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US 8,540,112 B2Granted
Drinking containers
AssigneeLearning Curve Brands, Inc.
InventorsJames A. Connors, Jr., David E. Medeiros, George S. Dys, James J. Britto, John A. Hession
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A disposable child's drinking cup has a lid with a drinking spout defining multiple open holes sized to resist leakage in the absence of suction, such as by the development of surface tension at the holes, and to allow flow when suction is applied. The holes are formed during molding of the lid. An inner contour of a groove of the lid and an outer contour of the cup body rim are selected to provide a slight snap fit of the lid onto the cup body, to provide a secure seal.
Claims57
A drinking container comprising:
- a main body defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the upper end, the rim including
- an outer surface having an upper portion that is contoured substantially in the form of a curve, and
- an inner surface defining a recess at least partially around the upper end of the main body, and
- a first lip projecting toward the interior cavity from the outer surface, wherein the uppermost portion of the first lip is positioned below the uppermost point of the curved upper portion of the outer surface of the rim when the main body is in an upright position;
- a removable lid configured to enclose the interior cavity, the lid including
- a spout configured to dispense liquid from the interior cavity,
- a groove about its perimeter formed to receive the rim of the main body, the groove having an inner surface and an outer surface, and
- a second lip projecting from the inner surface of the groove into the groove,
- wherein one of the first lip and the second lip is defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects, and
- wherein one of the first lip and the second lip is configured to form a seal between the rim and the lid;
- and
- a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.
9 more elements
A drinking container comprising:
- a main body defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the upper end, the rim including
- an outer surface having an upper portion that is contoured substantially in the form of a curve,
- an inner surface defining a recess at least partially around the upper end of the main body, and
- a first lip projecting toward the interior cavity from the outer surface, wherein the uppermost portion of the first lip is positioned below the uppermost point of the curved upper portion of the outer surface of the rim when the main body is in an upright position;
- and
- a removable lid configured to enclose the interior cavity, the lid including
- a spout configured to dispense liquid from the interior cavity,
- a groove formed to receive the rim of the main body, the groove having an inner surface and an outer surface, and
- a second lip projecting from the inner surface of the groove into the groove, the second lip configured to form a seal with the first lip,
- wherein one of the first lip and the second lip is defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects;
- and
- a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.
9 more elements
A drinking container comprising:
- a main body defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the upper end, the rim including
- an outer surface having an upper portion that is contoured substantially in the form of a curve,
- an inner surface defining a recess at least partially around the upper end of the main body, and
- a first lip projecting toward the interior cavity from the outer surface, wherein the uppermost portion of the first lip is positioned below the uppermost point of the curved upper portion of the outer surface of the rim when the main body is in an upright position;
- and
- a removable lid configured to enclose the interior cavity, the lid including
- a spout configured to dispense liquid from the interior cavity,
- a groove formed to receive the rim of the main body, the groove having an inner surface and an outer surface, and
- a second lip projecting from the inner surface of the groove into the groove,
- wherein a diameter extending across the interior cavity of the main body between any two innermost points of the first lip is less than the corresponding diameter extending across the lid between two opposite outermost points of the second lip, and
- wherein one of the first lip and the second lip is configured to form a seal between the rim and the lid, and
- wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip, and
- wherein the entire second lip extends into the groove.
10 more elements
A drinking container comprising:
- a main body defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the upper end, the rim including
- an outer surface having an upper portion that is contoured substantially in the form of a curve,
- an inner surface defining a recess at least partially around the upper end of the main body, and
- a first lip projecting toward the interior cavity from the outer surface, wherein the uppermost portion of the first lip is positioned below the uppermost point of the curved upper portion of the outer surface of the rim when the main body is in an upright position;
- and
- a removable lid configured to enclose the interior cavity, the lid including
- a spout configured to dispense liquid from the interior cavity,
- a groove formed to receive the rim of the main body, the groove having an inner surface and an outer surface, and
- a second lip projecting from the inner surface of the groove into the groove,
- wherein a diameter extending across the interior cavity of the main body between any two opposite innermost points of the first lip is less than the corresponding diameter extending across the lid between two opposite outermost points of the second lip to provide a snap fit, and wherein one of the first lip and the second lip forms a seal between the rim and the lid.
7 more elements
A drinking container comprising:
- a main body defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the upper end, the rim including
- an outer surface having an upper portion that is contoured substantially in the form of a curve,
- an inner surface defining a recess at least partially around the upper end of the main body, and
- a first lip projecting toward the interior cavity from the outer surface, wherein the uppermost portion of the first lip is positioned below the uppermost point of the curved upper portion of the outer surface of the rim when the main body is in an upright position;
- and
- a removable lid configured to enclose the interior cavity, the lid including
- a spout configured to dispense liquid from the interior cavity,
- a groove formed to receive the rim of the main body, the groove having an inner surface and an outer surface, and
- a second lip projecting from the inner surface of the groove into the groove,
- wherein a diameter extending across the interior cavity of the main body between any two opposite innermost points of the first lip is less than the corresponding diameter extending across the lid between two opposite outermost points of the second lip to provide a snap fit between the rim and the lid, and
- wherein the entire second lip extends into the groove.
8 more elements
A drinking container comprising:
- a main body defining an interior cavity that is accessible through an opening at an upper end of the main body, the main body having a rim about the upper end, the rim including
- an outer surface having an upper portion that is contoured substantially in the form of a curve,
- an inner surface defining a recess at least partially around the upper end of the main body, and
- a first lip projecting toward the interior cavity from the outer surface, wherein the uppermost portion of the first lip is positioned below the uppermost point of the curved upper portion of the outer surface of the rim when the main body is in an upright position;
- and
- a removable lid configured to enclose the interior cavity, the lid including
- a spout configured to dispense liquid from the interior cavity,
- a groove formed to receive the rim of the main body, the groove having an inner surface and an outer surface,
- a second lip projecting from the inner surface of the groove into the groove,
- wherein a diameter extending across the interior cavity of the main body between any two opposite innermost points of the first lip is less than the corresponding diameter extending across the lid between two opposite outermost points of the second lip, and wherein the first lip and the second lip create an interference fit, and
- a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.