Self-righting sipper cup
OwnerAlex D. Raftinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-righting sipper cup includes an inner cup member positioned in an interior space defined by an outer cup member. The inner cup's bottom defines an outlet port. A channel connects the outlet port to a drinking slot surrounded by a drinking spout. The inner cup receives liquid, and a float rests atop the liquid. A lid attaches. A child lifts the cup by handles and drinks traditionally through the spout or sucks on the spout in either an upright or horizontal position. The float descends as liquid leaves the interior cup. If the cup drops or tips, liquid stays at the bottom of the interior cup and in the channel due to the float and a valve inside the channel. The shapes of the rounded base portion and handles, a ballast's weight, and the liquid's location bias the cup to the upright position.
Claims16
A self-righting sipper cup, comprising:
- an outer cup member having a continuous outer wall situated atop a rounded base portion, said continuous outer wall defining an open top and an interior space;
- an inner cup member having a continuous inner wall with a closed bottom wall and defining an open top, said inner cup member being positioned in said interior space of said outer cup member;
- a ballast positioned in said rounded base portion;
- wherein said closed bottom wall of said inner cup member defines an outlet port;
- a drinking, slot positioned adjacent said open top of said outer cup member;
- a channel extending through said interior space of said outer cup member and connecting said outlet port with said drinking slot;
- a removable lid for selectively covering said open top of said inner cup member, whereby to releasably seal said open top of said inner cup member;
- wherein said inner cup member includes a plurality of threads adjacent said open top;
- and
- wherein a peripheral edge of said removable lid includes a plurality of threads complementary to said threads of said inner cap member, whereby said removable lid is releasably coupled to said inner cup member.
A self-righting sipper cup, comprising:
- an outer cup member having a continuous outer wall situated atop a rounded base portion, said continuous outer wall defining an open top and an interior apace;
- an inner cup member having a continuous inner wall with a closed bottom wall and defining an open top, said inner cup member being positioned in said interior space of said outer cup member, and said closed bottom of said inner cup member defining an outlet port;
- a drinking slot positioned adjacent said open top of said outer cup member;
- a channel extending through said interior space of said outer cup member and connecting said outlet port with said drinking slot;
- a float positioned in said inner cup member for limiting movement of liquid contained in said self-righting sipper cup;
- a ballast positioned in said rounded base portion;
- wherein said rounded base portion and said open top defined by said outer wall define a common vertical axis;
- and
- wherein said outer cup member has a truncated near-shaped configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.