CUP ASSEMBLY HAVING A THERMAL-CORE

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/670,247 filed on Jul. 12, 2024, the entire content and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The field of this disclosure relates generally to a cup assembly and more particularly to an insulated cup assembly having a thermal-core.

BACKGROUND

Freshly expressed breastmilk is only recommended to be stored at room temperature for up to four hours. When parents wish to store breastmilk for extended periods of time, it is recommended that they reduce its temperature and keep it in food-grade containers with tight fitting lids. Strategies such as these can allow breastmilk to be stored for up to 12 months.

Typically, plastic bags, plastic bottles, or glass bottles are filled with breastmilk and stored in a fridge or freezer. However, this requires that a fridge or freezer be readily accessible to mothers where and when they wish to produce breastmilk for storage. This greatly limits the times and locations breastmilk may be produced for storage.

There is a need, therefore, for a portable cup assembly that may store and cool freshly produced breastmilk.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a cup assembly includes a container forming a liquid chamber for a liquid. The container includes a closed end, a base portion, and an upper portion. The upper portion includes an annular rim defining an open end of the container, and a container threaded portion. The assembly also includes a thermal-core defining a thermal chamber and positionable within the liquid chamber of the container. The thermal-core includes a thermal-core closed end, a thermal-core base portion, and a thermal-core neck. The thermal-core neck includes a thermal-core rim defining an open end of the thermal-core, and a thermal-core threaded portion. The assembly also includes a lid assembly removably attachable to each of the container and the thermal-core. The lid assembly includes a collar. The collar includes first internal threads for engaging the container threaded portion, second internal threads for engaging the thermal-core threaded portion, a pour spout formed on the collar defining an opening, and a cap mounted to the collar by a pivot, the cap positionable between an open positioned exposing an opening to the liquid chamber through the collar and a closed position sealing the opening.

In another aspect, a cup assembly includes a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes a collar having a first internal threaded portion, and a second internal threaded portion. The cup assembly also includes a container forming a liquid chamber for a liquid and a container threaded portion. The cup assembly also includes a thermal-core forming a thermal chamber for holding a thermal mass. The thermal-core includes a thermal-core threaded portion, where the lid assembly, the container, and the thermal-core define: a first configuration where the lid assembly is secured to the container by engaging the first internal threaded portion and the container threaded portion without the thermal-core, and a second configuration where the lid assembly is secured to the container by engaging the first internal threaded portion and the container threaded portion and engaging the second internal threaded portion and the thermal-core threaded portion.

In yet another aspect, the cup assembly includes a container forming a liquid chamber for a liquid. The container includes a closed end, a base portion, an upper portion. The upper portion includes a container rim defining an open end of the container, and a container threaded portion. The container also includes an interior wall and an exterior wall joined at the container rim and defining an evacuated space providing thermal insulation between the liquid chamber and an exterior portion of the container. The cup assembly also includes a thermal-core forming a thermal chamber and positionable within the liquid chamber. The thermal-core includes a thermal-core closed end, a thermal-core base portion, and a thermal-core neck. The thermal core neck includes a thermal-core rim defining an open end of the thermal-core, and a thermal-core threaded portion. The cup assembly also includes a lid assembly removably attachable to each of the container and the thermal-core. The lid assembly includes a collar. The collar includes first internal threads corresponding to the container threaded portion, second internal threads corresponding to the thermal-core threaded portion, a pour spout formed on the collar defining an opening. The pour spout includes a funnel-shaped upper portion, and a curved-oblong lower portion connected to the funnel-shaped upper portion that directs the liquid towards the thermal-core when the liquid is poured through the opening. The cup assembly also includes an outer seal positioned to contact the container rim when the collar is threaded onto the container and an inner seal positioned to contact the thermal-core rim when the collar is threaded onto the thermal-core, and a cap mounted to the collar by a pivot. The cap is positionable between an open position exposing the opening to the liquid chamber through the opening and a closed position sealing the opening, where the cap may include a third seal contacting the opening in the closed position to seal the opening, where the lid assembly defines a first closure for the container when the container is attached to the lid assembly, and where the lid assembly defines a second closure for the thermal-core when the thermal-core is attached to the lid assembly.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one suitable embodiment of a cup assembly of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the cup assembly.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the cup assembly with a cap in an opened position.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the cup assembly with the cap removed.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the cup assembly with the cap in the opened position.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the cup assembly with the cap in the opened position.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the cup assembly with the cap in the opened position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section of the cup assembly illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of a portion of the cross-section seen in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of the cup assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the cap is in a closed position.

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of a portion of the cross-section seen in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is perspective view a thermal-core and a cap.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the thermal-core closed by the cap.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a suitable embodiment of a cup assembly of the present disclosure is generally indicated at 100. The cup assembly includes a container, indicated at 102, a lid assembly, indicated at 104, for closing the container, and a thermal-core (shown in FIGS. 7-10), indicated at 144, for placement within the container to heat or cool a liquid stored in the container as described in more detail below. It is understood that the cup assembly 100 of the present disclosure can have any suitable form. Suitably, the cup assembly 100 of the present disclosure is a food grade liquid storage cup configured to hold a liquid intended for human consumption. In some embodiments, the cup assembly 100 further includes an insulating boot 182 removably attachable to at least the base portion 114 of the container 102. The insulating boot 182 is sized to fit over at least a portion of the cup assembly 100 (e.g., the base portion) and form an interference fit to removably attach the insulating boot 182 to the container 102. The insulating boot 182 is formed from an insulating material that provides additional thermal insulation and reduce heat transfer between the exterior portion of the cup assembly 100 and the liquid chamber 106. With reference to FIGS. 1-10, the container 102 of the cup assembly 100 defines a liquid chamber 106 to hold a quantity of a liquid. In one suitable embodiment, the liquid chamber is sized and shaped to store breastmilk produced by a nursing mother. It is understood, however, that the container 102 may be configured other than as described herein. For example, the container 102 may be in the form of a sports bottle, a drink tumbler, a training cup, a commuter cup, etc. The container 102 can be made of any suitable material such as, without limitation, glass, polypropylene or other plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. The container 102 of the illustrated embodiment, for example, is made of stainless steel. The container 102 can be made in any desired color or colors, and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

With reference still to FIGS. 1-10, the container 102 has a closed bottom 108, an open top 110, and a generally cylindrical side wall 112 extending between the closed bottom 108 and the open top 110. The cylindrical side wall 112 includes an upper portion 116, a transition portion 115, and a base portion 114 that is narrowed with respect to the upper portion 116. That is, the base portion 114 has a smaller diameter than the upper portion 116. The transition portion 115 extends between and connects the upper portion 116 to the base portion 114. It is understood that in other suitable embodiments, the diameter of the base 114 may only be slightly smaller than the diameter of the upper portion 116, the same diameter as the upper portion, or a larger diameter than the diameter of the upper portion without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As seen in FIGS. 7-10, the upper portion 116 includes a container rim 118 and an container threaded portion 120. The container threaded portion 120 includes external container threads 126 for assembling the container 102 to the lid assembly 104 as described later herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cylindrical side wall 112 of the container 102 includes an interior wall 122 and an exterior wall 124 defining a space 128 separating them (see FIGS. 7 and 9). The interior wall 122 and the exterior wall 124 are permanently connected at the container rim 118 sealing the space 128 from the exterior environment. The space 128 is substantially evacuated of matter creating a vacuum providing thermal insulation. It is understood, however, that in other suitable embodiments, the space 128 may be filled with argon, nitrogen, fiberglass, foam, or other insulating materials in place of an insulating vacuum. It is further understood that in some suitable embodiments, the cylindrical side wall 112 of the container 102 may only include a single wall.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the lid assembly 104 of the illustrated embodiment of the cup assembly 100 includes a pivotable cap 130, a collar 132, and a handle 134. The cap 130, the collar 132, and the handle 134 can each be made of any suitable material. For example, the cap 130, the collar 132, and the handle 134 are made of a substantially ridged material such as at least one of a plastic material, a metal material, and a glass material. The cap 130, the collar 132, and the handle 134 may be made of the same or different material. The cap 130, the collar 132, and the handle 134 can be made in any desired color or colors, and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

With reference now to FIGS. 3-7, the collar 132 includes a pour spout 139 and an opening 136 positioned near the thermal-core 144. The pour spout 139 facilitates pouring of a liquid from the chamber 106 of the container 102 through the opening 136. The opening is a hole facilitating a liquid to flow into the liquid chamber 106 of the container 102 while through the collar 132. The pour spout 139 is wider at its upper portion than its lower portion, creating a funnel shape directed towards the opening 136. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion of the pour spout 139 is a curved oblong where the opening 136 is formed. For example, the lower portion of the pour spout 139 is generally an elongate oval with a convex outboard edge and a convex inboard edge that defines, at least in part, the opening 136. In some embodiments, the outboard edge is longer than the convex inboard edge. The upper portion of the pour spout 139 is substantially oval shaped and may include a protrusion extending outward the radial edge of the collar 132. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 the upper and lower portions of the pour spout 139 are connected by a side wall 137. The side wall 137 connects the upper and lower portions of the pour spout 139 and defines the opening 136. In the example embodiment, the side wall 137 is sized and shaped to direct liquid towards the liquid chamber 106 of the container 102 as it flows from the pour spout 139 through the lower opening 136 and inhibits liquid from pooling or otherwise collecting in the collar 132. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 137 directs the flow of a liquid poured through the opening 136 to contact and flow along or near the side wall 152 of the thermal-core 144 as it is flows into the liquid chamber 106 of the container 102. In the example embodiment the side wall 137 forms a pour spout 139, that is a concave segment that extends from the upper collar 132 to the opening 136.

The cap 130 includes an elastomeric cap seal 138, a closure latch 140, and a hinge (not shown) located at a proximal end of the cap 130. The closure latch 140 is located at a distal end of the cap 130, which is opposite the hinge. The seal 138, which is located between the proximal and distal ends of the cap 130, is sized and shaped to create a liquid tight seal with the side wall 137 adjacent the opening 136. The seal 138 may be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, a sufficiently soft food safe material such as rubber, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, or neoprene. The cap 130 pivots about the hinge at its proximal end allowing cap 130 to transition between a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2) and an open position (FIGS. 3-6). In the closed position, the cap 130 is substantially aligned with the top surface of the collar 132 and the seal 138 engages with the side wall 137 thereby forming a liquid tight barrier preventing fluid flow through the opening 136 (see FIGS. 8 and 10). In the closed position, the closure latch 140 engages a lip 142 mounted on the collar 132 thereby securing the cap 130 in the closed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, the collar includes a retaining latch (collectively indicated at reference numbers 184 and 186) to secure the cap 130 in the closed position. The retaining latch includes a pivotable latch arm 184 mounted to the radial edge of the collar 132 and a groove 186 formed on the cap 130. The latch arm 184 is positionable between a closed (or locked) position (as shown in FIG. 2) and an open (or unlocked) position (as shown in FIG. 3A). In the closed position, the latch arm 184 is seated within the groove 186 to secure the cap 130 in the closed position. In the open position, the latch arm 184 is disengaged from the cap 130 allowing the cap 130 to pivot between the open and the closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, the collar 132 includes an outer side wall 168 and an inner side wall 170. The outer side wall 168 includes a first internally threaded portion 172 for attaching the container 102 to the lid assembly 104. The inner side wall 170 includes a second internally threaded portion 174 with threads 178 for attaching the thermal-core 144 to the lid assembly 104.

The thermal-core 144 includes a thermal chamber 146 to hold a liquid and/or solid, such as ice or water, for regulating or altering the temperature of the liquid stored in the liquid chamber 106. The thermal-core 144 may be made of any suitable thermally conductive material such as, without limitation, glass, polypropylene or other plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel. The thermal-core 144 may also be made in any desired color or colors, and may be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the thermal-core 144 has a closed bottom 148, an open top 150, and a generally cylindrical side wall 152 extending between the closed bottom 148 and the open top 150 defining the thermal chamber. The cylindrical side wall 152 includes a base portion 154 and a neck 156 that is slightly narrowed with respect to the base portion. That is, the neck 156 has a smaller diameter than the base portion 154. It is understood, however, that in other suitable embodiments the neck 156 diameter may only be slightly larger than the diameter of the base portion 154, or the same diameter as the base portion, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The neck 156 includes a thermal-core rim 158 and an externally threaded portion 160. A shoulder 162 defines a transition between the neck and the base portion 154. The threaded portion 160 of the neck 156 includes threads 176 for attaching the thermal-core 144 to the lid assembly 104.

With reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the thermal-core 144 may be sealed by a thermal-core cap 180 when the thermal-core is outside of the container 102. The thermal-core cap 180 is sized to fit within the annular rim 158 of the neck 156 when attached to the thermal-core 144. The thermal-core cap 180 is removably attachable to the thermal-core by a press-fit attachment. The attachment between the thermal-core 144 and the thermal-core cap 180 creates a watertight seal against the neck 156.

With reference again to FIGS. 7 and 9, an outer seal 164 and an inner seal 166 are disposed in recesses in the underside of the collar 132. The outer seal 164 aligns with the container rim 118 and the inner seal 166 aligns with the thermal-core rim 158 of the thermal-core 144. Both the outer seal 164 and the inner seal 166 are made of sufficiently soft food safe material such as, without limitation, rubber, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, or neoprene. The outer seal 164 and the inner seal 166 may be made of the same material as each other or potentially dissimilar materials from one another.

When the container 102 is assembled with the collar 132, the outer seal 164 creates a liquid barrier with the container rim 118. Additionally, when the thermal-core 144 is assembled with the collar 132, the inner seal 166 creates a liquid barrier with the thermal-core rim 158 of the thermal-core 144 preventing fluid transfer between the liquid chamber 106 of the container 102 and the thermal chamber 146 of the thermal-core 144.

The handle 134 is hingedly connected to the collar 132 allowing the handle 134 to move between a stowed position (shown in the accompanying drawings), and transportation position, not shown. In the stowed position, the handle 134 lies generally flat with the top surface of the collar 132 to not impede movement of the cap 130 as described below. In the transportation position, the handle 134 is moved substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the collar 132, allowing a user's hand to comfortably grasp the handle 134 and carry the cup assembly 100. It is understood that in other embodiments not shown, other handle configurations may be used such as straps. It is also understood that some embodiments not shown may not include a handle.

In operation, a user fills the thermal chamber 146 of the thermal-core 144 with a solid and/or liquid of a desired temperature. For example, the user could fill the thermal chamber 146 with hot water, cold water, or ice water. In yet another suitable example, the user can fill with the thermal chamber 146 with a solid and/or liquid and place the thermal-core in an environment to alter the solid and/or liquid temperature. For example, the user can fill the thermal chamber 146 with water and place the thermal chamber 146 in a freezer solidifying the liquid water into ice.

The thermal-core 144 is then assembled with the lid assembly 104 by rotating at least one of the thermal-core and/or the lid assembly to engage the threads 176 of the thermal-core 144 and the threads 178 of the collar 132, until the inner seal 166 creates a liquid barrier with the thermal-core rim 158 of the thermal-core 144. The container 102 is then assembled with the lid assembly 104 by rotating at least one of the container and/or the lid assembly thereby engaging the threads 126 of the container and the threads 176 of the collar 132, until the inner seal 164 creates a liquid barrier with the container rim 118.

The user pivots the cap 130 from the latched, closed position to the opened position. In the opened position, the user can then pour liquid through the opening 136 in the collar 132 so that it is stored in the liquid chamber 106 of the container 102. The cap 130 is then placed into the closed position locking the closure latch 140 with the lip 142, causing the seal 138 to create a liquid barrier inhibiting liquid in the liquid chamber 106 of the container 102 from leaking.

In various embodiments, the cup assembly 100 may define one or more configurations. The first configuration includes the lid assembly 104 secured to the container 102 without the thermal-core 144. In the first configuration, the lid assembly 104 is secured to the container 102 by engaging the first threaded portion 172 and the container threaded portion 120. The second configuration includes the lid assembly 104 secured to the container 102 and the thermal-core 144. In the second configuration, the lid assembly 104 is secured to the container 102 by engaging the first threaded portion 172 and the container threaded portion 120 and the thermal-core 144 is secured to the lid assembly 104 by engaging the inner internal threaded portion 174 and the thermal-core threaded portion 160.

Embodiments of a cup assembly 100 described herein provide advantages over at least some known cup assemblies. For example, the described cup assemblies are simpler and more convenient for a user to store breastmilk for extended periods of time. In addition, the cup assembly may allow mothers to produce breastmilk at times and in locations not normally practical for timely refrigerating the breastmilk. The breastmilk can be safely stored for a period of time and readily transported in the cup assembly 100.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the various versions, embodiment(s) or aspects thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top”, “bottom”, “side”, etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.

As various changes could be made in the above without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.