Convertible Silicone Toddler Cup

Abstract

A toddler cup includes: a pouch having a closed bottom end and an open upper end, the pouch further including at least one rib formed around the pouch and spaced apart from a top end of the pouch; a ring including a ring body with threads formed on an outside thereof, the ring shaped to closely fit around the pouch and adjacent to the at least one rib formed around the pouch; a collar including a collar body having threads formed on an inner surface thereof, the ring shaped to threadably engage the ring when the ring is located around the pouch; and a spout including a spout body that is shaped to cover the open upper end of the pouch, wherein the spout is secured to the pouch between the ring and the collar when the collar is threadably secured to the ring.

Claims

1. A toddler cup comprising: a pouch formed of a resiliently flexible material, the pouch having a closed bottom end and an open upper end, the pouch further including at least one rib formed around the pouch and spaced apart from a top end of the pouch; a ring including a ring body with threads formed on an outside thereof, the ring shaped to closely fit around the pouch and adjacent to the at least one rib formed around the pouch; a collar including a collar body having threads formed on an inner surface thereof, the ring shaped to threadably engage the ring when the ring is located around the pouch; a spout including a spout body that is shaped to cover the open upper end of the pouch, wherein the spout is secured to the pouch between the ring and the collar when the collar is threadably secured to the ring.

2. The toddler cup of claim 1, wherein the pouch is formed of a silicone material.

3. The toddler cup of claim 2, wherein the spout is also formed of a silicone material.

4. The toddler cup of claim 3, wherein the ring and collar are formed of a polymer material.

5. The toddler cup of claim 1, further comprising: a lip formed around the open upper end of the pouch, the lip forming a flat surface on a top portion of the lip; a notch formed in an underside of the lip; an annular projection extending upwardly from a top of the ring, the annular projection shaped to fit within the notch formed in the underside of the lip of the pouch; wherein when the spout is secured on the pouch, an underside of a body of the spout contacts the flat surface on the top portion of the lip between the collar and the ring.

6. The toddler cup of claim 5, further comprising: a spout notch formed on an underside of a top end of the collar adjacent an edge of the collar; an upward projecting lip formed around an upper edge of the spout, the upward projection shaped to fit within the spout notch formed on the collar when the spout is secured to the pouch between the ring and the collar.

7. The toddler cup of claim 1, further comprising an elongate straw shaped to fit within a passage formed through the spout.

8. The toddler cup of claim 7, wherein a thickness of a wall of the elongate straw tapers from a thicker end adjacent the spout to a thinner distal end.

9. The toddler cup of claim 8, the elongate straw further comprising an angled end formed on a distal end of the elongate straw.

10. The toddler cup of claim 1, the collar further comprising a cap mount formed on an edge of the collar.

11. The toddler cup of claim 10, further comprising a cap hingedly attached to the cap mount of the collar, the cap shaped to fit over the spout in a closed position.

12. The toddler cup of claim 11, further comprising an upward projection formed around a top surface of the collar, the upward projection shaped to closely fit with the cap when the cap is in the closed position.

13. A toddler cup comprising: a pouch formed of a resiliently flexible material, the pouch having a closed bottom end and an open upper end, the pouch further including at least one rib formed around the pouch and spaced apart from a top end of the pouch; a ring including a ring body with threads formed on an outside thereof, the ring shaped to closely fit around the pouch and adjacent to the at least one rib formed around the pouch; a collar including a collar body having threads formed on an inner surface thereof, the ring shaped to threadably engage the ring when the ring is located around the pouch; a spout including a spout body that is shaped to cover the open upper end of the pouch, wherein the spout is secured to the pouch between the ring and the collar when the collar is threadably secured to the ring.

14. The toddler cup of claim 13, wherein the pouch and spout are formed of a resiliently flexible silicone material, and wherein the ring and collar are formed of a more rigid polymer material.

15. A toddler cup comprising: a pouch formed of a resiliently flexible material, the pouch having a closed bottom end and an open upper end, the pouch further including at least one rib formed around the pouch and spaced apart from a top end of the pouch; a lip formed around the open upper end of the pouch, the lip forming a flat surface on a top portion of the lip; a notch formed in an underside of the lip; a ring including a ring body with threads formed on an outside thereof, the ring shaped to closely fit around the pouch and adjacent to the at least one rib formed around the pouch; an annular projection extending upwardly from a top of the ring, the annular projection shaped to fit within the notch formed in the underside of the lip of the pouch; a collar including a collar body having threads formed on an inner surface thereof, the ring shaped to threadably engage the ring when the ring is located around the pouch; a spout including a spout body that is shaped to cover the open upper end of the pouch, wherein the spout is secured to the pouch between the ring and the collar when the collar is threadably secured to the ring; wherein when the spout is secured on the pouch, an underside of a body of the spout contacts the flat surface on the top portion of the lip between the collar and the ring.

16. The toddler cup of claim 15, further comprising: a spout notch formed on an underside of a top end of the collar adjacent an edge of the collar; an upward projecting lip formed around an upper edge of the spout, the upward projection shaped to fit within the spout notch formed on the collar when the spout is secured to the pouch between the ring and the collar.

17. The toddler cup of claim 145 the collar further comprising a cap mount formed on an edge of the collar.

18. The toddler cup of claim 17 further comprising a cap hingedly attached to the cap mount of the collar, the cap shaped to fit over the spout in a closed position.

19. The toddler cup of claim 15, further comprising an elongate straw shaped to fit within a passage formed through the spout.

20. The toddler cup of claim 19, wherein a thickness of a wall of the elongate straw tapers from a thicker end adjacent the spout to a thinner distal end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a silicone toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a pouch of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2B shows a side view of a pouch of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional side view of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a ring of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 3B shows a top view of a ring of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 3C shows a side view of a ring of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 3D shows a cross-sectional side view of a ring of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of a collar of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 4B shows a top view of a collar of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 4C shows a side view of a collar of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 4D shows a cross-sectional side view of a collar of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a spout of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional side view of a spout of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 5C shows a side view of a spout of a toddler cup assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 6A shows a perspective side view of a straw according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional side view of a straw according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0042] FIG. 7 shows an assembly side view of a toddler cup according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, a silicone toddler cup assembly 10 includes a silicone toddler cup pouch 11 is shown providing compatibility to a glass mason jar such that pouch or jar may be used as a feeding vessel. The pouch 11 is preferably formed of a resiliently flexible material and is preferably formed of silicone or other similar non-toxic materials as described in greater detail below. The silicone toddler cup assembly 10 includes a ring 12 that is removably secured around the pouch 11 and a collar 14 that is removably attached to the ring 12 to secure a spout 16 on the pouch 11. A cap 15 is hingedly attached to the collar 14 such that the cap 15 covers the spout 16 when not in use. The silicone toddler cup assembly 10 is advantageously configured to provide a container for drink or food such that items within the silicone toddler cup assembly 10 only come into contact with non-toxic materials, and further provides a flexible container that is resilient to toddlers.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the pouch 11 is preferably formed of a resiliently flexible material, such as silicone. The pouch 11 is resiliently flexible such that the pouch 11 is easily deformable when squeezed in the hand of a toddler or adult, and such that the pouch 11 substantially returns to its original shape after being released. The pouch 11 is preferably cylindrical in shape and having an open top end. As shown in the figures, the pouch 11 is preferably shaped such that the pouch 11 is shoulder-less at an upper end of the pouch 11. A diameter of the open top end is preferably as wide or wider than a diameter of the pouch 11 at a bottom end of the pouch 11, thereby making cleaning and accessing contents within the pouch 11 easier. The diameter of the pouch 11 is preferably sized such that a hand of a toddler may fit within the pouch 11 to access food when the pouch 11 is used to contain food items. The pouch 11 includes a ring notch 18 formed around an outer surface of the pouch 11, the ring notch 18 defined between at least one rib 20 formed around the pouch 11 and a lip 22 forming a flat surface 24 around a top edge of the pouch 11. A notch 26 is preferably formed in an underside of the lip 22 for engaging a corresponding projection of the ring 12, as described in greater detail below. The pouch 11 preferably includes one or more volumetric indicators 28 formed on an inner surface of the pouch 11. A bottom end of the pouch 11 includes a fillet 30 to flat bottom 32 to provide extra stability. The pouch 11 may include one or more vertical grooves 34 formed on an inner surface of the pouch 11 and extending a long a length of the pouch 11 to aid in manufacturing of the pouch 11.

[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-D, the ring 12 is formed to fit around the pouch 11 and within the ring notch 18 of the pouch 11. The ring 12 includes a threaded body 36 and a lower lip 38 formed around a bottom end of the threaded body 36. An annular projection 40 is preferably located on a top end of the threaded body 36 and is shaped to conform to and fit within the notch 26 formed on the underside of the lip 22 of the pouch 11. A diameter of an interior of the ring 12 is preferably sized such that the ring 12 forms a close fit around the pouch 11 when slid over the pouch 11 and aligned with the ring notch 18 of the pouch 11. Further, a bottom side of the lower lip 38 abuts the at least one rib 20 of the pouch 11 when the ring 12 is installed on the pouch 11. As shown in FIG. 3B, the ring 12 preferably includes one or more indentations 42 formed around an outer edge of the lower lip 38 such that a user may grasp the ring 12 and prevent the ring 12 from rotating when threading or unthreading the collar 14 to the ring 12 as described in greater detail below.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, the collar 14 is formed to threadably engage the ring 12 such that the collar 14 secures the spout 16 to a top of the pouch 11. The collar 14 includes an annular collar body 44 having a threaded inner surface 46 for engaging threads of the ring 12. The collar 14 preferably includes a cap mount 48 for hingedly receiving the cap 15 on the collar 14. The collar 14 also preferably includes an annular upward projection 50 for tightly fitting with the cap 15 when the cap 15 is closed to conceal the spout 16. As shown in FIG. 4D, the collar 14 includes a spout notch 52 formed around an underside of a top of the collar 14 and is shaped to tightly fit with the spout 16.

[0048] The spout 16 is shaped to fit over the open top end of the pouch 11 and is secured to the pouch 11 by the collar 14 threadably engaged with the ring 12. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the spout 16 includes a circular spout body 54 shaped to fit over the open top end of the pouch 11. An upwardly projecting lip 56 is formed around an edge of the circular spout body 54 and is shaped to fit within the spout notch 52 of the collar 14. The spout body 54 has a diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the pouch 11. A spout tip 58 is located at a center of the spout body 54 and projects upward from the spout body 54 and provides an extruded straw-like shape making it easy for a child to use. One or more apertures 60 are formed through a distal end of the spout tip 58 to allow fluid from within the pouch 11 to be consumed. The one or more apertures 60 are preferably circular in shape. It has been found that by forming the apertures 60 into circular shapes as opposed to slits or other shapes, the spoutl6 is more resilient to tearing or other deformation.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, an underside of the spout body 54 is preferably tapered at a tapered portion 62 formed around an edge of the spout body 54 where the spout 16 contacts the flat surface 54 of the pouch 11. A passage 64 is formed through a center of the spout body 54 and spout tip 58. The spout 16 may include a vent hole 66 formed through the spout body 54 to allow air to move between the pouch and an area outside of the pouch 11. In one embodiment, the vent hole 66 is aligned with the flat surface 24 of the pouch 11 to prevent leaking of fluids contained in the pouch 11. The flat surface 24 may cover the vent hole 66, and when a vacuum or excess pressure is applied air is allowed to escape through the vent hole 66. The vent hole 66 further permits movement of air from within the pouch 11 to a surrounding environment during drinking to relieve pressure and prevent leaking from the assembly 10.

[0050] The shape of the spout 16 allows for it to be inverted inside of the pouch 11 or other container for easy storage. By inverting the spout 16, the user is able to store the spout inside the pouch 11 or container itself. The user turns the spout 16 so that it is upside down, and then positions the spout 16 on the rim of the silicone pouch 11. The user can then easily store and stack multiple drinking or storage vessels on top of each other.

[0051] In one embodiment, the collar 14 is shaped such that various other types of spouts or bottle nipples may be received. For example, in one embodiment a baby bottle nipple is shaped to be received by the collar 14 and secured to the pouch 11 and is exchangeable with the spout 16 described above.

[0052] Referring again to FIG. 1, an elongate straw 68 is preferably inserted into the passage 64 formed through the spout 16. In one embodiment, the straw 68 has a constant thickness along a length of the straw 68. Alternatively, and as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the straw 68 may have a wall having a thickness that tapers from a distal end of the straw 68 to a proximal end located adjacent the spout 16 when the straw is inserted into the passage 64. The elongate straw 68 preferably has a diameter that is sufficient to allow the consumption of both fluids and semi-solid foods such as purees. As shown in FIG. 6B, a thickness of a wall of the straw 68 is thicker at a top end of the straw, such that an inner diameter of the straw decreases from a bottom end of the straw 68 to a top end of the straw 68. By tapering an inner diameter of the straw 68, a flow of a fluid from within the pouch 11 is controlled to prevent leaking and to aid in consumption of the fluid by a toddler. The straw 68 of FIGS. 6A and 6B preferably includes a straw rib 70 that is spaced apart from the top end of the straw 68. The straw rib 70 contacts an underside of the spout 16 when inserted into the passage 64 to act as a stop and prevent further insertion of the straw into the spout 16. In one embodiment, the elongate straw 68 preferably includes an angled end 72 formed at a distal end of the elongate straw 68 to prevent suction created between the straw and the bottom of the pouch 11.

[0053] The pouch 11, spout 16, and straw 68 are preferably formed of a resiliently flexible material. Further, the pouch 11, spout 16, and straw are preferably formed of a BPA-free or other non-toxic material, such as silicone. The ring 12 and collar 14 may be formed of a material that is more rigid than the flexible pouch 11, spout 16, and straw 68. For example, the ring 12 and collar 14 may be formed of a polymer or other rigid material to provide support for the spout 16 against the pouch 11. While the ring 12 and collar 14 may be formed of a polymer or other plastic, the configuration of the spout 16 and the pouch 11 ensures that no portion of the ring 12 or collar 14 contacts a fluid within the pouch 11.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, to assemble the silicone toddler cup assembly 10 for consumption of a fluid within the pouch 11, the ring 12 is slidably placed around the pouch 11 and aligned with the ring notch 18 between the lip 22 and the at least one rib 20 of the pouch 11. After securing the ring 12 to the pouch 11, the spout 16 is placed over the top of the pouch 11 such that the spout 16 covers the open top end of the pouch 11. The collar 14 is subsequently placed over the spout 16 and threadably attached to the ring 12, thereby securing the spout 16 to the pouch 11 between the collar 14 and the flat surface 24 of the pouch 11. FIG. 7 illustrates components of the silicone toddler cup assembly 10 without the elongate straw 68 however, during assembly, the elongate straw 68 may be inserted into the spout 16 prior to installation on the pouch 11.

[0055] The silicone toddler cup assembly 10 may be converted into a container for snacks such as solid foods. To convert the toddler cup assembly 10 into a container for foods, the spout 16 is removed from between the collar 14 and the ring 12. The collar 14 and ring 12 are subsequently re-attached, and food is retained within the pouch 11 using the 15 hingedly attached to the collar 14.

[0056] The benefits of the present invention, in its preferred embodiment, include: [0057] The toddler cup of the present disclosure addresses shortcomings in the prior art, specifically, by making an on-the-go, squeezable, non-BPA, and modular silicone toddler cup, the user is given the ability to stack previously pumped breast milk, snacks, or just as a drinking vessel after the child has grown. Whilst this invention is toddler cup, families are no longer required to use special tools for sanitizing multiple components and is able to be used, without recycling, throughout the family's lifetime. [0058] Within its use as a toddler cup, the spout itself has several features that provide additional benefit to wean a child off of breastfeeding. The spout has a wide straw shape that provides advantages for oral development, bridging the gap between the nipple shape children are accustomed to and the straw shape that is preferred for proper oral and social development. [0059] The spout also has a pinhole ventilation feature that allows air to get in and out but restricts solids or fluids to escape. [0060] The spout and pouch design is designed to allow the tension of the collar attachments to keep leaks at a minimum and make sure that the ventilation is not compromised. Including an elevated rib at the outer-lip of the spout, the design allows equal and opposite forces to keep fluids from leaking. Because the ventilation feature is a pinhole, the spout constrains a constant flow of fluids, but not the flow of air. The valve design is also, robust enough to be used with a teething child and make sure the spout doesn't tear or break during consistent use. [0061] Within the invention's use as a breast milk or solid food snack storage vessel, it provides the extra benefit of enabling caretakers to store, keep breastmilk at a correct temperature, but also provide an attractive bottle for children to wean off of breastmilk. [0062] In addition to use for bottle feeding and milk storage, the invention is quite modular in the sense that all components can be used separately. These separate components are all compatible with a flat-walled mason jar, a commonly used storage vessel in the home of families across the world.

[0063] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.