STACKABLE CUP

Description

Field

[0001] The subject matter of the present application is in the field of stackable cups, such as "sippy" type cups with a sipping spout on a closure lid.Background

[0002] Sippy cups with removable lids having raised spouts are most commonly used for teaching children to transition their drinking from a bottle to a regular cup. Sippy-type cups with more sophisticated spouts, for example having manually-operated closures, may also be used by adults while engaged in biking, driving, and other mobile activities where drinking from an open cup would be difficult.

[0003] Storage of multiple sippy cups with lids in a compact space is desirable, especially for children's sippy cups where multiple clean and dirty cups can accumulate over the course of a day while a parent and child are out of the home running errands, traveling, etc., often with limited storage space such as in a stroller, diaper bag, or backpack.

[0004] Stackable containers and cups are known. U.S. Patent No. 5,312,011 to Fischer shows a stackable container system where each container is snapped onto and securely fastened to another similarly configured container.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,409,128 to Mitchell shows stackable containers with bases having downwardly depending rims engaging a stepped lid of a container underneath with mating thread segments to lock them together.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 6,886,694 to McNeeley et al shows a nestable and stackable food container with a nesting structure provided at least in part on a portion of the base and at least in part on a portion of the lid. The nesting structure permits removably nesting the lower side of the base with the lid in either a standard lid orientation or an inverted orientation.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 8,157,122 to Dale shows a lidded container in which the container bottom is provided with a recess fitting over the protruding lid of a similar container when stacked.

[0008] U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. US 2013 / 0233855 A1 to DeSiena shows a sealable container for food or beverages with a lid having a raised panel that snappingly and releasably fits into the outside volume at the bottom of the container so that the lid snaps onto the container bottom for stacking.

[0009] International Pub. No. WO 95 / 15891 to Nytro (Dynoplast AS) shows a stackable cup for spoon foods, where the bases stack inside other cups with room for a spoon.

[0010] GB 400 766 A discloses a cup stacking system comprising two or more substantially identical cups (7) with lids (1 ), said cups configured to be stacked with their respective lids secured on said cups, wherein: each cup comprises a sidewall, a top with a removable lid, and a bottom; said bottom of each cup comprises an annular recess defined between a lower bottom sidewall portion (9) and one of a locking plug and a locking stem (8) protruding downwardly from a center portion of said bottom of said cup within a volume bounded by said lower bottom sidewall portion, said one of a locking plug and a locking stem further coaxially aligned with a longitudinal center axis of said cup; each lid comprises the other of a locking plug and a locking stem (3) protruding from an upper side of said lid and coaxially aligned with a longitudinal center axis of said cup, said locking stem configured to mate in removable locking fit with said locking plug; wherein, each lid while attached to the top of a second of said cups, can be lockingly mated with said bottom of a first of said cups via said locking stem removably engaging said locking plug.

[0011] US4485923A discloses a stackable, closable container. The container has a generally cylindrical body portion and generally circular top and bottom end walls. The container has an opening at its top end wall and is plugged with a resiliently flexible cover. In a preferred embodiment, the cover acts as a child-resistant closure. The cover also acts as a female member which receives a male member on the bottom end of an identical container stacked above it. The weight of the top container, however, is supported by the raised flange on the top end wall of the container beneath it, such that no weight is supported by the closure itself. Additionally, the top raised flange of the container and its bottom chime extend outwardly approximately an equal distance such that when one container is adjacent to an identical container in a side-by-side relationship there is a space between the containers so as to avoid scuffing of the containers or labels affixed thereto.

[0012] US 5 692 617 A discloses a storable system of containers. The system includes a series of vessels and corresponding covers. Each vessel is partially insertable into another vessel to configure the vessels as a vessel stack. Each cover is attachable to another cover to configure the covers as a cover stack. The cover stack and vessel stack are attachable to form a storage stack. An individual container is removable from the storage stack by removing a single vessel and the corresponding cover.

[0013] US 8 844 758 B1 discloses a storage and packaging system solution which includes designs for container, closure, and holding apparatus.

[0014] US 4 443 896 discloses a urine specimen collecting unit including a cup and a separate lid sealed to the cup. The cup is of a generally conical configuration tapering from a closed base to a larger diameter open upper end. The lid includes a central depression received within the open end of an associated cup, a rim surrounding the depression for engagement with the upper edge of the cup, and a skirt depending peripherally from the rim below the depression and configured for locking engagement with the cup. The lid depression is configured to receive the closed base end of a superimposed cup. A tapered spout communicates through the rim and projects upwardly therefrom to lie adjacent the outer surface of a superimposed cup and within the confines of an imaginary cylinder surrounding the rim.

[0015] Commercially available products include the Tommee Tippee ®< Essentials Stackable Food Pots and Lids with recesses in the lids for receiving the bases of other cups above for stacking; the RePlay ™< SnackStack ™< lidded stackable containers; the EcoBio ™< stackable shaker lid cups; TupperWare ®< Retro Harvest stacking mugs with lids; and, the First Years ™< stackable sippy cups in which the cups are stacked with one another in a nested configuration and the lids are stacked on the uppermost cup lid in the cup stack.

[0016] To date there does not appear to be a convenient, clean, practical, and durable sippy cup stacking system where each sippy cup in the stack can have its own lid securely attached while stacked.Brief Summary

[0017] The present invention is a cup stacking system in which each of multiple substantially identical cups may be stacked with their lids secured to their respective cups, as further specified by the features of claim 1. Such a system provides the most convenient possible storage for both clean cups and dirty cups and is especially useful for children's sippy cups where a parent may want to go out of the house for the day with a number of pre-filled cups.

[0018] In a general form, the cup stacking system comprises a cup having a sidewall, an open top with a removable lid or removeable sippy spout lid, and a bottom, in accordance with claim 1.

[0019] In a preferred form, the locking stem and locking plug are matingly threaded or otherwise configured to mate with a rotating fit, for example with threaded, twist-lock, or "bayonet" type connections or other rotational connections between the locking stem and plug. The annular recess has a sufficient volume to fully receive said spout therein; and, where when said lid on said second cup is secured against said bottom of said first cup said spout on said lid is enclosed within said annular recess on said bottom of said second cup.

[0020] The upper ends of the locking stem and the sippy spout on the first cup lid may abut in sealing or non-sealing fashion with the bottom of the second cup in the annular recess when the first and second cups are fully locked together.

[0021] The stem and the sippy spout may include relief valves, individually or in a connected assembly, that help prevent leaks and that assist with drinking.

[0022] In a further form, the central locking plug protruding from the bottom of the cup narrows downwardly so that the annular recess around the locking plug is tapered at its inner diameter. The inner side of the sippy spout is correspondingly angled for complementary rotating clearance in the annular recess.

[0023] These and other features and of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of multiple lidded cups according to one embodiment of the invention, mated in a stack, with a portion of the interface of two cups cut away to show an example locking structure. FIG. 1A is similar to FIG. 1 but shows the upper and lower cups in the stack exploded from the middle cup, and their respective lids exploded from the cups. FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of one of the cups with attached lid from FIG. 1, taken from an upper (lid) perspective. FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of one of the cups with attached lid from FIG. 1, taken from a lower (cup bottom) perspective. FIG. 4 is a sectional side elevation view of the stacked cups of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cutaway side perspective view of the stacked cups of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an underside of a lid from one of the cups in FIG. 1, with a relief valve assembly that can be mated with the central locking plug and sippy spout portions of the lid. FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of the lid of FIG. 6 and a cup, partially cutaway to show the relief valve structure inserted in the sippy spout and locking stem. Detailed Description

[0025] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 1A, a stacking sippy cup system is shown in exemplary form in order to teach how to make and use the claimed invention. The system comprises two or more sippy cups 10, each cup having a removable lid 30 capable of mating in secure fashion not only with its underlying cup 10, but also with the bottom of another cup 10 above it to form a stack 100 of multiple lid-covered cups 10. The upper surface 32 of each lid 30 has a protruding sippy spout 34 of generally known form, radially offset from the center of the lid, with one or more fluid openings 35 of known type that limits the drinking flow of fluid from the cup. Each lid 30 also includes a locking stem 36 protruding from the radial center of the upper surface of the lid, in the illustrated example with cylindrically-mating threads 36a formed on the exterior of the stem, and with an optional pressure relief vent opening 37.

[0026] In the illustrated example of FIG. 1, the bottom of the bottom-most cup 10 in the stack 100 is mated to a handle attachment 130 with handles 132, rather than a lid. Handle attachment 130 attaches to the bottom of a cup 10 in the same manner as one of the lids 30, i.e., via a screw-on locking stem 136 essentially identical to stem 36 on lid 30 except for the lack of a pressure relief opening.

[0027] Cups 10 and lids 30 (and handle attachment 130) may be formed from any known plastic material suitable for use as a drinking cup, for example molded from BPA-free polyethylene or polypropylene. It would be possible to form cups 10 and lids 30 from other materials used for drinking cups, such as metal, but a modern durable lightweight plastic is preferred. The size of the cups may vary, but dimensions suitable for 8-16 oz. cups would be typical.

[0028] Each cup 10 has an open upper end or top 12, a sidewall 14, and a lower end or bottom 16. The top of cup 10 includes connecting structure such as threads 12a for mating in generally fluid-tight fashion with corresponding connecting structure on lid 30 in known manner, for example mating threads formed on the inside of the lid sidewall 31. The top 12 and bottom 16 of the cup 10 and the lid 30 are preferably cylindrical as in the illustrated example, with cylindrical mating thread-forms connecting the lid to the cup, although other shapes and lid-cup connecting structures are possible.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the bottom 16 of cup 10 includes an outer vertical wall portion 16a extending downwardly beyond the interior transverse bottom surface 16b of the cup. The bottom outer wall 16a defines in part and surrounds an annular cavity 18 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed around a radially centered locking plug 20 protruding from the bottom wall 16b no farther (and preferably less) than the lower edge of bottom outer wall 16a. The locking plug 20 in the illustrated example is "female", configured with a socket to receive a "male" locking stem 36 on a lid 30. Annular cavity 18 is deep enough to receive the sippy spout 34 on a lid 30 when the locking stem 36 on the lid is mated with the locking plug 20 on the bottom of the cup.

[0030] While the locking stem 36 is shown as a male connecting portion, and the locking plug 20 is shown as a female connecting portion, these could be reversed, with a female socket on the locking stem 36 and plug 20 configured as a male portion. While cylindrically-mating thread forms requiring multiple rotations for connection are illustrated and currently preferred, other rotating or twist connection structures such as known types of twist-lock or "bayonet" style connections that lock together with less than a full circumferential rotation are possible in place of the illustrated threads that require multiple rotations of the mating cup. Also, non-rotating or linear mechanical, magnetic, frictional, or other connections between locking plug 20 and locking stem 36 are possible, including but not limited to frictional detents or annular beads located on the respective mating stem and plug portions to "click" together with a push and securely hold the cup underneath to the cup above. And while the annular recess in the bottom of each cup is especially useful for accommodating a rotating locking connection as illustrated, with any kind of connecting structure the recess allows the lid underneath to be mated with the bottom of the cup above in any circumferential orientation and with a degree of circumferential movement that may assist with making the connection.

[0031] The diameter of lid 30 is sized to form a snug, preferably sealing fit between an outer surface portion of the lid and the bottom outer wall 16a of the cup above it. For example, a beveled outer edge 31b of the lid can mate flush with the lower edge of bottom wall 16a when the lid is fully mated with the bottom of the cup, i.e., when locking stem 36 is fully mated with locking plug 20, in order to fully enclose and seal the sippy spout on the lid within the bottom of the cup above it. The diameter of the plate- or ring-like flat body portion 134 of handle attachment 130 is likewise sized to fit snugly against the lower edge 16b of bottom wall 16a when the handle attachment is fully mated with the bottom of the cup.

[0032] The relative heights and depths of the locking stem 36, locking plug 20, annular cavity 18, and sippy spout 34 may be sized so that some or all of them provide a positive vertical stop against each other's surfaces when the lid 30 on an underneath cup is fully mated with the bottom 16 of the cup 10 above it. This is perhaps easiest to picture in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0033] Each cup 10 may also include a relief valve assembly 40 of known type, for example made from a soft elastomeric plastic or rubber-like material comprising one or more upstanding plug portions 42, 44 that fit snugly up into the interiors of the sippy spout 34 and the locking stem 36. Relief valve assembly 40 seals the spout and locking stem openings 35, 37 relative to any liquid in the cup, except for metered flow openings 42a and 44a that allow some fluid and air flow, respectively, to assist with drinking from spout 34. Relief valve assembly 40 may include a pull tab 46 to help remove assembly 40 from the lid 30 for cleaning.

[0034] FIGS. 2-5 show the annular nature of recess 18 in the bottom 16 of cup 10, and in particular the clearance provided in the bottom of the cup for the radially-offset sippy spout 34 of a lid 30 mated with the bottom of the cup. Sippy spout 34 may take different known configurations and may be open at the top or may be capped with a removable / openable covering or closure mechanism of known type. Whatever the size of the spout, however, annular recess 18 provides sufficient clearance both radially and vertically to receive spout 34 as locking stem 36 on lid 30 is mated with locking plug 20 on cup 10. As locking stem 36 is mated in rotating threaded fashion with locking plug 20, recess 18 allows spout 34 to rotate around the locking plug 20 within the outer bottom wall portion 16a of the bottom 16 of the cup.

[0035] Further as shown in FIGS. 2-5, the interior wall 34a of sippy spout 34 is preferably angled, narrowing upwardly toward the tip of the spout. The outer wall or surface 20c of locking plug 20 in the bottom of the cup may be correspondingly sized and tapered (narrowing downwardly from the base of the plug at cup bottom surface 16b) for better clearance between the spout and the plug.

[0036] Locking plug 20 may be formed in a way relative to cup transverse bottom surface 16b to create a central tapered well 16c in the bottom center of the interior of the cup, creating a small fluid volume extending below the generally flat transverse interior bottom wall 16b.

[0037] The invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cup stacking system comprising two or more substantially identical cups (10) with lids (30), said cups (10) configured to be stacked with their respective lids (30) secured on said cups (10), wherein: each cup (10) comprises a sidewall (14), a top (12) with a removable lid (30), and a bottom (16); said bottom (16) of each cup (10) comprises an annular recess (18) defined between a lower bottom sidewall portion (16a) and one of a locking plug (20) and a locking stem (36) protruding downwardly from a center portion of said bottom (16) of said cup (10) within a volume bounded by said lower bottom sidewall portion (16b), said one of a locking plug (20) and a locking stem (36) further coaxially aligned with a longitudinal center axis of said cup (10); each lid (30) comprises the other of a locking plug (20) and a locking stem (36) protruding from an upper side (32) of said lid (30) and coaxially aligned with a longitudinal center axis of said cup (10), said locking stem (36) configured to mate in removable locking fit with said locking plug (20); wherein, each lid (30) while attached to the top (12) of a second of said cups (10), can be lockingly mated with said bottom (16) of a first of said cups (10) via said locking stem (36) removably engaging said locking plug (20); where each lid (30) further comprises a spout (34) protruding from said upper side (32) of said lid (30) higher than said one of said locking plug (20) and locking stem (36) and is radially offset outwardly from said one of said locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36), said annular recess (18) having a sufficient volume to fully receive said spout (34) therein; and, where when said lid (30) on said second cup (10) is secured against said bottom (16) of said first cup (10) said spout (34) on said lid (30) is enclosed within said annular recess (18) on said bottom (16) of said second cup (10).

2. The cup stacking system of claim 1, wherein said locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36) mate with a rotatable connection.

3. The cup stacking system of claim 2, wherein said locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36) include mating cylindrical thread (36a) form portions to mate with multiple full circumference rotations of said lid (30) on said second cup relative to said bottom (16) of said first cup (10).

4. The cup stacking system of claim 1 wherein said mating locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36) between said lid (30) and said cup (10) above it mate with a frictional engagement so as to "click" together with a push and securely hold said lid (30) to said bottom (16) of said cup (10) above it.

5. The cup stacking system of claim 1 where said locking plug (20) protrudes downwardly from a center portion of said bottom (16) of said cup (10) and said locking stem (36) protrudes upwardly from an upper side (32) of said lid (30) and coaxially aligned with a longitudinal center axis of said cup (10).

6. The cup stacking system of claim 5, wherein said locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36) mate with a rotatable connection; or wherein said mating locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36) between said lid (30) and said cup (10) above it mate with a frictional engagement so as to "click" together with a push and securely hold said lid (30) to said bottom (16) of said cup (10) above it.

7. The cup stacking system of claim 1 in which each said lid (30) also includes a relief valve assembly (40) made from a soft elastomeric plastic or rubber-like material comprising a first upstanding sippy spout portion which fits snugly up into said sippy spout (34) and a second upstanding portion which fits snugly into said one of said locking plug (20) and said locking stem (36) which protrudes upwardly from said lid (30); said locking stem (36) and said locking plug (20) including a vent opening (37) and said sippy spout (34) including an opening (35) to facilitate sucking liquid from said cup (10) through said sippy spout (34) on said lid (30); said relief valve assembly (40) sealing said spout opening (35) and said one of said locking stem (36) and locking plug opening; said first and second upstanding portions of said relief valve assembly (40) including valved openings (42a, 44a) which open to permit fluid or air flow when suction is applied to said sippy spout (34); optionally wherein said relief valve assembly (40) includes a pull tab (46) protruding downwardly therefrom into the space below said lid (30), for facilitating removal of said relief valve assembly (40) from said lid (30) for cleaning.