Abstract:
The present invention relates to spill resistant container for dispensing liquid doses wherein the container includes a body of generally hollow form about a centre vertical axis with open ends, comprising: an liquid deposit chamber having an open first end and an opposing closed second end, a liquid withdrawal chamber having a open first end and an opposing closed second end, one or more apertures between said deposit and withdrawal chambers adapted to selectively permit liquid communication in controlled doses from the liquid deposit chamber to the liquid withdrawal chamber, a detachable base cap having a cavity in liquid communication with the liquid deposit and withdrawal chambers.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of vessels or containers for liquids or beverages. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of spill resistant, controlled sip or volume dosing containers, including containers which moderate the temperature of a beverage portion before withdrawal from the container. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A spill resistant drinking container is highly desirable in applications where there is an increased probability of spillage during drinking, such as in hospitals and nursing homes with debilitated patients, training cups for children, and in moving vehicles such as airplanes, boats, ships, trains and automobiles. 
         [0003]    Volume dosing is desirable in containers for hot beverages. A hot beverage, such as coffee, consumed at a temperature of greater than 80 degree Celsius has the potential to scald or otherwise damage the mouth and lips of a consumer. Solutions to this problem have included stirring the beverage or waiting for thermal radiation to decrease the beverage temperature to a comfortable level to allow consumption. Additionally, ice or a cooler consumable liquid such as water or milk is added to decrease the beverage temperature. Unfortunately, upon cooling a beverage to a comfortable consumption temperature, the beverage temperature quickly decreases until a hot beverage is below the optimal consumption temperature. 
         [0004]    A similar situation exists with cold beverages that have the potential to irritate sensitive dental structures or chill portions of the digestive tract to cause temporary cramps or pain. 
         [0005]    Volume dosing containers are also desirable for a user having difficulty in swallowing, which is referred to as dysphagia. There are currently millions of people diagnosed with dysphagia. A patient suffering from dysphagia may encounter medical complications, such as aspiration. Sometimes, when liquids enter the windpipe of a person who has dysphagia, coughing or throat clearing cannot remove it. Liquid that stays in the windpipe may enter the lungs and create a chance for harmful bacteria to grow. A serious infection (aspiration pneumonia) can result. Dysphagia patients are therefore often put on restricted diets and asked to take small sips of liquid to prevent aspiration into their lungs. 
         [0006]    Many currently available children training cups are criticized for not being properly designed to train children to sip because of the valves used in such cups. While the valves prevent spillage, they make the children suck the beverage instead of sip it, which defeats the purpose of the training cup. In addition, many cups have a hard spout that increases risk of injury to the children&#39;s mouth and teeth when they carry the cup around. 
         [0007]    Travel beverage containers or mugs for hot beverages are known. Canadian Patent Application No. 2386384 discloses a beverage container with valve activated temperature moderated chamber. Examples of a “desk” mug with temperature insulated and temperature moderated container are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,380 and a limited flow cup is disclosed in Canadian Patent Application No. 2428592. 
         [0008]    Known travel mug designs typically include complex structures of valves and/or pump components and do not provide sip or volume dosing. 
         [0009]    Known spill/splash proof lid solutions include application and patents CA2219618, U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,000, CA2311058, U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,699, CA2425200, U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,797, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,816, U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,703, U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,557, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,865. In such cups, the lid is usually equipped with some type of valve that allows the user to drink from the cup without removing the entire lid, or flow control solution. Tipping proof solutions are also as known; see for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,470 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,369. 
         [0010]    The spill resistant container of the present invention permits dosing a liquid into small portions (the size of a sip). In the case of hot beverages, the small portion is isolated from the rest of the hot beverage, so that it quickly cools to a comfortable drinking temperature. The container keeps the majority of the beverage hot and prevents spillage. The container of the present invention is spill resistant, has no valves, pumps or springs, resulting in ease of use and less costly manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention advantageously provides a spill resistant container for dispensing liquid doses that is of relatively simple and inexpensive construction as compared to devices of similar functionality of the prior art. 
         [0012]    The invention provides a container for dispensing liquid doses wherein the container includes a body of generally hollow form about a centre vertical axis with open ends, comprising: an liquid deposit chamber having an open first end and an opposing closed second end, a liquid withdrawal chamber having a open first end and an opposing closed second end, one or more apertures between said deposit and withdrawal chambers adapted to selectively permit liquid communication in controlled doses from the liquid deposit chamber to the liquid withdrawal chamber, a detachable base cap having a cavity in liquid communication with the liquid deposit and withdrawal chambers. The liquid withdrawal chamber may be internal of the deposit chamber. 
         [0013]    In one aspect, the liquid withdrawal chamber comprises a frusto-conical shaped first cup forming a dosing chamber dimensioned to contain a predetermined amount of liquid, wherein the dosing chamber extends below the liquid deposit chamber. The dosing chamber has a first aperture on the end wall thereof and a second aperture on the side wall thereof. The base cap cavity is in liquid communication with the first aperture and the liquid deposit chamber is in liquid communication with the second aperture. The first and second apertures that may be circular or slits are in spaced apart relationship to define, in use, a pre-determined liquid dose. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the first aperture is circular and said second aperture is a slit positioned along the centre vertical axis of said first cup. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect, the first aperture is circular and second aperture is a slit angled from the centre vertical axis of said first cup. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect, a second cup is rotatably mountable to the end of the dosing chamber. The second cup has a first circular aperture on the end wall thereof in axial alignment with the first aperture of the dosing chamber and a second slitted aperture angled from the centre vertical axis of the second cup. The second aperture is angled relative to the slit of the dosing chamber, whereupon rotation of the second cup, the slitted apertures define a moveable orifice for setting a predetermined volume of a liquid dose, typically 5.0 ml. to 50 ml. 
         [0017]    In a further aspect container comprises a body having an outer side wall, an inner side wall positioned within the outer side, said inner side wall adjoins the outer side wall at the outer top edge region of the body and slopes in opposite direction with respect to the vertical to form a closed end cup extending below the outer side wall at the bottom region of the body, wherein an inner chamber with an open end at the top of the body and an outer chamber with an opposing open end are defined by the outer and inner walls, said cup having one or more apertures, a detachable base cap having a cavity in liquid communication with said inner and outer chambers, wherein said aperture is adapted to selectively permit fluid communication from the outer chamber to the inner chamber. 
         [0018]    In a further aspect the container includes a body of generally hollow form about a centre vertical axis with open ends, comprising: an liquid deposit chamber having an open first end and an opposing closed second end, a liquid withdrawal chamber having a open first end and an opposing closed second end, one or more apertures between said deposit and withdrawal chambers adapted to selectively permit liquid communication in controlled doses from the liquid deposit chamber to the liquid withdrawal chamber, a detachable base cap having a cavity in liquid communication with the liquid deposit and withdrawal chambers. The liquid deposit chamber is internal the liquid withdrawal chamber. 
         [0019]    Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which are briefly described hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    The present invention may be further understood by reference to the description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container according to one embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  is the container in the upright or dosing position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIG. 1  along line A-A of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  is the container in the upright position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded elevation view of the container of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is the container in the inverted or fill position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a container according to an alternative embodiment showing a second cup.  FIG. 4  is the container in an inverted position. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a partially exploded perspective view of the container of  FIG. 4  with a second cup in one adjustment position. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a partially exploded perspective view of the container of  FIG. 4  with a second cup in another adjustment position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a container according to another embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  is the container in the upright or dosing position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partially exploded perspective view of the container of  FIG. 7  in the inverted or fill position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a container according to the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged detail of portion A in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  a container  10 , shown in a first or upright position, includes a body  20  of generally hollow form about a vertical axis with an open top end  30  and open bottom end  40  and a base cap  50  constructed to define a cavity  60  for holding liquid and to sealingly engage with body  20 . As shown, the cap  50  includes a generally flat base  70 . Optionally, a seal  55  may also be used. 
         [0033]    The body  20  includes an outer side wall  80  and an inner side wall  90 . The inner side wall  90  is shown having a generally frusto-conical shape but may equally be generally cylindrically or substantially cone shaped. The inner side wall  90  is positioned within the outer side wall and is sloped in opposite direction with respect to the vertical, such that inner wall  90  adjoins the outer side wall  80  at the outer top edge region  100  of the body  20  and at the opposing end forms a short, generally cylindrically shaped cup portion or dosing chamber  120  having a closed bottom end  110 . The cup  120  extends axially beyond the outer side wall  80 . The cup  120  has a first aperture  130  in bottom cup end wall  110  in liquid communication with cavity  60  and a second aperture  140  on the side wall of cup  120  in the area adjacent cup base portion  150 . Apertures  120  and  130  are shown as circular but may be slits. In any configuration, the apertures are dimensioned generally according to the surface tensions of the liquids for which the container may be directed. The outer side wall  80  and inner side wall  90  thereby define an inner hollow space or chamber  160  and an outer hollow space or chamber  170 . The inner chamber  160  has an open end  30  at the top of body  20  and a closed opposing end  110 . The outer chamber  170  has an open end  40  at the bottom end of body  20  and is closed at the outer top edge region  100  of the body  20 . The outer chamber  170  is in liquid communication with aperture  140 . The outer side wall  80  in the area directly adjacent open end  40  includes a series of external screw threads  180 . Screw threads  180  are connectable with the series of internal screw threads  190  formed on the base cap. Engagement of cap  50  to body  20  may be by threaded arrangement as shown, by friction fit (not shown), or other known manner of sealing engagement. 
         [0034]    The volume of a single liquid dose is pre-determined by the volume of cup  120  and the relative position of second aperture  140  on the side wall of cup  120 . The liquid dose volume will be less if aperture  140  is positioned closer to bottom cup wall  110 . For dysphagia applications, the dose volume is typically 5 ml. to 20 ml. For travel container application, the dose volume is typically 20 ml. to 50 ml. 
         [0035]    In operation, cap  50  is disengaged from body  20  and body  20  is rotated 180 degrees from the first position to a second or inverted position so that open end  40  of outer chamber  170  becomes an interim top opening of body  20 . Liquid or fluid is poured into outer chamber  170  to any desired level up to the edge of open end  40  and cap  50  is reattached to body  20 . 
         [0036]    Container  10  is then rotated 180 degrees to return to the first position. As container  10  rotates, liquid fills cavity  60  and air from inner chamber  160  enters into outer chamber  170  through aperture  140 . The entering air causes liquid in outer chamber  170  to flow through aperture  130  into cup  120  until the level of liquid in cup  120  covers aperture  140 . Once aperture  140  is covered by the liquid in cup  120 , no further air enters the outer chamber  170  and no further liquid flows into cup  120 . The amount of liquid in cup  120  represents a pre-determined, controlled dose of liquid that the user may drink through open first end  30  by tilting container  10 . 
         [0037]    Additional controlled doses of liquid equal to the first dose are obtainable by withdrawing liquid from inner chamber  160  by tilting the container and drinking from open end  30  or without tilting via use of a straw, followed by rotation of container  10  to the first position. Such process results in another equal dose of liquid for further consumption by the user. These process steps and controlled dosing are repeatable until no liquid remains in outer chamber  170 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6  show an alternative embodiment wherein the liquid volume dose may be adjusted by the user. The container shown in the inverted position includes a body  20  of generally hollow form about a vertical axis with an open end  30  (not visible) at the top of container  10  and open end  40  at the bottom of the container. A base cap  50  is adapted to sealingly engage body  20 . As shown, the cap  50  includes a generally flat base  70 . The liquid cavity  60  of base cap  50  is not visible in this figure. The outer side wall  80  in the area directly adjacent open end  40  includes a series of external screw threads  180 . Screw threads  180  are connectable with the series of internal screw threads  190  formed on the base cap. 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, the body  20  of the container has an inner chamber  160  (not visible) and an outer chamber  170  defined in the same manner as the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The inner side wall  90  (not visible) includes a short, generally cylindrically shaped cup portion or dosing chamber  120  having a closed bottom cup end wall  110  that extends axially beyond the outer side wall  80 . Cup  120  has a circular aperture  130  in bottom cup end wall  110  and an angled slitted aperture  200  on the side wall of cup  120 . A second cylindrically shaped cup  210  dimensioned to rotatably engage over cup  120  includes a first circular aperture  220  on the second cup end wall  230  and a second angled, slitted aperture  240  on the side wall of second cup  210 . The angle of slitted aperture  240  is approximately perpendicular relative to the angle of slitted aperture  200 . 
         [0040]    With cap  50  detached and second cup  210  in fitted arrangement over cup  120 , circular aperture  220  of second cup  210  aligns with circular aperture  130  of cup  120  such that inner chamber  160  is in liquid communication with cavity  60 . As second cup  210  is rotated about its axis, slitted aperture  240  intersects with slitted aperture  200  to define an intersecting aperture  250  having a distance “h” from the second cup bottom end wall  230 . Inner chamber  160  is thereby in fluid communication with outer chamber  170  via intersecting aperture  250 . 
         [0041]    Continued rotation of second cup  210  about its axis results in the re-position of intersecting aperture  250  relative to the end wall of second cup  210  and cup base portion  150 , namely increasing or decreasing distance “h”. A lower “h” value corresponds to a smaller volume of dosed liquid and a higher ‘h” value corresponds to a larger volume of dosed liquid. The side wall of second cup  210  may optionally have volume amounts along the outer edge of slitted aperture  240 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10  show a further alternative embodiment wherein the liquid deposit chamber  160  is internal of the liquid withdrawal chamber  170 . The body  20  has a skewed frusto-conical shape and includes an outer side wall  80  and an inner side wall  90  of vacuum walled construction comprised of walls  90   a  and  90   b  with a vacuum space  95  therebetween. This vacuum wall construction thermally insulates liquid in the liquid deposit chamber. Outer side wall  80  is substantially vertical on one side and slopes outwardly with respect to the vertical on the opposing side. The inner wall  90  adjoins the outer side wall  80  at the bottom edge region  105  of the body  20  and at the opposing end forms a generally cylindrically liquid deposit chamber  160  having a closed top end  115  comprised of walls  115   a  and  115   b.  The deposit chamber  160  has an aperture  140  on the side wall of chamber  160  in the area adjacent open end  40 . Apertures  140  may be a slit as shown or may be circular. In any configuration, the aperture is dimensioned generally according to the surface tensions of the liquids for which the container may be directed. 
         [0043]    The outer side wall  80  and inner side wall  90  thereby define an inner hollow space or chamber  160  and an outer hollow space or chamber  170 . The outer chamber  170  has an open end  30  at the top of body  20  and a closed opposing end  105 . The inner chamber  160  has an open end  45  at the bottom end of body  20  and is closed at top wall  115 . The outer chamber  170  is in liquid communication with aperture  140 . The outer side wall  80  in the area directly adjacent bottom edge region  105  includes a series of external screw threads  180 . Screw threads  180  are connectable with the series of internal screw threads  190  formed on the base cap. Engagement of cap  50  to body  20  may be by threaded arrangement as shown, by friction fit (not shown), or other known manner of sealing engagement. 
         [0044]    In operation, cap  50  is disengaged from body  20  and body  20  is rotated 180 degrees from the first position to a second or inverted position so that open end  45  of inner chamber  160  becomes an interim top opening of body  20 . Liquid or fluid is poured into inner chamber  160  to any desired level up to the bottom of aperture  140  and cap  50  is reattached to body  20 . 
         [0045]    Container  10  is then rotated 180 degrees to return to the first position. As container  10  rotates, air from outer chamber  170  enters into inner chamber  160  through aperture  140 . The entering air causes liquid in inner chamber  160  to flow through aperture  140  into outer chamber  170  until the level of liquid covers aperture  140 . Once aperture  140  is covered by the liquid outer chamber  170 , no further air enters the inner chamber  160  and no further liquid flows into outer chamber  170 . The amount of liquid in outer chamber  170  represents a pre-determined, controlled dose of liquid that the user may drink through open first end  30 . 
         [0046]    Additional controlled doses of liquid equal to the first dose are obtainable by withdrawing liquid from inner chamber  160  by tilting the container and drinking from open end  30  or without tilting via use of a straw. 
         [0047]    A typical construction of the container and its elements of the present invention would normally be a rigid plastic material but other materials may be equally suitable for different applications. The container may be constructed of ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal, clay, paper, or combinations thereof. 
         [0048]    The container may optionally be constructed of thermal insulating materials or have vacuum walls to maintain the contained liquid at a desired temperature (either hot or cold). 
         [0049]    The container may also optionally have one or more external handles mounted or pre-formed on the external body wall. 
         [0050]    It will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope thereof as set out by the claims that follow.