup70can hold. Thus, the sliding bottom72of the cup70can be positioned such that it aligns with one of the marks76. Then the cup70will only be able to hold the amount of liquid shown on the mark76. The threaded rod71of some embodiments holds a substance which can be frozen or heated.

FIG. 8Ashows a view of a cup bottom80according to some embodiments. The bottom80has a series of tabs81,83,85which fold out on pivot pins82,84,86.FIG. 8Bshows a view of the same cup bottom80with the tabs81,83,85extended. By extending the tabs to the fully extended position, as shown inFIG. 8B, the user can pull or push on the tabs to cause the bottom of the cup80to move, thereby adjusting the volume of liquid that a cup can contain. The tabs shown are illustrative only, and the shape can be modified to suit any desired aesthetic or functional need.

Accordingly, one or more embodiments of the invention are directed toward variable volume cups. The cup of some embodiments comprises a housing having an inside surface and an outside surface. The housing may be any shape, for example, an elongated cylinder, elongated octagon, or cubic. The housing is adapted to retain a substance being either a solid, liquid or gas. Retention may be effected in many ways. Some non-limiting examples include a separate bottom surface inside the cup (i.e., a cup that is shaped roughly like a soup can with one end removed), the inside surface can be frustum shaped, or the inside surface could taper to a point. The cup of some embodiments has at least one removable insert. The removable inserts have an inside surface and an outside surface. The inserts are adapted to fit within the housing and retain a substance.

Various embodiments of the invention have a removable cap adapted to fit on the cup. The removable cap of some embodiments comprises a spill-proof mechanism allowing a child to use the cup without risk of spilling the contents. One skilled in the art will be familiar with spill-proof mechanisms which can be used with embodiments of the invention.

Further embodiments have a series of inserts stacked within the cup. Each insert can be stacked within either the cup housing or within another insert within the housing. As an example of the stackable insert embodiments, a 12 oz. cup housing may have inserts which decrease the volume to 10, 8, 6 and 4 oz. Any single, or combination, of inserts can be employed by various aspects of the invention.

Some embodiments of the invention have handles attached to the housing. Other embodiments have handles attached to removable inserts. Handles attached to the inserts are accessible to a human hand when the at least one insert is within the housing. The handles attached to the inserts of multiple embodiments may stack within the handles of subsequent inserts.

The housing of various embodiments has a gap between the inside surface and outside surface. Other embodiments have a gap between the outer surface and inner surface of the at least one removable insert. The gaps of these embodiments may be adapted to contain a substance. The substance of some embodiments can be frozen in a manner similar to an ice pack. This will serve to keep the contents of the cup cold. In detailed embodiments the substance has a heat capacity that is higher than that of water.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed to a cup comprising an elongated housing having an inside surface and an outside surface. A bottom may be fitted within the housing in contact with the inside surface of the housing. A means for adjusting the location of the bottom within the inside of the housing is incorporated into certain embodiments. The inside surface and the bottom of these embodiments form a structure adapted for retaining a substance. The structure has a volume and a means for preventing a retained substance from passing between the inside surface and the bottom. The volume contained within the structure can be changed.

The means for adjusting the height of the bottom of the cup in various embodiments of the invention can be a screw-type mechanism, a slide mechanism, or combinations thereof. The screw-type mechanism can be, but is not required to be, attenuated by twisting a bottom portion of the housing, or some other radial motion. The screw mechanism can hold a substance adapted to be frozen or heated. The slide-type mechanism can be, but is not required to be, a mechanism similar to a syringe plunger, but any mechanism requiring at least some axial force falls within the scope of embodiments of the invention.

In a detailed embodiment, the cup bottom has a handle that can fold into the bottom. The handle of these embodiments can be extended, allowing the user to control the location of the bottom of the cup by pushing or pulling on the extended handle.

Other embodiments have a gap between the inside surface and outside surface of the housing. The gap can hold a substance which may be adapted to retain either heat or cold, depending on the desired attributes for the liquid to be held. Some embodiments may have an insulating material on the outside of the housing. Other embodiments may have a housing having different materials on the inside surface and outside surface, allowing a person to hold the cup without their hand getting too cold or hot, depending on the contents of the cup.

Further embodiments of the invention are directed toward methods of using an adjustable volume cup. An insert having an inside surface and an outside surface may be placed within a housing. The housing also having an inside surface and an outside surface, so that the outside surface of the insert is in proximity to the inside surface of the housing. Both the housing and the insert are adapted to hold a substance.

Additional embodiments include attaching a cap to the housing. The cap may have an opening for drinking. Detailed embodiments have a spill-proof mechanism incorporated into the cap.

Other embodiments comprise the step of placing at least one second insert having an inside surface and an outside surface within the first insert so that the outside surface of the at least one second housing is in proximity to the inside surface of the first insert. Still further embodiments have a series of inserts stacked within each other, each subsequent insert decreasing the volume that the cup can hold.

Other embodiments are directed toward a method of using an adjustable volume cup, comprising filling a cup with a desired amount of liquid. The cup having an outside surface, an inside surface and a bottom in contact with the inside surface. The bottom is adapted to prevent liquid from passing between the inside surface of the cup and the bottom. The location of the bottom of the cup is adjusted, thereby determining the volume which the cup can hold. The location of the cup bottom can be adjusted before or after addition of the substance to the cup.

Various embodiments of the method include the step of freezing a substance located between the outside surface and the inside surface of the cup. The substance can also be heated to keep

Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with various embodiments thereof, it should be understood that other embodiments might fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.