Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02611020 2007-10-30
APPLICATION
OF
NAOMI MANN and
EZEKIEL BAHAR
FOR
UNITED STATES PATENT
ON
DRINKING DEVICE
Sheets of Drawings: FOURTEEN (14)
Sheets of Written Description: TWENTY-THRP-E (23)
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DRINKING DEVICE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No.
60/$55503 filed
October 30, 2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to drinking devices which are spill resistant
and ideal for
infant use.
Description of the Related Art
Drinking devices designed for infant use, such as spill proof cups, also known
as Sippy
cups, and baby bottles, typically include a cap or lid having a narrow
drinking spout, which may
include a straw, rubber nipple, hard formed protrusion, etc., which release
liquid generally when
an infant puts his lips around the spout and sucks and/or turns upside-down to
pour into his
mouth, making the devices reasonably spill proof, See for example U.S. Patent
Nos. 5,079,013
and 5,$90,619. Additionally, infant drinking devices are usually made from
plastic, which is hard
and shatterproof.
However, most infant drinking devices are also made of plastics such as
polycarbonates
which leach a chemical known as bisphenol A or BPA into the drink. Though
there are many
health risk associated with BPA consumption, these risks are most harmful to
infants and young
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children. The leaching of BPA may increase if the drink is warmed or cooled,
or acidic, and may
also increase with the wear of the drinking device.
Additionally, conventional infant drinking devices are difficult to clean and
sterilize. If
sugary beverages such as juice or milk are left for a long time in these
devices, bacteria and mold
accumulates, and usually cannot be entirely washed out with ordinaxy cleaning.
While these problems are known, and far from trivial, parents still rely
heavily on the use
of plastic drinking devices because of their great convenience. Some attempts
have been made to
solve the above identified problems. Examples include glass bottles, stainless
steal Sippy cups,
and cups and bottles made of Bisphenol-A free material. However, despite these
products, the
popularity of polycarbonate bottles and Sippyl) cups remains strong.
Additionally, Playtex
provides a baby bottle system which uses liners, advertised as being bisphenol-
A free. These
liners, however, are from a collapsible bag=type material, have been reported
by consumers as
costly and problematic for trapping fluid in pockets formed as they scrunch up
during use. (See
Customer Reviews for Playtex Premium Nurser Newborn Gift Set).
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0055989 similarly discloses an infant use cup
lined
with a liquid holding bag. Again, the device discloses is collapsible, and
further appears di4f'icult
to install.
Other references disclosing lined drinking devices, including paper lined
devices which
may not be collapsible are U.S. Patent Nos. 1,035,718; 3,602,386. However,
none of these
references disclose drinking vessels designed for infant or spill resistant
use. Additionally, these
devices are designed in such a way that the insert folds over the outer edge
of the cup, which
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would prevent capping with a lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a spill proof drinking device and a
drinking method
wherein at least a portion of the receptacle holding the beverage is made out
of cardboard or
paper material, and is disposable. The device further includes a spout making
it suitable for
infant use, or for anyone desiring a spill proof drinking container.
According to a first embodiment, a disposable paper insert is provided for
insertion into a
container shell bottle or cup, fornung a drinking device with a hard general
exterior and paper
lined general interior, wherein the container shell cup supports a spout. The
container shell is
preferably made from plastic, providing a hard exterior which cannot be
deformed, punctured, or
broken by regular infant use. A container shell lid comprising a nipple or
spout attaches to the
container shell cup. The paper insert is disposable. This embodiment may also
include a
disposable paper liner for the spout.
According to a second embodiment, a disposable paper container itself supports
a spout.
The spout may be integrally formed with the paper container, wherein it may be
entirely
preforzned, or may require formation by the user prior to use. Alternatively,
the spout may be
attachable to the paper container via an attachment element included in the
paper container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a drinking device according to a general first
embodiment,
wherein a paper insert is shown as inserted into a container shell including a
cup and a spouted
Iid.
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Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, illustrating a recess
formed within
the inner walls of the container shell cup, for receiving a flaring lip formed
on the rim of the
insert.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, illustrating an
interface formed
between the cup rim and lid when in a closed position, for receiving a flaring
lip formed on the
rim of the insert.
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, illustrating a recess
formed within
the inner walls of the lid, for receiving a flaring lip formed on the rim of
the insert.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, wherein the insert has
a flared upper
lip, which is pushed against the lid to form a closure when the lid is closed.
Figure 6a is a perspective view of a container shell cup of the devioe of
figure 1 which
comprises two half cylinders which are partially attached, and adapted to
close in forming a
cylindrical shell around the paper insert.
Figure 6b is a perspective view of a cont,ainer shell cup of the device of
figure 1 which
comprises two half cylinders which are detached, and are attachable to form a
cylindrical shell
around the paper insert.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of a drinking device according to a general
second
embodiment, wherein a paper insert is shown as inserted into a container shell
cup, the paper
insert itself supporting a spout.
Figure 7a is a sectional view of the drinking device of figure 7, including a
lid with an
opening.
Figure 7b is a sectional view of the drinking device of figure 7, including a
lid without an
opening.
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Figure 7c is a sectional view of the drinking device of figure 7a, wherein the
lid is
provided with a cap which can be used to cover the spout.
Figures 8a is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, the
insert having a
threaded connection element for receiving a screw on cap supporting a spout.
Figure $b is a sectional view of the insert of figure 8a, shown inserted into
a cup, with a
spouted cap attached to the insert.
Figure 9a is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, having
an integral
spout.
Figure 9b is a perspective view of the insert of figure 9a, illustrating an
opening on a top
portion of the insert.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, the
insert having a
spout which is directly attachable.
Figure 11 is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, the
insert having ara
opening seaIable witb, a patch for insertion of a straw.
Figure 12a is a sectional view of a drinking device, similar to the device of
figure 1,
having a lid which includes threading for attaching a threaded plastic
attachment element which
supports a rubber nipple.
Figure 12b is a sectional view of a drinking device, similar to the device of
figure 1,
having a lid which includes a threaded attachement element for attaching a
threaded plastic
spout.
Figure 13 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, wherein the device
includes a
disposable paper insert for the spout having a support base that rests on the
insert.
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Figure 14 is a view of the spout of Figure 13, wherein the paper insert for
the spout does
not include a support base.
DESCRIPTION OF 'lCHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended
drawings is
intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention
and is not intended
to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed
and/or utilized.
The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for
constructing and operating
the invention in connection with.the illustrated embodiments. However, it is
to be understood
that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by
different
embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and
scope of the
invention.
The terms cup, bottle, and container, as used herein, may be used
interchangeably and
shall refer generally to any device used to contain a liquid, and sized
reasonably for a user to
hold and consume the liquid through an opening within the container. The
drinking devices of
the present invention may include containers of any geometric or fanciful
shape, whether
symmetrical or unsymmetrical, including but not limited to narrow and
elongated cylinders,
commonly employed in baby bottles, wider and shorter cylinders, commonly
employed in Sippy
cups, spherical containers, conical or partially conical, square boxes, etc.
The embodiments
illustrated herein show a round cylindrical container according to the
preferred embodiment.
The term drinking spout as used herein refers to a section having an opening
though
which liquid can pass, wherein a user generally places his lips around the
entire opening for
drinking. This may include a rubber nipple, straw, protrusion formed by a
portion which is
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elevated with respect to a flat lid surface, protrusion formed by an adjacent
portion which is
recessed or depressed with respect to the flat lid surface, and the like.
Drinkirig spouts referred to
as protrusions are typically found in lids of commercial Sippy cups or coffee
cups. Additionally,
the spout is not necessarily positioned at the top, and may, for example,
protrude from a side
portion, and may even be placed on the receptacle, instead of the lid, of the
drinking device.
The present invention provides for infant drinking devices in which at least a
portion of a
container holding the beverage is made out of cardboard or paper material,
wherein the paper
portion is disposable. The term paper may include paper of any thickness, and
paper which may
be coated with material such as wax or paraffin.
The devices further includes a spout making it spill resistant. Unlike
commonly used cups
at coffee shops, which include a paper cup and spouted plastic lid which
flimsily attaches to the
cup, the devices of the present invention is designed for rough handling, and
may be used by
infants. As such the lid is durably attached using screw on, adhesion,
integral formation, or other
sturdy method. Moreover, unlike paper juice boxes sealed with a beverage
already inside, the
devices of the present invention allows an at home user to fill the device
with a desired beverage,
and then seal the drinking device.
Figure 1 shows a drinking device 1, with container well portion 15 and lid 30.
A
disposable paper insert 10 is shown inserted in shell cup 20, forming the
container well portion
15 having a generally hard exterior 16 and a generally paper lined interior
17, wherein the cup 20
supports spouted lid 30, the cup and lid forming a container shell. The cup 20
is preferably made
from plastic. However, any hard, non-paper material may be used. Lid 30
comprising spout 40 is
used for enclosing the top of the well portion 15. The paper insert 10 can
casily be inserted and
removed from the cup 20, and fits snuggly within.
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Cup 20 may be in the form of a bottle, regular cup (as illustrated), or any
other drinking
receptacle. As with most commercially available baby bottles and Sippy cups,
lid 30 of drinking
device I may attach to the container via intermating threads 31, which may be
on the outer
surface of the container, and inner surface of the lid (shown in figure 1), or
visa versa. Other
attachment methods may be employed, for example the lid may be pressed down
(snapped) into
the cup, or attached via a latch. See, for example, attaohment methods
employed in various
Tupperware or similar lidded items. (A lid which snaps on would be especially
suitable for a
cup having a non-circular shape, i.e. rectangular, where a threaded lid would
not work).
Additionally, the lid may be hinged or strapped on to the container, so that
it is always at least
partially attached to the container, in order to prevent it from getting lost.
Device I preferably include various features to facilitate insertion and
placement of insert
10, and to prevent spillage of the liquid between the outer walls 18 of the
insert 10 and inner
walls 19 of the cup 20, as shown in the following figures. As will be seen
from the following
examples, insert 10 may or may not protrude over the upper surface of cup 20.
As shown in figure 2, cup 20 of device 1 may include a circumferential recess
22, into
which a circumferential flaring lip 11 of insert 10 fits, forming a
substantial seal. The lip 11 may
be slightly thicker than the rest of the insert walls, as with many commercial
paper coffee cups.
The circumferential recess 22 may be formed within the inner walls 19 of cup
20, as shovm in
figure 2. Alternatively, a sea123 may be formed between an interface of cup
20, and lid 30, when
in a closed position, such that the lip 11 is sandwiched in between the top of
cup 20 and inner
walls 32 of the lid 30, as shown in figure 3. In this example, the lid need
not include a recess for
receiving lip 11. Alternatively, as illustrate in Figure 4 a recess 24 is
formed within the inner
walls 32 of lid 30, for receiving lip 11. Figure 5 illustrates an example
where a closure is formed
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between inner walls 32, which do not include a recess, wherein the lip 11
abuts against walls 32
which press against lip 11.
While the insertion and removal of insert 10 should be fairly easy, various
features may
be provided to facilitate its removal and insertion. For example, the cup 20
may comprise two
separate portions which attach to close the container. Figures 6 a and b
illustrate a cup 20
comprising two half cylinders, 25, 26, which join to form a complete cylinder
having a
circumference "C," and length "L," where each half independently has a length
of L, equal to the
length of the complete cylinder, and circumference of 1/2C, or half the
circumference of the
complete cylinder. The two portions may be partially attached, i.e. hinged, or
completely
separable, as shown in figures 6a and 6b respectively, and may be joined by
any suitable
attachment method, including, but not limited to interlocking elements,
fastening, latching
devices, etc. Various other modifications af this concept are feasible, such
as, for example two
cylinders, comprising a bottom cylinder, and a top cylinder which are
attachable, via a screw
lock, for example, wherein each half has a circumference C, equal to the
circumference of the
complete cylinder, and wherein the individual lengths of the top and bottom
cylinders add up to
the length of the complete cylinder.
It should be noted that a container shell, according to the present invention,
may be
designed for use with commercially available paper cups having a flaring lip,
such as Dixie ,
and other common brands, wherein the container shell would preferably contain
circumferential
recess for reeeiving the lip of the cup, and be sized to accommodate the
specific cup. The
company selling a specific brand of paper cups may effectively market a
container shell designed
specifically for its cups. Sueh a container shell may optionally be sold as an
independently
functional sippy cup which allows a user to optionally insert commercial paper
cups, as well as a
CA 02611020 2007-10-30
non-functional shell (i.e. having perforations) specifically designed to
function with a certain
paper cup or insert. Additionally, paper inserts specifically designed for a
container shell
according to the present invention, may be designed as functional stand alone
drinking cups.
Though the inserts need not be tapered, this may be preferred for convenient
stacking, and
storage, as with most commercial paper cups.
Further features may include spouts which are attachable to the lid itself.
Such spouts
may be easily removed and washed, andlor sold as disposable units. An example
of this feature,
illustrated in figure 12a, includes a lid 120 having threading 124 for
attaching a threaded plastic
attachment element 121 which supports a rubber nipple 122 having a flat base
125 that fits under
the element 121, as with typical baby bottles. Alternatively, instead of the
rubber nipple 122, a
similarly attachable paper spout may be used. Or, instead of the attachment
element 121 and
nipple 122, a plastic spout 123 which is itself attachable to the lid, for
example via a snap on
mechanism or threaded attachment element 126 integral with the lid (see figure
12b) may be
provided. Various other methods of providing an attachable spout will be
apparent to one skilled
in the art,
Additionally, a disposable paper insert for the spout itself may be provided.
In figure 13,
lid 30 includes a paper spout insert 132 which generally conforms to the shape
of spout 40. As
illustrated in the figure, the paper spout insert 132 may include a base 133
which rests on the
paper insert 10. Other embodiments may include a paper spout insert 140 which
fits into the
spout, but is not supported by the base. As illustrated in figure 14, such an
insert may include a
tip which comes out of the spout hole and overlaps or folds over the spout to
form a ring around
the outer surface of the spout, thus retaining the spout insert 140.
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According to a second general embodiment, a disposable paper insert 70 itself
supports a
spout 71. The spout may be integrally formed with the paper container (shown
in figure 7),
wherein it may be entirely preformed, or may require formation and/or assembly
or folding by
the user prior to use. Alternatively, the spout may be attachable to the paper
container via an
attachment element such as threading, adhesion, snap or press-on or other
method of attachment.
Although the cup 20 need not have a lid (see figure 7), a lid 200 may
nevertheless be
provided (see figures 7a and b). For example, a lid 200 attachable to cup 20
may include an
opening 202 through which the spout 71 emerges to hold the insert 70 in place
when used for
drinlcing (see figure 7a). Or, such a lid may serve as a cover to prevent
liquid leakage when the
insert is fil.led, but not in use, as shown in figure 7b. Additionally,
various methods of closing the
opening 202 may be provided so that the lid can both serve to hold the insert
in place when
drinking, and prevent leaking/ spilling when the container is not in use. For
example, as shown in
figure 7c, the lid 200 of figure 7a is provided with a cap 203 which can snap
into the lid 200
around the spout 71, to cover the spout. A strap 204 may be provided to keep
the cap 203 from
being misplaced.
In figures 8a and b, a disposable paper insert 70 includes an attachment
element 72
comprising a threaded neck 73 for screwing on a cap 74, the cap 74 having
intermitting threads
75 and supporting a nipple or spout 76. The attachment element 72 may be made
of plastic, or
other inexpensive material which can be threaded, and aiTixed to the paper
insert. For example,
the element 72 may include a base 77 which is affixed (i.e. embedded and/or
adhered) between
the layers 78, 79 of the paper/cardboard. This type of threaded element may be
found in
commercially available milk and orange juice cartons, and is used to support a
plastic cap for the
carkons. Alternatively, the element 72 may be affixed by adhesion to the outer
surface 81 of the
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insert, wherein the element may be sold already attached, or left unattached,
in which case the
user may attach it prior to use. In this case, an adhesive film, with a non-
adhesive backing may
be provided on the surface of either the insert or attachment element. The
treads 73 and 75, may
be on the outside of the element 72 and inside of the cap 74, as shown in the
figures, or visa
versa.
As shown in figures 9a and b, the paper insert 70 may include a preformed
integral spout
90, which may be from paper, as well as other material, such as plastic, for
example. In the case
where a spout is made out of a non-paper material, such as plastic, it may be
affixed to the insert
via any method, including the methods described for affixing the attachment
element 72 of
figures 8a and b.
In order to f'ill the insert with liquid, the insert may be provided with a
sealable opening
91, which is preferably near the top of the insert, said opening being
sealable via a patch 92, for
example, which can be adhered to the insert around the opening. An adhesive
film may be
provided around the opening of the insert and/ or near the outer circumference
of the patch. A
1 S non-adhesive backing may be provided which is removed prior to use. The
patch may be
partially permanently attached to the insert, so that it is joined to the
insert at all times, or
provided separately. As such, a user would fill the insert though opening 91,
with the desired
beverage, and seal the opening with the patch. The insert may thereafter be
inserted into the cup
20. The opening 91 may be made sealable by other methods, for example a cap
which is
threadable to a threaded attachment element, similar to the attachment element
72. Such cap may
be partially permanently attached, via a strap for example, or entirely
detachable. Additionally,
opening 91 can be anywhere on the insert, including the bottom. In the case
where the opening is
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on the bottom, the insert is preferably designed to stand alone in an inverted
in order to
facilitated filling.
Additionally, although the integral spout 90 may be entirely preformed, it is
conceivable
to configure a spout in a way which will require the user to miniznally form,
i.e. by folding,
creasizlg, pulling out, pulling apart, popping out, etc. prior to use.
As shown in figure 10, the paper insert 70 may be provided with a spout
element which is
directly attachable to the insert. Figure 10 illustrates an insert 70 having a
spout 100, which is
affixed directly to the section 101 around an opening 103 of the insert. The
insert is filled
through the opening, then the spout is affixed. The apout may be directly
affixed via adhesion.
An adhesive film may be provided on the spout, section 101, or both, wherein a
non-adhesive
backing may be provided for removal prior to use. The spout of this embodiment
may be made
permanently attachable or attachable/ detachable.
Another alternative embodiment, shown in figure 15 includes a disposable
spouted paper
lid 150, which snaps onto the insert 70, forming a tight seal around the
insert. This is similar to
the embodiment of figure 13, except that the lid is independently attached to
the insert, and thus,
does not require the plastic lid to hold it in place, although such plastic
lid may nevertheless be
provided.
Figure 11 shows the insert 70, having an opening 103, as in the spout of
figure 10,
wherein a patch 102 is used to seal the opening. The patch may include a hole
for insertion of a
straw 105, or the straw 105, may be used to puncture a hole in the patch. As
such, the insert 70 is
filled, sealed with the patch, then straw 105 is inserted through the patch,
The patch is a sheet
which may be made of any suitable material including paper, plastic, or metal,
e.g. aluminum.
Adhesive sections may be provided on the surface of the insert surrounding the
opening, near the
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edges of the patch, or both. Additionally, the adhesive sections may be
provided with a
removable non-adhesive backing. It is further conceivable to locate the
sealing patch and straw
hole on different spots ou the insert.
The paper insert, according any of the above embodiments, may also be made
foldable/
compactable, so that it can be stored flatly and compactly inside a diaper bag
for example.
Various embodiments and designs can be devised by one skilled in the art. For
example, the
insert may be made accordion style, such that it is stored as a relatively
thin disk, then stretched
out for use. According to another example, the insert may be folded flat into
a plane parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the insert. Preferably, the insert according to any
of the above examples,
is made sturdy enough to stand alone, without the container shell, such that
it can be used as a
stand alone drinking device.
The insert may be lined or formed with other material on its outside, though
still paper
lined on the inside.
Various methods of marketing the drinking device of the present invention will
be
apparent to one skilled in the art. Preferably, the insert may be sold in
multiple units, as a
dispensable device. The lids and/or spouts/ patches/ straws may also be sold
as disposable in
multiple units, or for one time use, depending on the particular lid and/or
spout, and cost of
manufacture. Although it is preferable to sell a container shell specifically
for use with the insert,
it is conceivable to sell inserts which are usable with drinking devices, such
as Sippy cups
already on the market.
While the present invention has been described with regards to particular
embodiments, it
is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be
devised without
departing from the inventive concept.
