FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a combination drinking cup and snack container, and more specifically to a combination drinking cup and snack container that is spill-resistant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Drinking cups (commonly referred to as “sippy cups” for children) are used to hold liquid (e.g., juice, water, milk). Sippy cups typically include a body with a lid that is coupled to the body. The lid includes a spout or straw for a child to drink liquid contained in the body. In contrast, children's snack containers are used to hold solid food items (e.g., cereal and other small snack food). Snack containers and sippy cups are typically provided as separate products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention provides a combination drinking cup and snack container that includes a first body having a first cavity sized to hold liquid, and a second body coupled to the first body along an axis of the first body. The combination drinking cup and snack container also includes a lid coupled to the second body, the lid having at least one flexible member that inhibits food items from spilling out of the second body.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a combination drinking cup and snack container that includes a first body having a first cavity sized to hold liquid, and a second body coupled to the first body. The second body has a second cavity sized to hold food items. The second body also defines a channel along a side of the second body. The combination drinking cup and snack container also includes a lid coupled to the second body, wherein the lid includes a spout. The combination drinking cup and snack container also includes a straw coupled to the second body, the straw having a first portion that is received at least partially within both the channel and the spout.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a combination sippy cup and snack container according to one embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the combination sippy cup and snack container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the combination sippy cup and snack container of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is top view of the combination sippy cup and snack container of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 5-23 illustrate various views of a combination sippy cup and snack container according to another construction of the invention
FIGS. 24-38 illustrate various views of a combination sippy cup and snack container according to yet another construction of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a combination Sippy cup and snack container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The container 10 is configured to hold both liquid and food items. The container 10 includes a first body 14 having an opening 18 at an upper end of the body 14. The opening 18, as illustrated in the figures, is circular, although in other constructions the opening 18 has other suitable shapes. The body 14 includes a bottom wall 20 configured to rest on a support surface (e.g., countertop, shelf, etc.) and support the body 14, and a side wall 22 connected to the bottom wall 20 that extends upwardly from the bottom wall 20. The bottom wall 20 and side wall 22 define an interior cavity 26 within the body 14. The body 14 has an elongate structure, wherein the side wall 22 includes a contoured outer surface, which facilitates gripping of the body 14. In other words, as illustrated, the body 14 has a diameter that gradually decreases moving from the bottom wall 20 up along the sidewall 26 to a gripping region 27, and then gradually increases moving up farther along the sidewall 26 to a collar portion 28. The body 14, and in particular the cavity 22, is sized and configured to hold liquid items (e.g., juice, water, milk). While the illustrated body 14 is transparent (i.e., allowing visible access to the liquid inside the cavity 22), in some constructions the body 14 is opaque. The body 14 can comprise polypropylene or other suitable materials or combinations of materials.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the first body 14 also includes a coupling mechanism 30 disposed along the collar portion 28 adjacent to the opening 18 for coupling the body 14 to another component of the container 10. The coupling mechanism 30 includes a plurality of threads 34 on an outer surface of the collar portion 28 at an upper end of the body 14. In other constructions, the coupling mechanism 30 includes a different structure or structures (e.g., a lip, recess, or other structure, for example for snap-fitting the body 14 to another component of the container 10). In some constructions, the threads 34 are on an inner surface of the collar portion. In some constructions, the body 14 and one or more other components of the container 10 include lips of varying thickness that provide an interference fit. One of the lips can be positioned on an outer surface of the body 14 at or near the collar portion 28 and a corresponding lip can be positioned on an internal surface of the other component of the container 10. Alternatively, one of the lips can be positioned on an inner surface of the body 14 at or near the collar portion 28 and a corresponding lip can be positioned on an external surface of the other component of the container 10. As another alternative, the threads 34 and the lips can both be utilized on the body 14 to couple the body 14 with the other component or components of the container 10.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the container 10 also includes a second body 38 having an opening 42 at an upper end thereof. The opening 42 is generally circular, although in other constructions the opening 42 has other suitable shapes. The second body 38 includes a lower base portion 43 and a sidewall 44 that together define a cavity 46. In the illustrated construction the body 38 has a generally bowl-like shape where the sidewall 44 is gradually contoured downwardly and inwardly from the opening 42 toward the base portion 43. The sidewall 44 of the second body 38 includes a channel 102 formed therein for accommodating a straw (discussed below). The second body 38 also includes a rim 47 having first wall 48 and a second wall 49 where the first wall 48 is oriented in a generally perpendicular direction and extending from the sidewall 44 and the second wall 49 is oriented in a generally perpendicular direction and extending downward and/or outwardly from the first wall 48. In some constructions the first wall 48 is curved or substantially flat. The second body 38 also includes a groove defining a recess between the sidewall 44 of the body 14 and the second wall 49 of the rim 47 (e.g., like recess 251 illustrated in FIG. 15). The second body 38, and in particular the cavity 46, is sized and configured to hold food items (e.g., cereal and other small snack food). While the illustrated body 38 is opaque, in some constructions the body 38 is transparent. The second body 38 can comprise polypropylene or other suitable materials or combinations of materials.
With continued reference to FIG. 1, the second body 38 also includes a coupling mechanism 52 configured for coupling with the coupling mechanism 30 on the body 14. In one example, the coupling mechanism 52 includes a plurality of internal threads (e.g., like internal threads 253 illustrated in FIG. 15) on the second wall 49 and are positioned within the groove. The internal threads are configured to engage the external threads 34, although in other constructions the coupling mechanism 52 includes a different structure or structures (e.g., a lip, recess, or other structure, for example for snap-fitting the second body 38 to the first body 14). Some examples are discussed above.
When the second body 38 is coupled to the first body 14 (e.g., screwed on with threads), the second wall 49 of the rim 47 extends over the external threads 34, while a substantial portion of the second body 38 is positioned within the cavity 22. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second body 38 extends into the cavity 22 such that a circumferential gap 58 exists between the second body 38 and the side wall 26. The second body 38 is generally centered within the opening 18, and the bowl-like shape of the second body 38 generally follows a contour of the side wall 26 along a portion of the side wall 26.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the portion of the second body 38 positioned in the cavity 22 has a height 62 measured along an axis 66. The axis 66 extends vertically through the first body 14 and the second body 38. The axis 66 extends generally perpendicular to a flat support surface 70 when the bottom wall 20 of the first body 14 is resting on the support surface 70. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the first body 14 is generally symmetrical about the axis 66.
With continued reference to FIG. 2, the first body 14 has a height 74 measured along the axis 66. The ratio of the height 74 to the height 62 is between about 2.0 and about 2.5. In some constructions the ratio is between about 1.5 and about 3.0. Other constructions include different ranges and values.
With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the second body 38 includes a conduit 78 having an opening 82 configured to receive a straw therethrough. The conduit 78 is molded or formed in a portion of the rim 47 of the second body 38. The conduit 78 is spaced radially from the axis 66, and partially inwardly of the rim 47. The opening 82 is aligned with the channel 102 formed in the second body 38 and serves as a guide for inserting the straw through the opening 82, through the conduit 78, and into cavity 26 of the first body 14. As illustrated in the figures, the conduit 78 is formed at an angle a relative to the axis 66 (discussed below).
With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the container 10 also includes a straw 86 having a first end 90 and a second end 94. The straw 86 comprises silicone, although other constructions can include different materials (e.g., high-density polyethylene), or combinations of materials suitable for such a straw 86. The straw 86 is sized and configured to extend through the opening 82, such that the first end 90 is disposed below the second body 38 and in the cavity 22 (e.g., in the liquid), and the second end 94 is disposed above the second body 38. As illustrated in FIG. 3, both the conduit 78 and the straw 86 are aligned along an axis 98 that extends at an acute angle a relative to the axis 66, such that the straw 86 is angled relative to the second body 38.
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the container 10 also includes a lid 110. In the illustrated construction the lid 110 is flexible and comprises silicone or other suitable materials or combinations of materials. The lid 110 is configured to be stretched over and coupled to (e.g., frictionally) at least a portion of the rim 47 of the second body 38. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first wall 48 of the rim 47 includes a first portion 111 and a stepped-down second portion 112. The stepped-down second portion 112 has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the first portion 111. The lid 110 is configured to extend over the opening 42 and the cavity 46. The lid 110 includes an inside surface that is configured to engage or mate with an outer side surface 113 of the first portion 111.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the lid 110 is a spill-resistant component that includes at least one flexible member 116 that inhibits food items from spilling out of the second body in a naturally biased position, while allowing a user to bend the flexible member 116 away from the naturally biased position to reach into the cavity 46 of the second body 38 and retrieve a food item. In the illustrated construction, the lid 110 includes a plurality of radially-oriented slits 114 that define a plurality of flaps 118. The flaps 118 define one embodiment of the at least one flexible member 116, and are generally triangular in shape and extend (e.g., narrow) from an exterior perimeter portion 122 of the lid 110 toward a central portion 126 of the lid 118, where tips 130 of the flaps 118 converge. The flaps 118 are slightly angled downward (i.e., towards the interior cavity 26) with respect to the exterior perimeter portion 122. The central portion 126 is disposed along the axis 66. Five flaps 118 are illustrated, although other constructions can include a different number and arrangement of flaps 118. In some constructions, the at least one flexible member 116 is a structure other than a flap or flaps.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the flaps 118 are flexible, such that a child may press his or her fingers and/or hand through the flaps 118 and reach into the cavity 46 to retrieve a food item. During this pressing motion, the flaps 118 flex and move away from the naturally biased positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 to make room for the child's fingers and/or hand. The child may then pull the food item out of the cavity 46, whereby the flaps 118 will flex, move, and then reassume the naturally biased positions illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the lid 110 also includes a spout 134. The spout 134 is spaced radially from the axis 66, and is positioned generally above the opening 82. The second end 94 of the straw 86 extends into the spout 134. The spout 134 is flexible, and includes an opening 138 (e.g., a self-closing or self-sealing slit). To drink liquid from the body 14, a child places his or her mouth on the spout 134 and sucks liquid through the straw 86 and the opening 138. In some constructions, the opening 138 remains tightly closed (e.g., sealed), such that the opening 138 opens only when a child presses his or her mouth against the spout 134 and pushes the flexible material of the spout portion 134 together. In other constructions, a valve or other mechanism is provided in the spout 134 to inhibit liquid in the body 14 from spilling out of the container 10.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, in some constructions the container 10 also includes a handle 142 that provides a grip for a child to hold the container 10. The handle 142 includes a collar 146 that slides over and frictionally engages the rim on the second body 38, as well as the lid 110. In the illustrated construction an elongate gripping portion 150 is integrally molded with and extends from the collar 146. As illustrated, the gripping portion 150 extends away from the axis 66 and downwardly, however the gripping portion 150 can extend straight out from the collar 146 or upwardly in other constructions. While one gripping portion 150 is illustrated, in some constructions two or more gripping portions 150 are provided on the handle 142.
The handle 142 is adjustable (e.g., rotatable) about the axis 66, such that the gripping portion 150 is movable from a first position to a second, different position. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gripping portion 150 extends generally parallel to the axis 66, although in some constructions the gripping portion 150 extends at an angle relative to the axis 66. In some constructions the handle portion 142 is integrally formed with the body 14 or the second body 38. Some constructions do not include a handle 142.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, and as described above, the container 10 permits easy access to both liquid and food. Instead of having separate containers for liquid and food, the container 10 provides an efficient and simplified mechanism by which to hold both at the same time. Furthermore, the container 10 inhibits or prevents leaks and spills of both liquid and food.
FIGS. 5-23 illustrate a combination Sippy cup and snack container 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The container 210 is configured to hold both liquid and food items. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the container 210 is similar to the container 10 in that the container 210 includes a first body 214 having a side wall 222 and an internal cavity 226 for holding liquid items, a second body 238 having a side wall 244 and an internal cavity 246 for holding food items, a straw 286, a lid 310 having flaps 318 and a spout 334, and a handle 342.
With reference to FIG. 8, the second body 238 includes a channel 302 formed therein for accommodating the straw 286. The second body 238 also includes a projection 303 extending above the opening 42 that receives the spout 334. The straw 286 includes a first end 290 and a second end 294.
With reference to FIGS. 5-7, 10, and 15, the second end 294 extends into the channel 302 and presses into a lower opening 304 (FIG. 15) in the projection 303. The projection 303 also includes an upper opening 305 (FIG. 15). With reference to FIG. 10, the lid 310 includes an opening 344 that receives a lower, wider part of the projection 303, and an opening 345 that receives an upper, narrower part of the projection 303. The lid 310 also includes a vacuum release 351 (FIGS. 7 and 10) and an upper main drinking valve 352 (FIGS. 7 and 10). In the illustrated construction the vacuum release 351 and upper main drinking valve 352 are slit membrane valves (e.g., Haberman® valves), although other constructions include different types of openings or valves. With reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, a vacuum channel 306 is disposed next to the main opening 304. The vacuum channel 306 leads to the vacuum release 351. The vacuum release 351 and/or the upper main drinking valve 352 inhibit or prevent liquid from leaking out of the lid 310 (e.g., when a child turns the container 210 upside down). In some constructions the second end 294 extends out of the lid 310 or to a further opening in the second body 238 or lid 310.
With reference to FIG. 7, the straw 286 is flexible. When assembled, the first portion 290 of the straw 286 presses against an inside surface 291 of the first body 214, such that the second portion 294 is angled relative to the first portion 290.
With reference to FIGS. 12-15, the second body 238 includes a rim 247 having a first wall 248 and a second wall 249 where the first wall 248 is oriented in a generally perpendicular direction and extending from the sidewall 244 and the second wall 249 is oriented in a generally perpendicular direction and extending downward and/or outwardly from the first wall 248. In some constructions the first wall 248 is curved or substantially flat. The second body 238 also includes a groove defining a recess 251 (FIGS. 14 and 15) between the sidewall 244 of the second body 238 and the second wall 249 of the rim 47. The second body 238 also includes a coupling mechanism 252 configured for coupling with a coupling mechanism 230 on the first body 214. In the illustrated construction, the coupling mechanism 252 includes a plurality of internal threads 253 on an inner surface of the second wall 249 that are positioned within the recess 251. The internal threads 253 are configured to engage external threads 234 (FIGS. 19 and 21) on the first body 214, although in other constructions the coupling mechanism 252 includes a different structure or structures (e.g., a lip, recess, or other structure, for example for snap-fitting the second body 238 to the first body 214).
FIGS. 24-38 illustrate a combination Sippy cup and snack container 310 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The container 310 is configured to hold both liquid and food items. The container 310 is similar to the containers 10 and 210 in that the container 310 includes a first body 314 having a side wall 322 and an internal cavity 326 for holding liquid items, a second body 338 having a side wall 344 and an internal cavity 346 for holding food items, a straw 386, and a lid 410 having flaps 418 and a central portion 426.
With reference to FIG. 25, the straw 386 presses into an opening 404 in a projection 403 of the second body 338.
With reference to FIG. 26, the container 310 includes a snap element 320 and a gasket 321. With reference to FIGS. 25, 26, and 36-38, in the illustrated construction the snap element 320 is a ring having snaps and/or threads 323 (FIGS. 36 and 38) for engaging the second body 338. The snap element 320, in combination with the gasket 321, are used to couple the first and second bodies 314, 338. For example, in some constructions the snap element 320 is permanently snapped over and/or threaded on the second body 338, and the gasket 321 is pressed into the second body 338 during manufacture and is not intended to be removable. In other constructions the snap element 320 and/or gasket 321 are removable.
With reference to FIG. 27, the lid 410 includes an opening 419 that receives the projection 403.
With reference to FIG. 30, in the illustrated construction the second body 338 includes overmold and slit TPE valves 451 and 452. In some constructions the valve 451 is a vacuum release, and the valve 452 is a main drinking valve. In the illustrated construction the valve 452 is disposed directly opposite (i.e., 180 degrees) of the valve 451 on the second body 338. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the lid 410 includes an opening 453 that corresponds to the valve 451.
While the illustrated containers 10, 210, 310 are shown as being made of certain materials and having certain dimensions, in other constructions the dimensions and materials may differ.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.
Patent Application
20150102029
