Low cost spill-resistant cup

Abstract

The improved low cost cup and container for storing and dispensing liquids has a scoop-like-baffle that separates the body of the cup with the mouth opening of the cover. It resists spilling when shaken or vibrated suddenly. When the improved cup and container is tilted for pouring, such that the liquid level inside the storage chamber of the cup chamber is higher than the liquid level at the mouth opening, no liquid pours out of the cup. The liquid starts to flow out of the mouth opening after the cup is tilted beyond a start-to-pour angle. The start-to-pour angle is reached when the cup is tilted permitting the outside air to pass through the scoop-like-baffle and into the storage chamber. The improved cup has a removable cover with a scoop-like-baffle bended downward toward the body of the cup.

1 . A cup for dispensing a liquid with less spilling, the cup comprising:
 (a) a cup body defining a liquid storage chamber and an opening at a top portion for dispensing liquid contents therefrom;   (b) a cover configured to sealingly engage the opening of the cup body, the cover including:
 i. a mouth opening disposed therein; and 
 ii. a baffle extending downwardly from the cover and projected to form a start-to-pour line; 
 iii. wherein, when the cup is tilted beyond a start-to-pour angle, the baffle is adapted to allow liquid contents in the cup body to flow in a generally unobstructed flow path from the cup body and through the mouth opening of the cover without otherwise altering the cover. 
   
   
   
       2 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein a lowest point of the mouth opening and an apex point of the baffle are located at differing elevations when the cup body is situated in an upright position. 
   
   
       3 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is a scoop-like baffle. 
   
   
       4 . The cup of  claim 3 , wherein the scoop-like baffle has a curved surface. 
   
   
       5 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the start-to-pour angle is greater than 45 degrees. 
   
   
       6 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the start-to-pour angle is greater than 60 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cover has a pinhole. 
   
   
       8 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle is integral with the cover. 
   
   
       9 . The cup of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is removable. 
   
   
       10 . A cup for dispensing a liquid with less spilling, the cup comprising:
 (a) a cup body defining a liquid storage chamber and an opening at a top portion for dispensing liquid contents therefrom;   (b) a removable cover configured to sealingly engage the opening of the cup body, the cover including:
 i. a mouth opening disposed therein; and 
 ii. an integral baffle extending downwardly from the cover and projected to form a start-to-pour line; 
 iii. wherein, when the cup is tilted beyond a start-to-pour angle, the baffle is adapted to allow liquid contents in the cup body to flow in a generally unobstructed flow path out of the cup body and through the mouth opening of the cover without otherwise altering the cover. 
   
   
   
       11 . The cup of  claim 10 , wherein a lowest point of the mouth opening and an apex point of the baffle are located at differing elevations when the cup body is situated in an upright position. 
   
   
       12 . The cup of  claim 10 , wherein the baffle is a scoop-like baffle. 
   
   
       13 . The cup of  claim 12 , wherein the scoop-like baffle has a curved surface. 
   
   
       14 . The cup of  claim 10 , wherein the start-to-pour angle is greater than 45 degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The cup of  claim 10 , wherein the start-to-pour angle is greater than 60 degrees. 
   
   
       16 . The cup of  claim 10 , wherein the cover has a pinhole. 
   
   
       17 . A cup for dispensing a liquid with less spilling, the cup comprising:
 (a) a cup body defining a liquid storage chamber and an opening at a top portion for dispensing liquid contents therefrom;   (b) a cover configured to sealingly engage the opening of the cup body, the cover including:
 i. a mouth opening disposed therein; and 
 ii. a baffle extending downwardly from the cover; 
 iii. wherein a start-to-pour line is defined by a lowest point of the mouth opening and an apex point of the baffle; and 
 iii. wherein, when the cup is tilted such that the start-to-pour line reaches and extends beyond a horizontal line, the baffle is adapted to allow liquid contents in the cup body to begin to flow in a generally unobstructed flow path out of the cup body and through the mouth opening of the cover without otherwise altering the cover. 
   
   
   
       18 . The cup of  claim 17 , wherein the baffle has a curved surface. 
   
   
       19 . The cup of  claim 17 , wherein the cover has a pinhole. 
   
   
       20 . The cup of  claim 17 , wherein the baffle is integral with the cover.