Multifunctional universal silicon spout adaptor for drinking vessels

Abstract

A multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid comprises a stretchable hollow body and a rigid ring member. The stretchable hollow body comprises a top opening, a bottom opening and a flexible sidewall. The flexible sidewall is configured to extend over sidewalls of a receptacle of one or more sizes. The top opening is configured to conform to an outlet of the receptacle. The rigid ring member is fixedly attached to an inner surface of the stretchable hollow body proximal to the top opening of the stretchable hollow body. Further, the rigid ring member is configured to restrain the stretchable hollow body against the receptacle. The rigid ring member comprises attachment elements configured to mount one or more insert elements for dispensing contents of the receptacle via the outlet.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose stretchable insert mounting lid comprising: stretchable hollow body comprising a top opening, a bottom opening, and a flexible sidewall, the flexible sidewall configured to extend over sidewalls of a receptacle of one or more sizes, wherein the top opening is configured to conform to an outlet of the receptacle; a rigid ring member fixedly attached to an inner surface of the stretchable hollow body proximal to the top opening of the stretchable hollow body forming a brace around a rim of the top opening; and a channel bracket configured to detachably mount and retain one or more insert elements for dispensing contents of the receptacle; Wherein the rigid ring member configured to restrain the stretchable hollow body against the receptacle when the stretchable hollow body is drawn downward over the side walls of the receptacle thereby creating an airtight seal between the stretchable hollow body and an external surface of the receptacle.

2. The multi-purpose stretchable insert mounting lid of claim 1, wherein the insert element is selected from the group consisting of a nipple, a spout, a sip tube, a straw tube, a snack trap, and a sealing disc.

3. The multi-purpose stretchable insert mounting lid of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hollow body is one of a cylindrical configuration, a cuboidal configuration, and a spherical configuration.

4. The multi-purpose stretchable insert mounting lid of claim 1, wherein the top opening of the stretchable hollow body is one of a circular shape and an oval shape.

5. The multi-purpose stretchable insert mounting lid of claim 1, wherein the rigid ring member is of one of a plastic material and a metallic material.

6. The multi-purpose stretchable insert mounting lid of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hollow body is of one of a silicone material and a rubber material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

(2) FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid.

(3) FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a cut away sectional elevation view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid.

(4) FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid.

(5) FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid with a mounted insert element.

(6) FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid with a spout as the mounted insert element.

(7) FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid with a straw as the mounted insert element.

(8) FIG. 3C exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid with a snack trap as the mounted insert element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a top perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a cut away sectional elevation view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. The main-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 comprises a stretchable hollow body 101 and a rigid ring member 102. The stretchable hollow-body 101 comprises a top opening 101a, a bottom opening 101b, and a flexible side wall 101c. The flexible side wall 101c is configured to extend over sidewalls of a receptacle of one or more sizes. The receptacle is, for example, a baby bottle, a cup, a jar, bowl, etc. The top opening 101a is configured to conform to an outlet of the receptacle. The rigid ring member 102 is fixedly attached to an inner surface proximal to the top opening 101a of the stretchable hollow body 101. The rigid ring member 102 is configured to restrain the stretchable hollow body 101 against the receptacle. The rigid ring member 102 comprises attachment elements 103, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B. The attachment elements 103 are configured to mount one or more insert elements 104, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B, for dispensing contents of the receptacle. The attachment elements 103 are, for example, a screw thread attachment, a channel support brace, etc. The insert elements 104 are, for example, a nipple insert, a straw tube insert, spout insert, etc.

(10) In the preferred embodiment, the stretchable hollow body 101 of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is made of a stretchable substance having flexible sidewall 101c forming a semi conical shape. In other embodiments, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 can be made in different geometrical configurations, for example, cylindrical, cuboidal, spherical, etc. The top opening 101a is provided as an inserting hole or a circular opening at the center of the top surface of the stretchable hollow body 101 of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. The rigid ring member 102 is fixedly attached beneath the circular top opening 101a forming a brace around the rim of the top opening 101a. The rigid ring member 102 has two functions. The first function is to restrain the stretchable hollow body 101 against the external sidewalls of the receptacle/container. The rigid ring member 102 prevents excess downward movement of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. Further, the rigid ring member 102 helps seat the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 optimally on the receptacle/container. The second function of the rigid ring member 102 is to support or detachable mount the insert elements 104, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B.

(11) The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is composed of a substance having sufficient elasticity to retain the vessel/container closed firmly. The material of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may include without limitation, silicone, rubber, or any other materials known to those ordinarily skilled in the art that provides for necessary elasticity and hygienic characteristics. In one embodiment, a silicone substance with a flexibility ranging between shore A 20 to shore A 40 may be used for the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. The flexibility of the side-walls 101c of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 remains between 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm thick. The circular top opening 101a provided on the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is used for letting drinking insert elements 104, exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B, such as nipples or spouts, etc. to be inserted therewith. The circular top opening 101a is variable enough to adapt to regular sizes of different drinking insert elements 104 such as nipples, spouts, and straws, without the need of having multiple adaptors for such varied drinking insert elements 104.

(12) The rigid ring member 102 is connected to the flexible sidewalls 101c of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. The rigid ring member 102 has thickness ranging between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm and may be composed of materials selected from silicone (comparatively harder than the adapter cap), plastic or metal encased in a silicone envelope. In one example, the hardness of the rigid ring member 102 composed of silicone may lie between Shore A 70 to Shore A 100. In an embodiment, the rigid ring member 102 further comprises an attachment element 103, for example, a channel bracket, etc., to retain the drinking insert elements 104 as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 2B.

(13) FIG. 2A exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. FIG. 2B exemplarily illustrates a front elevation view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 with a mounted insert element 104. The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 for drinking vessels comprises a stretchable hollow body 101 having silicone side walls shaped in a semi conical configuration. The silicone walls are designed to be flexible ranging between shore A 20 to shore A 40. The stretchable hollow body 101 comprises a top opening 101a on the top surface of the semi cone circular opening. Running around the perimeter of the top opening 101a is a rigid ring member 102 made of a rigid material such as silicone at a hardness ranging between Shore A 70 to Shore A 100. The rigid ring member 102 is also made from plastic or metal and encased in a silicone envelope. The rigid ring member 102 is connected to the stretchable hollow body 101. The rigid ring member 102 forms a brace that holds the insert element 104 in place whilst the flexible silicone sidewalls 101c enable the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 to encase the top of a drinking vessel/container holding the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 securely to the drinking vessel.

(14) In an embodiment, the rigid ring member 102 also includes an attachment element 103, for example, a channel support, etc., that further helps mount the insert element 104. The attachment element 103 is connected to the underside of the rigid ring member 102 and secures the insert element 104. In an embodiment, the attachment element 103 is also formed from the same rigid material as the rigid ring member 102 and is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm thick. In another embodiment, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may also have a separate adaptor that enables distinct size insert elements 104, for example, silicone nipples to be inserted that are not the regular 35 mm diameter at the base. An attachment element 103, for example, an adaptor made from a rigid material fits inside the top opening 101a of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 making the top opening a smaller size to fit a standard neck nipple. A regular standard neck nipple is between 24 mm and 25 mm in diameter at the base. The adaptor may have different sized openings to allow different nipples from varied brands to be inserted. In another embodiment, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may also have a separate adaptor that is rigid in its material property and encompasses an opening with a screw thread design.

(15) The screw thread design allows for a cap to be screwed onto it but also allows different spoon and spout attachments to be screwed onto it as well as any other insert element 104 that may screw on. In another embodiment, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may also incorporate a sealing disc as the insert element 104 that creates an airtight seal. The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may also incorporate a disc with a hole in the middle as the insert element 104 that can fit a conventional straw. The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may also be designed to be a larger size that can fit over bowls and incorporate a silicone insert with semi rigid flaps as the insert element 104 that retain food inside a vessel in case the vessel is tipped upside down. The flaps allow for small hands of a toddler to reach in and grab the food. Another embodiment of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 includes an opening on the flexible sidewalls 101a with a strap that enables the flexible sidewalls 101a to stretch over a cup that has a handle. After inserting the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 over the cup the strap is secured in place.

(16) In an embodiment, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 has a screw thread design medium. The screw thread design further allows for different spout, spoon, or other conceivable insert elements 104 to be tightly screwed onto it. For instance, the currently available spoon and spout with screw attachment that can instantly be screwed onto any enabling container. In another embodiment, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 may also be designed in enlarged size to stretch over containers having diameter comparatively greater than regular drinking bottles and containers.

(17) The attachment element 103, for example, a channel support, etc., is co-molded together to the underside of the rigid ring member 102 forming a brace to secure the drinking insert elements 104. Unlike regular baby bottle collars which support the drinking insert elements 104 from the inner end of the collar of the lid in which it fits in, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 provides for an improved design of securing the drinking insert elements 104, wherein the edges of the drinking insert elements 104 are secured inside the attachment elements 103, for example, channel braces, etc., of the rigid ring member 102 beneath the top surface of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100. The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 on the other hand has the advantage of the described attachment elements 103, for example, channel support, etc., to bracket around the insert elements 104. The attachment elements 103 forming a part of the rigid ring member 102 have thickness ranging between 0.5 mm to 1 mm and are composed of the same rigid material of the rigid ring member 102.

(18) The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is advantageous over other existing inventions as the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 allows the user to insert various drinking insert elements 104 into one stretchable hollow body 101 unlike other flexible silicone lid inventions that have a fixed spout or outlet for drinking. The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 also encompasses attachment elements 103, for example, channel supports, etc., that a regular baby bottle collar does not have. In a normal baby bottle the underside of the nipple or insert element 104 is supported by the top of the bottle. However, it is not the same in multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 because the top of the drinking vessel/receptacle doesn't normally line up with the underside of the nipple or other insert element 104. The attachment elements 103 of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 support the underside of the nipple, holding the nipple/insert element 104 securely in place. The multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is used to turn a regular drinking vessel such as a glass or cup, into a baby feeding vessel such as a baby bottle, a sippy cup or a straw cup, or a milk storage container. This is done by combining the flexible sidewalls 101c being able to stretch over different sized drinking vessels, along with the circular top opening 101a that holds the insert element 104, for example, a drinking spout in place. The insert elements 104 include, for example, a nipple, a straw spout or a sippy spout, a cap, etc., that seals the vessel preventing any liquid from escaping (needed for travelling).

(19) FIG. 3A exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 with a spout as the mounted insert element 104. FIG. 3B exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 with a straw as the mounted insert element 104. The insert elements 104, for example, straw, spout, etc., are detachably attached to the rigid ring member 102 as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. Depending on the requirement of the user, the insert element 104, for example, spout may be removed and replaced by the straw. This is done without the removal of the stretchable hollow body. Once the stretchable hollow body of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is installed on a vessel/receptacle/bowl/container, the user need only to mount the insert element 104 of choice. Several other attachments may be used as the insert element 104 depending on the preference and requirement of users.

(20) FIG. 3C exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 with a snack trap as the mounted insert element 104. In the embodiment, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is designed to be of a larger size that can fit over bowls. The snack trap is attached to the rigid ring member 102 as the insert element 104 to retain food inside a vessel in case the vessel is tipped upside down. The flaps of the snack trap allow for small hands of a toddler to reach in and grab the contents of the vessel as and when required.

(21) The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid disclosed herein. While the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the multi-purpose stretchable insert-mounting lid 100 disclosed herein in their aspects.