Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CUP ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cups. More particularly, the present
invention relates to infant cup assemblies.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cups designed especially. for use by infants or children
are known. Such cups may include orifices that are intended to reduce spillage
of fluid from the cup. These cups have drinking orifices and separate air
vents,
which allow the user to drink from the orifice without creating excessive
vacuum
in the cup.
However, drinking orifices and air vents are liable to leak liquid stored in
the cup between feedings, or if dropped during use. Drinking orifices and the
surrounding lid structure through which the orifices are disposed, have a
lasting
effect on the child's lip placement which can impact the child's ability to
feed and
swallow.
Certain cups have been developed that use valving mechanisms at the
orifice and at the air vent. These valves respond to suction generated during
feeding to open and allow liquid to pass through the orifice and to allow air
to
.enter the air vent when a vacuum is developed in the interior of the cup.
Patents
disclosing such valves include U.S. Patent No. 5,079,013 to Belanger, U.S.
Patent No. 6,422,415 to Manganiello, U.S. Patent No. 6,050,445 to Manganiello
and U.S. Patent No. RE 37,016 to Morano, which are commonly assigned or
licensed to the assignee of the present application.
Other cups designed for use by infants or children are intended to
facilitate the gripping of the cup by the infant. Contemporary devices often
employ gripping structures that are formed on the surface of the bottle.
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A baby bottle with an outer surface that has been adapted to provide
handles intended to allow infants and children to better grip the bottle, is
disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,215,203 to Malcolm. The bottle has at least two
sets of handles that are formed integrally with the bottle by a plurality of
recesses extending vertically along a substantial length of the bottle. The
recesses have either side walls that converge towards each other as they
extend towards a central longitudinal axis of the bottle or side walls that
are
parallel to each other. The lobe shaped handles resulting from the converging
side walls and the rectangular shaped handles resulting from the parallel side
1o walls, allow an infant or child to partially grasp or hold the handles. The
disclosed bottles provide limited assistance to infants or children because
they
do not allow for a complete or nearly complete closure of the infants hands
around the handles.
Accordingly, there is a need for cups having lids and orifices that
facilitate use by children, including promoting proper lip closure around the
orifice. There is a further need for cups having handles, which facilitate
gripping and grasping by infants, and motivate infants to use such handles.
There is also a need for handles on cups having sufficient strength to
withstand use by children.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cup assembly that
reduces or eliminates leakage and spillage.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cup
assembly that facilitates use of the spout.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a cup
assembly that facilitates generation of a suction force and promotes improved
flow-rate through the orifice.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a cup
that promotes proper lip closure.
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It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a cup
assembly that promotes better lip approximation.
It is another further object of the present invention to provide such a
cup assembly that assists infants and children in holding the cup assembly.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a cup
assembly that promotes better hand-to-mouth coordination.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide such a cup
assembly that promotes independent cup drinking in the child.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are
lo provided by a lid for a cup comprising a lid body removably securable to
the
cup and a spout having an orifice, a front wall and a rear wall. The spout is
secured to the lid body, and the front and rear walls are convex defining a
substantially ellipsoidal shape. The front wall has a first radius of
curvature,
the rear wall has a second radius of curvature, and the first and second radii
of curvature are equal.
In another aspect of the invention, a lid for a cup is
provided which comprises a lid body removably securable to the cup, a spout
having distal and proximal ends, and an orifice. The spout is secured to the
lid body. The spout has a distal cross-sectional area A, at the distal end and
2o a proximal cross-sectional area A2 at the proximal end. The spout also has
a
height h. The spout has a rate of change of cross-sectional area equal to (A2-
A1)/h of between about 0.1 to about 1Ø
In another aspect of the invention, a cup assembly is provided which
comprises a cup defining an inner volume; a lid threadingly securable to the
cup; and a spout having distal and proximal ends, an orifice, top, front and
rear walls, and first and second side walls. The spout is secured to the lid.
The orifice is disposed through the top wall and is in fluid communication
with
the inner volume when the lid is secured to the cup. The top wall has an
upwardly arcuate shape. The front wall has an outwardly convex shape and is
inwardly tapered toward the distal end. The rear wall is inwardly tapered
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toward the distal end. The first side wall is inwardly tapered toward the
distal
end at a first taper angle. The second side wall is inwardly tapered toward
the
distal end at a second taper angle. The first taper angle equals the second
taper angle.
In another aspect of the invention, a cup assembly is
provided which comprises a cup defining an inner volume; a lid removably
securable to the cup; and a spout having distal and proximal ends, an orifice,
a front wall and a rear wall. The spout is secured to the lid and the orifice
is in
fluid communication with the inner volume. The front wall is inwardly tapered
lo toward the distal end at a first taper angle of between about 5 to about
150,
and the rear wall is inwardly tapered toward the distal end at a second taper
angle of between about 5 to about 150.
In another aspect of the invention, a cup assembly is
provided which comprises a cup defining an inner volume; a lid removably
securable to the cup; and a spout having an orifice and distal and proximal
ends. The spout is secured to the lid and the orifice is in fluid
communication
with the inner volume. The spout has a distal depth d1 at the distal end, a
proximal depth d2 at the proximal end, and a height h. The spout has a rate of
change of depth equal to (d2-d1)/h of between about 0.1 to about 0.7.
In another aspect of the invention, a cup assembly is
provided which comprises a cup defining an inner volume; a lid removably
securable to the cup; and a spout having an orifice and distal and proximal
ends. The spout is secured to the lid and the orifice is in fluid
communication
with the inner volume. The spout has a distal width wi at the distal end and a
proximal width w2 at the proximal end. The spout has a height h. The spout
has a rate of change of width equal to (w2-w1)/h of between about 0.1 to about
0.6.
The first and second radii of curvature can be between about 3.0
inches to about 7.0 inches. The spout can have a distal width of between
about 0.5 inches to about 0.9 inches, and a distal depth of between about 0.1
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inches to about 0.25 inches. The spout can have a proximal width of between
about 0.8 inches to about 1.2 inches, and a proximal depth of between about
0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches.
The spout can have the first side wall inwardly tapered toward the distal
end at a first taper angle of between about 5 to about 18 , and the second
side wall inwardly tapered toward the distal end at a second taper angle of
between about 5 to about 18 . The front wall can be inwardly tapered toward
the distal end at a third taper angle of between about 5 to about 15 , and
the
rear wall can be inwardly tapered toward the distal end at a fourth taper
angle
of between about 5 to about 15 . The spout can have the top wall with an
upwardly convex shape with a third radius of curvature between about 0.25
inches to about 0.5 inches. The spout can have a height between about 0.8
inches to about 1.8 inches.
There can also be a flow control valve in fluid communication with the
orifice, the vent hole and the inner volume, with the valve limiting flow from
the
inner volume through the orifice. The spout can have an ellipsoidal cross-
sectional area. The spout can have a distal end, and can be inwardly tapered
toward the distal end. The spout can have a top wall, with the orifice being
disposed through the top wall, and with the top wall having an upwardly dome-
like shape.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will be understood by reference to the following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a cup assembly of the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a rear view of the cup assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top view of the cup assembly of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a front view of the flow control valve for the cup assembly of
3o Figure 1;
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Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the cup of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a front view of the lid of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a side view of the lid of Figure 1;
Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the lid of Figure 1;
Figure 9 is a front perspective view of the lid of Figure 8 without a
gripping portion;
Figure 10 is a front view of the lid of Figure 9 without the gripping
portion;
Figure 11 is a side view of the lid of Figure 9 without the gripping
1o portion;
Figure 12 is a bottom view of the lid of Figure 9 without the gripping
portion;
Figure 13 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the lid of
Figure 8 without a gripping portion;
Figure 14 is a bottom perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the lid of Figure 8 without a gripping portion;
Figure 15 is a front view of a prior art PLAYTEX conventional lid;
Figure 16 is a side view of the prior art PLAYTEX conventional lid of
Figure 15;
Figure 17 is a top view of the prior art PLAYTEX conventional lid of
Figure 15;
Figure 18 is a front view of a prior art GERBER conventional lid;
Figure 19 is a side view of the prior art GERBER conventional lid of
Figure 18; and
Figure 20 is a top view of the prior art GERBER conventional lid of
Figure 18.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings and, in particular, Figs. 1 through 4, there is
3o shown a preferred embodiment of a cup assembly of the present invention,
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generally represented by reference numeral 10. Cup assembly 10 has a cup
or container 100, a cap or lid 200, a spout 300 extending from the lid, and a
valve or flow control element 700 (Fig. 4).
Referring to Fig. 5, cup 100 has a substantially cylindrical shape
defining an inner volume 105. Cup 100 has a top portion 110 having an open
end 115, a middle portion 140 and a bottom portion 160. Middle portion 140
can have a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of top portion 110 or
bottom portion 160 to provide an hour-glass like shape. Alternative shapes
can also be used for cup 100, such as, for example, tapered.
Top portion 110 has an outer surface 120 with threads 125 formed
thereon. The preferred embodiment has threads 125 for removably engaging
lid 200 with cup 100. However, alternative engagement structures or methods
can also be used to engage lid 200 with cup 100, such as, for example, a
snap fit. Cup 100 is preferably transparent or semi-transparent, which
provides for visual indication of the contents and amount within the cup, and
also can encourage or promote use by a child through visual stimulation. Cup
100 can also be opaque.
Referring to Figs. 1 through 8, lid 200 has a center member or lid body
210, an annular flange 250, spout 300 (which will be described later in
greater
2o detail), an air vent 345 and handles 400. Center member 210 has an upper
surface 220 and a lower surface 230. Preferably, center member 210 has a
circular shape. More preferably, center member 210 has an upwardly convex
or dome-like shape. However, alternative shapes can also be used for center
member 210, such as, for example, flat or concave. Annular flange 250
extends downwardly from the outer circumference of center member 210 to
provide a sealing or mating surface between lid 200 and cup 100.
Annular flange 250 has an outer surface 260 and an inner surface 270.
Outer surface 260 preferably has gripping structures 265 secured thereto. In
the preferred embodiment, gripping structures 265 are a number or series of
tear-drop shaped projections formed integrally with outer surface 260 of
flange
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250. Preferably, gripping structures 265 are equi-distantly spaced apart.
Alternative shapes, designs and/or patterns for gripping structures 265 can
also be used to facilitate removable engagement of lid 200 with cup 100, such
as, for example, bubbles or wave-like grooves or ridges. Inner surface 270
has threads 275 secured thereto. Threads 275 mate with threads 125 of cup
100 to removably engage the cup with the lid 200. However, as described
above, alternative engagement structures or methods can be used.
Lower surface 230 of center member 210 has a liquid
mating surface 235 and a vent mating surface 240. Mating surfaces 235, 240,
1o are preferably adjacent to, or incorporated into, spout 300 and air vent
345, so
as to frictionally engage flow control valve 700 and place the valve in fluid
communication with the spout and air vent. In the preferred embodiment,
mating surfaces 235, 240 are cylindrical channels integrally molded with
center member 210 below spout 300 and below air vent 345, respectively.
Cylindrical channels 235, 240 have a size and shape to mate with flow control
valve 700. Preferably, cylindrical channels 235, 240 have an inner size and
shape to engage with flow control valve 700. Lower surface 230 can also
have a valve securing member 245, which engages with a corresponding
structure on flow control valve 700 to orientate and/or assist in holding the
valve in position. In the preferred embodiment, valve securing member 245 is
a substantially planar, arcuate member extending orthogonally from lower
surface 230, of lid 200.
Flow control element or valve mechanism 700 has first valve portion or
stack 730 and second valve portion or stack 732 connected together by
substrate 738. Each valve portion 730, 732 has a lower portion 726, an upper
portion 728 and valve faces 736 bearing slits. Each valve portion 730, 732 is
configured to frictionally engage cylindrical channels 235, 240, respectively,
and place flow control valve 700 in fluid communication with spout 300 and air
vent 345, respectively.
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Flow control element 700 preferably has a concave shaped valve face
736 of valve portions 730 and 732, and, in conjunction with the attendant
curved shape of slits, provides superior fluid flow rate through the slit over
existing valve configurations. U.S. Patent No. 5,079,013 to Belanger, U.S.
Patent No. RE 37,016 to Morano, U.S. Patent No. 6,050,445 to Manganiello
and U.S. Patent No. 6,422,415 to Manganiello depict examples of valves that
are usable with the present invention. Additionally, alternative flow control
mechanisms and valves can also be placed in fluid communication with spout
300 and/or air vent 345 to provide a resistance to flow or an inhibitor to
1o spillage and shakeout, absent a sucking force, including a separate pair of
stack valves that individually mate with cylindrical mating surfaces 235, 240.
Handles 400 are preferably a pair of handles that extend curvingly
downward from annular flange 250 toward bottom portion 160 of cup 100.
Preferably, handles 400 extend substantially down in proximity to bottom
portion 160 of cup 100. Handles 400 are preferably diametrically opposed
along annular flange 250. Handles 400 have a proximal end 450 where the
handle is connected to flange 250, and a distal end 455. Handles 400 have a
length and width that allow an infant or child to fully grasp the handles and
preferably allow closure of the entire hand around the handles. Handles 400
preferably extend at least half way down cup 100. Handles 400 have a
curvature and shape that provides for sufficient space between the handles
and cup 100 for the hand of the infant or child when holding the handles.
Preferably, handles 400 are separated from cup 100 at distal end 455 a
sufficient distance to allow the infant or child's hand to pass between the
distal
end and the cup. The size, shape and positioning of handles 400 promote
better hand-to-mouth coordination for the child or infant.
Handles 400 have a rigid portion 420, a gripping portion 460 and a
gripping abutment 480. Gripping portion 460 is an area or portion of handle
400 that is more flexible, resilient and/or softer than rigid portion 420, to
facilitate grasping and holding of the handle by the infant or child. In the
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preferred embodiment, gripping portion 460 is molded from a different
material than rigid portion 420 to provide for the difference in flexibility,
resiliency and softness. The different materials have different levels of
hardness or Shore A Hardness. Preferably, rigid portion 420 and the
remaining parts of lid 200, i.e., center member 210, annular flange 250 and
spout 300, are made of the same material and more preferably are integrally
molded with each other.
Rigid portion 420 is preferably molded from a rigid material, such as,
for example, a polypropylene. Preferably, gripping portion 460 is molded from
1o a flexible, resilient and/or softer material, such as, for example, a
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The TPE of gripping portion 460 preferably
has a lower hardness or Shore A Hardness than the hardness or Shore A
Hardness of rigid portion 420. While the preferred embodiment has rigid
portion 420 made of a first material and gripping portion 460 made of a
second material, the present disclosure contemplates more than two
materials, such as, for example, the rigid portion being a plurality of
materials
and/or the gripping portion being a plurality of materials.
Handle 400 has an upper or over-surface 402 and a lower or under-
surface 404. Gripping portion 460 is preferably formed along under-surface
2o 404 and substantially covers the under-surface. More preferably, gripping
portion 460 substantially covers under-surface 404 and wraps around sides
405 of handles 400 to partially cover the over-surface 402. In the preferred
embodiment, gripping portion 460 partially wraps around over-surface 402 and
has ends 406, 407 with a wave-like shape, which facilitates grasping of the
handles 400. The wave-like shape of ends 406, 407 further accommodates
varying sizes of hands and varying positioning of hands on handles 400.
Gripping abutment 480 is formed along the under-surface 404 of handle 400
near distal end 455 and further facilitates grasping of the handle.
Preferably,
gripping abutment 480 is a circular or semi-spherical projection.
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Gripping portion 460 provides an infant or child with a different texture
or feel, as compared to rigid portion 420. This provides textural stimulus for
the use of handles 400. Preferably, gripping portion 460 has a different color
than the color of rigid portion 420 to provide a visual stimulus for the use
of
handles 400. Other visual and textural stimuli can also be further provided on
handles 400 to further motivate the child to utilize the handles, such as, for
example, decorations or embossments. In the preferred embodiment, rigid
portion 420 and gripping portion 460 are opaque. However, either or both of
rigid portion 420 and gripping portion 460 can be transparent or semi-
1o transparent. The transparency or semi-transparency of lid 100 provides for
visual indication of the contents and amount within the cup, and also can
encourage or promote use by a child through visual stimulation.
Referring to Figs. 6 through 12, preferably a first material is molded,
and more preferably injection molded, to form rigid portion 420 of handles
400, as well as center member 210, annular flange 250 and spout 300 of lid
200. To provide for a flow path for a second material which is more flexible,
resilient and/or softer (with a lower hardness or Shore A Hardness) and to
facilitate bonding of the first material of rigid portion 420 with the second
material, the rigid portion preferably has an outer or first wall 425, an
inner or
second wall 430 and a center or third wall 435.
Outer wall 425 and inner wall 430 are substantially equidistantly spaced
apart and connected by center wall 435. Preferably, center wall 435 is
substantially perpendicular or orthogonal to outer and inner walls 425, 430 to
define a generally U-shaped channel 440. Channels 440 are preferably
formed by outer, inner and center walls 425, 430, 435 along opposing sides of
rigid portion 420. The molding process for lid 200 and handles 400 is
preferably a two-shot injection molding technique using a first material, such
as polypropylene, for rigid portion 420, and a second material, such as TPE,
for gripping portion 460.
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Preferably, there is at least one rib 445 formed in channel 440. More
preferably, there are two ribs 445 in each channel 440. Ribs 445 provide
additional strength and integrity to handles 400. Ribs 445 are preferably
formed in channels 440 in proximity to proximal end 450 of handles 400.
Preferably, ribs 445 are generally parallel to outer and inner walls 425, 430
and have a shape or curvature that is similar to the shape or curvature of
channel 440. The shape, size and positioning of ribs 445 preferably reduce
flow resistance and further facilitate flow of the second material into and
along
or through the channel 440. Ribs 445 increase the surface contact area
1o between the first and second materials, and improve the bonding between the
first and second materials of rigid portion 420 and gripping portion 460.
In the preferred embodiment, outer wall 425 of rigid portion 420 has a
wave-like shape so that gripping portion 460 has a corresponding wave-like
shape along handles 400. To form gripping abutment 480, a semi-circular
projection 485 is formed in center wall 435 along distal end 455 of the rigid
portion 420. The second material is molded over the projection 485 to form
gripping abutment 480. Rigid portion 420 has an end wall 490 formed in distal
end 455, which provides further rigidity to handle 400, improves the bonding
between the rigid portion and the gripping portion 460, and provides a
terminus for the flow of the second material of the gripping portion.
Preferably, end wall 490 is substantially perpendicular to outer and center
walls 425, 435.
In the preferred embodiment, inner wall 430 extends only partially along
handle 400. However, alternatively, inner wall 430 can fully extend along
handle 400. Also, in the preferred embodiment, channels 440 are disposed
on opposing sides of rigid portion 420 and run partially along the rigid
portion.
However, the present disclosure contemplates any number of channels 400,
which may be disposed in various orientations and positions along rigid
portion 420.
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Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, alternative embodiments of lid 200 with
rigid portions 1320, 1420, respectively, are shown. Features of Figs. 13 and
14 similar to the features of the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1 through 12,
have the same reference numerals. The rigid portion 1320 of Fig. 13 has
channel 440 formed by outer, inner and center walls 425, 430, 435. But the
channels 440 do not have ribs disposed at proximal end 450, compared to the
preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 9 through 12.
The rigid portion 1420 of Fig. 14 has outer wall 425 formed
orthogonally with a center wall 1435. But rigid portion 1420 does not have an
lo inner wall secured to center wall 1435 and does not form a channel along
rigid
portion 1420, such as in the preferred embodiment. Rigid portion 1420 also
does not have an end wall at distal end 455, such as in the preferred
embodiment. Rigid portion 1420 has a number or series of apertures or holes
1450 formed through center wall 1435. In contrast, the center wall 435 of
rigid
portion 420 of the preferred embodiment, does not have apertures, and
provides a generally planar solid bottom surface of channel 440 along the flow
path of the second material of gripping portion 460. Apertures 1450 of rigid
portion 1420 create orthogonal contact surfaces along center wall 1435
between the rigid portion and the gripping portion 460, and the second
material of the gripping portion flows through the apertures.
In the preferred embodiment, handles 400 are a pair of handles
integrally formed on opposing sides of lid 200 with a space provided at distal
ends 455 of the handles. However, it is contemplated by the present
disclosure for alternative numbers and positions of handles 400 to be used. It
is further contemplated by the present disclosure for handles 400 to be
integrally formed with cup 100 at bottom portion 160 of the cup to provide a
separation or space from the cup in proximity to lid 100 or for the handles to
be integrally formed with the cup at both the top and bottom portions 110,
160. It is also contemplated by the present disclosure for handles 400 to be a
separate structure that is secured to cup 100 and/or lid 200, and/or removably
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secured, such as, for example, a handle ring having handles 400 extending
therefrom. It is also contemplated by the present disclosure that gripping
portion 460 is formed with, or secured to, rigid portion 420 in other ways,
such
as, for example, friction fit or adhesive.
During the molding process, an unexpected and significant result
occurred with the use of ribs 445 disposed in channels 440, as compared to
rigid portions 1320, and 1420 that did not have ribs. It was discovered that
ribs 445 prevented sink marks from developing in gripping portion 460 when
the second material was molded into and through channels 440. In rigid
1o portions 1320, 1420, sink marks developed in the area of proximal end 450,
which distorted the intended shape of gripping portion 460 and had a
significant negative impact on the strength and integrity of handles 400.
Additionally, during the molding process, an unexpected and significant
result occurred with the use of channels 440 and the generally planar bottom
surface (center wall 435) along the flow path of the second material of
gripping portion 460, as compared to rigid portion 1420, which has apertures
1450 formed through center wall 1435. It was discovered that channels 440
and the generally planar solid bottom surface of center wall 435 significantly
improved the flow of the second material through channels 440, resulting in an
improved bond between the rigid and gripping portions 420, 460, and further
provided for a smoother outer surface of the gripping portion.
Referring to Figs. 3 and 6 through 12, spout 300 has a front wall 310, a
rear wall 320, a first side wall 330, a second side wall 340 and a top wall
350.
Top wall 350 has a number of holes 360 formed therethrough. Front wall 310,
rear wall 320, first and second side walls 330, 340 and top wall 350 are
integrally molded, and define a spout volume 305 that is in fluid
communication with inner volume 105 of cup 100 (through flow control valve
700) and with holes 360. In this embodiment, two holes 360 are shown but
other numbers of holes can also be used.
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Top wall 350 has an upwardly convex or arcuate shape and forms
chamfered edges with front and rear walls 310, 320 and first and second side
walls 330, 340. Top wall 350 has a radius of curvature ri. Preferably, radius
of curvature rj is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.5 inches, more preferably
from about 0.35 inches to about 0.40 inches, and most preferably about 0.38
inches.
Front wall 310 has an outwardly convex shape with a radius of
curvature r2. Rear wall 320 has an outwardly convex shape, in the opposite
direction of front wall 310, with a radius of curvature r3. Preferably, radius
of
1o curvature r2 is from about 3.0 inches to about 7.0 inches, more preferably
from
about 4.0 inches to about 6.0 inches, and most preferably about 5.0 inches.
Preferably, radius of curvature r3 is from about 3.0 inches to about 7.0
inches,
more preferably from about 4.0 inches to about 6.0 inches, and most
preferably about 5.0 inches. Preferably, radius of curvature r2 and radius of
curvature r3 are equal. The periphery of front wall 310 and the periphery of
rear wall 320 have arcuate shapes and are preferably aligned so that first
sidewall 330 and second sidewall 340 are essentially chamfered edges of
spout 300. Preferably, front and rear walls 310, 320 define an ellipsoidal
cross-sectional shape for spout 300.
Spout 300 has a distal end 370, a proximal end 380 and a height hi.
Distal end 370 of spout 300 has a width w1 and a depth d1. Proximal end 380
of spout 300 has a width w2 and a depth d2. Preferably, height h1 is from
about 0.80 inches to about 1.80 inches, more preferably from about 1.0
inches to about 1.40 inches, and most preferably about 1.20 inches.
,25 Preferably, width w1 is from about 0.50 inches to about 0.90 inches, more
preferably from about 0.60 inches to about 0.70 inches, and most preferably
about 0.69 inches. Preferably, width w2 is from about 0.80 inches to about
1.20 inches, more preferably from about 0.90 inches to about 1.10 inches,
and most preferably about 0.97 inches. Preferably, depth d1 is from about
0.10 inches to about 0.25 inches, more preferably from about 0.15 inches to
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about 0.22 inches, and most preferably about 0.20 inches. Preferably, depth
d2 is from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches, more preferably from about
0.40 inches to about 0.60 inches, and most preferably about 0.56 inches.
Front and rear walls 310, 320 are inwardly tapered toward distal end
370. Preferably, front and rear walls 310, 320 are inwardly tapered along a
substantially straight line or constant slope. Front wall 310 has an angle of
taper al. Rear wall 320 has an angle of taper a2. Preferably, taper angle a,
is
from about 5 to about 15 , more preferably from about 10 to about 14 , and
most preferably about 13.50. Preferably, taper angle a2 is from about 5 to
1o about 15 , more preferably from about 10 to about 14 , and most preferably
about 13.50. Taper angle aq and taper angle a2 are preferably equal.
First and second side walls 330, 340 are inwardly tapered toward distal
end 370. Preferably, first and second side walls 330, 340 are inwardly
tapered along a straight line or constant slope. First side wall 330 has an
angle of taper ¾1. Second side wall 340 has an angle of taper P2. Preferably,
taper angle R. is from about 5 to about 18 , more preferably from about 10
to about 15 , and most preferably about 12 . Preferably, taper angle R2 is
from about 5 to about 18 , more preferably from about 10 to, about 15 , and
most preferably about 12 . Taper angle R, and taper angle R2 are preferably
2o equal.
During consumer testing of cup assembly 10, unexpected and
significant results occurred from the use of spout 300, as compared to the
contemporary spout designs for the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts
shown in Figs. 15 through 20. It was discovered that spout 300 performed
significantly better with marked improvement in consumer preference and
ease of use by infants, compared to both the PLAYTEX and GERBER
spouts.
The testing included infants between the ages of six (6) months and
eighteen (18) months who were provided separate cups having spout 300, the
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PLAYTEX spout and the GERBER spout, for equal periods of times.
Consumer preference was tested and the use of the cups and spouts was
observed by the parent(s), including the ease with which the infants were able
to use the cups and spouts, and the generation of preferred flow rates.
Spout 300 rated higher than the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts at
%80 confidence for being easier for the infant to use. Spout 300 rated higher
than the PLAYTEX spout at %80 confidence for preference of the flow-rate
achieved by the infant. Cup assembly 10 rated higher than the PLAYTEX
spout at %95 confidence for ease of drinking. These results are of statistical
lo and practical significance.
The embodiment of spout 300 tested had a change in widths wi, w2 of
0.97 inches - 0.69 inches = 0.28 inches over a height h1 of 1.20 inches,
resulting in a rate of change of spout width of 0.23. In contrast, the
PLAYTEX spout had a change in widths of 1.30 inches - 0.75 inches = 0.55
inches over a height of 0.875 inches, resulting in a rate of change of spout
width of 0.62. The GERBER spout had a change in widths of 1.30 inches -
0.75 inches = 0.55 inches over a height of 0.90 inches, resulting in a rate of
change of spout width of 0.61.
It was discovered based on the consumer data that the parameter of
2o rate of change of spout width, and, in particular, a lower rate of change
of
widths w1, w2 from distal end 370 to proximal end 380 of 0.23, as compared to
the rate of change for the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts of 0.62 and
0.61, respectively, was a contributing cause in facilitating the use of spout
300
by the infant. In particular, the lower rate of change of widths w1, w2 of
spout
300 promoted lip closure by the infant and facilitated generation of a suction
force for achieving a preferred flow-rate.
Based on the consumer data, it was determined that the rate of change
of spout widths w1, w2 should preferably be between about 0.10 to about 0.60,
more preferably between about 0.20 to about 0.30, and most preferably be
3o about 0.23.
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Additionally, it was further discovered from the consumer data that the
arcuate shape of top wall 350 with chamfered edges along the transition areas
between the top wall and the front and rear walls 310, 320 and first and
second side walls 330, 340, further facilitated the movement of the infant's
lips
along spout 300, for proper lip approximation resulting in further promotion
of
lip closure. In contrast, the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts had
substantially flat top walls with sharper edges along the transition areas
between the top wall and the adjoining walls.
The embodiment of spout 300 tested had a change in depths dl, d2 of
l0 0.56 inches - 0.20 inches = 0.36 inches over a height hi of 1.20 inches,
resulting in a rate of change of spout depth of 0.30. In contrast, the
PLAYTEX spout had a change in depths of 1.00 inches - 0.30 inches = 0.70
inches over a height of 0.875 inches, resulting in a rate of change of spout
depth of 0.80. The GERBER spout had a change in depths of 0.90 inches -
0.25 inches = 0.65 inches over a height of 0.90 inches, resulting in a rate of
change of spout depth of 0.72.
It was discovered from the consumer data that the parameter of rate of
change of spout depth, and, in particular, a lower rate of change of depths
di,
d2 from distal end 370 to proximal end 380 of 0.30, as compared to the rate of
change for the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts of 0.80 and 0.72,
respectively, was a contributing cause in facilitating the use of spout 300 by
an
infant. In particular, the lower rate of change of depths d1, d2 of spout 300
promoted lip closure by the infant and facilitated generation of a suction
force
for achieving a preferred flow-rate.
Based on the consumer data, it was determined that the rate of change
of spout depths dl, d2 should preferably be between about 0.10 to about 0.70,
more preferably between about 0.25 to about 0.50, and most preferably be
about 0.30.
Also, it was discovered from the above unexpected and significant
3o results that the parameter of rate of change of spout cross-sectional area,
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and, in particular, a lower rate of change of cross-sectional area of spout
300,
promoted lip closure by the infant, which facilitated generation of a suction
force for achieving a preferred flow-rate. The embodiment of spout 300 tested
had an ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape. The area A, for an ellipse is equal
to
fI*a*b, where a is the radius of the major axis and b is the radius of the
minor
axis.
Spout 300 has a cross-sectional area A, at distal end 370 of about
fI*(w1/2)*(d1/2). Spout 300 has a cross-sectional area A2 at proximal end 380
of about fI*(w2/2)*(d2/2). The rate of change of cross-sectional areas A,, A2
of
1o spout 300 is (fI*(w1/2)*(di/2) - fI*(w2/2)*(d2/2))/hi = 0.27. In contrast,
the
PLAYTEX spout had spout cross-sectional areas of about 0.75 inches * 0.30
inches = 0.225 sq. inches at the distal end, and about 1.30 inches * 1.00
inches = 1.30 sq. inches at the proximal end. Over a height of 0.875 inches,
the PLAYTEX spout had a rate of change in spout cross-sectional area of
about 1.229. The GERBER spout had spout cross-sectional areas of about
0.750 inches * 0.250 inches = 0.1875 sq. inches at the distal end, and 1.300
inches * 0.900 inches = 1.170 sq. inches at the proximal end. Over a height of
0.900 inches, the GERBER spout had a rate of change in spout cross-
sectional area of about 1.092.
It was discovered from the consumer data that the lower rate of change
of spout cross-sectional areas A,, A2 from distal end 370 to proximal end 380
of 0.27, as compared to the rate of change of spout cross-sectional areas for
the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts of 1.229 and 1.092, respectively, was
a contributing cause in facilitating the use of spout 300 by an infant.
Based on the consumer data, it was determined that the rate of change
of spout cross-sectional areas A,, A2 should preferably be between about 0.10
to about 1.0, more preferably between about 0.20 to about 0.50, and most
preferably be about 0.27.
The embodiment of spout 300 tested had taper angles a,, a2 for front
3o and rear walls 310, 320 of about 13.5 each, compared to corresponding
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overall taper angles for the PLAYTEX spout of about 18 and 34 , and for
the GERBER spout of about 16 and 24 . It was discovered based on the
consumer data that the parameter of spout taper angles and, in particular, the
smaller taper angles ai, a2 for front and rear walls 310, 320, was a
contributing cause in facilitating the use of spout 300 by an infant,
promoting
lip closure, and facilitating generation of a suction force for achieving the
preferred flow-rate. The smaller taper angles a,, a2 for front and rear walls
310, 320 further facilitated the movement of the infant's lips along spout 300
for proper lip approximation resulting in further promotion of lip closure. It
was
1o further discovered that the use of a constant slope for taper angles a. ,
a2 for
front and rear walls 310, 320, also facilitated the use of spout 300 by an
infant.
Based on the consumer data, it was determined that the taper angles
a,, a2 should preferably be between about 5 to about 15 , more preferably
between about 10 to about 14 , and most preferably be about 13.5 .
The embodiment of spout 300 tested had taper angles R1, R2 for first
and second side walls 330, 340 of about 12 each, compared to
corresponding overall taper angles for the PLAYTEX spout of about 12 and
12 , and for the GERBER spout of about 20 and 20 . It was discovered
from the consumer data that the parameter of side spout taper angles, and, in
particular, smaller taper angles l3i, 132 for first and second side walls 330,
340
was a contributing cause in facilitating the use of spout 300 by an infant,
promoting lip closure, facilitating generation of a suction force for
achieving
the preferred flow-rate, and further facilitating the movement of the infant's
lips
along spout 300 for proper lip approximation resulting in further promotion of
lip closure. It was further discovered that the use of a constant slope for
taper
angles R,, Q2 for first and second side walls 330, 340, also facilitated the
use
of spout 300 by an infant.
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Based on the consumer data, it was determined that the taper angles
R1, R2 should preferably be between about 5 to about 18 , more preferably
between about 100 to about 15 , and most preferably be about 12 .
The embodiment of spout 300 tested had front and rear walls 310, 320
that were outwardly convex to form an ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape,
compared to the PLAYTEX and GERBER spouts which had rear walls that
were concave. Additionally, front and rear walls 310, 320 had radii of
curvature r2, r3 of 5.0 inches. It was discovered from the consumer data that
the parameters of the shape of the front and rear walls 310, 320 and the radii
of curvature r2, r3 of the front and rear walls, were contributing causes in
facilitating the use of spout 300 by an infant, promoting lip closure, and
facilitating generating a suction force for achieving the preferred flow-rate.
Based on the consumer data, it was determined that the radii of
curvature r2, r3 should preferably be between about 3.0 to about 7.0, more
preferably between about 4.0 to about 6.0, and most preferably be about 5.0
inches.
The shape of spout 300, including top wall 350 being arcuate; front wall
310 being outwardly convex and inwardly tapered; rear wall 320 being
inwardly tapered; and first and second side walls 330, 340 being inwardly
tapered at substantially equal angles providing symmetry to the spout, was
determined to promote better lip approximation and lip closure for reducing
liquid loss. The shape of spout 300 provides for better transitioning between
bottle-feeding and cup drinking. Earlier promotion of lip closure in a child's
life
through the use of spout 300, assists in developing the necessary lip closure
for stripping boluses from a spoon and maintaining lip closure for chewing. It
was discovered based on the consumer data that various combinations of the
above-described parameters were contributing factors in facilitating the use
of
spout 300 by an infant, promoting lip closure, and facilitating generation of
a
suction force for achieving the preferred flow-rate.
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The present invention having been thus described with particular
reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various
changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
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