Adjustable Volume Toddler Cup

Abstract

Adjustable volume cups and methods for use are disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention are directed to adjustable volume cups having a housing with at least one recess and a bottom slidably movable within the housing having at least one projection for cooperative interaction with the at least one recess.

1 . A cup comprising:
 a housing having axial length, an inside surface with at least one recess, an outside surface and an upper end; and   a bottom slidably movable within the housing and having at least one projection shaped to cooperatively interact with the at least one recess, when inside the housing the bottom in contact with the inside surface of the housing to form a cup for retaining a substance.   
   
   
       2 . The cup of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable cap. 
   
   
       3 . The cup of  claim 2 , wherein the removable cap comprises a threaded portion for rotatable connection with a threaded portion on the upper end of the outside surface of the housing. 
   
   
       4 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one recess in the housing extends axially along the length of the housing. 
   
   
       5 . The cup of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one recess in the housing is dovetail shaped. 
   
   
       6 . The cup of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom comprises at least one dovetail shaped projection sized to fit within the dovetail shaped recess of the housing. 
   
   
       7 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one recess in the housing extends around the inside perimeter of the housing. 
   
   
       8 . The cup of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one recess is arc shaped. 
   
   
       9 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom comprises a plurality of expandable sections which upon expansion form a tight seal against the inside surface of the housing. 
   
   
       10 . The cup of  claim 1 , further comprising handles attached to the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The cup of  claim 2 , wherein the removable cap comprises a spill-proof mechanism. 
   
   
       12 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a gap between the inside surface and outside surface, the gap for containing a substance. 
   
   
       13 . The cup of  claim 12 , further comprising a substance contained within the gap, the substance being able to be frozen. 
   
   
       14 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cup further comprises markings viewable from the outside surface, each marking denoting the volume containable within the cup when the bottom is positioned at the mark. 
   
   
       15 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is cylindrical. 
   
   
       16 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is rectangular. 
   
   
       17 . A cup comprising:
 a cylindrical housing having an upper end and a lower end defining an axial length, an outside surface and an inside surface with at least one recess; and   a bottom slidably movable within the housing along the axial length of the housing, the bottom including at least one projection having complementary shape to the at least one recess, the bottom in contact with the inside surface of the housing forming a cup for retaining a fluid.   
   
   
       18 . The cup of  claim 17 , wherein the bottom further comprises a flexible ring around the perimeter of the bottom, the flexible ring compressible on contact with the inside surface of the housing to form a fluid tight seal.