Toddler drinking container and methods for making the same

Abstract

In one embodiment, a beverage container is disclosed. The container includes a bottom portion formed to contain a consumable fluid and a top portion fixably coupled to the bottom portion so as to further contain the fluid and whereby the top portion and bottom portion are not detachable. The top portion comprising a drinking spout having a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve opens to expel fluid from the bottom portion through the spout when a negative pressure is applied to the spout and the one-way value closes to substantially prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottom portion through the spout when negative pressure is not applied to the spout. Methods for fabricating such container are also disclosed.

1 . A beverage container comprising: 
 a bottom portion formed to contain a consumable fluid; and    a top portion fixably coupled to the bottom portion so as to further contain the fluid and whereby the top portion and bottom portion are not detachable,    wherein the top portion comprising a drinking spout having a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve opens to expel fluid from the bottom portion through the spout when a negative pressure is applied to the spout and the one-way value closes to substantially prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottom portion through the spout when negative pressure is not applied to the spout.    
   
   
       2 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion forms a cup having curved sidewalls with at least a first sidewall having a circumference smaller than a second and third sidewall portion's circumference, wherein the first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age between about 1 year and about 3 years old can substantially wrap his/her hand or hands around the first circumference.  
   
   
       3 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age of about 6 months to about 1 year can substantially wrap both of his/her hands around the first circumference.  
   
   
       4 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age of about 2 or 3 years can substantially wrap his/her hand around the first circumference.  
   
   
       5 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the curved sidewalls further include at least a fourth sidewall having a circumference smaller than a fifth and sixth sidewall portion's circumference, wherein the fourth sidewall circumference is sized so that an adult can substantially wrap his/her hand around the first circumference.  
   
   
       6 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the curved sidewalls form an hourglass shape.  
   
   
       7 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the top portion further comprises a safety seal for the spout so that when the spout is moved to an open position the safety seal is broken or removed.  
   
   
       8 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion includes metered lines for indicating the quantity of fluid consumed or remaining in the bottom portion.  
   
   
       9 . A beverage container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is pre-filled with the fluid.  
   
   
       10 . A method of making a beverage container comprising: 
 forming a bottom portion to contain a consumable fluid;    filling the bottom portion with a consumable fluid; and    forming a top portion and fixably coupling the top portion to the bottom portion so as to further contain the fluid and whereby the top portion and bottom portion are not detachable, wherein the top portion comprising a drinking spout having a one-way valve, wherein the one-way valve opens to expel fluid from the bottom portion through the spout when a negative pressure is applied to the spout and the one-way value closes to substantially prevent fluid from leaking out from the bottom portion through the spout when negative pressure is not applied to the spout.    
   
   
       11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the bottom portion is blow molded within a mold having the shape of a cup having curved sidewalls with at least a first sidewall having a circumference smaller than a second and third sidewall portion's circumference, wherein the first sidewall circumference is sized so that a child having an age between about 1 year and about 3 years old can substantially wrap his/her hand or hands around the first circumference.  
   
   
       12 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the liquid is filled through a top portion of the bottom portion.  
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising placing a safety seal over the spout so that when the spout is moved to an open position the safety seal is broken or removed.  
   
   
       14 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the bottom portion is formed with metered lines for indicating the quantity of fluid consumed or remaining in the bottom portion.  
   
   
       15 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising forming a shrink wrap over at least the bottom portion, wherein the shrink wrap is formed with metered lines for indicating the quantity of fluid consumed or remaining in the bottom portion.