US20120103997A1

US20120103997A1 - Multi-functional baby training cup

Info

Publication number: US20120103997A1
Application number: US12/938,530
Authority: US
Inventors: Christian Schingh-Laniel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-03
Filing date: 2010-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-03

Abstract

A single container is divided into two separate compartments sharing a common horizontal partition. Each compartment has its own individual opening. A lid and a base portion are inter-changeable and can be attached to either of the two openings. The compartments are shaped horizontally instead of being shaped vertically in order to help flow the liquid through the spout. Two handles, one on each side of the lid, are slightly angled towards the spout to help further the flow of liquid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers for pourable substances (e.g. fluids) as well as containers for semi-solid and solid foods (e.g. yogourt, cereals, chopped fruits). The invention relates to containers useful as a so called “baby cup” having two separate compartments each of which has its own opening (mouth) that which can inter-change the lid with spout/handles and the base portion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Conventional “baby cups” are known comprising a container and a lid with spout/handles affixing to the container's mouth. The container typically has a single vertical chamber so that it only serves to store a pourable substance therein e.g. juice in quantities usually ranging from 6 oz. to 9 oz. Pourable substance in this quantity is somewhat heavy for a baby to lift by their own hands, especially when they are starting and that the recommended daily intake for juice is 4 oz. The container having a single and long vertical chamber forces the baby to lift the cup higher as they want to drink the liquid which recedes deeper and deeper within the compartment as the baby drinks.
It would be extremely desirable however, if the compartment could be shorter (horizontally shaped instead of vertically shaped) and if the handles on the lid would be slightly angled towards the spout to facilitate the flow of the liquid, preventing the baby from having to unnecessarily lift the cup higher to drink the liquid.
It would further be desirable if there were two compartments to a single cup, the first being of smaller size (e.g. 2 oz) for when a baby first starts to drink from a cup and a larger size (e.g. 4 oz) for when the baby needs to drink larger quantities of fluids, thus removing the onus on the parents to monitor how much liquid the baby is drinking when serving in traditional 6+ oz. baby cups.
Furthermore, it would be desirable if by having two compartments that they be used for additional functionality: e.g. a) fill bottom compartment with water, freeze to ice, which could then keep the liquid in the upper compartment cool when on the go, b) fill the bottom compartment with semi-solid or solid foods such as yogurt or cereals so the baby can drink from the upper compartment and eat the food from the bottom compartment.
In at least the foregoing respects, the apparatus according to the present invention is believed to substantially depart from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an important contribution to the art of portable containers in general, and to the art of “baby cups” having dual multifunctional compartments, each of which has its own opening (mouth) for which the spout and base portion are interchangeable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, the present invention relates to a container having a hollow interior that is divided into two separate compartments by a common horizontal partition. Each compartment is adapted to be filled with a liquid of differing character, e.g. milk, fruit juice, water or the like. Having a wide enough opening, each compartment can also be filled with semi-solid and solid foods of differing character, e.g. yogurt, cereals, chopped fruits and vegetables or the like. A lid with spout and handles is attachable to the opening of either compartment. A base portion is attachable to the opening of either compartment. The lid with spout/handles and base portion are therefore interchangeable. The removable base portion is cone shaped to provide stability to the cup. The compartments are shaped horizontally instead of being shaped vertically in order to help flow the liquid through the spout as well as to store other types of foods (yogurt, chopped fruits, cereals). Being shaped horizontally, the compartments are of a shallow form and allow easy access to the food that they store by either hand or using a utensil such as a spoon or fork. The lid with spout has two handles, one on each of its sides. The handles are slightly angled towards the spout in order to slightly reduce the lift required to flow the liquid through the spout. As the baby drinks the liquid, the left over liquid further recesses deeper within the compartment requiring higher lift from the baby. With angled handles, the left over liquid is much more easily accessible.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved multifunctional container apparatus which has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional container that is easy to fabricate, relatively inexpensive to produce and purchase, easy to maintain and simple to use.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved multifunctional container for both pourable and solid substances, by having shorter compartments with wide openings making them usable for solid substances.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved multifunctional container especially useful as a training baby cup.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved multifunctional container especially useful as a baby cup and which includes a lid with spout/handles and base portion which can be inter-changeable between both openings of the container.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a lid with spout which has handles which are slightly angled towards the spout, which further improves the use of the container.
It is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide a baby training cup comprising: a container divided into two sections; a common horizontal partition between said two sections; a fastening lid incorporating a spill-proof spout; a base removeably attachable to either end of said container; at least one handle wherein said cup results in a container having two compartments of differing size separated on a horizontal plane.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty and construction which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention for a multifunctional baby training cup.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention with the lid and base removed, showing the smaller compartment (e.g. 2 oz.) at the top and larger compartment (e.g. 4 oz) at the bottom.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the invention with the base removed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the annexed drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-3 thereof, a new multifunctional training baby cup embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
FIG. 1 shows the assembled multifunctional training baby cup 10 comprising the container 11 divided into two main sections, the common horizontal partition 12, the fastening lid 13, which incorporates a spill-proof spout 14 and at least one slightly angled handle 15 on both sides. The base 16 can be fastened on either side of the cup, thus creating the bottom of the cup and is shaped somewhat like a cone, providing additional stability to the cup 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the container 11, has a smaller compartment 17 and a larger compartment 18 which are separated by a common horizontal partition 12. The smaller compartment opening 19 and the larger compartment opening 20 can both be used to either fasten the lid 13 or fasten the base 16 as both are of the same diameter and share the same fastening features.
FIG. 3 shows the multifunctional training baby cup 10 held upside down, with the larger compartment 18 filled with cereal, and the smaller compartment 17 filled with liquid. Both compartments are separated by a common horizontal partition 12. The liquid is retained by using a spill-proof spout 14. For purposes of illustration, the base portion 16 has been unfastened from the larger compartment opening 20 to show how easy it is to access the food within the compartment.
It is possible to achieve the same result using two separate horizontal partitions 12, although this would not be ideal as it would increase the size of the cup 10.
As designed, the cup 10 of the present invention provides for easier access to liquid contained therein as there is no need for lifting said cup 10 higher up and in the process avoid the possibility of a further than needed intake of liquid.
Furthermore, the slightly angled handles 15, shown in FIG. 1, would further help the baby access the liquid by reducing the lift required. For example, the container 11 could be at a 45 degree angle while the baby is truly holding the cup at a 38 degree angle, where as with a prior art container, the baby is holding the cup at a 45 degree angle and no liquid can further flow from the cup. The handles 15 attach to the lid 13 for proper spout/handle alignment, which helps promote independent drinking.
The constituent parts according to the present invention may preferably be fabricated from known durable and heat-resistant synthetic polymeric materials which are BPA-free and Phthalate-free. The Multifunctional Training Baby Cup would therefore be labelled “Microwave & Dishwasher Safe” along with “BPA-free and Phthalate-free”. The handles would be made so that they are soft, non slip, yet still be microwave and dishwasher safe.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention, the same is apparent from the above disclosure, no further discussion relative to the manner of usage and operation need be provided.
The foregoing detailed description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art and therefore, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as defined only in the appended claims.
Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. The specification and examples should be considered exemplary only and do not limit the intended scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A baby training cup comprising:

a) a container divided into two sections;

b) a common horizontal partition between said two sections;

c) a fastening lid incorporating a spill-proof spout;

d) a base removeably attachable to either end of said container;

e) at least one handle wherein said cup results in a container having two compartments of differing size separated on a horizontal plane.

2. The baby training cup of claim 1 wherein the fastening lid and base are interchangeably attachable to either end of said cup.

3. The baby training cup of claim 1 wherein either liquid or solid can be positioned therein within the compartments.

4. The baby training cup of claim 1 wherein the at least one handle is slightly angled.

5. The baby training cup of claim 1 wherein said cup is made of polymeric materials.

6. The baby training cup of claim 1 wherein said cup is microwave and dishwasher safe.

7. The baby training cup of claim 1 wherein the at least one handle is non-slip.