Toddler drinking container and methods for making the same

Abstract

In one embodiment, a beverage container is disclosed. The container includes a bottom portion formed to contain a consumable fluid and a top portion fixably coupled to the bottom portion so as to further contain the fluid and whereby the top portion and bottom portion are not detachable. The top portion comprising a drinking spout having a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve opens to expel fluid from the bottom portion through the spout when a negative pressure is applied to the spout and the one-way value closes to substantially prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottom portion through the spout when negative pressure is not applied to the spout. Methods for fabricating such container are also disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to drink containers, and more specifically, to drinking containers for toddlers, infants, elderly, or any person who may have difficulty drinking from various conventional beverage containers and cups. [0002] A child is typically weaned from the breast or a baby bottle by transitioning to a toddler cup. The typical toddler cup is formed from a lower cup portion and an upper lid portion. The lid portion has a spout which is in some cases spill-proof. For example, the cup is designed so that the child can suck liquids out of the cup, but the liquids will not spill out of the cup when the cup is turned upside down. [0003] When a parent travels with a child, the toddler cup presents numerous disadvantages. For instance, the parent must fill up the toddler cup with a liquid such as milk prior to traveling unless he / she wishes to take the extra time to stop at a store during the outing to buy a beverage for filling...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] Accordingly, a toddler beverage container that is pre-filled with a consumable liquid and not openable after purchase is provided. In general, the toddler container includes a spout which allows a toddler to drink the liquid from the container but prevents leaks from occurring when the toddler is not drinking from the spout. The toddler cup is also formed from at least a top and bottom portion which are fixably coupled to each other after being pre-filed with the consumable liquid.

[0009] In one embodiment, a beverage container is disclosed. The container includes a bottom portion formed to contain a consumable fluid and a top portion fixably coupled to the bottom portion so as to further contain the fluid and whereby the top portion and bottom portion are not detachable. The top portion comprising a drinking spout having a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve opens to expel fluid from the bottom portion through the spout when a negative pressure is applied to the spout and the one-way value closes to substantially prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottom portion through the spout when negative pressure is not applied to the spout.

[0010] In a specific implementation, the bottom portion forms a cup having curved sidewalls with at least a first sidewall having a circumference smaller than a second and third sidewall portion's circumference. The first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age between about 1 year and about 3 years old can substantially wrap his / her hand or hands around the first circumference. In one aspect, the first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age of about 6 months to about 1 year can substantially wrap both of his / her hands around the first circumference. In another aspect, the first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age of about 2 or 3 years can substantially wrap his / her hand around the first circumference. In yet another aspect, the curved sidewalls further include at least a fourth sidewall having a circumference smaller than a fifth and sixth sidewall portion's circumference, wherein the fourth sidewall circumference is sized so that an adult can substantially wrap his / her hand around the first circumference. In a specific embodiment, the curved sidewalls form an hourglass shape.

[0012] In another embodiment, the invention pertains to a method of making a beverage container. A bottom portion is formed to contain a consumable fluid. The bottom portion is then filled with a consumable fluid. A top portion is then formed and the top portion is then fixably coupled to the bottom portion so as to further contain the fluid and whereby the top portion and bottom portion are not detachable. The top portion includes a drinking spout having a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve opens to expel fluid from the bottom portion through the spout when a negative pressure is applied to the spout and the one-way value closes to substantially prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottom portion through the spout when negative pressure is not applied to the spout.

Problems solved by technology

The extra time that a parent must spend to fill, refill, and wash a toddler cup is often time that the busy parent cannot afford.

Another problem with some of conventional toddler cup designs is their inability to withstand the stresses placed on the cup by the toddler, e.g., when the toddler throws the cup against a wall in a tantrum fit.

Needless to say, such an event would result in a large mess when the contents were no longer contained by the lid and cup being snapped together.

This closable two-piece system is not conducive for enabling a small child to drink because the device requires a sucking action of considerable force and often requires the user to have ample strength to squeeze the beverage bottle in order to facilitate flow.

The device also requires a considerable amount of fine motor skills and coordination of the user's mouth and lips.

The two-piece sport drinking system is also not conducive for allowing an elderly individual to drink for the same reasons.

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