WO2005065497A1

WO2005065497A1 - Straw cup

Info

Publication number: WO2005065497A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeong Geun Kim
Original assignee: Jeong Geun Kim
Priority date: 2004-01-10
Filing date: 2005-01-07
Publication date: 2005-07-21
Also published as: KR20050073781A; KR100626164B1

Abstract

A straw cup is disclosed. The straw cup (A) includes a container (1), a lid (2) mounted on the container to open or close the container, and a straw (3) introduced into the lid (2). The straw cup further includes a sound emitting device (S). The sound emitting device is mounted to a predetermined position on the lid (2), and emits a sound due to a suction force, when sucking up contents using the straw. In this straw cup, the sound emitting device emits a sound due to a suction force when sucking up liquid using the straw, thus arousing the child's interest, therefore helping the child enjoy drinking liquid. Since the child is interested in using the straw cup, the child frequently uses the straw cup and plays with the straw cup. The frequent use of the straw cup is helpful to increase the child's lung capacity.

Description

[DESCRIPTION]

[invention Title] STRAW CUP

[Technical Field] The present invention relates, in general, to straw cups and, more particularly, to a straw cup equipped with a sound emitting device which emits a sound due to a suction force when a child sucks up liquid using a straw, thus arousing the child's interest, therefore helping the child enjoy drinking liquid, such as water, a beverage, milk, herbal medicine, etc., contained in the straw cup. The term, "straw cup", used in the present invention denotes a cup, which is designed such that a lid is provided on a container to open or close the container, and a straw is introduced into the lid, thus allowing a person to suck up water or a beverage contained in the container using the straw.

[Background Art] Generally, babies who are weaned and start to eat baby food are accustomed to nipples of mothers or baby bottles, so that it is difficult for the babies to adapt to straw cups. Babies and children must ingest a sufficient amount of water or milk. However, many babies or children hate to drink water, milk, or especially, herbal medicine. In order to overcome this difficulty, a melody emitting cup has been proposed. This cup is similar to a general cup in shape, and includes an integrated circuit to memorize preset melody, a buzzer to emit a melody, a battery to supply electric power, a circuit board, and others. However, the conventional cup has a problem in that a sound is caused not by a person' s action but by the electric power of the battery, so that the melody is unchanging, thereby the person may lose interest in the melody in a short time. Therefore, it is difficult to continuously arouse children's interest. Further, the conventional melody emitting cup has another problem in that several electronic parts are installed in the cup, so that high manufacturing costs are incurred. The conventional melody emitting cup has a further problem in that it is impossible to boil and sterilize the cup, so that it is difficult to realize commercialization of the cup.

[Disclosure] [Technical Problem] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a straw cup equipped with a sound emitting device which emits a sound due to a suction force when a child sucks up liquid using a straw, thus arousing the child's interest, therefore helping the child enjoy drinking liquid, such as water, a beverage, milk, herbal medicine, etc., contained in the straw cup, and increasing the child' s lung capacity due to frequent suction. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a straw cup, including a container, a lid mounted on the container to open ^'or close the container, and a straw introduced into the lid, the straw cup further including a sound emitting device which is mounted to a predetermined position on the lid, and emits a sound due to a suction force, when sucking up contents using the straw.

[Description of Drawings] FIG. 1 is a sectional view to show the entire construction of a straw cup equipped with a sound emitting device, according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sound emitting device, according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view to show the operation of the sound emitting device mounted to the straw cup, according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a sound emitting device, according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a sectional view to show the operation of the sound emitting device mounted to a straw cup, according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a sectional view to show the entire construction of a straw cup, according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a sound emitting device is mounted to a sidewall of a container of the straw cup.

[Best Mode] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The first embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, a straw cup A of this invention includes a container 1 to contain water, a beverage, milk, tea, herbal medicine, etc. A lid 2 is mounted to the container 1 to open or close the container 1. A straw 3 is introduced into the lid 2. Further, a sound emitting device S is provided on a predetermined portion of the lid 2, and emits a sound due to a suction force, when a child sucks up liquid using the straw 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sound emitting device S includes an air outlet hole 4, a sound emitting unit 5, a support housing 6, a support cap 7, and a leakage prevention plate 8. The air outlet hole 4 is formed on a predetermined portion of the lid 2. The sound emitting unit 5 is mounted on the air outlet hole 4 to emit a sound. The support housing 6 passes through the lid 2 in a direction from a position under the lid to another position above the lid, and functions to support the sound emitting unit 5. The support cap 7 engages with the support housing 6, thus supporting the sound emitting unit 5. The leakage prevention plate 8 is attached to the bottom of the support housing 6 to prevent the leakage of liquid. In a detailed description, the periphery surrounding the air outlet hole 4 of the lid 2 protrudes upwards to form a step. The step provides a mounting part 9. Further, a plurality of through holes 10 is bored on the mounting part 9. The sound emitting unit 5 is mounted in the mounting part 9. The sound emitting unit 5 includes a body 11, with a resounding piece 12 installed in the body 11. The resounding piece 12 is supported by a resounding piece support 14 having an air hole 13. Further, upper air holes 15 are formed on the body 11 at positions above the resounding piece 12, while lower air holes 16 are formed on the body 11 at positions under the resounding piece 12. The support housing 6 passes through the through holes 10 of the lid 2 in the direction from a position above the lid 2 to another position under the lid 2, and supports the sound emitting unit 5. The support housing 6 includes a plurality of locking pieces 17 which are inserted into the corresponding through holes 10. An external thread 18 is provided on an outer surface of each of the locking pieces 17. Further, a plurality of air outlet holes 19 is formed on the bottom of the support housing 6. A locking ring 20 protrudes downwards from the bottom of the support housing 6. The support housing 6 engages with the support cap 7, thus supporting the sound emitting unit 5. An air inlet hole 21 is formed at the center on top of the support cap 7. Further, an internal thread 22 is provided on an inner wall of the support cap 7 to engage with the external threads 18 of the locking pieces 17. The locking ring 20 of the support housing 6 is coupled to the leakage prevention plate 8. Thus, a locking hole 23 is provided on the leakage prevention plate 8 so that the locking ring 20 is inserted into the locking hole 23. Preferably, the leakage prevention plate 8 is formed of a material having elasticity and a restoring capacity, such as silicone or a rubber pad. The straw cup, according to the first embodiment of this invention, is operated as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, when a baby or a child sucks up liquid, such as water, a beverage, milk, tea, or herbal medicine, contained in the container 1 using the straw 3, a suction force is generated. Due to the suction force, external air flows through the sound emitting device S into the container 1. In this case, a sound is emitted from the sound emitting device S. In a detailed description, when liquid is sucked up using the straw 3, as shown in FIG. 3, external air is drawn through the air inlet hole 21 of the support cap 7. The drawn air flows through the upper air holes 15 of the sound emitting unit 5 into the body 11 thereof. Next, the air flowing into the body 11 is discharged downwards, after passing through the air hole 13 of the resounding piece support 14 and the lower air holes 16 of the body 11. The discharged air passes through the air outlet hole 4 of the lid 2 and the air outlet holes 19 of the support housing 6. Subsequently, the air flows into the container 1 while pushing the leakage prevention plate 8. At this time, the resounding piece 12 provided in the sound emitting unit 5 vibrates due to the drawn and discharged air, thus emitting a sound. The leakage prevention plate 8 is made of silicone or a rubber pad, which has elasticity and a restoring capacity. Therefore, when air is discharged as shown in FIG. 3, the leakage prevention plate 8 moves downwards, thus opening the air outlet holes 19 of the support housing 6. After the air has been discharged, the leakage prevention plate 8 returns to the original position thereof, thus closing the air outlet holes 19 of the support housing 6. Therefore, although a user holds the container 1 upside down, the leakage prevention plate 8 prevents contents, such as water or a beverage, from escaping out of the container 1. As such, when the user sucks up the contents using the straw 3, a sound is emitted from the sound emitting device S due to the suction force. Such a construction arouses the child's interest, thus helping the child enjoy drinking water, a beverage, milk, tea, herbal medicine, etc. contained in the straw cup A. Further, since the child is interested in using the straw cup A, the child frequently uses the straw cup A and plays with the straw cup A. The frequent use of the straw cup A is helpful to increase the child's lung capacity. The second embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. A sound emitting device S of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. Those elements common to both the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and the second embodiment will carry the same reference numerals. The common elements will not be described below in detail. A leakage prevention plate 8 is mounted on an air outlet hole 4 which is bored in a predetermined portion of a lid 2. A cross-slit 24 is provided at a center of the leakage prevention plate 8, and a plurality of through holes 25 is provided around a circumference of the leakage prevention plate 8. A sound emitting unit 5 is mounted on the leakage prevention plate 8. A support housing 6 passes through a plurality of through holes 10 of the lid 2 and the through holes 25 of the leakage prevention plate 8 in a direction from a lower position to an upper position. Locking pieces of the support housing 6 engage with the support cap 7, thus supporting the sound emitting unit 5. A flange 26 is provided in the support cap 7, and holds the sound emitting unit 5. The straw cup, according to the second embodiment of this invention, is operated as follows. When a user sucks up liquid using the straw 3, as shown in FIG. 5, external air is drawn into an inlet hole 21 of the support cap 7. The drawn air flows through upper air holes 15 of the sound emitting unit 5 into the body 11 thereof. The air drawn into the body 11 is discharged downwards, after passing through an air hole 13 of a resounding piece support 14 and lower air holes 16 of the body 11. The discharged air opens the cross-slit 24 of the leakage prevention plate 8. Subsequently, the air passes through the air outlet hole 4 of the lid 2 and an air outlet hole 19 of the support housing 6, prior to flowing into the container 1. At this time, a resounding piece 12 provided in the sound emitting unit 5 vibrates due to the drawn and discharged air, thus emitting a sound. The leakage prevention plate 8 is made of silicone or a rubber pad, which has elasticity and a restoring capacity. Thus, when the air is discharged, the cross-slit 24 is opened. Meanwhile, when the air has been completely discharged, the cross-slit 24 restores an original state thereof, thus closing both the air outlet hole 19 of the support housing 6 and the air outlet hole 4 of the lid 2. Therefore, even when a user holds the container 1 upside down, the leakage prevention plate 8 prevents contents, such as water or a beverage, from escaping out of the container 1. Although the contents contained in the container 1 may escape through the through holes 10 and 25, the flange 26 of the support cap 7 prevents the ingress of the contents into the sound emitting unit 5, thus protecting the function of the sound emitting unit 5. Further, an outer wall of the support cap 7 having an internal thread 22 prevents the contents from escaping out of the sound emitting device S, even when the contents contained in the container 1 escape through the through holes 10 and 25. As such, when a user sucks up liquid using the straw

3 of the straw cup A according to the second embodiment, a sound is emitted from the sound emitting device S due to the suction force. This arouses the interest of a baby or child. Thereby, the baby or child enjoys using the straw cup A, so that the baby or child is willing to drink water, a beverage, milk, tea, herbal medicine, etc. contained in the straw cup A. Consequently, the baby or child frequently uses the straw cup A and plays with the straw cup A. The frequent use of the straw cup A is helpful to increase the lung capacity. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. That is, according to the first and second embodiments of this invention, the sound emitting device S is mounted to a predetermined position on the lid 2. However, without being limited to the embodiments, the sound emitting device S, which emits a sound due to a suction force when a user sucks up liquid through the straw 3, may be mounted to an upper position on a sidewall of the container 1, as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the sound emitting device S mounted to the upper position on the sidewall of the container 1 includes an air outlet hole 4, a sound emitting unit 5, a support housing 6, a support cap 7, and a leakage prevention plate 8. The air outlet hole 4 is bored in the upper portion of the sidewall of the container 1. The sound emitting unit 5 is mounted to the air outlet hole 4, and emits a sound. The support housing 6 passes through the container 1 in a direction from a position inside the container 1 to another position outside the container 1, and functions to support the sound emitting unit 5. The support cap 7 engages with the support housing 6, thus supporting the sound emitting unit 5. The leakage prevention plate 8 is attached to the support housing 6, and prevents the leakage of contents . Since the general construction and operation of this embodiment are equal to those of the first and second embodiments, they will not be described in detail herein.

[industrial Applicability] As described above, the present invention provides a straw cup having a sound emitting device S which emits a sound due to a suction force when a child sucks up liquid using a straw 3, thus arousing the child's interest, therefore helping the child enjoy drinking liquid, such as water, a beverage, milk, tea, herbal medicine, etc. Since the child is interested in using the straw cup, the child frequently uses the straw cup and plays with the straw cup. The frequent use of the straw cup is helpful to increase the child's lung capacity.

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim l] A straw cup, comprising a container (1), a lid (2) mounted on the container to open or close the container, and a straw (3) introduced into the lid (2), the straw cup (A) further comprising: a sound emitting device (S) mounted to a predetermined position on the lid (2) , and emitting a sound due to a suction force, when sucking up contents using the straw (3) .

[Claim 2] The straw cup according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting device (S) , emitting a sound due to the suction force when sucking up contents using the straw, is mounted to a predetermined position on the container (1) .

[Claim 3] The straw cup according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting device (S) comprises: an air outlet hole (4) bored in a predetermined portion of the lid (2); a sound emitting unit (5) mounted on the air outlet hole, and emitting a sound; a support housing (6) passing through the lid (2) in a direction from a position under the lid 2 to another position above the lid 2, and supporting the sound emitting unit (5) ; a support cap (7) to engage with the support housing (6), thus supporting the sound emitting unit (5); and a leakage prevention plate (8) attached to the support housing (6) to prevent leakage of the contents.

[Claim 4] The straw cup according to claim 3, wherein the lid (2) comprises: a plurality of through holes (10) provided around the air outlet hole (4), the sound emitting unit (5) comprises: a body (11) ; a resounding piece (12) provided in the body; a resounding piece support (14) to support the resounding piece in the body; and upper and lower air holes (15, 16) formed on the body (11) , the upper air holes provided above the resounding piece and the lower air holes provided under the resounding piece, the support housing (6) comprises: a plurality of locking pieces (17) inserted into the through holes (10), with an external thread (18) provided on an outer surface of each of the locking pieces; a plurality of air outlet holes (19) formed on a bottom of the support housing; and a locking ring (20) coupled to a predetermined portion of the support housing to protrude downwards, and the support cap (7) comprises: an air inlet hole (21) provided at a center on top of the support cap; and an internal thread (22) provided on an inner wall of the support cap to engage with the external thread (18) of each of the locking pieces (17) . [Claim 5] The straw cup according to claim 1, wherein the sound emitting device (S) comprises: an air outlet hole (4) bored in a predetermined portion of the lid (2) ; a leakage prevention plate (8) placed on the air outlet hole (4) to prevent leakage of the contents, with a cross-slit (24) provided at a center of the leakage prevention plate (8); a sound emitting unit (5) mounted on the leakage prevention plate (8), and emitting a sound; a support housing (6) passing through the lid (2) in a direction from a position under the lid to another position above the lid; and a support cap (7) to engage with the support housing (6), thus supporting the sound emitting unit (5).