Disposable non-spillable childs dispensing cup

Abstract

A disposable sealed drink container suitable for use by a child to imbibe liquids and possessing a shape and size adapted for use in conventional drink dispensing machines including aluminum can vending machines and plastic bottle vending machines. The container includes a sealed impermeable vessel to suitable for containing a beverage, an extended spout designed to resist leakage when tipped and allow fluid to flow when suction is applied, and a protective cap.

1 . A container for fluids suitable for human consumption having an outermost exterior substantially defining a surface of revolution about a vertical axis and sized for use in a drink vending machine, said container comprising:
 a vessel having an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion having an extended spout at its upper end sized to be placed in a human mouth, said spout having a tip with an aperture designed to resist leakage when tipped and allow fluid to flow when suction is applied, and said lower portion for containing said fluid;   a releasable seal attached to said vessel to prevent fluid egress from said vessel; and   a cap releasable attached to the top of said vessel forming an enclosure protecting said extended spout.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the inside diameter of said cap is greater than the exterior diameter of said upper portion of said vessel. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  in which said vessel and said cap have matingly engageable threads permitting releasable connection of said cap to said vessel. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  in which said upper portion contains a vent aperture allowing air to enter said vessel when suction is applied to said extended spout but resists leakage when tipped. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  in which said upper portion contains a valve allowing air to enter said vessel when suction is applied to said extended spout but results leakage when tipped. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  in which said upper portion contains a valve allowing fluid to flow when suction is applied and resist leakage when tipped. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  in which said upper portion and said lower portion are releasably secured to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  in which the top of said lower portion has an opening and an annular rim to which said releasable seal is attached. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8  in which said upper portion and said rim of said lower portion are adapted to releasably snap fit together. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  in which said lower portion and said cap have matingly engageable threads. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1  having a width in the range of 52 mm to 76 mm and a height in the range of 92 mm to 306 mm. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1  having the shape, height and width permitting said container to be dispensed by a soda can vending machine. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1  having the shape, height and width permitting said container to be dispensed by a soda bottle vending machine drink bottle. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1  having a releasably attached tamper evident seal encircling the outer surfaces of said cap and said vessel at their junction. 
   
   
       15 . A container for fluids for human consumption having an exterior substantially defining a surface of revolution, comprising:
 a lower portion having an annular opening at its upper end, and   a unitary upper portion including a lid hinged to a cap, said lid including a upstanding sippy spout with a vertical opening and an upstanding vent having a central vertical opening, said spout and vent having radial sealing surfaces, said cap including downward protrusions for sealing engagement with said spout and vent.   
   
   
       16 . A method of expanding a vending machine customer base by merchandising a vendible sippy cut containing beverage by placing the beverage in a container having an extended spout that resists leakage when tipped but allows fluid to flow when suction is applied, said container having a shape and size that can be vended as a sealed container from a refrigerated vending machine.