CA2611020A1 - Drinking device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides for a spill proof drinking device and method wherein at least a portion of the receptacle holding the beverage is made out of cardboard or paper material, and is disposable. The device further includes a spout making it suitable for infant use, or for anyone desiring a spill proof drinking container.

According to a first embodiment, a disposable paper insert is provided for insertion into a container shell bottle or cup, forming a drinking device with a hard general exterior and paper lined general interior, wherein the container shell cup supports a spout. The container shell is preferably made from plastic, providing a hard exterior which cannot be deformed, punctured, or broken by regular infant use. A
container shell lid comprising a nipple or spout attaches to the container shell cup. The paper insert is disposable. This embodiment may also include a disposable paper liner for the spout.

According to a second embodiment, a disposable paper container itself supports a spout. The spout may be integrally formed with the paper container, wherein it may be entirely preformed, or may require formation by the user prior to use.
Alternatively, the spout may be attachable to the paper container via an attachment element included in the paper container,

Description

APPLICATION
OF
NAOMI MANN and EZEKIEL BAHAR
FOR
UNITED STATES PATENT
ON
DRINKING DEVICE

Sheets of Drawings: FOURTEEN (14) Sheets of Written Description: TWENTY-THRP-E (23) DRINKING DEVICE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Serial No.
60/$55503 filed October 30, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to drinking devices which are spill resistant and ideal for infant use.

Description of the Related Art Drinking devices designed for infant use, such as spill proof cups, also known as Sippy cups, and baby bottles, typically include a cap or lid having a narrow drinking spout, which may include a straw, rubber nipple, hard formed protrusion, etc., which release liquid generally when an infant puts his lips around the spout and sucks and/or turns upside-down to pour into his mouth, making the devices reasonably spill proof, See for example U.S. Patent Nos. 5,079,013 and 5,$90,619. Additionally, infant drinking devices are usually made from plastic, which is hard and shatterproof.

However, most infant drinking devices are also made of plastics such as polycarbonates which leach a chemical known as bisphenol A or BPA into the drink. Though there are many health risk associated with BPA consumption, these risks are most harmful to infants and young children. The leaching of BPA may increase if the drink is warmed or cooled, or acidic, and may also increase with the wear of the drinking device.

Additionally, conventional infant drinking devices are difficult to clean and sterilize. If sugary beverages such as juice or milk are left for a long time in these devices, bacteria and mold accumulates, and usually cannot be entirely washed out with ordinaxy cleaning.

While these problems are known, and far from trivial, parents still rely heavily on the use of plastic drinking devices because of their great convenience. Some attempts have been made to solve the above identified problems. Examples include glass bottles, stainless steal Sippy cups, and cups and bottles made of Bisphenol-A free material. However, despite these products, the popularity of polycarbonate bottles and Sippyl) cups remains strong.
Additionally, Playtex provides a baby bottle system which uses liners, advertised as being bisphenol-A free. These liners, however, are from a collapsible bag=type material, have been reported by consumers as costly and problematic for trapping fluid in pockets formed as they scrunch up during use. (See Customer Reviews for Playtex Premium Nurser Newborn Gift Set).

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0055989 similarly discloses an infant use cup lined with a liquid holding bag. Again, the device discloses is collapsible, and further appears di4f'icult to install.

Other references disclosing lined drinking devices, including paper lined devices which may not be collapsible are U.S. Patent Nos. 1,035,718; 3,602,386. However, none of these references disclose drinking vessels designed for infant or spill resistant use. Additionally, these devices are designed in such a way that the insert folds over the outer edge of the cup, which would prevent capping with a lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a spill proof drinking device and a drinking method wherein at least a portion of the receptacle holding the beverage is made out of cardboard or paper material, and is disposable. The device further includes a spout making it suitable for infant use, or for anyone desiring a spill proof drinking container.

According to a first embodiment, a disposable paper insert is provided for insertion into a container shell bottle or cup, fornung a drinking device with a hard general exterior and paper lined general interior, wherein the container shell cup supports a spout. The container shell is preferably made from plastic, providing a hard exterior which cannot be deformed, punctured, or broken by regular infant use. A container shell lid comprising a nipple or spout attaches to the container shell cup. The paper insert is disposable. This embodiment may also include a disposable paper liner for the spout.

According to a second embodiment, a disposable paper container itself supports a spout.
The spout may be integrally formed with the paper container, wherein it may be entirely preforzned, or may require formation by the user prior to use. Alternatively, the spout may be attachable to the paper container via an attachment element included in the paper container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a drinking device according to a general first embodiment, wherein a paper insert is shown as inserted into a container shell including a cup and a spouted Iid.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, illustrating a recess formed within the inner walls of the container shell cup, for receiving a flaring lip formed on the rim of the insert.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, illustrating an interface formed between the cup rim and lid when in a closed position, for receiving a flaring lip formed on the rim of the insert.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, illustrating a recess formed within the inner walls of the lid, for receiving a flaring lip formed on the rim of the insert.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, wherein the insert has a flared upper lip, which is pushed against the lid to form a closure when the lid is closed.

Figure 6a is a perspective view of a container shell cup of the devioe of figure 1 which comprises two half cylinders which are partially attached, and adapted to close in forming a cylindrical shell around the paper insert.

Figure 6b is a perspective view of a cont,ainer shell cup of the device of figure 1 which comprises two half cylinders which are detached, and are attachable to form a cylindrical shell around the paper insert.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a drinking device according to a general second embodiment, wherein a paper insert is shown as inserted into a container shell cup, the paper insert itself supporting a spout.

Figure 7a is a sectional view of the drinking device of figure 7, including a lid with an opening.

Figure 7b is a sectional view of the drinking device of figure 7, including a lid without an opening.

Figure 7c is a sectional view of the drinking device of figure 7a, wherein the lid is provided with a cap which can be used to cover the spout.

Figures 8a is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, the insert having a threaded connection element for receiving a screw on cap supporting a spout.

Figure $b is a sectional view of the insert of figure 8a, shown inserted into a cup, with a spouted cap attached to the insert.

Figure 9a is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, having an integral spout.

Figure 9b is a perspective view of the insert of figure 9a, illustrating an opening on a top portion of the insert.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, the insert having a spout which is directly attachable.

Figure 11 is a sectional view of an insert for the device of figure 7, the insert having ara opening seaIable witb, a patch for insertion of a straw.

Figure 12a is a sectional view of a drinking device, similar to the device of figure 1, having a lid which includes threading for attaching a threaded plastic attachment element which supports a rubber nipple.

Figure 12b is a sectional view of a drinking device, similar to the device of figure 1, having a lid which includes a threaded attachement element for attaching a threaded plastic spout.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1, wherein the device includes a disposable paper insert for the spout having a support base that rests on the insert.

Figure 14 is a view of the spout of Figure 13, wherein the paper insert for the spout does not include a support base.

DESCRIPTION OF 'lCHE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized.
The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with.the illustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms cup, bottle, and container, as used herein, may be used interchangeably and shall refer generally to any device used to contain a liquid, and sized reasonably for a user to hold and consume the liquid through an opening within the container. The drinking devices of the present invention may include containers of any geometric or fanciful shape, whether symmetrical or unsymmetrical, including but not limited to narrow and elongated cylinders, commonly employed in baby bottles, wider and shorter cylinders, commonly employed in Sippy cups, spherical containers, conical or partially conical, square boxes, etc.
The embodiments illustrated herein show a round cylindrical container according to the preferred embodiment.
The term drinking spout as used herein refers to a section having an opening though which liquid can pass, wherein a user generally places his lips around the entire opening for drinking. This may include a rubber nipple, straw, protrusion formed by a portion which is elevated with respect to a flat lid surface, protrusion formed by an adjacent portion which is recessed or depressed with respect to the flat lid surface, and the like.
Drinkirig spouts referred to as protrusions are typically found in lids of commercial Sippy cups or coffee cups. Additionally, the spout is not necessarily positioned at the top, and may, for example, protrude from a side portion, and may even be placed on the receptacle, instead of the lid, of the drinking device.

The present invention provides for infant drinking devices in which at least a portion of a container holding the beverage is made out of cardboard or paper material, wherein the paper portion is disposable. The term paper may include paper of any thickness, and paper which may be coated with material such as wax or paraffin.

The devices further includes a spout making it spill resistant. Unlike commonly used cups at coffee shops, which include a paper cup and spouted plastic lid which flimsily attaches to the cup, the devices of the present invention is designed for rough handling, and may be used by infants. As such the lid is durably attached using screw on, adhesion, integral formation, or other sturdy method. Moreover, unlike paper juice boxes sealed with a beverage already inside, the devices of the present invention allows an at home user to fill the device with a desired beverage, and then seal the drinking device.

Figure 1 shows a drinking device 1, with container well portion 15 and lid 30.
A
disposable paper insert 10 is shown inserted in shell cup 20, forming the container well portion 15 having a generally hard exterior 16 and a generally paper lined interior 17, wherein the cup 20 supports spouted lid 30, the cup and lid forming a container shell. The cup 20 is preferably made from plastic. However, any hard, non-paper material may be used. Lid 30 comprising spout 40 is used for enclosing the top of the well portion 15. The paper insert 10 can casily be inserted and removed from the cup 20, and fits snuggly within.

Cup 20 may be in the form of a bottle, regular cup (as illustrated), or any other drinking receptacle. As with most commercially available baby bottles and Sippy cups, lid 30 of drinking device I may attach to the container via intermating threads 31, which may be on the outer surface of the container, and inner surface of the lid (shown in figure 1), or visa versa. Other attachment methods may be employed, for example the lid may be pressed down (snapped) into the cup, or attached via a latch. See, for example, attaohment methods employed in various Tupperware or similar lidded items. (A lid which snaps on would be especially suitable for a cup having a non-circular shape, i.e. rectangular, where a threaded lid would not work).
Additionally, the lid may be hinged or strapped on to the container, so that it is always at least partially attached to the container, in order to prevent it from getting lost.

Device I preferably include various features to facilitate insertion and placement of insert 10, and to prevent spillage of the liquid between the outer walls 18 of the insert 10 and inner walls 19 of the cup 20, as shown in the following figures. As will be seen from the following examples, insert 10 may or may not protrude over the upper surface of cup 20.

As shown in figure 2, cup 20 of device 1 may include a circumferential recess 22, into which a circumferential flaring lip 11 of insert 10 fits, forming a substantial seal. The lip 11 may be slightly thicker than the rest of the insert walls, as with many commercial paper coffee cups.
The circumferential recess 22 may be formed within the inner walls 19 of cup 20, as shovm in figure 2. Alternatively, a sea123 may be formed between an interface of cup 20, and lid 30, when in a closed position, such that the lip 11 is sandwiched in between the top of cup 20 and inner walls 32 of the lid 30, as shown in figure 3. In this example, the lid need not include a recess for receiving lip 11. Alternatively, as illustrate in Figure 4 a recess 24 is formed within the inner walls 32 of lid 30, for receiving lip 11. Figure 5 illustrates an example where a closure is formed between inner walls 32, which do not include a recess, wherein the lip 11 abuts against walls 32 which press against lip 11.

While the insertion and removal of insert 10 should be fairly easy, various features may be provided to facilitate its removal and insertion. For example, the cup 20 may comprise two separate portions which attach to close the container. Figures 6 a and b illustrate a cup 20 comprising two half cylinders, 25, 26, which join to form a complete cylinder having a circumference "C," and length "L," where each half independently has a length of L, equal to the length of the complete cylinder, and circumference of 1/2C, or half the circumference of the complete cylinder. The two portions may be partially attached, i.e. hinged, or completely separable, as shown in figures 6a and 6b respectively, and may be joined by any suitable attachment method, including, but not limited to interlocking elements, fastening, latching devices, etc. Various other modifications af this concept are feasible, such as, for example two cylinders, comprising a bottom cylinder, and a top cylinder which are attachable, via a screw lock, for example, wherein each half has a circumference C, equal to the circumference of the complete cylinder, and wherein the individual lengths of the top and bottom cylinders add up to the length of the complete cylinder.

It should be noted that a container shell, according to the present invention, may be designed for use with commercially available paper cups having a flaring lip, such as Dixie , and other common brands, wherein the container shell would preferably contain circumferential recess for reeeiving the lip of the cup, and be sized to accommodate the specific cup. The company selling a specific brand of paper cups may effectively market a container shell designed specifically for its cups. Sueh a container shell may optionally be sold as an independently functional sippy cup which allows a user to optionally insert commercial paper cups, as well as a non-functional shell (i.e. having perforations) specifically designed to function with a certain paper cup or insert. Additionally, paper inserts specifically designed for a container shell according to the present invention, may be designed as functional stand alone drinking cups.
Though the inserts need not be tapered, this may be preferred for convenient stacking, and storage, as with most commercial paper cups.

Further features may include spouts which are attachable to the lid itself.
Such spouts may be easily removed and washed, andlor sold as disposable units. An example of this feature, illustrated in figure 12a, includes a lid 120 having threading 124 for attaching a threaded plastic attachment element 121 which supports a rubber nipple 122 having a flat base 125 that fits under the element 121, as with typical baby bottles. Alternatively, instead of the rubber nipple 122, a similarly attachable paper spout may be used. Or, instead of the attachment element 121 and nipple 122, a plastic spout 123 which is itself attachable to the lid, for example via a snap on mechanism or threaded attachment element 126 integral with the lid (see figure 12b) may be provided. Various other methods of providing an attachable spout will be apparent to one skilled in the art, Additionally, a disposable paper insert for the spout itself may be provided.
In figure 13, lid 30 includes a paper spout insert 132 which generally conforms to the shape of spout 40. As illustrated in the figure, the paper spout insert 132 may include a base 133 which rests on the paper insert 10. Other embodiments may include a paper spout insert 140 which fits into the spout, but is not supported by the base. As illustrated in figure 14, such an insert may include a tip which comes out of the spout hole and overlaps or folds over the spout to form a ring around the outer surface of the spout, thus retaining the spout insert 140.

According to a second general embodiment, a disposable paper insert 70 itself supports a spout 71. The spout may be integrally formed with the paper container (shown in figure 7), wherein it may be entirely preformed, or may require formation and/or assembly or folding by the user prior to use. Alternatively, the spout may be attachable to the paper container via an attachment element such as threading, adhesion, snap or press-on or other method of attachment.
Although the cup 20 need not have a lid (see figure 7), a lid 200 may nevertheless be provided (see figures 7a and b). For example, a lid 200 attachable to cup 20 may include an opening 202 through which the spout 71 emerges to hold the insert 70 in place when used for drinlcing (see figure 7a). Or, such a lid may serve as a cover to prevent liquid leakage when the insert is fil.led, but not in use, as shown in figure 7b. Additionally, various methods of closing the opening 202 may be provided so that the lid can both serve to hold the insert in place when drinking, and prevent leaking/ spilling when the container is not in use. For example, as shown in figure 7c, the lid 200 of figure 7a is provided with a cap 203 which can snap into the lid 200 around the spout 71, to cover the spout. A strap 204 may be provided to keep the cap 203 from being misplaced.

In figures 8a and b, a disposable paper insert 70 includes an attachment element 72 comprising a threaded neck 73 for screwing on a cap 74, the cap 74 having intermitting threads 75 and supporting a nipple or spout 76. The attachment element 72 may be made of plastic, or other inexpensive material which can be threaded, and aiTixed to the paper insert. For example, the element 72 may include a base 77 which is affixed (i.e. embedded and/or adhered) between the layers 78, 79 of the paper/cardboard. This type of threaded element may be found in commercially available milk and orange juice cartons, and is used to support a plastic cap for the carkons. Alternatively, the element 72 may be affixed by adhesion to the outer surface 81 of the insert, wherein the element may be sold already attached, or left unattached, in which case the user may attach it prior to use. In this case, an adhesive film, with a non-adhesive backing may be provided on the surface of either the insert or attachment element. The treads 73 and 75, may be on the outside of the element 72 and inside of the cap 74, as shown in the figures, or visa versa.

As shown in figures 9a and b, the paper insert 70 may include a preformed integral spout 90, which may be from paper, as well as other material, such as plastic, for example. In the case where a spout is made out of a non-paper material, such as plastic, it may be affixed to the insert via any method, including the methods described for affixing the attachment element 72 of figures 8a and b.

In order to f'ill the insert with liquid, the insert may be provided with a sealable opening 91, which is preferably near the top of the insert, said opening being sealable via a patch 92, for example, which can be adhered to the insert around the opening. An adhesive film may be provided around the opening of the insert and/ or near the outer circumference of the patch. A

1 S non-adhesive backing may be provided which is removed prior to use. The patch may be partially permanently attached to the insert, so that it is joined to the insert at all times, or provided separately. As such, a user would fill the insert though opening 91, with the desired beverage, and seal the opening with the patch. The insert may thereafter be inserted into the cup 20. The opening 91 may be made sealable by other methods, for example a cap which is threadable to a threaded attachment element, similar to the attachment element 72. Such cap may be partially permanently attached, via a strap for example, or entirely detachable. Additionally, opening 91 can be anywhere on the insert, including the bottom. In the case where the opening is on the bottom, the insert is preferably designed to stand alone in an inverted in order to facilitated filling.

Additionally, although the integral spout 90 may be entirely preformed, it is conceivable to configure a spout in a way which will require the user to miniznally form, i.e. by folding, creasizlg, pulling out, pulling apart, popping out, etc. prior to use.

As shown in figure 10, the paper insert 70 may be provided with a spout element which is directly attachable to the insert. Figure 10 illustrates an insert 70 having a spout 100, which is affixed directly to the section 101 around an opening 103 of the insert. The insert is filled through the opening, then the spout is affixed. The apout may be directly affixed via adhesion.

An adhesive film may be provided on the spout, section 101, or both, wherein a non-adhesive backing may be provided for removal prior to use. The spout of this embodiment may be made permanently attachable or attachable/ detachable.

Another alternative embodiment, shown in figure 15 includes a disposable spouted paper lid 150, which snaps onto the insert 70, forming a tight seal around the insert. This is similar to the embodiment of figure 13, except that the lid is independently attached to the insert, and thus, does not require the plastic lid to hold it in place, although such plastic lid may nevertheless be provided.

Figure 11 shows the insert 70, having an opening 103, as in the spout of figure 10, wherein a patch 102 is used to seal the opening. The patch may include a hole for insertion of a straw 105, or the straw 105, may be used to puncture a hole in the patch. As such, the insert 70 is filled, sealed with the patch, then straw 105 is inserted through the patch, The patch is a sheet which may be made of any suitable material including paper, plastic, or metal, e.g. aluminum.
Adhesive sections may be provided on the surface of the insert surrounding the opening, near the edges of the patch, or both. Additionally, the adhesive sections may be provided with a removable non-adhesive backing. It is further conceivable to locate the sealing patch and straw hole on different spots ou the insert.

The paper insert, according any of the above embodiments, may also be made foldable/
compactable, so that it can be stored flatly and compactly inside a diaper bag for example.
Various embodiments and designs can be devised by one skilled in the art. For example, the insert may be made accordion style, such that it is stored as a relatively thin disk, then stretched out for use. According to another example, the insert may be folded flat into a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insert. Preferably, the insert according to any of the above examples, is made sturdy enough to stand alone, without the container shell, such that it can be used as a stand alone drinking device.

The insert may be lined or formed with other material on its outside, though still paper lined on the inside.

Various methods of marketing the drinking device of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Preferably, the insert may be sold in multiple units, as a dispensable device. The lids and/or spouts/ patches/ straws may also be sold as disposable in multiple units, or for one time use, depending on the particular lid and/or spout, and cost of manufacture. Although it is preferable to sell a container shell specifically for use with the insert, it is conceivable to sell inserts which are usable with drinking devices, such as Sippy cups already on the market.

While the present invention has been described with regards to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional variations of the present invention may be devised without departing from the inventive concept.

Claims (30)

1. A drinking device used to assist one in drinking a liquid contained within without spilling, comprising:

an outer shell having an inner surface and comprising:

a cup having a bottom base, sidewall extending upwardly from the base, said sidewall including an inner surface and a top end forming a rim opposite said base, the inner surface of said shell being partially formed from the inner surface of said side walls a lid which can be releasably mounted to the top portion of said cup to form a substantially liquid tight seal between the cup and lid, and a drinking spout integral with said outer shell, said spout allowing for the flow of liquid out of said drinking device; and an insert for said cup, said insert having a generally paper lined inner surface and being insertable into said cup for holding liquid and substantially preventing said liquid from contacting the inner surface of the sidewalls of said cup.

2. The devices of claim 1 wherein said insert is disposable.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said shell is plastic.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said spout is formed integral with said lid.

5. The device of claim 1, said insert having a rim wherein said rim forms a substantially liquid tight seal with said inner surface of said shell when said insert is placed within said shell, thereby substantially preventing said liquid from contacting said inner surface of the sidewalls of said cup.

6. The device of claim 5, said rim of said insert including a flaring lip, said shell further including a circumferential recess on said inner surface of said shell for receiving said lip and forming said seal therewith, when said insert is inserted into said shell.

7. The device of claim 6, said recess being formed on an inner surface of said lid or on said inner surface of said side walls.

8. The device of claim 6, said recess being formed between an interface of the rim of said which contain said insert when closed cup and said lid when said lid is mounted to said cup.

9. The device of claim 1, said cup of said shell being formed from at least two releasably closable portions,

10. The device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said drinking spout is releasably attachable to said lid.

11. The device of claim 11, wherein said drinking spout includes a rubber nipple.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of said spout is disposable.

13. The device of claim 1, said spout being mounted on said lid and including an inner surface, the device further comprising a disposable insert for lining at least a portion of said inner surface of said spout,

14. A drinking device comprising an outer shell having an inner surface and comprising;
a cup having a bottom base, sidewall extending upwardly from the base, said sidewall including an inner surface and a top end forming a rim opposite said base, the inner surface of said shell being partially formed from the inner surface of said side walls a lid which can be releasably mounted to the top portion of said cup to form a substantially liquid tight seal between the cup and lid, and a drinking spout integral with said outer shell, said spout allowing for the flow of liquid out of said drinking device when said lid is mounted to said cup, wherein said outer shell is marketed for use with an insert according to claim 1.

15. A drinking device comprising an outer shell having an inner surface and comprising:
a cup having a bottom base, sidewall extending upwardly from the base, said sidewall including an inner surface and a top end forming a rim opposite said base, the inner surface of said shell being partially formed from the inner surface of said side walls a lid which can be releasably mounted to the top portion of said cup to form a substantially liquid tight seal between the cup and lid, and a drinking spout integral with said outer shell, said spout allowing for the flow of liquid out of said drinking device when said lid is mounted to said cup, wherein said outer shell is adapted to receive a disposable paper cup having a rim, wherein said rim forms a substantially liquid tight seal with said inner surface of said shell when said paper cup is place within said shell, thereby substantially preventing liquid contained within said paper cup from contacting said inner surface of the sidewalls of said cup, said paper cup being commercially available to the public.

16. A disposable insert for a drinking device, said insert comprising:
a bottom base, sidewalls extending upwardly from said base, and having a top portion opposite said base, a drinking spout supported on said top portion of said sidewalls, wherein the base and side walls of said insert are formed generally from a paper material, wherein said insert is marketed for use as part of a spill resistant drinking system, said system comprising a plastic outer shell for receiving said insert and forming a drinking device having a hard exterior, and generally paper lined interior, whereby said insert substantially prevents a liquid contained within from contacting the plastic shell, and allows a user to drink said liquid through said spout.

17. The insert of claim 16 wherein said spout is a releasably attachable component of said insert.

18. The insert of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of said spout is formed from a non-paper material.

19. The insert of claim 16, including a lid portion supported atop said sidewalls, said lid portion including said spout.

20. The insert of claim 16, said plastic outer shell including a cup and removably attachable lid for said cup, said lid facilitating the retention of said insert within said shell.

21. A generally disposable, spill proof, drinking device comprising:
a bottom base;

sidewalls extending upwardly from said base, and forming a cup for retaining liquid therewith, said sidewalls having a top portion opposite said base, the base and side walls being generally formed from a paper material;

a top enclosure extending from said top portion of side walls, said top enclosure generally preventing said liquid from spilling over said top portion of said side walls;

optionally, an outlet drinking outlet element, which allows for the egress of said liquid from said drinking device;

a closable opening, said opening allowing for said device to be filled with liquid when opened and substantially preventing liquid egress, except from said outlet element, when said opening is closed.

22. The drinking device of claim 21 comprising an outlet drinking element comprising a spout being attachable to said top enclosure and formed from a non-paper material.

23. The drinking device of claim 22, said spout being releasably attachable.

24, The drinking device of claim 22, said spout comprising a rubber nipple,

25. The drinking device of claim 22, said spout providing means for sealing said opening,

26. A drinking method comprising:

inserting a container into a plastic shell cup;
filling said container with a liquid drink;

enclosing said container for substantially preventing said liquid from spilling therefrom;

drinking said liquid from a spout which allows the egress of liquid from said container;

wherein at least a portion of said container is made of paper, and can be removed and disposed after short term use.

27. The method of claim 26, said step of enclosing comprising sealing said cup with a lid including a spout.

28. A business method comprising:

marketing a drinking device comprising an outer shell having an inner surface and comprising:

a cup having a bottom base, sidewall extending upwardly from the base, said sidewall including an inner surface and a top end forming a rim opposite said base, the inner surface of said shell being partially formed from the inner surface of said side walls a lid which can be releasably mounted to the top portion of said cup to form a substantially liquid tight seal between the cup and lid, and a drinking spout integral with said outer shell, said spout allowing for the flow of liquid out of said drinking device when said lid is mounted to said cup, wherein said outer shell is marketed for use with a commercially available paper beverage holder, wherein said beverage holder can be optionally inserted into said outer shell for holding a liquid and substantially preventing the liquid from contacting said outer shell.

29. The method of claim 28, said beverage holder comprising a disposable paper cup which is commercially sold in bulk.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said outer shell is sold as a functioning Sippy cup or bottle for infant use.