Drinking containers
View Patent ↗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.
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.
2. 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.
3. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip.
4. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the second lip is configured to form a seal with the first lip.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. The drinking container of claim 4 wherein the seal formed between the first lip and the second lip is airtight.
8. The drinking container of claim 4 wherein the first lip is in the groove of the lid when the seal is formed.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.
12. The drinking container of claim 1 wherein formation of the seal between the rim and the lid does not substantially deform the groove.
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.
14. The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.
15. 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.
16. The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip.
17. The drinking container of claim 13 wherein the seal formed between the first lip and the second lip is airtight.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
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.
23. The drinking container of claim 22 further comprising a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.
24. The drinking container of claim 22 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.
25. 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.
26. The drinking container of claim 22 wherein the second lip is configured to form a seal with the first lip.
27. The drinking container of claim 26 wherein the seal formed between the first lip and the second lip is airtight.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. The drinking container of claim 22 wherein formation of the seal between the rim and the lip does not substantially deform the groove.
33. 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.
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.
35. The drinking container of claim 34 further comprising a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.
36. 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.
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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.
40. The drinking container of claim 34 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.
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.
42. The drinking container of claim 41 further comprising a threaded connection between the rim and the lid.
43. 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.
44. 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.
45. 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.
46. The drinking container of claim 41 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.
47. The drinking container of claim 41 wherein the snap fit between the first lip and the second lip does not substantially deform the groove.
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.
49. 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.
50. 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.
51. 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.
52. The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the second lip is configured to form a seal with the first lip.
53. 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.
54. The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the second lip is configured to provide a snap fit with the first lip.
55. The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the spout is integrally formed with the lid.
56. The drinking container of claim 48 wherein the interference fit between the first lip and the second lip does not substantially deform the groove.
57. 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.