# US 8,540,112 B2 · Drinking containers

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- Number: US 8,540,112 B2
- Document ID: US8540112B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/607,343
- Filed: 2012-09-07
- Published: 2012-12-27
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2001-10-05
- Assignees: Learning Curve Brands, Inc.
- Applicants: James A. Connors, Jr.; David E. Medeiros; George S. Dys; James J. Britto; John A. Hession
- Inventors: James A. Connors, Jr.; David E. Medeiros; George S. Dys; James J. Britto; John A. Hession
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540112B2

## CPC

- A47G 19/2272: {from drinking glasses or cups comprising lids or covers}
- B65D 41/0407: {with integral sealing means (B65D41/065 takes precedence)}
- B65D 43/0208: {on both the inside and the outside of the mouth of the container (B65D43/0206 takes precedence)}
- B65D 43/06: having a peripheral channel embracing the rim of the container
- B65D 47/06: with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages (with slidable spouts B65D47/26)
- B65D 47/10: having frangible closures
- B65D 2543/00046: Drinking-through lids
- B65D 2543/00092: circular
- B65D 2543/00296: Plastic
- B65D 2543/00509: Cup
- B65D 2543/00537: on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
- B65D 2543/00555: on both the inside and the outside
- B65D 2543/00629: Massive bead
- B65D 2543/00657: U-shaped or inverted U
- B65D 2543/00685: Totality
- B65D 2543/0074: Massive bead
- B65D 2543/00796: Totality
- B65D 2543/00805: Segments
- B65D 2543/00842: outside of the lid
- A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the contour of the outer surface of the rim and the contour of the inner surface of the groove provide a snap fit between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the second lip is configured to form a seal with the first lip.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The drinking container of claim 4 wherein the first lip and the second lip are the only engaging lips to form a seal between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The drinking container of claim 4 wherein engagement of the first lip and the second lip to form the seal does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The drinking container of claim 4 wherein the seal formed between the first lip and the second lip is airtight.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The drinking container of claim 4 wherein the first lip is in the groove of the lid when the seal is formed.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein both the first lip and the second lip are defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein an upper portion of the inner surface of the groove of the lid is contoured substantially in the form of a curve.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The drinking container of claim 1 wherein formation of the seal between the rim and the lid does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 13

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.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein both the first lip and the second lip are defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the seal formed between the first lip and the second lip is airtight.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the first and second lips are the only engaging lips to form a seal between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 19 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein engagement of the first lip and the second lip to form the seal does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 20 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein an upper portion of the inner surface of the groove of the lid is contoured substantially in the form of a curve.

### Claim 21 (depends on 13)

The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the contour of the outer surface of the rim and the contour of the inner surface of the groove provide a snap fit between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 22

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.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 further comprising a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.

### Claim 25 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 wherein an upper portion of the inner surface of the groove of the lid is contoured substantially in the form of a curve.

### Claim 26 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 wherein the second lip is configured to form a seal with the first lip.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The drinking container of claim 26 wherein the seal formed between the first lip and the second lip is airtight.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The drinking container of claim 26 wherein engagement of the first lip and the second lip to form the seal does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 29 (depends on 26)

The drinking container of claim 26 wherein the first and second lips are the only engaging lips to form a seal between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 30 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 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.

### Claim 31 (depends on 30)

The drinking container of claim 30 wherein both the first lip and the second lip are defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects.

### Claim 32 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 wherein formation of the seal between the rim and the lip does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 33 (depends on 22)

The drinking container of claim 22 wherein the contour of the outer surface of the rim and the contour of the inner surface of the groove provide a snap fit between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 34

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.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The drinking container of claim 34 further comprising a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 36 (depends on 34)

The drinking container of claim 34 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.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The drinking container of claim 36 wherein both 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.

### Claim 38 (depends on 34)

The drinking container of claim 34 wherein an upper portion of the inner surface of the groove of the lid is contoured substantially in the form of a curve.

### Claim 39 (depends on 34)

The drinking container of claim 34 wherein the first and second lips are the only lips to form a seal between the lid and the rim.

### Claim 40 (depends on 34)

The drinking container of claim 34 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.

### Claim 41

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.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The drinking container of claim 41 further comprising a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.

### Claim 43 (depends on 41)

The drinking container of claim 41 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.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The drinking container of claim 43 wherein both the first lip and the second lip are defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects.

### Claim 45 (depends on 41)

The drinking container of claim 41 wherein an upper portion of the inner surface of the groove of the lid is contoured substantially in the form of a curve.

### Claim 46 (depends on 41)

The drinking container of claim 41 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.

### Claim 47 (depends on 41)

The drinking container of claim 41 wherein the snap fit between the first lip and the second lip does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 48

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.

### Claim 49 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 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.

### Claim 50 (depends on 49)

The drinking container of claim 49 wherein both of the first lip and the second lip are defined by a variation in thickness between the respective outer surface and inner surface from which the lip projects.

### Claim 51 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 wherein an upper portion of the inner surface of the groove of the lid is contoured substantially in the form of a curve.

### Claim 52 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the second lip is configured to form a seal with the first lip.

### Claim 53 (depends on 52)

The drinking container of claim 52 wherein the first and second lips are the only lips to form a seal between the lid and the rim.

### Claim 54 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip.

### Claim 55 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.

### Claim 56 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the interference fit between the first lip and the second lip does not substantially deform the groove.

### Claim 57 (depends on 48)

The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the contour of the outer surface of the rim and the contour of the inner surface of the groove provide a snap fit between the rim and the lid.