Abstract:
A drinking aid adapted to engage, and facilitate drinking by a user from, a liquid container having a rim and an opening. The drinking aid has a body at least a portion of which defines a U-shaped groove adapted to receive the rim of the container when the rim slips into the groove and to create a mechanical engagement between the rim and the drinking aid. The body also engages the container to create a frictional fit between the drinking aid and the container. At least one of a column or angled arms disposed on the body form a V-shaped or U-shaped funnel directing and centering fluid from the container to an orifice either formed in the column or defined by the angled arms. The drinking aid prevents spillage of the liquid from the container when the user tilts the container to pour liquid through the orifice.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to liquid containers or vessels having rims surrounding a large opening and, more particularly, to an aid adapted to engage the rim and enable the user to drink liquid from the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When a child finishes the cereal in his or her breakfast bowl, milk often remains in the bowl. The child would like to drink, or “slurp,” the remaining milk. To do so, the child tilts the bowl to his or her mouth. This action typically causes spillage, because the milk exits the bowl both into and not into the child&#39;s mouth. Adults face a similar dilemma when they attempt to drink soup or other beverages from a wide-mouth bowl or other fluid container or vessel having a large opening. 
     A number of attachments are known to facilitate drinking of a liquid, such as water, soda, beer, or other beverages, from a conventional cup or can having a relatively small opening. The moustache cup adapter disclosed by Miller in U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,11 represents one example. The moustache cup adapter (“adapter”) does not center or funnel the flow of liquid; rather, the adapter blocks and restricts flow, to protect the mustache, except for the aperture defined by opening  3 . Element  1  of the adapter is a segmental-shaped, flat, thin, plastic plane without walls to direct flow. 
     Other devices are known to engage fluid containers or vessels having a large opening to facilitate drinking of the fluid. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 373,050 illustrates one example of such a device. Brewer et al. show a straw penetrating both the rim of the container and an upper region of the side wall of the container. One end of the straw sits adjacent the bottom of the bowl, enabling the user to drink at least most of the fluid from the container. This device requires a specially manufactured bowl: one having aligned holes in both its rim and side wall. In addition, the relatively small opening of the straw limits the amount of liquid that the device can transfer during a specified period of time and, therefore, the speed at which the user can drink. 
     To overcome the shortcomings of the existing devices, a new rim-mounted drinking aid for liquid containers is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an easily manufactured drinking aid that engages conventional containers without requiring any modification to the container. A related object is to provide a drinking aid that easily slips onto the rim of a container where it is adequately held in place. Other related objects are to provide a flexible drinking aid that engages the container via a combination of spring and frictional forces and a drinking aid constructed so that it conforms to and fits tightly on the rim of the container. 
     Still other objects of the present invention are to provide an effective seal with the associated container and to prevent spillage when the user drinks from the container. An additional object is to provide a drinking aid that centers or funnels the flow of liquid from the container and toward the mouth of the user. Yet another object is to permit rapid, substantially spill-free transfer of large quantities (certainly relative to conventional straws) of liquid from a container. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to assure that the drinking aid can be easily removed from the container, cleaned, and reused. An additional object is to render the drinking aid readily adaptable for use with containers of slightly different size, and able to readily conform to irregularities in the configuration of the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To achieve these and other objects, and in view of its purposes, the present invention provides a drinking aid adapted to engage, and facilitate drinking by a user from, a liquid container having a rim and an opening. The drinking aid has a body at least a portion of which defines a U-shaped groove adapted to receive the rim of the container when the rim slips into the groove and to create a mechanical engagement between the rim and the drinking aid. The body also engages the container to create a frictional fit between the drinking aid and the container. At least one of a column or angled arms disposed on the body form a V-shaped or U-shaped funnel directing and centering fluid from the container to an orifice either formed in the column or defined by the angled arms. The drinking aid prevents spillage of the liquid from the container when the user tilts the container to pour liquid through the orifice. 
     The present invention also encompasses a kit. The kit includes two components. The first component is a liquid container having a rim and an opening. The second component is the drinking aid as defined above. 
     In one specific embodiment, the invention is a drinking aid adapted to engage, and facilitate drinking by a user from, a liquid container having a rim, an outside wall, and an opening. The drinking aid has a body defining a U-shaped groove adapted to receive the rim of the container when the rim slips into the groove and to create a mechanical engagement between the rim and the drinking aid, the body also engaging the container to create a frictional fit between the drinking aid and the container. A leg of the drinking aid extends downward from the body and is adapted to engage the outside wall of the container to stabilize the drinking aid on the container. A neck extends upward from the body and transitions to a column that forms a V-shaped or U-shaped funnel directing and centering fluid from the container to an orifice centrally formed by angled sides in the column. A curved lip is disposed on the end of the column opposite the neck, the lip helping to prevent spillage of the liquid from the container when the user tilts the container to pour liquid out the opening and through the orifice. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a first embodiment of the drinking aid according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the drinking aid shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left-side perspective view of the drinking aid shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a right-side perspective view of the drinking aid shown in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the drinking aid according to the present invention, shown before application to a liquid container; 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the drinking aid shown in  FIG. 6 , shown as it is shaped upon application to a liquid container; 
         FIG. 8  is top view of the drinking aid shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the drinking aid shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a conventional liquid container with the first embodiment of the drinking aid in position on the rim of the container according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the liquid container and drinking aid as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawing, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that comprise the drawing,  FIG. 1  shows a top view of a first embodiment of the drinking aid  10  according to the present invention. Although it may be sized to fit any conventional liquid container  100  having a rim  102  surrounding a large opening  104 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a typical length for drinking aid  10  is about 4 inches. Container  100  may be any conventional china, glassware, or paper serving vessel. Examples of container  100  include bowls, cups, or other receptacles, and especially include beverage or other liquid containers. 
     Drinking aid  10  is molded from plastic as one, integral, monolithic, unit. A non-toxic, recyclable material such as low-density polyethylene is a suitable plastic material of manufacture. Although other materials are suitable, the material of manufacture for drinking aid  10  must be resilient and flexible to allow drinking aid  10  to (1) engage rim  102  of container  100 ; (2) fit onto containers of various sizes; and (3) readily conform to irregularities in the configuration of container  100 . The material permits drinking aid  10  to be cleaned, sterilized, or sanitized and reused (e.g., drinking aid  10  is dishwasher safe). Although a flexible plastic material is preferred, it is also possible to manufacture drinking aid  10  from a semi-hard material that fits containers of a definite size or shape. It is possible, too, to manufacture drinking aid  10  from a disposable material. 
     Geometrically, drinking aid  10  has an annular shape adapted to correspond to that of container  100 . Drinking aid  10  extends only partially around the circumference of container  100  and is typically aligned along an arc (“ARC”) of about 100 degrees with a radius of curvature R 2  from the annulus center C of about 2.55 inches. As most clearly illustrated in the cross section of  FIG. 3 , drinking aid  10  has a U-shaped body  12  defining an annular groove  14 . A lower leg  16  extends downward from body  12 . Projecting upward from body  12  is a neck  18 , which transitions to a column  20  ending in a lip  22 . Exemplary dimensions suitable for drinking aid  10  are provided in  FIG. 3 . 
     Both ends of column  20  and lip  22  have a beveled edge  24  for comfort and ease of use. Beveled edge  24  also avoids sharp corners and the corresponding risk that drinking aid  10  might catch on other objects. Column  20  has a radius of curvature R 1  from the annulus center C of about 2.31 inches. Centered in column  20  is an orifice  30  defined by angled sides  28 . Angled sides  28  give orifice  30  a V-shaped funnel design, with a typical angle (“A”) of about 67 degrees (see  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are respectively a left-side and a right-side perspective view of drinking aid  10 . These figures show that drinking aid  10  is bilaterally symmetrical about the center of orifice  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , drinking aid  10  easily slips onto rim  102  of any liquid container  100 . More specifically, the user grasps drinking aid  10  and pushes drinking aid  10  toward rim  102  with rim  102  aligned between leg  16  and neck  18 . Given the resiliency of drinking aid  10 , this action separates leg  16  from neck  18  so that rim  102  slips into groove  14 . Thus, assembly of drinking aid  10  onto container  100  involves a simple sliding motion and is easily achieved. Once rim  102  is fully in position within groove  14 , as shown best in  FIG. 12 , the user releases grasp of drinking aid  10  and is ready to enjoy the liquid in container  100 . Drinking aid  10  remains in position on container  100  via (1) a friction force created by the engagement between drinking aid  10  and container  100 , and (2) the spring force provided by the resiliency of drinking aid  10 . Leg  16  engages the outside wall of container  100  to provide additional stability. 
     To drink a liquid from container  100  without drinking aid  10  is difficult because the liquid spreads out or expands as the user tilts container  100  and the liquid exits the relatively large opening  104  of the container. The user finds it difficult to center the flow of the liquid as it exits container  100 . With drinking aid  10  in position on container  100 , however, the liquid is centered to allow ease of drinking. Drinking aid  10  funnels the liquid to the center of drinking aid  10  where the liquid passes through orifice  30  and to the mouth of the user; drinking aid  10  creates a funnel to direct fluid flow. 
     The V-shaped design includes relatively high angled sides  28  of column  20  on each side of orifice  30  to prevent spillage from liquid-holding container  100  as the user drinks. The curvature of lip  22  also helps to prevent spillage. Drinking aid  10  provides a liquid seal when assembled onto rim  102  of container  100 , allowing liquid to funnel to V-shaped orifice  30  and preventing leakage between drinking aid  10  and rim  102  of container  100 . Thus, drinking aid  10  constitutes a spill-resistant, rim-mounted, pouring spout for container  100 . 
     After the user has finished drinking the liquid from container  100 , drinking aid  10  can be removed from container  100 , cleaned, and reused. The user simply grasps drinking aid  10  and peels it away from rim  102  of container  100 . A relatively slight pull force exerted by the user will overcome the friction and spring forces that otherwise maintain drinking aid  10  on container  100 . As the user pulls on drinking aid  10 , leg  16  and neck  18  expand and allow rim  102  to exit groove  14 . Once drinking aid  10  is completely removed from container  100 , drinking aid  10  can be cleaned along with other dishes—perhaps in a dishwasher. Thereafter, drinking aid  10  is ready to be reused. 
       FIGS. 6-10  illustrate a second embodiment, namely the drinking aid  50 , according to the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 6  illustrates drinking aid  50  before application to container  100 . Drinking aid  50  has a substantially flat body  52  with a front face  54 . Provided on front face  54  are a pair of angled arms  56  creating a funnel that ends in a tongue  58  at an orifice  60 . 
     As shown best in  FIG. 8 , a typical width (“W”) for orifice  60  is between 0.50 and 1.0 inches and, preferably, about 0.75 inches. Such a width permits rapid, substantially spill-free transfer of large quantities (certainly relative to conventional straws) of liquid.  FIG. 9  shows that drinking aid  50  has exemplary dimensions including a height (“H”) of about 1 inch and a length (“L”) of about 4 inches. Other exemplary dimensions suitable for drinking aid  50  are provided in  FIG. 10 . All of these dimensions can be changed, however, to accommodate different containers of particular sizes. In addition, the sizes of particular components of drinking aid  50  may be changed. For example, although the thickness as illustrated in  FIG. 10  of tongue  58  is about 0.060 inches (i.e., twice the thickness of body  52 ), tongue  58  and body  52  may have the same thickness (e.g., 0.030 inches). 
     Provided at the top of body  52  and extending opposite front face  54  is an L-shaped hook  62  defining, in combination with the rear face  64  of body  52 , a U-shaped annular groove  66 . Hook  62  engages rim  102  of container  100 , with rim  102  engaging groove  66 , to help hold drinking aid  50  onto container  100 . To assemble drinking aid  50  on container  100 , the user places drinking aid  50  inside container  100  and bends flexible drinking aid  50  into the position shown in  FIG. 7 . The elasticity of drinking aid  50  forces rear face  64  of drinking aid  50  to push against the inside wall of container  100 . The combination of this spring force with (1) the frictional engagement between drinking aid  50  and container  100 , and (2) the mechanical engagement between hook  62  and rim  102  assures assembly of drinking aid  50  on container  100 . 
     With drinking aid  50  in position on and in container  100 , the user can tilt container  100  and drink the liquid from container  100 . The liquid is centered by drinking aid  50  to allow ease of drinking. Drinking aid  50  funnels the liquid to the center of drinking aid  50 , directed by angled arms  56 , where the liquid passes through orifice  30 , over tongue  58 , and to the mouth of the user. Thus, drinking aid  50  creates a funnel to direct fluid flow. 
     Drinking aid  50  provides a liquid seal when assembled onto rim  102  of container  100 , allowing liquid to funnel to V-shaped orifice  60  and preventing leakage between drinking aid  50  and rim  102  of container  100 . Thus, like the first embodiment of drinking aid  10 , drinking aid  50  constitutes a spill-resistant, rim-mounted, pouring spout for container  100 . Also like the first embodiment, drinking aid  50  can be removed from container  100 , cleaned, and reused. 
     In contrast with the second embodiment illustrated as drinking aid  50 , no portion of drinking aid  10  sits within container  100 . Rather, drinking aid  10  sits atop rim  102  of container  100 . Neither embodiment blocks the liquid flow; rather, both embodiments direct or funnel the flow. 
     Although illustrated and described above with reference to certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the spirit of the invention.