Patent Application
20090045206
This invention relates to containers that are specially adapted for use in can and bottle drink vending machines that enable dispensing of a child's disposable drinking cup containing beverage and possessing an extended mouthpiece that resists fluid flow when inverted, but allows adequate flow when suction is applied.
Children's cups possessing an extended spout for placing in the child's mouth and drinking from, commonly referred to as “sippy cups” and “sipper cups,” have provided a convenient method of providing beverage to children while reducing spills associated with a young person's lack of motor skills. Sippy cups possess an extended spout that can be placed in a child's mouth. The spouts generally restrict fluid flow if the cup is inverted by means of valves and/or possessing small apertures through which the fluid must flow. When suction is applied the resistance to fluid flow is reduced allowing the child to drink.
Vending machines do not currently dispense drinks contained in drinking bottles or cans suitable for young children. When running errands, caretakers have to pack drinks and bottles for their children. If the young child needs a drink or bottle and the caretaker has not packed any, the caretaker has to sit and hold the cup for the young child, go into a store for a bottle, or even stop the errands altogether and go home.
Present drink vending machines carry beverages and juices, but the cans and bottles presently available in such vending machines do not sufficiently restrict the flow of liquid to prevent spills if the bottle is inverted. The openings of such bottles and cans are also awkward for a small child to drink from.
Present sipper cups, while better capable of reducing spills and more biometrically suited for small children than cans or current drink bottles, are not readily adaptable for use in conventional drink vending machines such that a drink machine service company could easily add such a product to a vending machine's inventory for caretaker's to conveniently purchase.
Provided is a disposable drinking container suitable for use by a child and adapted to be dispensed from a drink vending machine. The container includes a vessel containing a liquid beverage, a releasable seal attached to the top of the vessel containing the liquid, the vessel having an upper portion having an extended spout, and a removable cap. The container is an appropriate shape and size for dispensing from a vending machine. The shape of the product allows for its use in conventional drink dispensing machines used in theme parks, shopping centers, restaurants and the like including aluminum can dispensing machines and plastic and glass bottle dispensing machines. Ideally the drinking container is lightweight and biodegradable. A releasably attached safety seal protects the contents of the container until the child is ready to consume its contents.
The extended spout contains an aperture or apertures to allow fluid to flow when suction is applied but resists fluid flow when the cup is inverted. Such function may be accomplished by any means known to those in the art including appropriate selection of the aperture dimensions and employment of valves. The extended spout is dimensioned to comfortably fit in a child's mouth. The content of the vessel is contained by a safety seal releasably attached to the top of the vessel. The extended spout and safety seal are protected by a removable cap releasably attached to the vessel. In the preferred embodiment of the container, the cap is threadably attached to the vessel and secured with a tamper evident seal extending around the circumference of the interface between the cap and the vessel.
Typically, a child's caretaker will purchase the container for the child from a convenient vending machine. The parent then will remove and discard the cap and safety seal. The caretaker then will attach the upper portion of the vessel to the lower portion of the vessel and hand the assembled vessel to the child. The child may then insert the extended spout in his or her mouth, invert the vessel, and suck the beverage from the vessel. The parent will then be able continue with their errands or drive with knowledge that the vessel will reduce or eliminate spills in the event the child was to tip or drop the drink.
A drink machine service company will be able to add vendible sippy cup products to the available selections on a standard drink machine without the need to invest in new equipment. Such an expansion of their product lines will expand their customer base by attracting caretakers of young children.
The preferred construction of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:
As illustrated in the accompanying drawings a disposable drinking container is shown for containing a liquid beverage, suitable for use by a child and adapted to be dispensed from a drink vending machine or equally convenient for a caretaker, may be purchased free standing at any number of locations such as convenience stores, theme parks or restaurants. The container is generally constructed from a resilient polymer based material suitable for use as a beverage container. In the preferred embodiment, the components will be of a biodegradable and/or recyclable material. Other materials may be used, including metal, paper, cardboard, and expanded polymers.
The upper portion 41 possesses an extended spout 43 adapted to be placed comfortably within a child's mouth. The extended spout 43 possesses at least one aperture 45 adapted to resist flow of liquid when the vessel 21, 41 is tipped or dropped, but allow flow of liquid when suction is applied, such as when the extended spout 43 is placed within a child's mouth and the child is sucking. The vessel 21, 41 may also have a vent aperture 47 adapted to allow air to flow into the vessel 21, 41, but resist the flow of fluid out of the vessel 21, 41 when tipped or dropped. The apertures 45, 47 may possess one or more valves adapted to resist fluid flow out of the vessel 21, 41 when dropped or tipped, but allow fluid to flow when suction is applied to the extended spout 43.
It is understood that the vessel 21, 41 or 121, 41 may be filled with the beverage 5 and sealed with the safety seal 31. When dispensed the vessel is in an assembled condition as shown by
It should be understand that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
